Chocolate granola

by Béa

gluten free chocolate granola

Chocolate granola

Certain likings for foods, it seems, run in the family. I don’t care so much for fresh bananas. Lulu does not like them. I really love nuts and chocolate. So does she.

I didn’t teach her. It happened this way. Or perhaps it is something that, as I like to imagine, I passed to her while she was nesting inside my belly and during the year I breastfed her. I like to imagine that I communicated with her in that way.

With chocolate, cumin, risotto, custard, tarts, yogurt, pretzels, pecans, apples, soups–and granola.

Chocolate granola, more precisely.

I’d been willing to create a recipe like this one for a while. But for weeks–perhaps even months now that I think about it–I never got to it.

Once it was the oats that went missing. Another time I ended up using the chocolate inside a cake.

Last week, though, I had everything. Neatly arranged on the kitchen island. Lined up. Ready. Leaving me feeling victorious.

Finally, I’d be able to bake chocolate granola.

lulu reading chocolate granola

There was this snack, mind you, that P. bought every time he went grocery shopping.

“J’ai acheté du granola au chocolat !“‘ (I bought chocolate granola!) he’d tell me cheerfully as he entered the kitchen with bags filled with produce. Lulu was already in bed, which left only him and me to putter around in the kitchen. Somehow, his words sounded like he’d won something important.

The granola was good. “Healthy snack”, the words on the box read. I think that was what they were. I am not a hundred percent sure anymore. The granola never lasted long. The three of us would invariably sit around the kitchen island. Munching granola away.

Needless to say that, when we tasted my recipe and we both liked it more, that made me feel proud. We wouldn’t need to pay $5 a small box of granola which, we knew, was too expensive. But the granola tasted nice so we indulged in the purchase every time anyway.

Until a few days ago, when I baked a batch of chocolate granola myself.

I could not stop eating it. And I wasn’t alone.

Lulu, P. and I enjoyed pinching a bit of granola while he and I were doing the dishes and she was reading books. It was still warm but none of us minded. Then the next day, we ate some for breakfast with yogurt and milk. And later, I found myself eating some more as a mid-morning snack while cooking a butternut squash soup for lunch.

“Too good!” we agreed.

We loved its crunch. The fact that it was not too sweet. And the fact that it used our favorite dark chocolate.

“It’s got character,” P. added.

I am not sure how it happened but suddenly, this granola recipe inspired many more.

With the chocolate left, I decided to bake a chocolate cake. It happened the day it snowed so much that everything outside and inside stopped. Winter was taking it course and we were watching.

We ate fennel salad, lentil soup, osso bucco, riz pilaf with saffron, financiers.

And each time I stood by the stove cooking, I munched away on more granola.

“To keep going,” I thought.

To face snowy days in winter.

gluten free chocolate granola

Chocolate granola

(Makes 4.5 cups)

You need:

  • 3 cups (300 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup (10 g) millet puffs
  • 1/2 cup (10 g) rice puffs
  • 1/2 cup (75 g) pumpkin seeds
  • 1/2 cup (65 g) slivered almonds
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup (80 g) chopped dark chocolate (70 % or 64 % cocoa contents)

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 300 F and have a large baking sheet covered with parchment paper ready.
  • In a small pot, combine the water, honey, sugar, butter (or use a vegetable oil if you prefer), salt and vanilla. Bring to a simmer and let cook until the sugar is dissolved.
  • In a large bowl, combine the other ingredients minus the chopped dark chocolate. Stir in the liquid to the dry ingredients.
  • Transfer the granola mixture to the baking sheet and cook for 45 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon a few times to make sure that the granola cooks evenly. Let cool completely.
  • Transfer to a air-tight container and add the chocolate. Enjoy with plain yogurt or any type of milk of your choice. Or as a snack like Lulu and I often do!
Posted in Breakfast, Chocolate, Gluten Free, Grains, Life and Us

121 comments

  1. Brilliant. We make granola weekly around here, but I’ve not tried it with chocolate – I wonder if a dusting of cocoa would make it even more munchable? Thanks for the inspiration! We have plenty of winter to get through here, too.

  2. This looks great! I have never put chocolate in my granola, but I think I will try! I just ran out and have to make a new batch, perfect timing! Thanks!

  3. This is magical! I make granola frequently and I will most certainly be making yours soon! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe and all your delectable photos.

  6. How exciting!!! I have most of these ingredients on hand…except for millet flakes. What is that? And I’m assuming rice puffs are rice crispy cereal…
    I can’t wait to make this!

  7. i’m not a big chocolate guy. i recently did granola with apricots, cinnamon and pecans. my latest tic is granola with dried figs, i should do some with chocolate.

  8. yum! what are the ingredients for that fennel salad? fennel, red onion, salmon roe, _____?

