This homemade Chocolate Granola is so simple - requiring just 8 ingredients and 10 minutes of hands-on preparation! Featuring huge crispy clusters of dark chocolate covered oats mixed with plenty of nuts, chocolate chips, chewy dried fruit and other tasty mix-ins! This homemade granola is blissfully crunchy, perfectly chocolatey-rich and just incredibly, irresistibly delicious! Plus, this recipe is extremely flexible so you can add whatever trail mix ingredients you love!Recipe can be scaled up or down by using the slider if you hover your mouse over the number of Servings.
¾CupChocolate Chips or Chunks (Milk, Semi-Sweet, Dark or White – or any combination!)
½heaping Cup Dried Fruit (Raisins, Sultans, Papayas, Currants, Apricots, Cherries, Strawberries & Blueberries are all great!)
Instructions
Preheat Oven & Prep Pan: Preheat the oven to 325-degrees F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper; set aside. (Note: My baking sheet is 11x17’’)
Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts, chia seeds, cocoa powder, sugar, espresso powder, salt, cinnamon, chili powder, nutmeg, and allspice. Mix until well combined.
Liquid Ingredients: In large 2-cup measure, combine the maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla. Whisk to combine.
Combine: Pour the liquid ingredients over the dry ingredients. Use a rubber spatula to stir together until well combined.
Bake: Transfer the granola mixture to the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out in an even layer. Bake for 20 minutes in the middle shelf of the oven.
Add Coconut, Stir & Bake: Remove from the oven and sprinkle the coconut on top of the granola. Stir, moving the edges of the granola into the middle and the middle outwards. Pat the granola down using a spatula to gently press the granola into the pan. Return to the oven and bake for 10 minutes.
Drizzle with Honey & Bake: Remove the pan from the oven and pat the granola down again. Drizzle the granola evenly with honey. Return to the oven and bake for 5-10.
Add Dried Fruit: Remove the pan from the oven and place it on a wire rack. Sprinkle the dried fruit evenly over the granola mixture. Use a spatula to gently press down on the granola. Allow the granola to cool completely on the pan, about 45 minutes. DO NOT STIR while it’s cooling!
Add Chocolate + Mix-Ins: Once the granola is completely cool, break it apart into pieces and add in chocolate chips plus whatever seeds and tasty mix-ins you love!
Serve: Enjoy your granola with yogurt, milk, on smoothie bowls or simply on its own as a delicious trail mix snack!
Notes
Texture: If you prefer a finer texture to your granola, place the oats nuts and coconut flakes into a food processor; pulse a few times and use in recipe.
Cocoa Powder: For the best taste, please use Dark (dutch-process) cocoa powder. Dark cocoa powder has a softer, richer flavor while regular unsweetened cocoa powder is slightly bitter.
Storage: Granola will keep well in a sealed airtight container or glass jar at room temperature for up to one month. For best freshness, keep the granola in a dark place away from harsh sunlight – someplace like the pantry!
Freezing: I recommend placing the granola into a freezer-safe resealable bag and double bagging, so granola stays fresh! Granola should keep well in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Nutritional information is an approximation based upon 20 servings. Exact information will depend upon the brands of ingredients and precise measurements used.