Love granola? Love chocolate? Those delicious flavors come together in under thirty minutes with this healthy chocolate granola. And make it even more delicious with the addition of strawberry slices!

Not only is it a healthy start to your day, my kids have it as an after-school or late night snack with Greek Yogurt,  or sometimes just a dry snack on-the-go.

And this recipe is customizable. I split this recipe into two baking sheets, adding nuts to one sheet and not to the other. You can also make it gluten free and vegan.

Servings: 9 half-cup servings

Time: total time 30 minutes including 20 minutes baking time

Ingredients:

• 3 cups gluten-free rolled oats also known as old fashioned oats
• 1 cup chopped raw nuts (I usually add walnuts and/or almonds. Pecan is an alternative. You can also make it nut free by omitting nuts)
• 2 Tbsp Chia seeds (optional)
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1/4 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/2 cup maple syrup or honey/ agave
• 1/2 cup vegan/regular  dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup dehydrated strawberry slices
• Optional: if you like your granola sweet, then add in an additional 2 tablespoons of maple syrup

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 Fahrenheit / 175 degree Celsius. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside
2. In a large mixing bowl, mix everything except the chocolate chips and strawberry slices
3. Evenly spread the granola mixture on the baking sheet
4. Bake on the middle rack for 10 minutes. Remove and stir the granola around well, then return back to the oven on the middle rack and bake another 10 minutes
5. Remove from over and let cool to room temperature. The granola will be soft upon removal but will harden as it cools over the next 15 minutes or so.
6. Stir in the chocolate chips and strawberry flakes
7. Store in an air-tight container for 2-3 weeks or a month in the freezer

Tags: #darkChocolateStrawberry granola, #healthygranola, simply Elizabeth granola copycat