Easy Baked Dark Chocolate Granola with Walnuts, Pistachios & Dates: Your Ultimate Crunchy Homemade Breakfast
Kickstart your day with an invigorating and utterly delicious bowl of homemade granola. This recipe for easy baked granola, featuring rich dark chocolate, crunchy walnuts, vibrant pistachios, aromatic cinnamon, and naturally sweet dates, is designed to fuel your mornings and satisfy your cravings. Whether you prefer it as a hearty breakfast or a wholesome snack, this crunchy chocolate granola is a true game-changer for any chocolate lover!
A nutritious and satisfying breakfast is key to maintaining energy levels throughout the day. With this vibrant dark chocolate granola, you’ll feel pleasantly full and energized for hours. For an extra boost of vitamins and freshness, consider pairing it with a medley of your favorite fruits, such as juicy grapes, sweet raspberries, or crisp apple slices. Homemade granola not only tastes superior to store-bought varieties but also gives you complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a wholesome start to your day.
The Irresistible Allure of Homemade Granola
There’s something uniquely rewarding about making your own granola. The aroma of oats and spices baking in the oven fills your kitchen with warmth, promising a delightful treat. Unlike many commercial granolas that can be loaded with excessive sugars and artificial ingredients, our homemade dark chocolate granola allows you to choose high-quality components, making it a healthier option. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile – adjust the sweetness, swap the nuts, or add your favorite dried fruits to create a personalized blend that perfectly suits your taste.
Why This Dark Chocolate Granola Stands Out
This particular recipe isn’t just another granola; it’s a carefully crafted blend that balances robust flavors and satisfying textures. The richness of **dark chocolate** provides a decadent yet healthy kick, packed with antioxidants. **Walnuts** and **pistachios** contribute essential omega-3 fatty acids and a delightful crunch, while **dates** offer natural sweetness and fiber, reducing the need for added refined sugars. The hint of **cinnamon** adds a warming spice that ties all the flavors together beautifully. This combination ensures every spoonful is an exciting mix of crunchy, chewy, and utterly delicious goodness, making it an ideal choice for a healthy breakfast or a guilt-free anytime snack.
Versatile Ways to Enjoy Your Crunchy Homemade Granola
One of the best qualities of this dark chocolate granola is its incredible versatility. It’s not just for breakfast; it can transform into a variety of delicious and healthy treats throughout your day:
- Classic Breakfast Delight: The most popular way to enjoy granola is simply with a splash of milk (dairy or plant-based) or a dollop of creamy yogurt. Add some fresh berries, sliced bananas, or a drizzle of honey for an elevated morning meal.
- Energizing Afternoon Snack: When that afternoon slump hits, skip the processed snacks. A small handful of this crunchy granola provides a quick and satisfying energy boost, thanks to its wholesome oats, nuts, and natural sugars from dates. It’s perfect for staving off hunger between meals.
- A Unique Nut Butter Treat: Elevate your snack game by spreading your favorite nut butter (like almond, peanut, or cashew butter) onto apple slices or celery sticks, then generously coating them with this chocolate granola. The combination of creamy, fruity, and crunchy textures is an absolute delight!
- Dessert Topping: Sprinkle it over ice cream, puddings, or fruit crumbles for an added layer of crunch and rich chocolate flavor.
- Smoothie Bowl Booster: Add a handful to your morning smoothie bowl for extra texture and nutritional value.
Storage Secrets for Lasting Freshness
Proper storage is crucial to keep your homemade dark chocolate granola crunchy and delicious for as long as possible. Once completely cooled, transfer your granola to an airtight container. A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid is ideal. Store it at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Stored this way, it will retain its freshness and delightful crunch for at least two weeks. Avoid putting it in the refrigerator, as the moisture can make your granola soggy and soft, diminishing its desirable crispiness. Freezing is also not recommended for the same reason. Enjoy your perfectly crunchy homemade granola every time!
Customize Your Granola: Endless Possibilities
While this dark chocolate granola recipe is fantastic as is, don’t hesitate to get creative and customize it to your liking! The beauty of homemade granola lies in its adaptability. Feeling adventurous? Try making coconut almond granola for a tropical twist, or embrace the cozy flavors of autumn with warm apple pie granola. Other fantastic additions include different nuts like pecans or cashews, seeds such as chia or flax seeds for extra nutrition, or even a different type of dried fruit like cranberries or apricots. Experiment with spices like nutmeg or cardamom to introduce new aromatic profiles. The possibilities are truly endless, ensuring your granola always feels fresh and exciting!
