Meet my new favorite hiking snack: savory granola! I've been a granola girl for years, and have over 20 granola recipes on my site already. But, all of them are on the sweet side.
I spent years eating granola for breakfast, over yogurt or acai bowls. But recently, we've taken a break for the past few years while I've focused on savory breakfasts, like my favorite breakfast tacos and avocado toast on homemade gluten-free bread.
Granola popped back into my mind recently though, while trying to figure out a delicious savory hiking snack. I've been road-tripping across the country this year with my boyfriend. While we're on 15-mile hikes through national parks, we devour tons of granola bars and fruit. But, I'm always craving something a little more savory to fuel me.
Savory vegan trail snacks are few and far between. So, I'm on a mission to create some delicious savory vegan hiking snacks this year! This Savory Granola, made with tahini and delicious spices like garlic powder and smoked paprika, is first on the list.
How to make savory granola
Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, including your oats, nuts, and seeds. Mix your wet ingredients in a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup. I mixed the spices into my dry ingredients in the photos, but it's easier to mix them into the wet ingredients. Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients and mix to combine.
Once mixed, spread the granola on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, or until dry to the touch and lightly browned. Let cool completely, without disturbing, to help granola clusters form.
Store in an airtight container, and enjoy your delicious savory gluten-free vegan granola in all of my favorite ways!
How to use your savory granola
- Toss it in a bag and bring on a hike with you! It's the perfect trail snack
- Sprinkle it on a salad for crunch, like a crouton.
- Top your creamy vegan soup with it.
- Sprinkle savory granola on avocado toast.
- Top your grain bowls with savory granola for added texture and a burst of flavor.
- Add it to veggie dishes, like this roasted broccoli, to add new flavors and texture.
Customize the flavors with different spice blends!
Replace all of the spices (except the salt) with any of these spice blends to create a uniquely flavored savory granola!
1. Classic Italian Blend: 1 tsp dried basil, 1 tsp dried oregano, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
2. Spicy Southwest Blend: 1 tsp chili powder, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (adjust for heat), ½ tsp garlic powder
3. Curry Blend: 1 tbsp curry powder, ½ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp cumin, ¼ tsp cinnamon - this one would be so good sprinkled on a !
4. Smoky BBQ Blend: 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp brown sugar, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp black pepper
5. Thai-Inspired Blend: 1 tsp lemongrass powder (or zest of 1 lemon if you don't have lemongrass powder), ½ tsp ginger powder, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp ground coriander, ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional for heat)
6. Indian Masala Blend: 1 tsp garam masala, ½ tsp cumin, ½ tsp coriander, ¼ tsp ground cardamon, ¼ tsp chili powder (optional for heat)
7. Herbed Garlic Blend: 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried rosemary, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ¼ tsp black pepper
8. Mediterranean Herb Blend: 1 tsp dried rosemary, 1 tsp dried thyme, ½ tsp dried oregano, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp lemon zest
9. Lemon Dill Blend: 1 tbsp dried dill, 1 tsp lemon zest, ½ tsp garlic powder, ¼ tsp black pepper
Other ways to customize your granola
- Make it Nut-Free: replace all of the nuts with seeds, like sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds to make this a nut-free recipe, safe for schools or nut-allergies.
- Add Mix-Ins: flavorful mix-ins like sundried tomatoes, kale chips, and other savory morsels can add a variety of new textures and flavors.
- Make it Grain-Free: replace the oats with more nuts & seeds, or even cooked lentils, to make the recipe grain-free.
Storage: Store savory granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks. To extend the shelf life, store in the freezer for up to six months.
Want more savory snacks?