  9. Oh yes! Granola is a big favorite in this house too. Happy Winter.

  10. Sounds delicious. There’s nothing wrong with good dark chocolate at breakfast time – its actualy quite healthy. I wouldn’t be able to stop munching it either!

  11. I’d love to do this for my husband (it would be a great snack for him before he goes to university or before his kick boxing class) but he refused to look at things that have been sweetened…

  14. Ohohoh ça ça risque d’être tout simplement délicieux! Je vais vite essayer, et j’aime la petite histoire qui va avec…
    Plus de “coin français” pour les recettes?

    Bises!

  15. Pingback: Chocolate granola « Topicco – Find, Read, Share

  17. Wonderful Bea, we feel only the deliciousness, the joyful of this granola without the coldness of the snow 😉 You made every day so peaceful…

  18. We love homemade granola, too. I make it every two weeks and I love to change something every time. Like the nuts, orusing maple syrup or adding cocoa. It’s great every time and so much better than the store bought stuff.
    Enjoy yours 🙂

  19. I absolutely love this recipe and my kids adore granola! Going to make some and layer it with some Greek yogurt for breakfast….Merci!

  23. Thank you everyone. Merci! I hope you like it.

    Clémence, merci. Je vais mettre à jour le coin français. J’ai juste un manque de temps ces jours-ci!

  24. I never had home-made granola… and this one looks so delicious with the dark chocolate. The pictures are amazing.

  25. Une bien sympathique variante, que je ne vais pas tarder à essayer, + super jolies photos, lumineuses et colorées, délicates, j’aime. Merci 🙂

  27. C’est toujours un plaisir d’admirer vos photos et de lire les petites histoires qui vont avec. Quel chocolat prenez vous?

  28. I have always felt a ‘special’ connection to my mum because we love exactly the same food – pizza, almonds, parmesan, chocolate, apples with skins, artichokes, aubergines, peas… It is so sweet that Lulu is liking the food you like.

    However it does not take a mother-and-daughter bond to like this granola, to be fair 🙂

  29. J’adore le granola, je le fais selon l’inspiration du moment et selon ce qu’il y a dans le garde-manger. Mais je ne sais pas si j’oserais y mettre du chocolat, même si j’en raffole… Cela me semble un peu contradictoire.

  31. Excellent idée pour les petits-déjeuners de camping. Les plus petits en raffoleront. Et les plus grands aussi…

  32. A treat for a cold winter’s morning, add warm milk so the chocolate melts a bit. Yummy 🙂

  35. Tes photos inspirent vraiment la douceur de l’hiver. Magique!
    Et le muesli, vraiment très appétissant. D’ailleurs j’ai noté la recette 🙂

  36. The dark chocolate I use is Valrhona Guanaja, 70 % cocoa contents. Valrhona Manjari is another great choice.

  37. I have a favorite granola I make all the time, but I will definitely try the added dark chocolate!! We eat the Kashi CocoBeach granola (chocolate-coconut), and we love it, so this is sure to be a hit!

  38. I will definitely try your granola recipe, it looks perfectly crunchy and tasty. Lovely winter pictures.

  41. the snow looks so beautiful… love chocolates in granola! especially dark bittersweet chocolate chips

  44. I discovered chocolate granola in Switzerland and have loved it ever since. I haven’t found a nice one since then (since moving back home to the Philippines) so this recipe is heaven sent! Thank you!

  45. What a treat this will be for my boys – they adore my granola but to add chocolate? Divine!
    Have a wonderful weekend mon amie – I wish we had snow~
    xx

  46. great granola. I´ll bake soon enouhg , although it is summer here, but granola sopunds great any season, any day. thanks for the recipe.

  47. bonjour,

    je suis envoutée par vos photos…vous avez vraiment un sens artistique!
    Puis-je vous demander avec quelle matériel photographiez-vous? retouchez-vous avec Photoshop?
    Concernant votre fameux Granola, ça fait une éternité que je pense me confectionner mes céréales le matin et je vais donc essayer votre belle recette! Merci pour vos beaux postes! bb

  48. What fun! And what a gorgeous recipe. I haven’t been around in a long time, but your site is as beautiful as ever. I didn’t even realize, I don’t think, that you had a Lulu! Congratulations! I have a Lucy now too.
    xo Amanda

  49. Thank you everyone, once again and again. I hope that you enjoy the granola recipe if you happen to make it.

    Berengere, merci. J’utilise un Canon 1 D Mark 4. Et j’utilise aussi Photoshop.

  50. il doit y avoir un esprit “granola” dans l’air …
    j’en ai fait la semaine passée: je suis tombée sur une recette où le sucre est remplacé par du sirop d’érable!
    Parfait !!!
    Bravo pour les magnifiques photos!

    Virginie

  53. When I studied in France during college, I always bought little packets of chocolate granola from Monoprix. They were the best! Can’t wait to make my own, thanks!

