One evening as I was making this chocolate granola, the aroma started to permeate the house.  When I pulled it from the oven, my husband came running to the kitchen. By the smell of things, he thought it was a pan of brownies, but did the fact that it was crunchy granola stop him? Absolutely not!!! Those irresistible crumbly bits did not disappoint. He dug into the warm pockets of chocolate, nuts and coconut…eating it by the handful! It really is utterly addicting. It tastes sooooo good  straight off of the baking pan. (I may or may not have joined in with the temptation to eat it straight off of the pan.) I also like it with a little almond milk for breakfast or as a topping for a yogurt parfait! Don’t be concerned that it smells like the best thing in the world! And don’t be fooled that the morsels of indulgent chocolate look almost heavenly. It’s all okay, because this granola is a lightened up version. It’s so much better than store-bought and better for you too!  It’s all about that base. (All ’bout that bass!) Sorry got a tune stuck in my head.  But seriously, you start with a base of ingredients that you probably already have on hand, and then it’s all melded together with coconut oil, naturally sweetened maple syrup, a touch of brown sugar.  Once you start making your own homemade granola, you will never look back!

Chocolate Granola

Don't let the look of that indulgent chocolate fool you! This granola is a lightened up version. It's naturally sweetened with maple syrup and a tad of brown sugar. A healthy granola with all the crunchy goodness of oats, walnuts, coconut flakes, and chocolate chunks.

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Servings 6 cups

Ingredients

  • 4 cups old-fashioned oats (use Gluten free if needed)
  • 1 cup walnuts, coursely chopped (or nuts of your choice)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/3 cup melted coconut oil (or oil of your choice)
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks (or semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Heat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.

  2. In a large mixing bowl, stir together oats, walnuts, cocoa powder and sea salt until evenly combined.I

  3. In a small mixing bowl combine the oil, maple syrup brown sugar and vanilla extract until combined. Whisk thoroughly. Pour the oil mixture into the oats mixture, and stir until evenly combined.

  4. Spread mixture evenly over the prepared baking sheet. Using a spatula, spread the granola out evenly.  Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through.  Then remove from the oven. Toss granola with a fork, stir and break up any clumps. 

  5. Sprinkle the coconut evenly on top.  Bake for an additional 5, until the granola is lightly toasted and golden. Remove baking sheet from the oven and transfer to a wire baking rack.

  6. Let cool and dry to room temperature.  Then stir in the chocolate chunks.

  7. Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

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