Having tree nut and coconut allergies often makes finding healthy, homemade recipes for snack foods and baked goods challenging. Coconut oil and coconut flakes are used as healthy fat and flavor alternatives, and nuts are such powerhouses of protein, healthy fats, and other beneficial attributes, so when you start searching for “healthy recipes”, most will have at least one of these ingredients included, especially granola. I love granola with yogurt or just as a quick snack by itself, but I must be very careful in the types I buy. I decided to do some experimenting in my own kitchen and came up with a delicious recipe for a sourdough fermented, no nut, no seed, no coconut granola! 

Nut Free Granola Ingredients 

Most of the basic ingredients I use are likely already in your pantry. I do try to use organic items as often as possible to ensure quality food in nourishing my family’s bodies. Old-fashioned rolled oats, steel cut oats, vanilla extract, maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, and, of course, sour dough starter (inactive/unfed works fine) are what I use for my basic recipe. You can always mix in additions such as dried fruits, mini-chocolate chips, peanut butter, or if you have no allergies, throw in those nuts and shredded coconut! Note that the flavoring, sweetener, and seasonings can be adjusted to taste. 

Measure both types of oatmeal into a medium size bowl, then add in your sourdough starter. Mix until the oats are moistened, then add in other ingredients. Stir until well mixed. Allow the granola mixture to sit at room temperature for at least an hour, but you could let it sit to ferment for your preferred amount of time. The sourdough helps break down the oats to make them easier to digest – I also think it adds such a great flavor! 

Oven-baked Cast Iron Skillet Granola 

The idea of attempting granola in a cast iron skillet came as I realized both of my silicone baking mats were in use and I had no parchment paper. I didn’t want to risk an entire batch of granola getting stuck to a baking sheet, so my gaze wandered over to my cast iron skillets sitting on the counter. I did a quick Pinterest search to see if others had granola recipes in a skillet, and sure enough, it appeared to be a thing! Most of those recipes were for cooking the granola on the stove top, but I figured I could bake it low and slow in the oven and get some great results.  

As always, it is important to preheat your skillet before putting any food in it to cook. I just placed my skillet in the oven as it preheated, added a bit of avocado oil, then pressed the granola mixture into it with a spatula. The granola was about a half inch thick; be sure to adjust your baking times if your skillet is bigger or smaller, or if you adjust the recipe amounts. You could also still bake this on a baking sheet (use a silicone baking mat or parchment paper), just be sure you adjust the baking time for a thinner granola spread. 

Ingredients 

1 cup Old-fashioned/rolled oats 

1 cup Steel cut oats 

¾ c Sourdough starter (active or discard) 

2 tsp Vanilla extract 

¼ c Real maple syrup 

¼ c Brown sugar 

2 tsp Cinnamon 

1 tsp Ground ginger 

1 tsp Nutmeg 

Any other add-ins to your taste 

Directions 

1. Add the two types of oats to a medium bowl. Pour in sourdough starter and mix until moistened. 

2. Add in vanilla, maple syrup, brown sugar, and seasonings. Mix well. 

3. Set aside to ferment for at least one hour, or longer if you prefer. 

4. Preheat oven to 325F with cast iron skillet inside. (If using a baking sheet, do not place in oven ahead of baking).  

5. Remove skillet, add in oil of preference. Press granola mixture into the skillet to an even thickness.  

6. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until the granola begins to brown and get crunchy. Let cool, then break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.  

I enjoy eating granola with yogurt, berries, and mini semi-sweet chocolate chips. It is also delicious with milk and berries. Make parfaits, or eat plain as a quick snack. Use this basic recipe as a start, then experiment with your favorite add-ins!