Pantry Clean-Out Sourdough Discard Granola Recipe
Found half a bag of pecans from your Thanksgiving pie? Some slivered almonds from that fancy salad you made three months ago?
And let’s not forget about that nearly full bag of hemp seeds (or were they flax seeds?) you bought last year during your healthy snack phase. (And by you, I mean me).
This is all the perfect excuse for some homemade sourdough granola!
Add sourdough discard (or active starter) as a binder, and you’ve got a delicious kid-friendly snack you can feel good about.
I present to you: a pantry clean-out sourdough granola recipe that’s completely customizable based on whatever random nuts, seeds, and dried fruit are collecting dust in the back of your pantry.
The Pantry Clean-Out Sourdough Granola Formula
This recipe follows a simple formula.
Fill each category (nuts, seeds, dried fruit, spices) with whatever you have on hand.
This is not a recipe you should run to the store for – no, this is the last-minute, I-need-an-arguably-healthy-snack-stat recipe.
Here’s the granola formula:
- 60g liquid fat (avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil)
- 60g liquid sweetener (maple syrup, honey, agave)
- 40g light brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 100g sourdough discard
- 5g sea salt
- 200g oats (old fashioned are best but quick also works)
- 100g seeds (pepitas, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds)
- 100g nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios)
- 100g dried fruit (raisins, blueberries, cranberries, apricots, dates, cherries, pineapple – just chop up larger dried fruit)
- 50g shredded coconut (optional)
- Optional flavor: I like 10g vanilla extract and 5g cinnamon, but you can throw in whatever you fancy (cardamom, nutmeg, ginger, citrus zest, or even cocoa powder)
Can you see why I love this recipe so much?!
Why Add Sourdough Discard?
The sourdough starter in this recipe acts as a binder, helping all the nuts, seeds, and dried fruit stick together to form clusters.
You can use active sourdough starter or discard – either works great in this recipe. I’d advise against using discard that’s older than 10 days. If it has hooch on it or smells unappetizing, don’t use it!
Traditional granola recipes don’t include sourdough discard – they rely on liquid oil (like olive oil) and sweetener (like honey) to bind everything. Some recipes also add nut butter for extra stickiness.
And that works fine. But we’re sourdough nerds, and we naturally try to turn any recipe we can into a sourdough one. Granola is no exception.
Beyond just being an easy way to use up discard, I truly think it helps form better clusters. It’s an excellent binding agent.
How to Make Pantry Clean-Out Sourdough Granola
I get excited about any recipe that’s as simple as mix, bake, done. That’s all this is.
- Step 1: Mix the wet ingredients; then, fold in the dry.
- Step 2: Spread onto a baking sheet. The USA Pan one is my favorite – it’s completley nonstick so you don’t have to spray or line it. And it does not use Teflon (it’s a silicone coating).
- Step 3: Bake.
I’m telling you… this granola is that easy. Plus, it’s entirely customizable to your taste and what you have available.
How to Serve
Our whole family loves eating granola by itself. It’s perfect for kids’ school lunches and makes a great mid-morning snack.
But there are lots of other ways to enjoy granola:
- Top your yogurt (or layer it like a parfait)
- Cover in milk and eat like cereal
- Cover in milk, heat it up, and eat like oatmeal
- Use it in overnight oats
- Mix with melted chocolate to make dessert bars
- Crush it up and turn it into granola bars
- Mix into banana bread batter
- Turn into energy balls by crushing it, mixing with peanut butter and honey, and rolling into small balls; refrigerate until set
- Top your ice cream
- Sprinkle on warm fruit desserts (like pies, baked apples, or cobblers)
- Add to pudding
Granola has so many potential uses!
It lasts on the counter for weeks, which is another reason we really love it.
Another flavor variation you might love: Oats & Honey Sourdough Discard Granola
Sourdough Discard Granola
Equipment
- Half sheet pan (USA Pan is my favorite; it's nonstick but does not use Teflon)
Ingredients
- 60 g liquid fat (avocado oil, coconut oil, olive oil)
- 60 g liquid sweetener (maple syrup, honey, agave)
- 40 g light brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
- 100 g sourdough starter (active or discard)
- 10 g vanilla extract
- 200 g oats (old fashioned are best, but quick also works)
- 100 g seeds (pepitas, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds)
- 100 g nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios)
- 100 g dried fruit (raisins, blueberries, cranberries, apricots, dates, cherries, pineapple; chop up larger dried fruit)
- 50 g shredded coconut (optional)
- 5 g sea salt
- 5 g cinnamon (or other preferred spices)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 60 g liquid fat, 60 g liquid sweetener, 40 g light brown sugar, 100 g sourdough starter, and 10 g vanilla extract. Then, mix in 200 g oats, 100 g seeds, 100 g nuts, 100 g dried fruit, 50 g shredded coconut, 5 g sea salt, and 5 g cinnamon (or other preferred spices).
- Spray a half sheet pan with oil or line it with parchment paper. Spread granola mixture in an even layer on sheet pan, pressing down with a spatula or the back of a measuring cup. Compacting the mixture will encourage clumps.
- Bake for 30 minutes, rotating sheet pan halfway through. If you prefer clusters, do not break apart the mixture during baking. If you prefer a loose granola mixture, toss the mixture halfway through baking.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before breaking apart into clumps. Store in an airtight container (I prefer glass) at room temperature. Keeps for up to 4 weeks.
