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Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Jump to Recipe

This savory granola is made with oats, almonds, walnuts, and seeds baked with tamari, honey, fennel, and a little cayenne It’s salty, a little sweet, and crunchy, with just enough heat to keep you reaching for more.

a jar of granola spilled onto its side with granola pouring out

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Most people think of granola as a sweet breakfast food, but this one is not. I first had it at a holiday party and thought what a great idea, since it’s a step up from a bowl of nuts. Now it’s what I put out on my charcuterie boards when I’m entertaining.

Recipe Highlights

Rolled oats, almonds, walnuts and seeds seasoned with tamari, fennel and cayenne bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Made for snack boards and entertaining, and it works on salads and soups too
Versatile, swap in whatever nuts or seeds you have
Keeps for up to a month in an airtight jar

the ingredients needed to make savory granola in clear glass bowls

Ingredient Notes

Rolled oats: Rolled oats hold up best. If you only have instant, they will work, but they will be less chewy and more crispy.
Almonds and walnuts: Almonds and walnuts blend nicely together, and they can be replaced with any type of nut. For best results, use raw nuts rather than toasted nuts, which may lose some of their flavor once they are toasted in the granola.
Chia and sunflower seeds: The chia seeds add crunch and help hold everything together.
Coconut oil: If coconut oil isn’t available, it can be replaced with an equal amount of olive oil, avocado oil or melted butter.
Tamar or soy sauce: Tamari adds a salty flavor and it seasons everything evenly, so don’t add more.
Honey: Honey adds a bit of sweetness and it also helps to hold the granola together in small clusters. If you don’t have honey, you can swap in maple syrup.
Egg white: The egg white helps the granola form clusters. Whisk it in after the other wet ingredients.
Fennel seeds and cayenne pepper: The fennel gives this granola its flavor, and the cayenne pepper adds a little heat. Start with less cayenne if you’re serving a crowd that doesn’t like spice.

How to Make Savory Granola

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add the oats, almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, and sunflower seeds to a large bowl.
Whisk the melted coconut oil, tamari, and honey together in a small bowl, then whisk in the egg white last.
Pour the wet mixture over the oats, add the fennel seeds and cayenne, and stir until everything is coated.
Spread the granola on the baking sheet in an even layer.
Bake for 20 minutes, until golden. Let it cool on the pan for about 20 minutes (it crisps as it cools), then break it into pieces.

Make It Your Way

This one is easy to change up. Keep the oats, a sticky binder, and a seasoning, and the rest is up to you. I usually make it as written, or sometimes I replace the walnuts with cashews.

Nuts and seeds

Any nuts: pecans, cashews, macadamia nuts, or hazelnuts all work.
Nut-free: use only seeds, such as pumpkin, sesame, flax, sunflower or chia seeds, or add quinoa.
Grain free: leave out the oats and add an extra cup of nuts and seeds for a lower carb version.

Seasoning

Herb: add dried thyme, rosemary or oregano.
Garlic parmesan: mix in garlic powder and grated parmesan for a cheesy version.
Smoky chipotle: swap the cayenne for chipotle powder or a little adobo sauce.
Cajun: use cajun seasoning in place of the fennel and cayenne for something bolder.
More heat: add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the cayenne.

Add-ins

Coconut: stir a quarter to half cup of coconut chips into the oat mixture.

How to Store Granola

To maintain the perfect crunch and flavor, store your savory granola in a covered glass jar at room temperature for up to a month. I personally recommend using a mason jar, but any glass food storage container will work well.

If you need to store granola for a longer period, you can freeze it for up to three months. Simply place it in an airtight container like a mason jar or a Stasher bag. Before using it, allow the granola to thaw at room temperature.

How to Serve Savory Granola

Savory granola is a good addition to a charcuterie board. If you’re putting one together, I explain how to build a charcuterie board here. It also fits on any appetizer spread with stuffed mushrooms or cucumbers and hummus.

It also tastes great sprinkled on a salad, in a grain bowl, and even as a soup topping like this cauliflower soup, or as a crunchy addition to yogurt.