A super-easy Healthy Chocolate Granola recipe with Cherry, Pear and Pecan. Simply mix and bake. Gluten free, dairy free, optional vegan.
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Healthy Chocolate Granola recipe with a twist
Search the internet and there are dozens of Healthy Chocolate Granola recipes. But some are less than healthy and most are a little bit ‘same old… same old’. In an effort to break the boring and add extra healthiness to breakfast, this recipe promises to be a little bit different. Healthy Chocolate Granola with a twist!
I’ve combined the best and healthiest ingredients in my kitchen to make my granola… ✔️ But… I’ve also paired some very carefully chosen dried fruits that work in harmony with each other and with chocolate to get the tastebuds really excited.
What makes this Chocolate Granola Recipe healthy?
This Chocolate Granola recipe is full of super-healthy ingredients… Perfect for energising the day ahead. And even when it comes to added sweetness, the ingredients chosen have been carefully picked to be natural and unrefined. The detail? My Healthy Chocolate Granola is :
- Packed full of crispy-crunchy, immunity-enhancing, cholesterol-busting, slow-energy releasing oats. This is a bowl that seriously satisfies.
- Loaded with a generous quantity of protein-rich pecans and almonds. Both are known for their high ratios of healthy unsaturated fats, which support a lowering of cholesterol, as well as containing positive quantities of flavonoids which help fight inflammation.
- Healthy Chocolate Granola is sweetened with natural unrefined sugars in the form of maple syrup and coconut palm sugar.
- The chocolate in this granola recipe is also better for you… A hefty dose of cacao, which is packed full of antioxidants. Cacao will also boost your serotonin levels to literally put a smile on your face.
- Coconut oil has been used to roast and bind the mix. This too is considered to be better for you than many oils.
- The addition of dried pears and cherries add calcium and a shed-load of vitamins and minerals to the bowl. And the fruit takes the flavours to a higher level too… Cherries and pear are a perfect marriage with chocolate, adding an alternative chewy texture and tang.
Is granola easy to make?
My goodness… yes! If you have never made granola at home read on… It’s so easy, even the kids can make it.
Making Healthy Chocolate Granola (or any other granola for that matter) is simply a case of mix and bake… Grab a big bowl and a mixing spoon and then spread on baking trays in a low oven to toast.
That doesn’t sound too hard does it? It you prefer a non-chocolate option, we also have a delicious recipe for Apple Pie Granola as well.
How long will a batch of Healthy Chocolate Granola last?
You should get 16 to 20 portions of Healthy Chocolate Granola from this recipe. So, what is the best way to store it and how long will it last?
Because the baking process fundamentally dries out the ingredients by toasting, it will last for weeks. Of course, I challenge you to make it last more than a few days… It is so delicious, it will have you dipping your hands in the jar every time you pass and that means it will be gone in a flash.
Simply store in an airtight container or large Kilner jar, so that it is ready when you want it.
What’s the best way to eat Chocolate Granola?
There are lots of ways to enjoy Chocolate Granola. Here’s some of my favourites…
- In a bowl with a splash of milk… Cold or hot.
- Mixed into deliciously creamy plain or vanilla yoghurt (dairy or dairy free). Even cherry yoghurt is a great pairing.
- Serve with good bacteria-boosting Kefir.
- Sprinkle on a bowl of yummy porridge for extra crunch and flavour.
- Just dip your hands in the jar and munch as it is… Or pop into little containers for a sweet lunch-box treat.
Let’s make Chocolate Granola!
So, there you have it! Super-simple, deliciously-healthy Chocolate Granola. And below you’ll find the recipe to make it. Let me know what you think… Leave a comment, rate the recipe and don’t forget to share your photos of amazing breakfasts and snacks on social media… Use the hastag #glutenfreealchemist and tag me in so I get to see them.
You’ll find me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter xx
More Breakfast Recipes to inspire…
For everything else, head over to our beautiful gluten free Recipe Book Index.
Healthy Chocolate Granola with Cherry, Pear and Pecan
Key equipment
- Oven
- whisk (optional)
- large airtight container
Ingredients
- 400 g rolled oats gluten free
- 60 g cacao powder available from health shops
- 100 g raw pecan nuts
- 40 g flaked almonds
- 65 g coconut palm sugar or alternative brown sugar
- pinch fine sea salt
- 160 g maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 100 g extra virgin coconut oil melted
- 1 large egg white optional – if egg-intolerant or vegan, leave out or sub with a little beaten aqua faba
- 90 g dried pear cut into pieces
- 100 g whole dried cherries
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 150 C/300 F/Gas 2.
- Line a couple of large deep’ish baking trays/roasting tins with baking paper.
- In a large bowl, weigh and mix together the oats, cacao powder, pecans, almonds, coconut sugar and salt.
- Add the maple syrup, vanilla extract and melted coconut oil and stir through thoroughly, until the mixture is completely ‘damp’ looking.
- In a separate small bowl, whisk the egg white until light and frothy.
- Add to the granola mix and fold through thoroughly.
- Spread the granola mix onto the trays, ensuring the layer is not too thick.
