Hazelnut Cacao Nib Granola

Hazelnut Cacao Nib Granola
I’m writing this post sitting in my favorite comfy chair. A large sheet pan of granola is currently cooling on the kitchen counter in the adjoining room. My head is feeling a bit dizzy with the delightful smells of cardamom, cinnamon, oats, coconut and nuts that is wafting throughout the house. One of the biggest reasons I like making my own granola is that I can control the quality and quantity of ingredients. Also it’s a wonderful way to start the day.

Granola was not an ingredient we experienced as kids. When I was in elementary school we had a vegetable garden and a large apple tree. We also raised a few chickens and had a  rooster named Charlie. That mean ole bird used to chase me around the yard and I was terrified of him. Charlie did love my sister and would sit on her lap and follow her around like a puppy dog. The closest thing to granola was my mom’s Wheels of Steele cookies, which is still one of my favorites.

Hazelnut Cacao Nib Granola Sheet pan
This recipe has been adapted from Megan Gordon’s, “Whole Grain Mornings”, cookbook. I followed the directions very closely except for the measurements of the nuts which I doubled. I have to say this is one of the best granolas I have ever enjoyed.


yield: 6 to 7 cupsprint recipe

Hazelnut Cacao Nib Granola

prep time: 20 MINScook time: 35 MINStotal time: 55 mins

INGREDIENTS:

3 cup rolled oats (I used gluten-free)
  • 1/2 cup raw sesame seeds
  • 1 cup raw walnuts, coarsely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil, melted
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
  • 1 cup roasted hazelnuts (skinless)
  • 1/4 cup cacao nibs

INSTRUCTIONS:


  1. Preheat oven to 325°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat. Set aside.
  2. Combine oats, sesame seeds, walnuts, salt, cinnamon and cardamom in a large bowl.
  3. In a small bowl stir together the vanilla, coconut oil and maple syrup, pour over dry ingredients, mix well.
  4. Scoop onto prepared baking sheet and spread in an even layer. Press mixture down with your hands or a spatula.
  5. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove baking sheet from oven and add in the coconut flakes and hazelnuts.
  6. Bake another 16 to 20 minutes, stirring halfway. Remove from oven and let cool. (granola will firm up as it cools)
  7. Stir in cacao nibs. Enjoy with yogurt and fruit.
  8. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 6 weeks.
Created using The Recipes Generator

Comments

  1. Cheri, I bet your house smelled amazing from all the delicious spices while your delicious granola was baking. I love eating granola as a snack. Would love some right now as a matter of fact. Have to put a few items on my grocery list but need to try this one soon. I know I have mentioned this before but I really do love your new theme and layout. It is so much easier navigating on your site.

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    1. Thanks Bobbi, really appreciate the feedback. I'm a big snacker too and most of this granola will be for that. Take care!

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  2. Lovely recipe. Looks so beautiful and delicious!

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    1. Thanks Kushi, I love that this granola is not too sweet.

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  3. I love the healthier ingredients in your granola. I tend to make a batch and eat about 3 servings for breakfast, making it not such a healthy choice. Will definitely try this fabulous recipe!

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    1. Thanks Liz, this is by far my favorite out of the other granolas that I have made, love that it is not too sweet. Have a great week.

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  4. This sounds so good. I would love this for an afternoon snack!
    Especially love the cacao nibs... Yum!

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    1. Thanks Kris, I have definitely been eating more than my share;)

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  5. I LOVE granola and yogurt for breakfast. This one looks perfect and I bet it smells amazing! :)

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    1. Thanks Betty, yes the house smelled amazing cannot go wrong with cardamom when baking. Have a great week.

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  6. I also make my own granola for the very same reasons. This sounds like a great recipe Cheri.

