If you’re looking for a tasty, healthy snack or a fun twist on your breakfast routine, this Apple Chocolate Chunk Granola is just the thing you need! Packed with wholesome ingredients like oats, chia seeds, and a touch of manuka honey, it’s a perfect fall recipe the whole family will love. Whether you enjoy it by the handful, with milk like cereal, or sprinkled over a bowl of yogurt, it’s guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds. Let’s dive into this recipe that’s not only delicious but also packed with health benefits.
Method
To start, preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This step ensures that the granola won’t stick to the baking sheet and will make cleanup a breeze.
Next, in a large mixing bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add the rolled oats, chia seeds, shredded coconut, sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, coconut sugar, and cinnamon. Stir everything together to make sure the dry ingredients are evenly mixed.
Afterward, it’s time to add the wet ingredients. Pour in the melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and manuka honey. Stir everything together until the oats and other ingredients are well-coated and sticky. This step is important because the wet ingredients help bind the granola, ensuring it clumps together as it bakes.
Now, mix in the apples. Chop the apples into small pieces and add them to the granola mixture. Gently stir to distribute the apples evenly throughout the mixture, making sure every bite will have a bit of apple.
Once the apples are mixed in, add the chocolate chips to the granola mixture. Stir gently to avoid breaking up the chips, just enough to distribute them throughout.
Now it’s time to transfer the granola to the baking sheet. Spread the mixture into an even layer, pressing it down with a spoon or spatula. This is a key step to forming the clusters that will make your granola extra crunchy. Make sure the mixture is compact so that it bakes into those crispy, delicious chunks we all love.
Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the granola for about 22 minutes. Be sure to flip the pan halfway through, around the 11-minute mark, to ensure the granola cooks evenly. Keep an eye on it, as the granola should turn golden brown but not burn. If your oven tends to run hot, feel free to adjust the baking time slightly.
After the granola is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. This is a crucial step! Allowing the granola to cool completely helps it form crunchy chunks, so don’t rush this part.Once the granola has cooled, you can break it into chunks. Gently break it into large pieces and transfer them into an airtight container for storage. And there you have it—your homemade apple chocolate chunk granola, ready to enjoy!
Necessary Tools
- Oven
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Large mixing bowl
- Spoon or spatula
- Knife and chopping board
Apple Chocolate Chunk Granola: A Delicious Fall Treat
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings10
minutes22
minutes32
minutesIngredients
2 1/2 cups rolled oats
1/4 cup chia seeds
1/4 cup shredded coconut (unsweetened)
1/4 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup salted peanuts, chopped
1/4 cup coconut sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
1/2 cup MĀNUKA HONEY DAILY MGO 400+
2 apples of choice, chopped into tiny pieces
1 cup chocolate chips/chunks
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 320°F (160°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, chia seeds, shredded coconut, sesame seeds, peanuts, coconut sugar, and cinnamon. Stir well to combine all dry ingredients.
- Add the wet ingredients: Pour in the melted coconut oil, vanilla extract, and manuka honey. Stir until everything is well-coated and the mixture is sticky.
- Mix in the apples: Add the chopped apples to the granola mixture and stir carefully to distribute them evenly.
- Add the chocolate chips: Once everything is well-mixed, gently fold in the chocolate chips.
- Transfer to the baking sheet: Spread the granola mixture into an even layer on the prepared baking sheet. Use a spoon or spatula to press it down and make sure it’s compact—this will help form those delicious clusters!
- Bake for 22 minutes, flipping the pan halfway through (around the 11-minute mark) to ensure even cooking.
- Cool completely: Once the granola is done, remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. This step is super important to get those crunchy chunks!
- Break into chunks: Once cooled, break the granola into large chunks and store it in an airtight container.
Notes
- Don’t skip the cooling process: Make sure to let the granola cool completely before breaking it into chunks. This helps create those crispy, delicious clusters that everyone loves.
- Watch the baking time: Every oven is different, so keep an eye on your granola as it bakes. You want it golden brown but not burnt. If needed, adjust the cooking time by a few minutes.
- Mix well: Ensure all ingredients are coated well with the wet mixture to get the best flavor and texture. Don’t rush this step!
Serving Suggestions
- As Cereal: Pour your favorite milk (or almond milk) over a bowl of granola for a delicious, crunchy breakfast.
- With Yogurt: Add a handful of granola on top of Greek yogurt for a satisfying snack or breakfast.
- On Smoothies: Sprinkle some granola over your smoothie bowl for an extra crunch.
- By the Handful: For a quick and easy snack, enjoy a handful straight from the jar.
Fun Fact
Did you know that manuka honey comes from New Zealand and is known for its amazing health benefits? It has anti-inflammatory properties, supports digestive health, and is great for your skin! Plus, it adds the perfect sweetness to this granola.
Conclusion
This Apple Chocolate Chunk Granola is a fun, easy, and healthy way to kick off your fall mornings. With the natural sweetness of apples, the crunch of nuts, and the goodness of manuka honey, it’s a breakfast or snack that everyone will enjoy. Plus, it’s so versatile – you can eat it however you like! Give it a try, and I’m sure it will become one of your favorite fall recipes too!
