Chocolate, coconut and almonds are lightly sweetened with honey to create this healthy and addictive homemade granola.
Shortly after giving birth, I received the most thoughtful care package from my dear friend Aggie, In addition to sending gifts for both of my boys, she also picked out a few items just for me. What a woman!!!
One of the items Aggie sent were these new-to-me granola oat clusters from Love Grown Foods. It is so nice to receive food gifts made with quality ingredients I can easily pronounce. My entire family quickly became addicted to this chocolate granola which is why I decided to create my own version.
If you’ve never made homemade granola, I encourage you to give it a try. Mix and match the flavors to make it your own. If you don’t have almonds on hand, swap out walnuts or pecans. Instead of honey, try using pure maple syrup. Coconut oil adds a subtle background flavor but canola or olive oil are great substitutes.
Whip up a big batch on the weekend and store it for up to two weeks in an air-tight container. Scoop it out for busy weekday breakfasts or stash it in your car or desk for healthy snacking any time of day.
No fork required.
Almond Joy Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups oats
- ½ cup sliced almonds
- ⅓ cup honey
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup shredded unsweetened coconut
- ½ cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 275 degrees and line baking pan with a silicone baking mat or spray with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, toss together oats almonds; set aside.
- Heat honey, coconut oil, cocoa powder, vanilla and salt in a small sauce pot over medium heat. Whisk constantly until coconut oil melts and mixture is smooth – about 2 minutes.
- Remove chocolate mixture from the stove and pour over the oats mixture. Using a rubber spatula, stir ingredients until everything is evenly coated with the chocolate mixture.
- Spread granola evenly on baking sheet and bake for 50 minutes stirring mixture once halfway through the cooking time.
- Let cool completely before stirring in the shredded coconut and chocolate chips if adding.
Deeksha
Never knew granola was so easy. Wanna try making it. What kind of Oats did u use? Rolled, steel Cut, Instant? Unfortunately, in India we only get instant oats & I’m not sure if I can use them to make this.
Also the temperature is it in Degrees or Fahrenheit?
Liz DellaCroce
I typically use old fashioned rolled oats for the added texture. You could use instant oats but the cook time might be faster. The oven temp is in Fehrenheit. I hope you try it!! Report back!
cori
Hi, any subs for the coconut oil?.. Thanks…
Liz DellaCroce
Yes absolutely – just use canola oil!
Nutmeg Nanny
Oh, I cannot wait to try this! I bet i’ll eat it up like crazy, it really does look addicting :)
Liz DellaCroce
I was just thinking I need to make another batch!
Christy@SweetandSavoring
Pinned instantly! I’ve only made granola once before (peanut butter),but this recipe has convinced me to try again. Coconut and cocoa, how can you go wrong?
Liz DellaCroce
You really can’t go wrong with cocoa, coconut OR peanut butter for that matter! :)
cheri
Love the chocolate and coconut combination, perfect!
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you Cheri enjoy!
Whitney @ The Newlywed Chefs
This would be perfect when I’m craving a handful of something sweet in the afternoon! Thanks for sharing!
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think Whitney!
annie @ chase that i love
Almond Joy bars are one of my guilty pleasures. I normally won’t buy any candy bar that has more sugar than chocolate, but almond joys are an exception. But who needs a candy bar if you can have granola?! yum
Liz DellaCroce
I love them too Annie! This was my compromise.
Gaby
What a fantastic treat! I love taking my favorites and making them at home.
julia
I love making homemade granola!! This is such a yummy idea of adding a little chocolate to the mix!
Liz DellaCroce
Mama needs a little chocolate. ;)
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
This would be a great snack to keep around the house.
Liz DellaCroce
It is!! My son loves it on yogurt. And some how it’s less messy when he eats it that way. ;)
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
Almond joy is the best! You know this will be happening soon!
Liz DellaCroce
It really is Jessica!! I hope you like it!
Laurie {Simply Scratch}
Yummmmdiggity! My favorite flavor combo in granola form… heck yes!