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  7. This looks really delicious, Cheri. I can smell the aromas from your kitchen in mine. Heavenly. A great way to start the day. Thanks so much. D

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    1. Thanks Dena, I love baking with cardamom, one of my favorites:)

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  8. I love homemade granola, too! This sounds pretty similar to our go-to granola, although I love the cardamom in this version. I totally need to try that next time I make a batch...and I think we're almost out, so that means granola baking time soon. Thanks, Cheri!! :-)

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    1. Hi David, hope you have a chance to try this recipe, cardamom is what makes this version so tasty.

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  9. Homemade granola is simply the BEST!! This one looks fantastic, Cheri.

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    1. Thanks Angie, you are so right, everything is so fresh.

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  10. This looks really healthy and nice, Cheri♥

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  11. This sounds great and I love the spices you've used in your granola.

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    1. Thanks Caroline, the cardamom was a wonderful addition.

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  12. What a fantastic idea for breakfast!

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    1. Thanks Zaza, I enjoy granola with Greek honey yogurt it's delicious!

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  13. I have never made granola...and I am loving the cardamon in it...looks delicious Cheri...thanks for the recipe!
    Have a wonderful week :)

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    1. Cardamom always smells so good when baked in something don't you think? thanks Juliana!

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  14. Wow, I bought a bag of cacao nibs, then had no idea what to do with them. What a clever idea!

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  15. Cheri, you've done it again! The write up so makes me want to try this recipe. Continued success!

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    1. Thanks Sandra, that was such a nice comment to write.......Take care, xo

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  16. Hi Cheri! This granola looks and sounds fantastic! I love those big chunks of coconut - I bet it is very tasty. I also love food memories and think that Charlie should have been a food memory :) Have a great week and thanks for sharing

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    1. haha! Charlie probably would have been to tough to eat, that mean ole thing. Anyway, thanks for stopping by Tricia, always enjoy your comments.

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  17. Hi Cherie, your photos and recipe choices are fantastic! Looks like a nice granola recipe to try!

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    1. Thanks Peggy, I love that it is not too sweet, almost savory in flavor.

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  18. Love the flavors in this! And when it comes to granola, homemade is the only way to go. So much better than what you can buy! This looks terrific -- super recipe. Thanks.

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  19. This recipe sounds wonderful, Cheri, and I've been wanting to make a new batch of granola to eat for breakfast. Love the sound of the cardamom and coconut oil in this one. I would double the nuts too :)

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    1. Thanks Susan, I was not a big fan of coconut growing up but I sure do love it now, always smells so good when baking.

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  20. Yum, what a delicious way to start the day!

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  21. I love the name/premise of that cookbook, Cheri. And I can almost smell the aroma from your batch of granola. Love the flavors you combined here...hazelnuts and cacao nibs are right up my alley!

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    1. Thanks Monica, yes my kitchen smelled wonderful, if they could just bottle that I'd be rich. haha!

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  22. Hi Cheri, homemade granola smelled wonderful from all the delicious spices ... healthy treats too! Yeah I love it with yogurt.

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    1. Thanks Karen, yes the whole house smelled wonderful.

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  23. This hazelnut cacao nib garnola looks so nice and crunchy, Cheri. Love the addition of coconut. This would make a healthy and delicious breakfast .

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  24. One of the things I like most about making homemade granola is being able to control the amount of sugar. Store-bought granolas are way too sweet for me!

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    1. Hi David, for commercial granolas I like the Udis granola, I think thats the brand, it is gluten-free and not too sweet.

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  25. This looks amazing, Cheri! I'm a huge fan of homemade granola and I would throw in extra nuts too! I have a friend with a granola company so I get all mine made for me - heavenly, lol. Great photos!

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    1. you are a connected woman for sure Robyn, lol. that is pretty cool!

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  26. I'd get dizzy with the dancing aromas of your yummy sounding granola, too, Cheri =) Looks like a fantabulous recipe =)

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  27. could almost smell it from texas. :)

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  28. i love making different versions of granola at home, and this has some very unique elements to it! looks perfect to me!

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  29. Cheri, this looks amazing! I love the spices you used and I can't wait to make this!

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