Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Granola

Channeling my inner Count Chocula with this homemade Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Granola. But, if you think this granola is as sugary as the retro monster cereal, think again! 

If you are a fan of sweet and salty, this recipe is just for you. My healthy yet decadent Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Granola is made with old-fashioned rolled oats, almonds, chia seeds, raw cacao, cinnamon, coconut oil, and a little natural sweetener. And after baking it’s finished with dark chocolate chunks and flakey sea salt.

What is better than chocolate for breakfast, without a side of guilt !?

Use old-fashioned oats for this recipe

I have to admit, I used to buy granola, but a few years ago I started making it at home and what a difference. Even days later, it still tastes fresher than the store-bought stuff.

And it’s super easy to make a batch and store in jars in your pantry to have on hand for a quick brekkie or that midnight snack attack.

For the oats, I always buy organic, and I personally prefer certified gluten-free, such as Bob’s Red Mill. Regardless of which brand you like, be sure to use the old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick, not steel cut).

For the cacao I like the brand Navitas, but any brand of raw unsweetened cacao will work.

You can find coconut oil as refined or unrefined, and I highly recommend unrefined. This has been processed less and as a result has a more coconut-y flavor. Check out this brand I like and also to learn more about refined vs unrefined.

I like the combo of maple and honey for this recipe, but feel free to use just one if you like (just double the maple to 4 tablespoons if doing so, for example). For the two kinds of salts, I like Redmond fine pink sea salt to bake with the granola, and then flakey Maldon for finishing.

And my go-to chocolate brand for both baking and for enjoying as an after dinner treat is Theo 70% dark chocolate.

Dark chocolate and cinnamon, both in my recipe

TIP: when you buy dark chocolate look for 70% or higher cacao to get all of the health benefits, and try to avoid dark chocolate with added soy, dairy and preservatives

Get creative and use this recipe in other ways!

Granola isn’t just for yogurt, here are other ways you can enjoy this healthy treat:

I’m happy I finally found a healthy way to have chocolate for breakfast. And unlike the Count, this kind of chocolate for breakfast doesn’t “suck”.  Vampire pun intended!

Think you’ll try this recipe for Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Granola? If so, comment and let me know how you will use it. And tag me on Instagram so I can see your creations.

Like this recipe? You might also like…

Homemade Roasted Almond Butter

Stuffed Medjool Dates

Print Recipe

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Granola

Chocolatey granola made with rolled oats, cacao, almonds, chia, dark chocolate chunks and sea salt

Course

Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine

American

Keyword

dairy free, gluten free, healthy, low sugar, vegan, vegetarian

Servings

servings

Ingredients

• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup raw sliced almonds
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp raw cacao
• 1/2 tsp ceylon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup coconut oil use unrefined for a coconut-y flavor
• 2 tbsp honey or use maple for vegan
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
• 1/2 tsp flake sea salt
• 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate

Course Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert, Snack Cuisine American Keyword dairy free, gluten free, healthy, low sugar, vegan, vegetarian Servings servings Ingredients 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats 1/2 cup raw sliced almonds 1 tbsp chia seeds 2 tbsp raw cacao 1/2 tsp ceylon cinnamon 1/4 cup coconut oil use unrefined for a coconut-y flavor 2 tbsp honey or use maple for vegan 2 tbsp pure maple syrup 1/4 tsp fine sea salt 1/2 tsp flake sea salt 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate

Instructions

1. heat oven to 300°, line two large sheet pans with parchment paper
2. in a large bowl combine oats through cinnamon, stir to blend
3. in a small saucepan or oven-safe glass measuring cup, melt coconut oil, sweetener(s) of choice and fine sea salt *save the large flake salt and chopped chocolate for the end of recipe
4. pour coconut oil mixture over oat mixture and stir well, spread out on prepared sheet pans, and bake until lightly browned, about 35-40 minutes
5. let granola cool completely on pans (otherwise it won’t crisp up as well); once completely cooled add sea salt and chopped chocolate
6. store granola in an airtight jar at room temp for several weeks

Recipe Notes

1. recipe makes roughly 3 - 4 cups
2. see blog post for my favorite ingredient brand recommendations, plus ideas on where else to enjoy this recipe

Original recipe created by Jerran Boyer
www.healthnutchefs.com