Description
This Healthy Chocolate Granola recipe is a delicious, low-sugar treat perfect for breakfast, dessert, or snacking. It combines wholesome rolled oats, nuts, and coconut flakes with rich cocoa and sweet maple syrup, baked to a crunchy perfection and topped with melted chocolate chips for an irresistible chocolatey flavor.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (almonds and walnuts)
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
Wet and Sweet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Topping
- 1 cup chocolate chips or 2 chocolate bars chopped
- flake sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, finely chopped nuts, coconut flakes if using, and salt. Stir to distribute evenly.
- Create Chocolate Syrup Mixture: In a saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut sugar, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and coconut oil. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely, stirring frequently to blend and prevent burning.
- Add Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla extract for a fragrant, sweet aroma.
- Combine Mixtures: Pour the warm wet chocolate mixture over the oat and nut mixture. Stir thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the combined granola mixture onto the lined baking sheet. Press it down firmly and evenly to form a flat sheet, which will help it bake into clusters.
- Bake Granola: Place the baking sheet in the oven and bake the granola for 25 to 30 minutes, allowing it to crisp up and the flavors to meld.
- Add Chocolate Topping: Immediately after baking, sprinkle chocolate chips or chopped chocolate bars over the hot granola. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes to let the chocolate melt.
- Mix Melted Chocolate: Remove from oven and stir the granola while the chocolate is melted to coat the clusters evenly in chocolate.
- Cool and Store: Allow the granola to cool completely, about one hour, before breaking it apart into chunks. Store in an airtight container in the pantry for up to two weeks to maintain freshness and crispness.
Notes
- For crunchier granola, press the mixture firmly and avoid stirring too often during baking.
- You can substitute any nuts you prefer, such as pecans or cashews.
- To keep the recipe vegan, ensure your chocolate chips are dairy-free.
- The coconut flakes are optional but add a nice texture and subtle flavor.
- Flake sea salt sprinkled on top after baking enhances the chocolate flavor.
