Crunchy Chocolate Cherry Granola
This delicious crunchy chocolate cherry granola is a wonderful smoothie topper, breakfast side or afternoon snack. It is full of healthy fats, protein and flavour. Granola is so versatile and this recipe is no different.
Equipment
- 1 Large bowl
- 1 Small bowl
- 1 Measuring Cup
- 1 Wooden spoon
- 1 Baking paper
- 1 Baking tray
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Rolled oats
- 1 cup Almonds (chopped)
- 1/2 cup Cherries (dried if possible)
- 1/2 cup Coconut oil
- 1/4 cup Maple syrup
- Pinch Sea salt
- 1/2 cup Desiccated coconut (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 160 degrees celsius.
- In a large bowl, mix in all dry ingredients together.
- In a separate small bowl, add the coconut oil and maple syrup together and microwave on high for 30-45 seconds until combined.
- Pour coconut oil and maple syrup mixture to dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
- On a baking tray covered with baking paper, spread out granola until covered.
- Place tray in oven and bake for 40 minutes until browned and slightly burnt.
- Serve as a smoothie topper, on the side with yoghurt and fruit or as an afternoon snack on its own.
Notes
- Grains, nuts and seeds contain phytic acid. Phytic acid inhibits absorption of its nutrients and nutrients of other food you are eating. For best absorption, you can always soak the nuts in this recipe. The day or night before you intend to make this recipe, place the nuts in a bowl, cover it with warm, filtered water and a pinch of salt and leave to soak for 8-12 hours. The nuts will be baked in the oven for this recipe, so no need to worry about them getting wet.
- I used actual cherries for this recipe, but if you think they will go bad or you think you will take longer than a week to get through this recipe, use dried cherries. It should not change the taste, but make it extra crunchy.
- I forgot to add desiccated coconut in this recipe, so if you have some on hand, add about half a cup of desiccated coconut to this recipe if you wish. It will add a bit more texture and flavour to the granola.
- I love to use cacao powder, but cocoa powder will work just fine in this recipe too.
- I love using maple syrup as it provides enough sweetness that I desire. However, you can also use other natural sweeteners such as honey or agave syrup (the same amount should work fine).
- I left the granola in the oven for 40 minutes, but if you like it extra crunchy, leave it in there for 7-10 minutes longer.