Preheat oven to 325°F. Lightly oil a large baking sheet or line it with parchment paper.
In a small mixing bowl, mix together the sourdough starter, maple syrup, peanut butter, coconut oil, salt, and cinnamon until the mixture is smooth.
In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients: oats, walnuts, pecans, dates, and coconut. Add the sourdough mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Transfer the granola to the prepared baking sheet, pressing and clustering it together to your preference.
Bake the granola for 30 - 35 minutes, or until it gives off a roasted, nutty aroma and has turned golden brown.
Remove granola from the oven and let it cool down completely before adding in the dried banana.
Enjoy with milk or yogurt of your choice. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
Press It Firmly for Bigger Clusters: After spreading the granola mixture on the baking sheet, use a spatula or even your hands to gently but firmly press it into an even layer.
Don't Stir While Baking: Letting the granola bake undisturbed helps it form crispy, golden clusters. Wait until it's completely cool before breaking it into pieces, this keeps those lovely chunks intact.
Add Delicate Ingredients After Baking: Save dried fruits like banana slices, raisins, or cranberries for after baking. Stir them in once the granola has cooled to maintain the best texture and flavor.
Use Cold Ingredients for Better Texture: If you have time, chill the sourdough discard and wet mixture briefly before combining with the dry ingredients. Cold mixtures help the granola set faster in the oven, giving you crispier, more bakery-style clusters!
Recipe Variations:
Fruity Granola: Enhance the flavor of your sourdough granola by swapping the dried banana and dates with a mix of dried fruit like apricots, cherries, cranberries, and raisins. It gives a sweet-tart taste that brightens every bite!
Sweet granola: Add a splash of vanilla extract to the sourdough mixture for a bakery-style flavor. You can also drizzle in a little honey for even richer sweetness alongside the maple syrup.
Dessert-Inspired: If you love a sweet treat, toss a handful of chocolate chips into the cooled granola. You’ll turn it into the ultimate snack—or press the mixture into a pan and bake briefly for sourdough granola bars you’ll want to take every where!
Storing Instructions:
Store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. For longer storage, keep it in the freezer for up to three months to maintain maximum crispness.