Simple Olive Granola Recipe: A Crunchy Breakfast Twist

Olive granola blends Mediterranean charm with unexpected culinary creativity, refineing a classic breakfast staple into something extraordinary.

Crisp, aromatic ingredients dance together in this innovative twist on traditional granola formulas.

Savory notes intertwine with subtle sweetness, creating a complex flavor profile that challenges conventional breakfast expectations.

Nutty undertones complement the rich, briny essence of olives, resulting in a sophisticated and surprising combination.

Each crunchy cluster promises a delightful sensory experience that defies typical breakfast boundaries.

Nutritious and bold, this granola elevates morning routines with its unique Mediterranean-inspired approach.

Adventurous food lovers will find themselves captivated by this remarkable culinary innovation.

Tips for That Perfect Crunch in Savory Granola

• Prevent Burning: Stir the granola every 10 minutes to ensure even browning and prevent any sections from becoming too dark or bitter.
• Customize Textures: Chop nuts and seeds into similar-sized pieces for consistent toasting and a balanced crunch in every bite.
• Control Sweetness: Adjust maple syrup and honey quantities to match your preferred level of sweetness without compromising the granola's overall texture.
• Maximize Freshness: Store the cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, maintaining its crispy texture and rich flavor.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast nuts and seeds briefly before mixing them into the granola to intensify their natural oils and create a more complex, nutty profile.

How to Store Olive Granola for Lasting Freshness

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• Refrigerate: Store cooled granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks. Keep away from moisture to maintain its crunchiness.
• Freeze: Transfer granola to a freezer-safe container or zip-lock bag. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 3 months without losing its texture or flavor.
• Refresh: If granola becomes slightly soft, spread it on a baking sheet and toast in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. This quick method will restore its delightful crispness and bring back its original crunch.

Foods That Work Beautifully with Olive Granola

• Pair with Creamy Mediterranean Yogurt: Enhance the olive oil's richness by serving this granola over thick Greek yogurt, creating a tangy and nutty breakfast experience that celebrates Mediterranean flavors.
• Complement with Herbal Tea: Select a light chamomile or lavender tea to balance the granola's robust olive and spice notes, providing a soothing and aromatic morning companion.
• Match with Soft Cheese Spread: Serve alongside a creamy goat cheese or ricotta spread, allowing the granola's crunchy texture and complex spices to contrast beautifully with the smooth cheese surface.
• Enjoy as Wine Pairing Snack: Serve as a sophisticated appetizer with a crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, which will highlight the granola's herbal olive oil undertones and nutty complexity.

Creative Variations on Savory Olive Granola

• Mediterranean Nutty Blend: Swap pistachios with almonds and hazelnuts, adding dried figs and za'atar spice for an authentic Mediterranean flavor profile.
• Tropical Olive Crunch: Replace sunflower seeds with macadamia nuts, incorporate dried pineapple and coconut chips, and drizzle with a touch of passion fruit honey.
• Chocolate Olive Infusion: Mix in dark chocolate chunks, use cocoa powder alongside existing spices, and sprinkle sea salt to enhance the rich, complex taste.
• Herbal Garden Granola: Incorporate fresh rosemary and thyme during baking, use lavender-infused honey, and add dried lemon zest for a sophisticated herbal undertone.

Why Olive Granola Is a Savory Breakfast Surprise

• Craft Delightful Texture: The slow baking method creates a perfectly crunchy granola with golden-brown edges, offering a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with soft yogurt or creamy ricotta.
• Boost Nutritional Power: Packed with wholesome ingredients like pistachios, sunflower seeds, and pepitas, this granola delivers a powerhouse of protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients in every delicious bite.
• Elevate Flavor Complexity: The unique combination of olive oil, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, and cardamom creates a sophisticated flavor profile that's both sweet and subtly sophisticated, making it far more interesting than ordinary granola.
• Versatile Snacking Solution: Whether sprinkled over breakfast, enjoyed as a standalone snack, or used as a crunchy topping, this granola offers incredible flexibility for multiple eating occasions and palate preferences.

What You Need for This Unusual Granola Blend

• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Hearty base that provides a satisfying crunch and texture for the granola.
• Raw Pistachios, Raw Sunflower Seeds, Pepitas, Coconut Flakes: Nutty and crunchy elements that add depth and richness to the granola mix.