  55. Christine,

    I am not too familiar with blue agave. But by reading about it, I should think so. I sometimes also like to use maple syrup.

  56. Thanks for the recipe… I love chocolate and my boyfriend loves chocolate granola! The one we buy is ok but very expencise. I will test your recipe.

    Ciao.

  57. please tell me where I can buy those adorable polka dot latte bowls?

  59. Moi je fais une variante (vue chez Clea je crois) et adaptée “Seignalet” : flocons de châtaignes, de riz ou de petit épeautre, amandes noisettes, sésame, graines de lin et un demi verre de jus d’orange – à 110° 30 minutes. Pas de sucre ni gras ajouté, c’est un délice aussi ! Merci pour ces belles photos.

  60. Thanks for the recipe. This looks awesome! I’ve bookmarked this. Should be making this after I’ve finished my current batch of granola:)

  61. I was just looking for recipes on making granola, since I find it expensive to buy and I have no problem doing the whole spending effort over money thing (and seeing as it’s simple anyway!). I found a few around the internet, but suddenly remembered your website and I thought about checking out what was happening, in general, as it had been ages since I last looked and poof, first page, a recipe for granola!! Looks wonderful. Thanks and enjoyed the whole story attached to it as well!!

  62. Your pictures are always beautiful, and they’re absolutely awe-inspiring in this post. You always make me feel like you’re really living life to to the fullest, and it’s inspiring.

  63. This is great. I love your pictures from the snow and what is the best way to fill a snow day than cooking and baking chocolate. Thanks for this recipe!

  64. Hello! I love the tablecloth that appears in the first picture and also in the picture of the table in the new born kitchen post…is it in plastic or fabric? can you tell me the brand? I really really love it!
    Ciao ciao

  65. Oh, this looks so lovely and yummy! I really appreciate your effort in sharing what you know. Your experiences are very impressive and I am really adopting some of your recipes. I am glad that I have found your blog sites.

  66. So delicious, this recipe fit perfectly into a relaxed Saturday. Started it, cleaned the apartment, watched an episode of a favorite show while it cooled, and enjoyed a bowl after mixing in the chocolate. This will provide quite a few nice breakfasts the next week. Thank you!

  67. Although granola is not a part of our (Turkish) cuisine, I love it. Homemade things are always better and this recipe sounds like a perfect snack, breakfast even dessert.

  68. Olá, querida,
    Não sei falar inglês nem francês, então vou escrever em português e tentar escrever algo em inglês. Suas fotos são lindíssimas. Estou começando a tirar fotos, fiquei apaixonada! Moro no Acre, na Amazônia, Brasil. Um beijo para você e sua família,
    Patrycia

    Hi, darling,
    I don’t speak English. your photos are beautiful. I’m studying photography (a little ) and I’m enchantèe.
    Congratulations. I would like to visit us.
    A hug,
    Patrycia

  69. Bonsoir Béatrice !
    J’ai lu un article sur ton blog dans le répu, et je suis sidérée ! Nous étions ensemble à la fac d’anglais, j’étais déjà instit et connaissais ta tante qui travaillait à Borny. Je ne pense pas que tu te souviennes, mais je te dis un grand bravo !!! Incroyable ce que la vie peut réserver comme surprises ! Ton blog est magnifique, je vais essayer quelques recettes, j’adore cuisiner aussi.
    Amicalement,
    Françoise

  70. I am inspired to make my own granola… adding dark chocolate is going to take it up several levels. Thank you for this beautiful Post. That chocolate cake looks delicious too!

  71. Just mixed the oats and the almonds… had to tell you how inspiring your post was. I was in the kitchen before I knew it. Thank you Bea!

  72. I don’t know what is more gorgeous — the shots of your granola or your wintery surroundings. Although I can’t complain w/ a sunny 65 degrees here in San Francisco, there is something to be said for those gorgeous East Coast winters. Plus, it’s terrific justification to eating some fantastic-looking granola! Thank you!

  74. It sounds absolutely fabulous. I’m planning to add dried cranberries to mine. Yummy.

  75. The granola reminds me of a cereal that they sell here (in Quebec) – it’s called Croque Matin, and is absolutely divine. They use dark chocolate bits in it, so I can’t help but be tempted. I usually eat it dry as a snack later in the day, cos it’s a bit much first thing in the morning 🙂

  76. We always have homemade chocolate granola in the house too, but I’m going to have to try yours now!
    BTW I have a daughter who’s about 2 months younger than Lulu, and I’ve been hesitant to give her real chocolate. (I’ve only given her homemade stuff with cocoa in it.) When did you first introduce chocolate to Lulu?

  77. Yum. My husband Dave is also addicted to Chocolate Granola (…it was Muesli in Munich), and is always asking me to make some. Yours looks wonderful- so when the ingredients fall into place (as needs to happen sometimes) I’ll know what to do with them.