Video
Notes
- If you want a less-sweet granola (not that this recipe is overly sweet), you can omit the light brown sugar or cut it back.
- The ingredient ideas in the Ingredients section are all suggestions, but they’re not comprehensive. If you have other seeds, nuts, or dried fruit on hand that aren’t listed there, don’t be afraid to use them!
Conclusion
Have you seen the price of high-quality granola these days? I’m not afraid to splurge for better ingredients, but wow… it’s like $10-15 for a single bag!
Save money while cleaning out your pantry by using those nuts, seeds, and dried fruit that were going to expire anyway. You’ll end up with amazing granola that also uses up 100g of discard from the back of your fridge.
If you try this easy sourdough discard granola recipe, let me know your thoughts in the comments!
Related:
This will be put in the category of ‘Favorite Easy Discard Recipes’ immediately. So simple and yet packs a punch. I made a double batch with dried oranges, chocolate chips, almonds, butter toffee pecans, and chia seeds. Other adjustments: I used just over half of what was called for the olive oil, omitted the brown sugar, only used half of the called for maple syrup, and salt and cinnamon to taste. It came out awesome and both my husband and I had to check ourselves when we were “taste testing” it. 🤣 If you’re looking for a perfect beginner’s intro to discard recipes, start here.
So glad you loved it, thanks for sharing!
I made this and everyone enjoyed it!
So happy to hear that Sonja!
Just finished baking the granola and i love it! Not too sweet and hard.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Wow! I made half a batch as I wasn’t sure and boy was I pleasantly surprised! That’s GREAT! I used sprouted oats and coconut oil and it turned out perfect. What a terrific way to use the discard. I will definitely be making this again. Thanks so much!!
Could I vacuum seal for longer shelf life storage?
That’s a reasonable assumption
Wow. This was so easy and so good. Perfectly cooked.
Looks great, thanks for sharing Rachel!
I’ve now made this 3 times! New to the sour discard recipes and this was so easy and delicious. It’s so addictive too. It’s great both as a snack and in my Greek yogurt. Thanks for sharing!
So glad you are loving the granola Toby!
This has become a staple in our house! My husband and I love to add to our morning yogurt-and snack during the day! We go through a batch in about 10 days. Thanks so much for this great recipe.
I love to hear that!! You’re welcome!
Question… this looks amazing but my husband does not like dried fruit. Could I just add more nuts and seeds or oatmeal and it would work the same?
Thanks!
Yes, this is completely customizable! Feel free to leave out the dried fruit!
Just got this out of the oven and it is delicious. Gave some to hubby to try and he immediately requested the same recipe but as granola bars. I wasn’t sure if just baking it pressed into a parchment lined 9×13 pan would do it or if perhaps adding more discard or nut butter would be needed. Can’t wait for your suggestion because I don’t think this granola will last long.
You can totally keep the recipe as-is and form them into bars before baking. They’ll be like the nature valley crunchy granola bars. I think adding more binders like the discard, nut butter, honey, etc. would help it be more of a softer bar if that’s what you prefer.
I love finding new ways to use up discard, and this is for sure a favorite now!! So easy to mix up and so yummy!! Excited to experiment with different add ins 🙂
I’ve made this several times and it’s great but this time I toasted the oats and nuts and soaked dried cherries in vanilla for several hours. I have been adding dark chocolate chunks as well.
I have to say it’s the best yet!
Yum, that’s such a great idea!
This was a lot of fun to make and super cheap because I already had everything LOL
Yes, I love finding a way to use up things in my pantry! Glad you enjoyed it!
I have to say, this was the best homemade sourdough granola I’ve ever made!!!! It was easy, was a pantry buster (I have so much more space now so I can purchase more LOL), versatile, delicious and nutritious. I will never buy store bought granola again! Thank you for all your recipes, recipe testing, and sourdough educational YouTube videos!!! So glad I stumbled onto your channel 🙂
Aw thanks Wanda!! So glad you found me!
So good! I made a double batch of this and split it between a half sheet pan and this Pampered Chef snack bar maker silicone bar making pan. I used half date syrup, half honey as the liquid sweetener, melted coconut oil as the oil and golden Monkfruit instead of brown sugar. I subbed mini chocolate chips for the coconut flakes and cocoa powder for the cinnamon. I used dried cherries, pecans, and a mix of pepitas, flax, and chia seeds. Oh and I used the quick oats because I had 400 grams lingering in my pantry that I wanted gone. It turned out amazing!
Looks so good!! Glad you like it!
I’ve been making discard granola for ages/ such a hit!
Love your idea of the clean out pantry! Granola is the perfect snack with a dollop of yoghurt….love the clumps ! Thanks for all your testing and recipes / I’m in Australia, so keep up your great work 🌻🌻🌻
Yes!! Love granola with some yogurt!
I simply love this recipe. I’m going to make it a second time for myself after having tried and endlessly enjoyed this granola almost every time I looked at the jar. Note: if you don’t want your granola to run out extremely quickly, don’t leave it exposed in your field of vision, because for me it was indeed a temptation.
I also made it for my mom and mother-in-law, a little gift taken at Easter, and everyone who received, also loved it. I highly recommend this recipe!! <3
Haha! So glad you are enjoying the granola so much!!
My family loved this granola, thanks!
You’re welcome!!
This is delicious! Made it for the first time today and it won’t be my last time 🙂 Have you ever tried to make it higher protein with some kind of protein powder?
I haven’t yet!