The Best Healthy Chocolate Granola Food

HEALTHY GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, nuts and/or seeds, salt and cinnamon. Stir to blend.
• Pour in the oil, maple syrup and/or honey and vanilla. Mix well, until every oat and nut is lightly coated. Pour the granola onto your prepared pan and use a large spoon to spread it in an even layer.
• Bake until lightly golden, about 21 to 24 minutes, stirring halfway (for extra-clumpy granola, press the stirred granola down with your spatula to create a more even layer). The granola will further crisp up as it cools.
• Let the granola cool completely, undisturbed (at least 45 minutes). Top with the dried fruit (and optional chocolate chips, if using). Break the granola into pieces with your hands if you want to retain big chunks, or stir it around with a spoon if you don't want extra-clumpy granola.
• Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks, or in a sealed freezer bag in the freezer for up to 3 months. The dried fruit can freeze solid, so let it warm to room temperature for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.

THE BEST HEALTHY CHOCOLATE GRANOLA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, stir together oats, almonds, cocoa powder and sea salt until evenly combined.
• In a separate mixing cup, stir together the melted coconut oil, maple syrup and vanilla extract until combined. Pour the coconut oil mixture into the oats mixture, and stir until evenly combined.
• Spread the granola out evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Then remove from the oven, give the mixture a good stir, then sprinkle the coconut evenly on top. Bake for 5 more minutes, until the granola is lightly toasted and golden.
• Remove baking sheet from the oven and transfer to a wire baking rack. Let cool until the granola reaches room temperature. Then stir in the chocolate chips and/or any other add-ins that you prefer.
• Serve immediately, or store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 month.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND GRANOLA

Steps:

• Roughly chop the dates and add into a blender along with the boiling water. Cover and set aside to soak for 20 minutes.
• Preheat your oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C) and lightly grease a large, rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Add the almond butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup to taste, oil, vanilla and salt to the blender and blitz until smooth (a few bits of dates is totally fine).
• Stir the oats and almonds together in a large bowl and add the cocoa mixture. Mix very well until evenly combined, then transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Spread the mixture into an even layer and bake until crisp and crumbly, stirring about halfway through, 50 minutes to 1 hour.
• Cool the granola to room temperature, then break any large chunks up and transfer to a resealable container and store at room temperature for up to 1 month. Serve with milk, on yogurt or enjoy out of hand.

SWEET AND SALTY CHOCOLATE GRANOLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper and set aside.
• In a large bowl, mix together the oats, oil, syrup and salt. Toss well to coat evenly. Spread the mixture on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Remove the baking sheet and stir in the almonds and walnuts. Bake, stirring halfway through to brown evenly, an additional 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool completely, then stir in the chocolate chunks.
• The granola will keep in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.