Healthy Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Recipe

Homemade healthy dark chocolate cherry granola combines rich dark chocolate and tart cherries. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup and includes other healthy ingredients like oats and flax seeds. This delicious granola recipe is perfect as an on-the-go snack or to top your morning yogurt with!

Once upon a time, I found this delicious chocolate granola at Costco that was simply amazing. I loved adding it to my yogurt or eating it as a snack. I haven’t been able to find it in a while, so I thought I’d try my hand at making my own. I found some dried Montgomery cherries at Aldi and thought they would pair nicely with the dark chocolate!

Homemade granola is so much easier to make than you think it might be. All you need is a handful of ingredients and you’re set to go! The nice thing about this granola recipe is that it can be customized to your liking (see tips below). If you haven’t tried making your own granola already, give it a go and I’m sure you’ll really enjoy it! Plus, if you like your house to smell like warm chocolate, then this is the recipe for you!

Looking for some other breakfast or snack ideas? Check out my Blueberry Muffin Bread, Banana Nut Bread, Sweet Potato Pancakes and Cranberry Banana Nut Muffins!

TIPS

• The walnuts really develop their flavor while baking for the full amount of time. If you prefer a less nutty flavor, add them in after the first 17-18 minutes when you stir the granola.
• You can omit the walnuts if you have an allergy or prefer granola without nuts!
• Pecans would taste great in this granola recipe too!
• Use mini dark chocolate chips to distribute the chocolate a bit more.
• Try white chocolate chips in place of the dark chocolate if you want a lighter chocolate taste.
• Cut the dried cherries in half with kitchen sheers to make them go a little further.
• You can substitute freeze dried strawberries for the cherries. They would taste equally as delicious!

TOOLS YOU MAY NEED

• Medium mixing bowl
• Mixing spoon
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Kitchen sheers
• Large baking sheet

INGREDIENTS

• OATS: Oats are known to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) and help the body control blood sugar. They are also incredibly nutritious and contain lots of vitamins and minerals (source). You can use either old fashioned oats or quick cooking oats in this granola recipe; whatever you have!
• WALNUTS: Walnuts provide a nice nutty flavor to this granola, as well as some nice crunch. There also have been studies that say consuming walnuts may reduce overall cholesterol in the body (source).
• UNSWEETENED COCOA POWDER: Unsweetened cocoa powder contains theobromine, which can reduce inflammation in the body. It also has so many other benefits (source)!
• FLAX SEEDS: Flax seeds are great to add into granola recipes because you can’t even tell they are there! They contain lots of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, and can aid in digestive health and in lowering bad cholesterol (LDL) levels (source).
• CINNAMON: Cinnamon tastes great and adds some nice flavor to this granola recipe.
• PURE GRADE A MAPLE SYRUP: Pure grade A maple syrup is a better alternative to regular sugar and has a lower glycemic index as well (source). You could also use honey in this granola recipe.
• ORGANIC UNREFINED COCONUT OIL: Organic unrefined coconut oil helps give this granola some crunch. There are also some potential benefits to eating coconut oil as well!
• MONTGOMERY DRIED CHERRIES: These cherries provide a nice tartness and are a great source of Vitamin A (source).
• DARK CHOCOLATE: Dark chocolate contains flavanols, which may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes (source). Not to mention, it tastes great too!

HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY GRANOLA

In a medium sized mixing bowl, add in quick cooking rolled oats or old fashioned oats, walnuts, cocoa powder, flax seeds, cinnamon and salt and mix until combined.

Add in maple syrup and melted coconut oil and stir until completely combined.

Pour granola onto a large lined baking sheet in one even layer.

Bake at 300 degrees for 17-18 minutes, stir and bake for another 17-18 minutes.

Allow granola to cool for 10 minutes and then add chopped cherries and dark chocolate chunks. Mix and enjoy!

This homemade dark chocolate cherry granola can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks!