Sourdough Discard Granola Bars (Chocolate Peanut Butter)

These sourdough discard granola bars are chock full of the best flavors: chocolate, peanut butter, oats and honey!

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I’ve been looking for a way to replace store-bought bars for my kids. Luckily, these homemade granola bars were a hit!

These easy bars make a great snack or you can dip them in yogurt or dunk them in milk for a filling breakfast.

I’ve grown weary of buying snacks that are filled with ingredients I can’t identify (let alone read).  These bars feature simple ingredients like vanilla extract, miniature chocolate chips, sourdough discard, and chewy rolled oats.    

While this recipe makes chocolate peanut butter granola bars, you can easily modify it to suit your own tastes. 

Let me show you how to make the best sourdough granola bars… I promise they are way better than the store-bought version!

You will need a large bowl, a spatula, measuring cups, and a 9×9 or 9×11 baking dish for this recipe. 

Get more quick and easy sourdough discard recipes here. 

Why You’ll Love Them

• This simple recipe is quick to throw together and easy to clean up.
• There are no seed oils in these bars, only simple, whole ingredients.
• This recipe is a great way to use up excess discard. 
• These bars are a fun snack to take on adventures with your kids!
• This recipe is flexible: add in white chocolate chips, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, or dark chocolate chips.

​Ingredients

Wet Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter (melted)
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup sourdough starter discard (you can also use active sourdough starter)

Dry Ingredients

• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 3.5 cups rolled oats (I used
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup miniature chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup chopped peanuts (optional)

How To Make Sourdough Discard Granola Bars

Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.   Line a 9×9 or 9×11 baking pan with parchment paper.  This will allow you to easily lift out the granola mixture.

Next melt the butter and peanut butter in a medium bowl in the microwave. Add the melted butter and peanut butter, vanilla and honey into a large mixing bowl. Mix well.

Next add the brown sugar, sourdough discard, oats, and salt.  Mix well. Finally, stir in the chocolate chips and chopped nuts (if using). 

Next, dump the granola bar mixture into the prepared pan. Evenly press the granola mixture into the pan using your hands or the back of a spatula.  Press down firmly, creating an even layer. 

Bake for 25 minutes.   Remove the bars from the pan and let them cool, then transfer to the fridge to chill for at least one hour.  

Optional: Once chilled, melt chocolate chips and use a fork to drizzle the chocolate over the bars. A little pizazz makes these bars even more fun!

Use a large knife and cutting board to cut the granola bars into twelve equal squares.

 

Tips 

• I have made this recipe with 1/2 the amount of honey. The honey acts as a natural binder, so if you reduce the amount the bars will be more crumbly.
• Make sure to chill the granola bars in the refrigerator for at least one hour.  This allows you to cut the granola bars without them falling apart.
• I typically use my sourdough discard when it is flat and runny, about 18-24 hours old.

Variations

Here are a few fun variations to increase the nutrition or change the textures and flavor of the bars:

• Add in pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, or pecans.
• Change up the peanut butter for almond butter or cashew.
• Add in golden raisins, craisins or raisins/
• Make a decadent bar with sunflower seeds, sea salt, dark chocolate.
• Mix in some flavors by adding pumpkin pie spice.

The sky is the limit!  Experiment and involve your kids as you search for your favorite add-ins.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container such as a ziploc bag for up to one week. 

Longer Storage: To freeze, wrap the bars individually in parchment paper and then place them in a freezer safe container.  Store for up to two months. 

Dripping with chocolate morsels and natural peanut butter, these chewy sourdough granola bars are sure to be a hit with your kiddos.   They are the perfect snack to take on the go, and you can modify this recipe to fit the needs of your family!

These chewy granola bars are a great alternative to the ever popular but not so wholesome store bought brands.

I hope you and your kids love this sourdough discard granola bar recipe!