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📖 Recipe
RECIPE CARD
Andréa
Pin Recipe
10 minutes
30 minutes
40 minutes
Breakfast
European Cuisine
12
portions
142
kcal
Prevent your screen from going dark
Ingredients
-
⅔
cups
instant oats -
¼
cup
walnuts,
chopped coarse -
¼
cup
pistachios -
3
tablespoons
sunflower oil -
3
tablespoons
shredded coconut -
1
teaspoon
ground cinnamon -
½
teaspoon
sea salt -
15
dried dates -
2
oz.
dark chocolate,
chopped into small pieces
All my recipes are written both in Metric (gram / ml) and US Customary (cups / pounds). Here you can select which type of amount you would like to see.
US Customary
Instructions
-
Preheat your oven to 300 °F (150 °C) for a regular oven or 265 °F (130 °C) for a convection oven. -
Line a large baking tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup. -
In a spacious bowl, combine the instant oats, coarsely chopped walnuts, pistachios, sunflower oil, shredded coconut, ground cinnamon, and sea salt. Mix everything thoroughly until the oats and nuts are evenly coated.⅔ cups instant oats,
¼ cup walnuts,
¼ cup pistachios,
3 tablespoons sunflower oil,
3 tablespoons shredded coconut,
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon,
½ teaspoon sea salt -
Spread the granola mixture evenly in a single layer on the prepared baking tray. This ensures even baking and maximum crunch. -
Bake for 10 minutes. After the initial baking time, remove the tray from the oven and give everything a good stir to promote uniform browning. -
Return the tray to the oven and continue baking for another 10 minutes. Keep an eye on it to prevent burning. The granola should be golden brown and fragrant. -
While the granola is still warm, blend the dried dates in a food processor or blender until they form a smooth paste. Add this date paste and the chopped dark chocolate pieces to the warm granola mixture. Stir well until the date paste is evenly distributed and the chocolate begins to melt slightly, coating the granola.15 dried dates,
2 oz. dark chocolate -
Allow the granola to cool completely on the baking tray. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect, satisfying crunch. As it cools, the chocolate will set, and the granola will crisp up. -
Once fully cooled, transfer your delicious homemade granola to a sealed jar or an airtight container. Store it in a cool, dry place at room temperature.
Notes
2. Try different chocolate: Don’t limit yourself to dark chocolate! For a creamier and sweeter taste, experiment with milk chocolate chips or even white chocolate chunks. Feel free to use your preferred chocolate type.
3. Bake it evenly: For a consistently crispy granola, it’s crucial to spread the mixture in a thin, flat layer on the baking tray. Stirring halfway through the baking process also helps ensure every piece is perfectly golden and crunchy.
4. Storage Tips: Maximizing the shelf life and crunch of your granola is easy with these tips:
- Room temperature: Always store your baked granola in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. When stored correctly, it remains wonderfully fresh and crunchy for at least two weeks.
- Refrigerator: Do not store granola in the fridge! The humid environment will cause it to absorb moisture, making it soft and losing its signature crunch.
- Freezer: Freezing is generally not recommended for granola, as it tends to make the clusters soft and less appealing in texture rather than preserving their crispy nature.
Nutrition
Calories:
142
kcal
Carbohydrates:
14
g
Protein:
2
g
Fat:
9
g
Saturated Fat:
2
g
Polyunsaturated Fat:
2
g
Monounsaturated Fat:
5
g
Trans Fat:
0.002
g
Cholesterol:
0.1
mg
Sodium:
105
mg
Fiber:
2
g
Sugar:
8
g
Vitamin A:
14
IU
Vitamin C:
0.2
mg
Iron:
1
mg
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More Granola & Oatmeal Inspiration
If you loved this dark chocolate granola, you’re in for a treat! Explore other delicious breakfast and snack ideas that are just as easy to make and equally satisfying:
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Oatmeal Pancakes with Plum Compote
- Watermelon Cantaloupe Overnight Oats