- Bake for 20 minutes and then toss the granola with a spatula to turn over.
- Bake a further 20 minutes and toss again.
- Bake a further 10 minutes (approximately or until the mixture feels dry) and then turn the oven off, leaving the granola on the trays in the oven to cool as the oven cools.
- Remove from the oven when cool, tip into a large bowl and add the dried cherries and pear. Stir through evenly.
- Store in a large airtight container and enjoy as a snack to nibble on or with your favourite milk/yoghurt for breakfast.
Notes
Nutrition
© 2019-2023 Kate Dowse All Rights Reserved – Do not copy or re-publish this recipe or any part of this recipe on any other blog, on social media or in a publication without the express permission of Gluten Free Alchemist
Healthy Chocolate Granola with Cherry, Pear and Pecan shared with
- Fiesta Friday #363 with Angie and The Not So Creative Cook
- Full Plate Thursday #521 with Miz Helen’s Country Cottage
- Cook Well, Eat Well, Live Well with Confessions of a Mother Runner and A Whisk and Two Wands
- Sundays on Silverado #23 with The House on Silverado
- What’s for Dinner #299 with The Lazy Gastronome
chocolate and cherry is always a great combination. I love to make my own granola as well. Thanks for joining our link up today
You’re welcome Deborah. Chocolate and cherry is a favourite combo here! And homemade granola is always better xx
Oh Kate, your pictures are so mouthwatering. I haven't made granola for such a long time and now I feel I'm missing out. I like the idea of cherries and pears and I think I've got both in the cupboard somewhere.
Now I shall go back to tirelessly getting the We Should Cocoa post sorted out 😀
Thanks Choclette. Although it was my first foray into granola-making, it certainly won't be my last. In fact, this one was so good, it has already been made a second time in 'bar' form, so that it can be eaten 'en route' to work. A bit crumbly, but that's was car valets are for! x
Hubby and I love granola, this sounds absolutely amazing especially with the cherries and pears against the cacao – yum! I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for the dried pears, tehy sound lovely.
Angela x
Thank you Angela. Definitely recommend this one….. it's a keeper! xx
I love granola! I started making my own GF version a while ago, definitely want to give this variety a try 🙂
Me too! I hope you enjoy xx
I LOVE Granola, it is my staple lunch at work with coconut milk yoghurt! this looks amazing! I am definitely going to make (and hide from the Peachicks) a batch of this!xxx
Me too…. I made more of this at the weekend in 'bar' form and ate about three pieces in the car on the way to a midday meeting today. Piggy, but delicious. And at least I knew there was plenty of goodness in there xx
My feature for this week's Sunday Fitness & Food! Congrats Kate!
Thank you so much Ilka. That's fantastic and a great start to the year xx
This looks amazing and far more unhealthy than it really is (which is how I think all food should be!). I love the sound of the dried pear, I've not spotted it in the supermarket before so I'm going to have to keep and eye open for it.
Thanks Charlotte. The pear is great….. I hope you find some x
This looks amazing, it's granola on steroids! I'll be making this too but will have to leave the egg white out (intolerant) oh dear! My to-do-list is already huge and we're only 13 days into 2017!
I like the idea of granola on steroids! Certainly makes for a great energy boost….
Leaving the egg out will make no difference to the end result. I hope you enjoy!
As for to do lists…… I know what you mean xx
Before I first made granola, I also thought it would be too much of a faff, but it's so easy, isn't it? It's also really satisfying to smell the oats, and nuts as they are toasting. Why do you add egg white to yours? I've never used it in granola. I'll be featuring your recipe in a gluten-free vegan round-up if that's OK with you (will credit and link to your post of course!). Thanks for joining in with #FreeFromFridays.
Thanks Mel. It was so much easier than I expected.
I added the egg white after doing some research and finding lots of recipes seemed to include it, I think to help stick the clumps of oats a little….. but to be honest, I am not sure it made much difference, so without it would be perfect in a GF-vegan round up! xx
It sounds amazing, especially with those dried cherries and pear! I'll have to look out for the pear – I don't think I've had it before. I made granola last year and it didn't last long but I especially love the idea of making it chocolaty. Thanks for sharing with #CookOnceEatTwice!
Thanks Corina. You're welcome.
The fruit complimented the base-granola perfectly and added a lovely chewy element.
You must try and find the pear. It has become one of my favourites! x
Your photographs are getting better and better. How delicious this homemade granola! Love the recipe.
Thank you Alida. x
You and I must be mentally connected. I am just posting my carb free gluten free sugar free granola recipe! Not as decadent as yours but suits my diet more! I LOVE the sound and look of yours though xxx
I think we might be…… I am sure I recollect similar parallels happening before too! Must pop over and check you out xx
sounds great – I have a chocolate granola that I keep coming back to from time to time and love it – there are so many variations you can make that I don't get bored though I sometimes have breaks between it. I am sure if I have this granola I would be very tempted to snack on it at any time of day if it was on the kitchen table!
I remember your granola Johanna. It looked amazing! I have been meaning to make granola myself ever since I saw it!
Now I know how easy it is to make, I think it will be regularly finding space in my oven, along with lots and lots of variations xx