Published: May 7, 2024 by Ashley Petrie, RDN, LDN · This post may contain affiliate links · 25 Comments

Sourdough Granola Bars (Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip)

Name: Sourdough Granola Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 2 cups (160 grams) quick oats; ½ cup (100 grams) sourdough starter discard; ½ cup (80 grams) mini chocolate chips; ½ cup (70 grams) unsalted dry roasted peanuts (finely chopped); 6 tablespoons (126 grams) honey; 6 tablespoons (96 grams) smooth natural peanut butter (I used unsalted and added 1 teaspoon of kosher salt); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½-1 teaspoon kosher salt (to taste)

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These Sourdough Granola Bars are tangy, lightly sweetened, and packed with oats, peanut butter, and mini chocolate chips. Great for a quick snack, this easy sourdough discard recipe is perfect for beginners.

A stack of five sourdough granola bars with more bars out of focus in the background.

Did you enjoy granola bars as a kid like I did?

My absolute favorite was the chewy peanut butter chocolate chip kind. I couldn't get enough—especially once my dad taught me to spread a little extra peanut butter on top. So good!

Store-bought granola bars are a little too sweet for me now, but they're still perfect for a quick breakfast or snack—especially in the summer when you want something easy to grab and go.

These sourdough granola bars are my grown-up take on the ones I loved so much as a kid. They're lightly sweetened with honey and made with natural peanut butter to keep the sugar and salt low. The sourdough discard adds a subtle tang, while the chopped peanuts and mini chocolate chips give them that nostalgic touch.

And the best part? They come together with just 8 ingredients and are ready in 30 minutes.

If you're looking for an easy sourdough discard recipe that’s great for snacking, give these peanut butter chocolate chip sourdough granola bars a try.

And if you’re in the mood for something seasonal, you might also love my Pumpkin Sourdough Granola Bars.

Disclaimer: Some links throughout this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. You can learn more by visiting my Affiliate Disclosure Page.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Here are some notes on key ingredients. For a full list of ingredients, check out the recipe card below.

Sourdough Discard- Using sourdough starter discard not only helps bind the bars together but also adds a unique tangy flavor. Note that the older your discard is, the more pronounced the flavor will be.
Quick Oats- Choose quick-cooking oats instead of old-fashioned or rolled oats. They result in a softer, chewier granola bar that holds together well.
Peanut Butter- I used natural, unsalted peanut butter in this recipe, so I can't guarantee the same results with other types. If you only have salted peanut butter, adjust the amount of kosher salt to your taste. You can also try swapping the peanut butter for almond or sunflower butter.
Honey- Adds sweetness and helps the bars stick together.
Peanuts- I used unsalted dry roasted peanuts, which I finely chopped before adding to the mixture. They give the granola bars a more intense peanut flavor and add a crunchy texture.
Chocolate Chips- Mini chocolate chips add a little extra sweetness and a chocolate flavor that pairs well with the peanut butter.

The ingredients to make sourdough granola bars. Each ingredient is labeled with text. They include sourdough discard, quick oats, vanilla extract, peanut butter, salt, honey, chocolate chips, and peanuts.

How to Make Sourdough Granola Bars

Here is how to make peanut butter chocolate chip granola bars with sourdough discard.

Step 1: Preparation. Preheat your oven to 350℉. Lightly grease an 8-inch square pan and line it with parchment paper.

Step 2: Mix ingredients. In a large mixing bowl, combine the quick oats, sourdough starter discard, mini chocolate chips, roasted peanuts, honey, peanut butter, vanilla extract, and kosher salt. Stir everything together until well combined and evenly distributed.

All of the ingredients to make sourdough discard granola bars in a glass bowl before being mixed together.

Sourdough discard granola bar mix in a glass bowl.

Step 3: Press into pan. Transfer the granola bar mixture to the prepared pan. Press it evenly into the pan, making sure to spread it out into the corners.

Granola bars pressed into a parchment-lined square pan before being baked.

Step 4: Bake. Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges begin to turn lightly golden brown.

Step 5: Cut into bars. Allow the granola bars to cool in the pan for at least 30 minutes. After cooling, use the parchment paper to lift the baked granola bars out of the pan. Cut into 12 equal-sized portions.

The finished sourdough granola bars in a parchment-lined square pan after baking.

Sourdough discard granola bars cut into twelve bars on a piece of parchment paper.

Tips for Success

Don't have an 8-inch square pan? Don't fret! Just double the recipe and use a 9-inch x 13-inch pan instead.
Line the pan with parchment paper. Greasing your pan and lining it with parchment paper makes it so much easier to remove the granola bars.
Mix well. Take a few minutes to ensure that the peanut butter, sourdough discard, and all other ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
Press firmly into the pan. Make sure to press the mixture evenly and firmly into the pan to help your granola bars hold together better.
Add more mix-ins. Try adding dried cranberries, coconut flakes, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, or whatever else you enjoy.

Storage

Cool completely before storing in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or freeze for up to 3 months.

A hand holding up a stack of three peanut butter chocolate chip sourdough granola bars.

A cover of a recipe ebook with the title "Everyday Sourdough: 27 Sweet & Savory Sourdough Discard Recipes." There is an image of sourdough discard cinnamon rolls on the front. At the bottom, it reads "By Ashley Petrie of Everyday Homemade."

Grab a copy today!

Are you tired of watching your sourdough discard go to waste?

It’s time to turn excess discard into something delicious with my new ebook - Everyday Sourdough!

Inside, you’ll find 27 tried-and-true sourdough discard recipes that will transform your leftover starter into mouthwatering creations your family and friends will love.

No more guilt about wasting your discard - with Everyday Sourdough, you have endless options to quickly make something amazing anytime.

Let's Connect!

Be sure to leave a comment below if you have any questions. You can also connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or via email at [email protected].

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