If you’re looking for a snack that’s wholesome, full of flavor and kid approved, you’re going to love these Sourdough Granola Bars.
They are naturally sweetened, oh so chewy and made with the goodness and convenience of either active or discard sourdough starter. No fermentation required here–just mix, bake and enjoy 🙂
They are bars you can feel good about giving your kids compared to their store bought counterpart.
I recently looked at the label of a similar store bought granola bar and I was shocked!
The bars contained a few different vegetable oils, corn syrup and corn syrup solids, tons of processed sugar, natural flavors and preservatives just to name a few of their laundry list ingredients.
With how quickly these bars take to make, these are hands down the better option when feeding children a wholesome, filling snack to pack!
These granola bars are so good that my kids beg to have them packed in their school lunches every week!
So whether you’re looking for a quick after school snack, or a grab and go breakfast option, these sourdough granola bars will be your favorite!
Pin for Later:
Why you will love these sourdough granola bars
These bars aren’t your average store bought granola bars. They’re better, heartier, fresher and so much more delicious. Once you try them, you’ll never go back!
- Quick and Easy: Made in just 30 minutes these bars are quick and easy and everyones favorite!
- Kid friendly: My kids have not tired of these bars yet!
- Lunchbox approved: These bars are sturdy to pack on the go making them great for school lunches!
- Flavor packed: These are loaded with flavor and the subtle sourdough enhances every bite!
- Naturally sweetened: You won’t find refined sugars here! Sweetened with honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar that pair beautifully with the nutty oats!
- Customizable: From the classic oats to a nutty or fruity flavor profile. These bars can be changed up to suit your cravings (see variations below)
Ingredients to make The Best Sourdough Granola Bars
- Old Fashioned Oats
- Sourdough Starter (active or discard)
- Butter
- Honey
- Coconut Sugar or Brown Sugar
- Peanut Butter
- Baking Soda
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Chocolate Chips (preferably Mini)
How to make The Best Sourdough Granola Bars
- On stovetop melt the butter over low heat. Remove from the heat and add in peanut butter, starter, honey, coconut sugar, baking soda, vanilla and salt. Mix well. *It should grow (because of the baking soda and starter combined)
- Add oats to a large bowl and pour mixture overtop. Mix until fully combined then add in the mini chocolate chips.
- Add to a 9×9 baking dish lined with parchment paper. Press firmly into the dish. *this helps the bars keep their shape
- Bake until the edges are slightly golden brown.
- Cool completely before cutting into the bars.
Flavor Options and Additions for the Best Sourdough Granola Bars
Using the full recipe below, add in these additions to switch up the flavors and keep things exciting.
- Almond Coconut Crunch: Replace peanut butter for almond butter. Add in 1/4 cup slivered almonds and 1/4 cup shredded coconut.
- Cozy Chai Spiced Bars: Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom. And 1/8 tsp clove and ginger.
- Apple Cinnamon Crunch: Add in 1/4 cup dried apples and 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Cranberry Orange Spice: Add 1/4 cup dried cranberries, a little orange zest and 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Trail Mix Energy Bars: Add in 1/3 cup total of your favorite dried fruit and nuts.
- Protein Packed Bars: Add 2 scoops of your favorite protein powder with 1 Tbsp chia seeds.
What additions would you add? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
Let’s Make the Best Sourdough Granola Bars
The Best Sourdough Granola Bars
If you're looking for a snack that's wholesome, full of flavor and kid approved, you're going to love these Sourdough Granola Bars.
Ingredients
- 300g Old Fashioned Oats
- 100g Sourdough Starter
- 1/4 cup Butter, Melted
- 1/3 cup Peanut Butter (or any nut/seed butter)
- 1/3 cup Honey or Maple Syrup
- 1/4 cup Coconut Sugar or brown sugar
- 1 tsp Baking Soda
- 2 tsp Vanilla
- 1/2 tsp Sea Salt
- 1/2 cup Mini Chocolate Chips
Instructions
- In a medium size bowl, add old fashioned oats and set aside.
- On stovetop over low heat, melt butter in medium size pan. Remove from heat and add in peanut butter, sourdough starter, honey, and coconut sugar mixing well until everything is well combined (really mix in the sourdough!). Then add baking soda, vanilla and salt, again mixing well. Rest batter 1-2 minutes-- *mixture should become light and airy in texture, and increase in volume from combining the soda and sourdough starter together.
- Pour mixture over oats and mix thoroughly. Add in chocolate chips or any other add-ins at this time. *see post for variations
- Pour into a 9x9 parchment lined baking dish. Using the back of a rubber spatula, firmly press oats into the pan *this helps hold their shape.
- Bake at 325° F for 25-27 minutes. The edges will be slightly golden. Cool completely before cutting into the bars. Enjoy!
Notes
Store in airtight container for 2-3 days.
Skip to Recipe
My kids absolutely love these! My 11 year old said that it’s the best thing I’ve ever made except reeses bars. I’m currently baking my second batch after they were devoured in less than 24 hours. Lol I’m looking forward to trying some different varieties now. Do they freeze well? I’d love to make a bunch and stock up.
yay! I LOVE to hear this Kristen! My kids would say the same thing 🙂 Thanks for sharing how much you enjoy them
We only have the sprouted oats from Costco right now. Will they work? What brand oats did you use?
You can certainly use them, I just found the sprouted oats to be a little more dry in this recipe. But my kids still devoured them 🙂 I buy an organic rolled/old fashioned oat from thrive market. But any grocery store will sell them too.
I loved the flavour but found them very crumbly! Any tips?
When doing the other flavors you have suggested do we use something other than peanubutter I feel like the chia one wouldn’t go with peanubutter
Mmm…I like the flavors together. But you can use a different nut or seed butter instead if you prefer 🙂