This was my exact thought while eating this granola and writing this post. Anyone who said I couldn’t multitask is a liar.
Almond Joy was not my favorite candy when I was a kid. Snickers were my favorite, but later, I also liked Caramelos, Milky Ways, and Caramelos. If you didn’t know, I love candy bars in general.
Coconut or anything I had never liked until I tried coconut butter. Once I got into the coconut milk realm, it was over. Rest is history. It’s a love affair that has gone all out.
Coconut is used in two different ways to flavor this granola: Coconut oil and Coconut Flakes. This combination gives it the perfect coconut texture and flavor without being overpowering.
This recipe is easy to make and delicious. Only nine ingredients are needed, and approximately 30 minutes.
I make granola every two weeks for my breakfast and snacks. When I made this, I had just finished my Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and it was a great replacement.
Ingredients
- Rolling oats, 2 1/2 cups (GF for those who are gluten-free)
- Coconut flake unsweetened, 1 cup
- 1 cup raw almonds
- 3 Tbsp Sugar (I prefer organic Cane).
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil (or sub avocado or olive oil)
- 1/4 cup Almond Butter (add some salt if it is not salted).
- 1/4 cup maple syrup (or agave if vegan) or honey
- This is 1/3 cup of dark chocolate bar or chips (roughly chopped).
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 340 degrees F (171 C).
- In a large bowl, combine the oats with coconut flakes, sugar, and salt.
- Warm the almond butter, maple syrup, or other liquid sweetener in a small pan over medium heat. Pour over the dry ingredients. Mix well.
- Spread the mixture evenly on one large baking sheet or two smaller ones (be careful not to overcrowd the granola / use more or less as necessary if changing batch size). Bake for 20-25 min. Stir the mixture a little near the halfway point to ensure an even cooking.
- Coconut oil crisps up this granola nicely. However, it can burn very quickly in the end.
- Remove the granola from the oven once it is visibly brown (about 23 minutes in my case). Let cool.
- Add chopped dark chocolate to the granola once it has cooled. As suggested by a reader, you could also add the chocolate when the granola is still warm so that it melts and coats the whole granola. GENIUS!
- It should last for 2 to 3 weeks if you store it in a container with an airtight seal.