  78. Nice granola! C’est incroyable comme ta cuisine est rangée! Moi je n’y arrive pas! C’est rangé mais pas tant que ça! Pitié dis moi que ce n’est pas toujours comme cela chez toi!

  80. Le Granola ne plaira pas malheureusement pas à ma petite famille mais le Cake au chocolat oui. Est-ce une recette spéciale? Peux-tu la partager?
    Merci pour ces belles photos et ces jolis instants…

  81. I have never ever tried chocolate muesli, but you make it sound so desirable, I am tempted to bake chocolate granola! Merci also for the visual pleasure! 🙂

  82. Hi
    I made your granola the other day and my son now has it for breakfirst and a snack in the afternoon. Powerfood he calls it. So yummy. Thanks a lot.
    Kiraten

  84. Wow! Looks and sounds really delicious. A perfect snack for snowy winter days. When I get all those ingredients into my kitchen, I’ll make it!

  85. Sounds amazing! The perfect combination of sweet indulgence and wholesome snack. I’ll have to try it sometime.

  87. Thank you for including the measurements in the metric system. Sounds and look amazing.

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  92. C’est toujours une belle magie quand je viens sur ton blog….que du bonheur à chaque passage ….bonne semaine !

  93. Really a delicious recipe! I used organic flake cereal instead of the puffed, because that is what I had. It is amazing on yogurt! Thanks!

  94. Thank you everyone, Sara and the others, for the feedback on the recipe. I am *so* happy you like it and find it, like me, crunchy and not too sweet. Nothing worse than granola that is loaded with sugar, non? Lulu who loves anything crunchy is really happy with it! “Nuts!” she exclaims happily.

  96. This granola recipe looks lovely. I love granola but store bought is SOO expensive for what little you get. I will definitely try it and I like the idea of putting it in yogurt! Your photos are awesome.

  98. first off, i can’t wait to try this, i’m going shopping tomorrow…secondly, beautiful pictures and finally, i love your latte bowls, i have a problem with latte bowls, there should be a support group for me and my collection…where did you get them? and the matching spoons…too cute!

  99. I made this wonderful granola, and I can’t seem to keep my husband from eating it all! It’s delicious. I know someone mentioned in an earlier comment about using Blue Agave nectar, so I decided to try it out since I had some on hand. I did make it with Blue Agave nectar (and the brown sugar blend by Splenda, so I only needed one generous tablespoon rather than two tablespoons of brown sugar), and it was delicious! Thanks so much for this great recipe.

  100. Thank you Ashley, I am so happy you enjoyed it. That makes me very happy.

    Donna, I frankly cannot remember where I bought these actually. I think a store in England.

  101. Hi Bea, I have a special someone coming in to this town this weekend and can’t wait to make this recipe for him as a surprise! I have a question–what is your and Paul’s favorite kind of chocolate? I was thinking of using Scharfenberger or Green & Black’s, but I’d love to hear what you recommend!

  102. Becky,

    I always use Valrhona. Sometimes Guanaja 70%, sometimes Manjari 64 %. But that’s my first choice. Good luck with the recipe and have a nice time with your special friend. I hope he likes it!

  103. I’ve made this, twice in fact and love it! I added coconut and left out the the puff cereal. Added golden raisins and dried cherries. 🙂 It’s a great recipe that I will make again and again! Thank you 🙂

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  107. I recently made my first granola and found inspiration in yours – this is just so tasty. I used rice and mill flakes, along with nuts and almonds that I crushed, spoonfuls of organic honey, olive oil and fleur de sel. Not to mention the dark chocolate chunks to be added by the end. A beautiful glutenfree version – thanks for the advice, as usual!

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  109. Excellent – I use chocolate covered puffed quinoa in my muesli (as we call it in Australia) and use maple syrup instead of the honey and water! Like you say – it doesnt stay around long and it is not only for breakfast!

  110. Merci! This has become a staple breakfast food(or anytime food) in our family…has replaced my kids’ addictions to any store bought cereal…and they make it themselves. In fact, it is in the oven now, as there was only a spoonful left this morning!

  111. This has been in my recipe ‘inbox’ since January, and I finally made it this morning. What a delight! So happy 🙂 I substited coconut oil for the butter and added coconut chips and dried cherries. Super yummy delicious!

  112. Thank you Ashley, Dulce, Athena, Aurora, Megan, and everyone of you who made the recipe an gave me feedback. So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Merci! Made my day.

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  114. thanks for this recipe, so tasty! I made this a few nights ago, my first time making granola, and I couldn’t believe how easy it was. yum!

  115. Just lovely and comforting. I added dried bing cherries. Who needs cake?

  116. I just have to tell you — I’ve made this recipe at least 8 times in the last 3 months. Everyone is hooked. Thank you SO MUCH for posting!

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