• Pure Maple Syrup, Honey, Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Natural sweeteners and binding agents that help create a golden, crispy texture.
• Light Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and helps in caramelization during baking.

• Kosher Salt, Ground Cinnamon, Ground Cardamom: Warming spices that enhance the overall flavor profile and provide aromatic complexity.
• Dried Cherries, Dried Apricots: Chewy, sweet fruits that introduce bursts of tangy flavor and natural sweetness to the granola.

Easy Steps to Make Homemade Olive Granola

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank up your oven to a cozy 300°F (150°C). This gentle heat will transform your ingredients into a golden, crunchy masterpiece without scorching.

Step 2: Gather Your Dry Crew

• Rolled oats
• Chopped pistachios
• Sunflower seeds
• Pepitas
• Coconut flakes

These nutritious buddies will create a hearty foundation for your granola.

Step 3: Splash in the Liquid Goodness

• Maple syrup
• Honey
• Olive oil
• Brown sugar
• Kosher salt
• Cinnamon
• Cardamom

Stir everything until each morsel glistens with a delicious coating. The olive oil and sweeteners will help create magical clusters of crunch.

Step 4: Spread and Bake

Pour the mixture onto a rimmed baking sheet, spreading it into an even blanket. Slide it into the warm oven and let the magic happen. Every 10 minutes, give it a gentle stir to ensure every piece gets perfectly toasted. Bake for about 45 minutes until it reaches a gorgeous golden-brown color.

Step 5: Add Fruity Surprises

• Chopped dried cherries
• Chopped dried apricots

Mix gently to distribute the fruity bursts of flavor.

Step 6: Serve and Savor

Your Olive Granola is ready to rock! Sprinkle it over Greek yogurt, dollop it on fresh ricotta, or munch it straight from the bowl. Each bite promises a symphony of textures and flavors that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Pro Tip: Store in an airtight container to keep it wonderfully crisp for up to two weeks.

Olive Granola Recipe

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4.6 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Mediterranean olive granola brings rustic charm to breakfast tables with nutty, herbal notes. Salty olives and aromatic herbs create a savory twist you’ll crave on yogurt, salads, or enjoyed straight from the jar.

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Ingredients

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Nuts and Seeds:

• 1 cup raw pistachios, hulled & coarsely chopped
• ⅓ cup raw sunflower seeds, hulled
• ¼ cup pepitas

Base:

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup coconut flakes (sweetened or unsweetened)

Sweeteners and Flavoring:

• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom

Dried Fruits:

• ½ cup chopped dried cherries
• ⅓ cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped

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Instructions

1. Initiate the preparation by heating the oven to a gentle 300°F (150°C), creating an ideal environment for gradual toasting without scorching the delicate ingredients.
2. Gather the foundational elements – rolled oats, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pepitas, and coconut flakes – in a spacious mixing vessel, forming a nutrient-dense base for the granola.
3. Introduce the binding liquids and enhancing spices: olive oil, maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, kosher salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. Thoroughly integrate these components until every morsel becomes evenly saturated and glistening.
4. Distribute the mixture across a rimmed baking sheet, ensuring a uniform layer that promotes consistent caramelization and crunch. Rotate the pan every 10 minutes during the 45-minute roasting process to guarantee golden-brown perfection.
5. Upon achieving a rich, toasted appearance, extract the granola from the oven and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Gently fold in the chopped dried cherries and apricots, allowing their vibrant flavors to meld with the toasted nuts and seeds.
6. Serve the olive-infused granola as a versatile accompaniment to creamy Greek yogurt, smooth ricotta, or savor it independently as a robust, textural snack that celebrates complex, layered flavors.

Notes

• Crafted with a harmonious blend of savory olive oil and sweet maple syrup, this granola breaks traditional breakfast boundaries.
• Toasting nuts and seeds at a gentle 300°F creates a perfectly golden, crunchy texture without burning delicate ingredients.
• Unexpected flavor combinations like cardamom, cherries, and olive oil transform ordinary granola into an adventurous culinary experience.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 300
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 150 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 37 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 7 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg