Chocolate Coconut & Pecan Easy and Delicious Chewy Granola

Granola is one of those snacks that you don't have to feel too bad about eating. Depending on what you use to make your granola, it can be very healthy.

This isn't exactly that kind of granola!!!

Don't get me wrong, this granola is healthy but I didn't skimp on the good stuff. I may have not gone the healthiest route but you can always very easily substitute my ingredients for even healthier alternatives.

Once you know the general and universal ingredients to make granola, the sky is the limit when it comes to the many different combinations you can concoct. I love granola of all kinds. I like the chewy, the crunchy, the sweet and the fruity, the nutty and the spicy. It is all good. Even though this recipe isn't the healthiest of recipes, it is still a much healthier snack than a candy bar.
As usual moderation is key.
Here is a bit of education on the health benefits of oats from Medical News Today:

Dietary fiber - oats are rich in a specific type of fiber called beta-glucan. This particular type of fiber is known to help lower levels of bad cholesterol. One cup of oats contains 16.5 grams of fiber, which is roughly half of a person's recommended daily intake of fiber.

Minerals - oats contain manganese, selenium, phosphorus, fiber, magnesium, and zinc. Oats are also rich in carotenoids, tocols (Vitamin E), flavonoids and avenanthramides - a class of polyphenols.

Calories - one cup of oats contains approximately 607 calories.

This recipe makes a lot of granola. I can always find someone to share the extra with. If you don't want to make as big of a batch then you can cut the recipe in half and use a 9x13" baking pan instead of the massive one I use for this. Again, you can substitute the add ins for others as well. Chocolate, coconut and pecans are quite the heavenly combination. So I suggest giving this flavor combo a try first.

Okay, let's get this granola going...

What you will need:
Gadgets:
A large mixing bowl
A silicone spatula or spoonish stiring utensil of your choice
Large 12"x18" Baking Sheet
A Small Saucepan
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons

Ingredients:
5 cups uncooked rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened puff rice cereal (rice crispies)
1/4 cup coconut oil or a similar cooking oil (vegetable oil, almond oil, sesame oil, etc..)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup (Real maple syrup. The good stuff)
1/2 cup honey
2 Tbsp Vanilla Extract
2 Tsp Cinnamon
1/2 Tsp Nutmeg
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup chopped pecans
4 oz roughly chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate (you can use chocolate chips as well) I use Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate bars
(you can substitute the coconut, pecans and chocolate for other add ins)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350degrees

Measure out and spread uncooked oats onto your baking sheet and toast in oven for 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through. Meanwhile, in small saucepan measure and combine coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Simmer on medium heat until all ingredients are combined and brown sugar is melted completely. About 5 minutes.




Mix it good. Mix it real good!

Once the oats are finished toasting, pour them into your large mixing bowl, add the crispie cereal and pour the hot liquids over the oats. Stir and combine all ingredients until all the oats are coated in sugary sweet liquids. Now you can add your coconut and pecans and mix thoroughly. Pour granola back onto your baking sheet and with either oiled hands or a rubber spatula press and flatten granola into the pan until it is level and even. You can use a piece of wax or parchment paper as well to flatten out the granola if it is too sticky. Just lay the paper, wax side down on the granola and rub your hands over it and press it outwards just the same way.

Place the granola pan back into the oven for 3-5 more minutes to warm up the granola. As soon as the granola comes out of the oven sprinkle the chocolate chunks all over the granola and the heat from the granola with slightly melt the chocolate and help it to stick to the granola better. Allow the granola to set up on the counter for about an hour and once the pan has cooled enough you can also put it in freezer for about 15 - 20 minutes if you can't seem to wait. After the granola has cooled off and set up then you can cut it into granola sized bars. This recipe can make 36-40 1"x3" bars. You can cut them up however you would like or sometimes I just crumble it into big chunks and bite sized pieces and put them into a big Ziplock baggie or little snack sized baggies for on the go and I just snack on it. This granola seems to taste better the longer it sits and tastes even better the next day. 


If you want to make a healthier version of this granola you can substitute the following:
Maple syrup : More Honey
Brown sugar : More Honey
Rice Crispies : Sunflower Kernels or Flax seed
Add dried fruits and other nuts like apples, cherries, cranberries, raisins, almonds, walnuts

I hope you enjoy this recipe! Get creative and see what combinations you can come up with. Get the kids to help you out in the stirring department and let them know how much "their muscles" saved you from hard labor and sweat. They love to hear that.
Most of all...Enjoy your journey in the kitchen!!!

Blessings