Crunchy Olive Granola Recipe: A Savory Morning Delight

Mediterranean winds carry whispers of flavor that dance through this unique olive granola recipe, blending salty and sweet into an irresistible breakfast delight.

Crunchy oats mingle with briny olives, creating a symphony of textures that awaken your taste buds.

Coastal inspirations shine through every golden-brown cluster, offering a Mediterranean twist on traditional granola.

Hints of herbs and olive oil weave complexity into each morsel, turning a simple breakfast into a gourmet experience.

The recipe celebrates bold ingredients that challenge ordinary morning routines.

Sprinkle this extraordinary granola over yogurt, salads, or enjoy it straight from the bowl for an adventurous culinary journey that transports you to sun-drenched olive groves.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes

Calories: 290 kcal

Servings: 13

Ingredients for a Savory Olive Granola Mix

• Rolled Oats: Provides hearty, wholesome foundation with satisfying texture and nutritional boost.
• Pistachios: Adds rich, buttery crunch and vibrant green color with premium nutty flavor.
• Sunflower Seeds: Introduces delicate earthiness and subtle nutritional density.
• Pepitas: Brings mild, slightly peppery taste with extra protein and minerals.
• Coconut Flakes: Contributes tropical sweetness and delightful crispy element.

• Maple Syrup, Honey: Creates golden caramelization, deep sweetness, and helps ingredients stick together.
• Light Brown Sugar: Enhances rich, molasses-like undertones and helps granola develop beautiful golden-brown color.

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Provides smooth, fruity undertone and ensures even roasting.
• Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies overall flavor profile.
• Ground Cinnamon: Offers warm, comforting aroma with subtle spicy notes.
• Ground Cardamom: Introduces exotic, slightly citrusy complexity to granola.

• Dried Cherries, Dried Apricots: Adds bursts of tangy-sweet brightness and chewy texture contrast.

Granola Tools That Keep It Simple and Crisp

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients thoroughly.
• Rimmed baking sheet: Perfect for spreading granola evenly and catching all those delicious crumbs.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Helps mix ingredients smoothly and prevents sticking.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient proportions for consistent results.
• Cutting board: Useful for chopping nuts and dried fruits with ease.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precisely cutting pistachios, cherries, and apricots.

Step-by-Step Guide for Olive Granola Prep

• Olive Oil Magic

A delightful granola adventure starts with combining wholesome ingredients that dance together with olive oil’s smoothness. This recipe transforms ordinary oats into a spectacular breakfast treat.

• Nutty Foundational Blend

Gather your favorite nuts and seeds like pistachios, sunflower seeds, and coconut flakes. These crunchy companions create a robust base for your granola masterpiece.

• Sweet Liquid Symphony

Drizzle maple syrup, honey, and olive oil into your mixture. These liquid gold ingredients will weave complex flavors and help create delectable clusters of goodness.

• Spice Whispers

Sprinkle hints of cinnamon and cardamom to awaken your taste buds. These warm spices elevate the granola from simple to extraordinary.

• Golden Transformation

Spread your creation on a baking sheet and bake slowly at 300°F. Gently stir every ten minutes to ensure each morsel becomes perfectly bronzed and crispy.

• Fruity Finale

After baking, fold in dried cherries and apricots. These jewel-like additions bring bursts of tangy sweetness to your crunchy canvas.

• Serving Suggestions

Enjoy your olive granola atop creamy yogurt, crumbled over morning smoothie bowls, or savored straight from the jar as a satisfying snack.

Olive Granola Mix-In Ideas to Try

• Flavor Fusion Tricks: Experiment with different olive oil varieties like Spanish Arbequina or Greek Koroneiki for unique taste profiles that elevate the granola's complexity.
• Texture Transformation: Toast seeds and nuts separately before mixing to enhance their natural oils and create a deeper, more robust crunch that adds incredible depth to each bite.
• Storage Savvy: Keep your olive granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks, ensuring maximum freshness and maintaining that perfect crispy texture.
• Protein Power-Up: Mix in plant-based protein powder or add quinoa flakes to boost nutritional value and create a more substantial breakfast or snack option that keeps you energized longer.
• Seasonal Swap Strategy: Replace dried cherries and apricots with seasonal fruits like cranberries during winter or fresh peach bits during summer to keep the recipe exciting and connected to local produce.

