This easy homemade chocolate granola recipe is scented with cinnamon and filled with whole grains, nuts and flax seed.
We make granola on the regular in our house and in fact, I’ve been making this Mexican Hot Chocolate Granola for weeks but and am so excited to finally share it with all of you.
Filled with warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg plus two types of chocolate, your family is going to love this addictive snack. A pinch of cayenne gives it a little kick but feel free to add more or omit it entirely.
Since the granola is tossed with honey and olive oil, I find the subtle hint of heat is the perfect spice to balance out the sweetness of this chocolatey granola.
What are your favorite granola ingredients and mix-ins? I’d love to hear from you.
No forks required.
Homemade Mexican Hot Chocolate Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- ¾ cup honey
- ½ cup olive or canola oil
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cayenne optional
- 3 cups oats
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup flax seed meal
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 300 degrees and line a baking sheet with oven-safe parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, whisk together first 8 ingredients: honey through cayenne.
- Toss in all remaining ingredients (oats through flax seed meal) and stir until everything is evenly coated with chocolate mixture.
- Spread oat and nut mixture evenly on parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Let cool on pan for 30 minutes then break up granola into bite-sized pieces.
- Toss together granola with chocolate chips before serving.
Nutrition
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Karen
I made this granola yesterday and it is delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe! Instead of mixing in a bowl, I warmed up the honey and oil and mixed everything in a pan on the stove and then spread out on a baking sheet. Turned out great! Can’t stop eating it. Love the addition of cayenne in it.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh that is SUCH a great idea!!!!! Thanks for sharing Karen!
Jana
This is hands down the best granola I’ve ever had! Even my two little kids love it.
Liz DellaCroce
Oh that makes me so happy to hear!!
Jana
This is truly the best granola I’ve ever had! Thanks so much for sharing!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh my gosh thank you so much!!
A
Just pulled this out of the oven a bit ago, my kitchen smells amazing and I swiped a small taste-test… this will definitely rival my favorite chai granola recipe! The cayenne is what makes it so yummy!!! Thank you for the wonderful recipe! It will definitely become a staple for me!
Liz DellaCroce
Ooo I’m so happy you liked it!!!
Nancy
Oh my goodness! Making this granola has been on my radar ever since it was posted, and I finally made it! Absolutely incredible! I don’t even think I will add the chocolate chips – so rich and wonderful without them! Thanks for a real winner!!!!!
Liz DellaCroce
I am so so glad you enjoyed it!!! Yay!
Megan {Country Cleaver}
Chocolatey granola!?! I want this for breakfast every day!
Liz DellaCroce
Right girl?!
Deb
What is the best way to store this and what is the shelf life? Not expecting any leftovers but just wondering.
Thanks
Liz DellaCroce
I store it in an airtight container or ziplock bag and it will last for up to two weeks! But like you said, it rarely is around that long. ;-)
robin
Dark or milk chocolate chips?
Liz DellaCroce
Either works Robin!
Susan
This granola sounds intriguing, although it is significantly sweeter than any granola I currently make. I’m sure that some of the honey is to balance out the cocoa powder. Question: in the recipe you call for canola oil, but in writing about it you mentioned olive oil. Which do you actually use?
Liz DellaCroce
Sorry about the confusion – I use olive and canola both and don’t notice any different in taste so just use whichever you prefer or have on hand. As for the sweetness, feel free to use less honey! It’s all up to you – make it your own. :)
Susan
Thanks, Liz. In that case I would probably use avocado oil, which is what I most often have on hand; it’s a good neutral flavored oil. And I’m sure I would use less honey. I’m not big on real sweet things, and won’t tell my husband who likes things real sweet, that I changed it…
Liz DellaCroce
That sounds delicious and perfect!! Let me know how you like it!!
Dani Mendocha | Styled Variety
This looks so yummy! Love the unique combo of chocolate and warm spices like cinnamon and cayenne :)
Dani | http://www.styledvariety.com
Liz DellaCroce
Thank you so much Dani!!
Aggie @ Aggie's Kitchen
I need this granola in my life!! I could seriously snack on this all day, but more specifically a small handful in the evening would be the perfect dessert ;) Love the kick, I have to try that!
Liz DellaCroce
yes literally – a little goes a long way with this girl!
Nancy
Wow, I tell you what…wow! Do you think you would serve this for breakfast with milk? Do you think it would work that way?
Yes, I almost always have homemade granola on hand at my house. Have any recipes with peanut butter?
Liz DellaCroce
Yes I absolutely LOVE this granola with milk!! It’s perfect like that!
Megan
This looks delicious! Within the post you wrote that the granola is tossed in Olive Oil, but then in the recipe it says canola. Do you recommend one over the other? I love granola that has pepitas, pecans, cinnamon, sea salt, and is tossed in coconut oil, maple syrup, and some brown sugar. Yummy!
Liz DellaCroce
Oh goodness – I use BOTH oils truth be told. It works well with either! Coconut oil works too!! :)
Shawnna
oh yummy! I would love this!
Liz DellaCroce
I just made another batch and it was amazing!!
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
This sounds wonderful!!! Can’t beat a chocolatey granola, and I bet the hint of cayenne is amazing in this.
Liz DellaCroce
I just can’t resist adding chocolate to all my granola!