Liz DellaCroce
+5 Points for using the word “Yummmdiggity” :)
Jessica
This looks so yummy and we have all the ingredients! My boys are going to love helping me make it. Did you put it in oatmeal or yogurt, or eat it by itself? I mean, I would totally eat it by the spoonful, but just wanted to see how you ‘used’ it!
Liz DellaCroce
We ate it on plain Greek yogurt or just on it’s own as a snack. :) I hope you love it!
Corry Oosterhouse
Oh Liz!!! This sounds so awesome!!! It would have to be an occasional treat though—6 WW points per serving!!! Wow!!!:-)
Liz DellaCroce
You can always leave out the chocolate chips! That’s a huge source of the calories. :)
Corry Oosterhouse
Well—I don’t think that’s an option, Liz!!! Especially if they are dark chocolate chips!!! Antioxidants, you know!! I’m just going to make some and enjoy it!! Sometimes you just have to!!!:-)
Camille @ Challenge Mantra
Almond Joy is probably my favorite candy bar. This recipe could be dangerous! :)
Liz DellaCroce
Umm…mine too. Always have to be careful having it around!
Joanne
Aww that is so sweet!! Hmmm and it’s giving me ideas for my friends who are about to give birth any second. I’d have to double the batch of this, though – one for me and one for them!
Liz DellaCroce
Yes this would be perfect for that!!! Food is a new moms BFF :)
Kelli @ The Corner Kitchen
You just hit my weak spot, Liz! I don’t think I have the power to say no to Almond Joys in any form. This granola is amazing!
Liz DellaCroce
LOL you and me both! Why are they so good?!
Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen
I’m thinking a batch of this needs to go in my next care package to my son in college. Looks perfect!
Liz DellaCroce
This would be PERFECT for a care package!
Alexis @ Hummusapien
Mmmmm I would totally die for a hugh jass bowl of this doused in ice cold almond milk! Heaven.
Liz DellaCroce
Ok you’re making me drool!! Yes!
Amanda @ Once Upon a Recipe
Oh my goodness, I love love love!!! Love Grown Foods granola. As in, I can barely stop myself from eating the entire bag in one sitting. This granola looks so delicious – I’ve never made chocolate granola, but I’m thinking it needs to happen asap!
Liz DellaCroce
So funny Love Grown was new to me but I’m now a huge fan!!!
Phi (from Sweetphi.com)
Oh my goodness, this looks fantastic! I love Almond Joy candies, and what better than to make it healthier into a granola! I also love that your friend sent a little care package and included all those lovely things, I’ll have to remember that for when my friends have more kids :)
Liz DellaCroce
Almond joys are one of my favorites too!! Care packages with food are key for new moms. ;)
Jeanette | Jeanette's Healthy Living
How sweet of Aggie! So great that you were able to recreate this granola at home – it sounds fantastic!
Liz DellaCroce
Isn’t she the greatest?? Thanks Jeanette!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
I love Almond Joy! This granola is calling me! Pinning!
Liz DellaCroce
You must make it Anna!!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
Chocolate for breakfast? WHERE’S MY SPOON.
Liz DellaCroce
I knew you’d approve! xo
Aggie
Yuuuum!! Almond Joys are my favorite!!
I love that that granola inspired you to make this – homemade granola is the best! I need to make this! :)
Liz DellaCroce
They are mine too!! Thank you for inspiring this recipe!
Jocelyn @BruCrew Life
What a fantastic idea to add coconut and chocolate to the granola. I seriously cannot wait to try this out :-)
Liz DellaCroce
It was so tasty and a little really goes a long way!
Tina Muir
That looks wonderful! I LOVE cereal and granola! It is my favorite breakfast/snack/anytime food, and I would love to make some of this for afternoon snacks after my second run of the day! I am pinning for a make soon recipe! Thanks for the idea! Yum yum yum!
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know if you try this Tina!! It was a huge hit!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
Love this idea!! Wish I had that around for breakfast today ;)
Liz DellaCroce
I wish I did too!! We devoured it in 5 seconds.