How to Serve Granola That’s Not Boring

• Breakfast Bliss Bowl: Craft a stunning morning bowl by layering creamy Greek yogurt with this olive granola, then top with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey for a luxurious breakfast experience.
• Dessert Crunch Topper: Sprinkle this granola over vanilla ice cream or pudding to add a delightful nutty texture and transform simple desserts into gourmet treats with minimal effort.
• Afternoon Energy Boost: Pack this granola in small containers for a quick, nutritious snack during work breaks or post-workout refueling, providing sustained energy from its mix of nuts, seeds, and dried fruits.
• Salad Surprise Ingredient: Crush the granola slightly and use as a crunchy salad topper for green salads, adding unexpected texture and a Mediterranean-inspired twist to your typical leafy greens.

Store Granola and Keep It Crunchy

• Smart Storage Solutions: Keep your olive granola in an airtight glass container at room temperature for maximum freshness. Seal tightly to lock in the delicious crunch and prevent moisture from softening the mix.
• Refrigeration Ready: Extend the granola's lifespan by storing it in the refrigerator, which helps maintain its crisp texture and prevents potential rancidity of nuts and seeds. Expect it to stay deliciously crunchy for up to 2 weeks when properly sealed.
• Batch Preparation Magic: Create larger quantities of this granola and freeze portions in freezer-safe bags or containers. Frozen batches can last up to 3 months, giving you a quick breakfast or snack option whenever hunger strikes.
• Travel-Friendly Snacking: Pack small portions in resealable bags for convenient on-the-go munching during hiking, road trips, or workplace breaks. These compact servings ensure you always have a nutritious and tasty treat within reach, maintaining the granola's original crispness and flavor profile.

Crunchy Olive Granola Recipe

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4.8 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Rustic olive granola blends Mediterranean flavors with crunchy textures from Greece. Herb-infused olive oil and sea salt create a savory breakfast or snacking experience you’ll crave repeatedly.

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Ingredients

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• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup raw pistachios, hulled & coarsely chopped
• ½ cup coconut flakes (sweetened or unsweetened)
• ½ cup chopped dried cherries
• ⅓ cup raw sunflower seeds, hulled
• ⅓ cup dried apricots, coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup pepitas
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• ¼ cup honey
• ¼ cup packed light brown sugar
• ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp kosher salt
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ground cardamom

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Calibrate the oven to 300°F (150°C), establishing a low-temperature environment conducive to gentle toasting and flavor development.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a expansive mixing bowl, amalgamate rolled oats, pistachios, sunflower seeds, pepitas, and coconut flakes, creating a nutritionally dense foundational mixture.
3. Incorporate Liquid Components: Drizzle olive oil, maple syrup, honey, and brown sugar over the dry ingredients. Sprinkle kosher salt, cinnamon, and cardamom, then meticulously blend until every particle becomes thoroughly coated and glistening with aromatic liquids.
4. Roast and Caramelize: Spread the mixture across a rimmed baking sheet in an even layer. Roast for 45 minutes, intermittently rotating the pan every 10 minutes to ensure uniform golden-brown caramelization and consistent crunchiness.
5. Finish and Embellish: Remove the granola from the oven and transfer to a large bowl. Gently fold in chopped dried cherries and apricots, allowing the vibrant fruit to integrate with the toasted nuts and seeds, creating a multi-textural masterpiece.
6. Serve and Enjoy: Present the granola as a versatile accompaniment to Greek yogurt or ricotta, or relish it independently as a robust, flavor-complex snack that celebrates culinary craftsmanship.

Notes

• Oven Temperature Precision: Low and slow heating at 300°F prevents burning and ensures gentle, even toasting of delicate ingredients.
• Mixing Technique: Thoroughly combine wet and dry ingredients to guarantee every morsel gets perfectly coated with flavorful binding liquids.
• Baking Sheet Strategy: Spread mixture in a uniform layer and rotate pan every 10 minutes for consistent golden-brown caramelization and optimal crunch.
• Cooling and Storage Tip: Allow granola to cool completely before storing in an airtight container to maintain maximum crispness and prevent moisture buildup.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 290
• Sugar: 12 g
• Sodium: 80 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 34 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 0 mg