Sweet, Bitter, Salty & Crunchy Chocolate Granola — A Perfect Wake-Up Boost

This granola is the ultimate morning pick-me-up—balanced with a touch of sweetness, bitterness, saltiness, and a satisfying crunch that makes waking up easier and tastier.

🕒 Prep Time: 10 minutes

🍽️ Bake Time: 20 minutes
🍯 Yields: About 4 cups

Ingredients

200 g rolled oats
100 g almond flakes (or chopped nuts of choice)
50 g shredded coconut flakes
50 g raw sugar
75 ml neutral oil (sunflower, grapeseed, melted coconut oil, etc.)
25 g cocoa powder
100 g honey + 2 tbsp honey, divided
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
100 g dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate (55-75% cocoa)
Sea salt flakes (like Maldon), to taste
Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste

Instructions

In a large bowl, mix together oats, almond flakes, coconut flakes, raw sugar, and chocolate chips.
In a smaller bowl, whisk oil, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and 100 g honey until smooth and well combined.
Pour the cocoa-honey mixture over the oat mixture and stir until all the dry ingredients are evenly coated with a rich chocolate color.
Spread the mixture evenly on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of honey over the top.
Bake at 160°C (320°F) for 10 minutes. Remove tray and gently stir the granola. Immediately sprinkle the sea salt flakes and grated nutmeg, then scatter the chocolate chips over the top—do not mix after adding chocolate.
Return the tray to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
Remove from oven and allow to cool completely on the tray without stirring. The granola will crisp up as it cools; make sure the chocolate chips have hardened before breaking into chunks.
Break granola into large clusters and store in an airtight jar. Enjoy with milk, yogurt, or as a crunchy snack.

💡 Tips

Use good quality dark chocolate for rich bitterness.
Adjust salt and nutmeg amounts to your taste preference.
Store granola in a cool, dry place to maintain crispness.

🎉 Perfect For

Energizing breakfast bowls
Healthy snack anytime
Adding crunch to yogurt or smoothie bowls

📝 Final Thoughts

This chocolate granola blends sweet honey, bitter cocoa, and a hint of sea salt with crunchy nuts and oats to create a balanced, flavorful treat that wakes you up and delights your palate. It’s an easy, homemade snack perfect for any time of day.