This granola is a family treat that my kiddos love me to put in their lunches! I love making homemade granola and have many favorite recipes...... but THIS. It's just so delicious and irresistible. Anything you top with this granola will be gobbled down in no time. Our favorite is to put in on top of Greek vanilla yogurt and berries. Heaven! See all of those little bits of sugar and coarse salt? Yep, that's the beauty of this recipe. You are going to want to make this ASAP.
Death By Chocolate Granola
Makes about 8 cups
3 cups gluten free old-fashioned oats
1 1/4 cups sliced almonds
3/4 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup melted coconut oil (measured in liquid form)
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups chocolate chips
Coarse kosher salt and coarse sparkling sugar for sprinkling
Preheat oven to 250°F. Toss the oats, almonds, coconut, cocoa, salt, and sugar in a large bowl. Whisk the melted coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla together. Pour the liquids over the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Spread the granola onto a baking sheet pan covered with parchment. Bake for 25 minutes, then stir. Return to the oven for 25 more minutes (50 minutes total). Remove from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the granola. Return to the oven for 5-10 more minutes until chocolate chips are very soft. Sprinkle with coarse sugar and coarse kosher salt to taste. The added sugar and salt should stick to the surface of the melted chocolate chips. Now don't touch or stir!
Let the granola stand for 1-2 hours. Gently scoop the granola into an airtight container for storing. You can also leave the granola out overnight or for several hours until the chocolate chips are fully cooled and hardened if you want to preserve the shape of the individual chocolate chip pieces in the granola. Store at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
Step-by-step tutorial:
Gather your ingredients. You will need oats, almonds, coconut, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla, and chocolate chips.
In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of oats, 1 1/4 cups sliced almonds, 3/4 cup coconut flakes, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/3 cup sugar.
Whisk together the 2/3 cup melted coconut oil, 1/3 cup maple syrup, and one teaspoon vanilla. Pour over dry ingredients.
Stir to combine.
Spread the oat mixture onto your parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in 250°F oven for 25 minutes.
Remove and stir the granola. Return to the oven for 25 more minutes.
Remove from oven and DON'T STIR. Pour chocolate chips over the top. Return to the oven for 5-10 more minutes until the chocolate chips are soft.
Get your coarse salt and coarse sugar.
Sprinkle both sugar and salt generously over the granola, letting it stick to the melted chocolate chips. Oh yes! Now the hard part.....let it cool on the pan for 2 hours or up to overnight.
Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator (our favorite).
Top anything your heart desires like yogurt, ice cream, and pudding. Or just pour milk over a bowl of this chocolaty goodness. We have a hard time not sneaking chunks of it throughout the day straight from the refrigerator.
You might actually die at the deliciousness of this granola! (Thus the name....) Give it a try and tell me what you and your kiddos think!
Recipe Source: Adapted from a recipe by Pinch of Yum