Bittersweet with a punch of almonds, this dark chocolate granola is a near-perfect start to a busy morning. A little dark maple syrup gives the granola a subtle sweetness, while cacao and reishi mushroom lend not only a boost of antioxidants but also a deep chocolatey flavor with a slightly earthy note - making it a perfect grown-up version of your favorite chocolate kids’ cereal.
Jump to Recipe | What is it? | What’s in it? | Tips | Variations | Common Questions
What is it?
Granola is a breakfast food that was first developed during the 19th century’s booming health and wellness movement. Modern versions typically combine oats with oil, a sweetener, and dried fruit or nuts.
This version includes medicinal herbs, spices, and a gorgeous dark chocolate base formed by cacao and cocoa butter, giving it a deep bittersweet edge coupled with subtle, delicate notes of cinnamon and other botanicals. This combination tastes delicious and is also deeply nourishing.
What’s in it?
In this recipe, luxuriant cocoa butter replaces oil, and you’ll use a mix of sprouted oats and tigernuts (a fiber-rich tuber) instead of rolled oats alone. Maple syrup gives the granola a slight sweetness, while cinnamon and cloves provide a burst of spice against a rich foundation of chocolate.
- Sprouted oats are easier to digest for many people than regular oats. In addition, they contain various minerals in addition to complex carbohydrates and fiber.
- Tigernuts are tuberous roots rich in prebiotics (the food that fuels beneficial bacteria), such as resistant starch and fiber. They also contain vitamins C and B6 and various minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and potassium.
- Almonds provide a light sweetness and are a good source of vitamin E.
- Cacao is significantly richer in various antioxidants and phenolic compounds than most foods (1). These botanical compounds give it a rich flavor and dark color. It is also traditionally used to restore energy (2).
- Cocoa butter gives the granola a rich chocolatey flavor and aroma. It contains vitamin E.
- Maple syrup provides a hint of sweetness that brings balance to bitter cacao.
- Reishi mushroom is an adaptogen with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine. Its versatile uses include supporting the immune system and promoting relaxation (3). In addition, its earthy flavor is a natural fit for chocolate.
- Cinnamon and Cloves bring a warming, spicy quality to the granola, balancing the chocolate’s bitterness and maple syrup’s sweetness. They’re also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory (4, 5).
Tips for making granola
Granola is super easy to make. You can even whip up a big batch on the weekend and keep it on hand for up to a month for easy breakfasts or snacks. Before warming the cocoa butter with maple syrup, cacao powder, and herbs, you’ll start first by mixing the dry ingredients (oats, tigernuts, almonds, and cacao nibs). While it’s a cinch to make, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind.
- The cocoa butter melts quickly (and hardens rapidly without the stove’s heat), so keep an eye on your saucepan to prevent overcooking. In addition, fold the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients quickly.
- Line your sheet pan with parchment paper, as it makes clean up a breeze.
- Stir the granola once or twice while it bakes to promote even cooking.
- Let it cool completely, then store it in a tightly sealed container in a dark cupboard for up to 1 month.
- Make it your own by adding dried fruit or different nuts.
Love Herbs?
Get the cookbook.
Vibrant Botanicals is our gorgeous botanically-focused cookbook that guides you through simple herbal recipes like this one. Order it online or through your local bookshop.
Variations
For a grain-free version, skip the sprouted oats and use 1 ½ cups flaked tigernuts.
If you can’t find tigernuts, use 1 ½ cups sprouted oats.
Use cocoa powder in place of cacao powder for a deeper chocolate flavor with less acidity.
Use homemade noyaux, almond extract, or vanilla extract in place of chocolate extract.
Add dried or freeze-dried fruit such as dried cherries, raspberries, or strawberries.
Try a coconut-chocolate version by substituting coconut oil for cocoa butter, coconut extract for chocolate extract, and using dried, unsweetened coconut in place of sliced almonds. Omit the cinnamon and cloves.
Common questions
Store the finished granola in a tightly sealed container at room temperature for up to 1 month.
This granola doesn’t freeze well, so store it at room temperature.
Use coconut oil in place of cocoa butter.
Use old-fashioned rolled oats or flaked tigernuts in place of sprouted rolled oats.
Yes. Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats when making granola.
References
- Meng, Cheng Chia et al. “Phenolic and theobromine contents of commercial dark, milk and white chocolates on the Malaysian market.” Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 14,1 200-9. 5 Jan. 2009
- Lippi, Donatella. “Chocolate in history: food, medicine, medi-food.” Nutrients vol. 5,5 1573-84. 14 May
- Winston, David and Maimes, Steven. (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Release. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
- Vallianou, Natalia et al. “Effect of cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum) supplementation on serum C-reactive protein concentrations: A meta-analysis and systematic review.” Complementary therapies in medicine vol. 42 (2019): 271-278.
- Batiha, Gaber El-Saber et al. “Syzygium aromaticum L. (Myrtaceae): Traditional Uses, Bioactive Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological and Toxicological Activities.” Biomolecules vol. 10,2 202. 30 Jan. 2020
Brushjl says
This had a lot of exotica. I used chocolate covered raisins for tigernuts, peanut butter for coconut butter and vanilla for chocolate extrate. No mushrooms. It was still really good.
Laura says
I cannot eat oatmeal of any type, but I am soooooooo happy to hear this fine recipe will be eaten at this time, in this moment.