These chocolate granola clusters make the perfect gift. But be warned: they are so delicious that when you wrap them up, you’ll need will power to actually give them away and not keep them for yourself.
I got the idea for these clusters years ago when I was in Trader Joe’s and saw a package of granola clusters. I thought, “I make nutty granola. I love chocolate. I could sooo get behind making clusters.”
That’s how my world-famous clusters were born (world = Christopher and I).
No self control have I
Lately, I’ve been taking the batch, splitting it up into smaller portions and putting it all in the freezer; because I have very little self control when it comes to these clusters.
For some reason, putting it in the freezer helps me not eat it all in rapid succession. Maybe because it’s not sitting on the counter under my watchful gaze and I have to be deliberate and intentional when I open the freezer to get a nibble.
I do also wrap it in plastic, tie it with ribbon and give it away. That helps. 🙂
You probably have better self-discipline than I do, so you won’t have to freeze it, but just know that it freezes well.
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Helpful tips
- You can use any nuts that you like but the ones in this recipe are my go to.
- Try to get raw, unsalted whenever you can. I buy almost all my nuts/seeds at Trader Joe’s.
- If you can’t find unsalted raw nuts and/or seeds, omit the salt in the recipe.
- After the chocolate sets onto the nuts and granola, I use my hands to break it into different sized clusters.
How to make chocolate granola clusters
Pre-step
Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Get a jelly roll pan and line it with parchment paper sheets.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – raw cashews, slivered almonds, pecans, walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, rolled oats, chia seeds and flax meal. (A)
Step two
In a large mixing bowl, add the oats, flax meal and chia seeds. (B)
Step three
Add the all the nuts/seeds to the bowl. (C)
Step four
Add olive oil, maple syrup and a little salt. (D)
Step five
Time to stir the ingredients together.
Step six
Spread the oat mixture in a thin layer on the jelly roll pan. (E)
Step seven
Bake for 20 minutes.
Step eight
Take the pan out of the oven and flip the granola and bake for another 10 minutes. (F)
Step nine
Add bittersweet chocolate chips to the granola as soon as you take it out of the oven. (G)
Step ten
Take a metal spatula and keep mixing the chocolate into the granola so it has all melted. (H)
Now, here’s the hard part. You have to wait for the chocolate to set. Once it does, break up the granola into clusters.
I take my hands, pick up chunks and break them into smaller clusters.
I place some on a plate.
Not only can you gift the granola clusters, but you can eat them as candy.
You can also eat them with some yogurt. I break up the clusters even more when I eat the granola this way.
I hope you enjoyed this chocolate granola clusters recipe.
Other popular granola recipes
And as always, may all your dishes be delish!
If you’ve tried this recipe, I’d love the know what you thought about it in the comments below. I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST to see more of my delicious food and delightful cocktails!
Chocolate Granola Clusters
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup flax meal
- ¾ cup slivered almonds (raw – unsalted)
- ¾ cup cashews (raw – unsalted – chopped)
- ½ cup pumpkin seeds (raw – unsalted)
- ½ cup pecans (raw – unsalted – chopped)
- ½ cup pistachios (raw – unsalted)
- ¼ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 – 2 cup chocolate chips (depending how much of the granola you use for the clusters)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325
- Line a jelly roll pan with parchment paper
- In a large bowl, add all the ingredients except the chocolate chips
- Stir fully and spread the mixture on the jelly roll pan
- Bake for 20 minutes, flip granola and bake for additional 10 minutes
- Remove from oven and add the chocolate chips and flip around until the chips have melted
- Let it stand until chocolate is set before breaking some apart
- Eat
- Smile
- Enjoy
See all my favorite tools and gift ideas at my Amazon Store page!Check out Elaine’s Amazon Store!Notes
- You can use any nuts that you like but the ones in this recipe are my go to.
- Try to get raw, unsalted whenever you can. I buy almost all my nuts/seeds at Trader Joe’s.
- If you can’t find unsalted raw nuts and/or seeds, omit the salt in the recipe.
- After the chocolate sets onto the nuts and granola, I use my hands to break it into different sized clusters.
Christopher
These clusters are so delicious! Too delicious!
Elaine
Hehe. I agree, Christopher. 😉
Lori | The Kitchen Whisperer
Mmmm I love this recipe! I am a sucker for great granola and always pick out the big clusters to snack on! I’m taking a road trip in a few and I know what I’m packing to bring with me! These are perfectly snackable!
Elaine
Thanks Lori! I love these clusters – so much… too much. 😉
Gloria
Homemade granola is the best. Until you make it yourself, you won’t know what you are missing. I would love to snack on this all day long. Makes eating chocolate healthy.
Elaine
Hehe. Thanks Gloria! 🙂 I love to snack on it too.
Chef Dennis
Yum I am so loving this recipe! My sons will surely be happy to have this Chocolate Granola Clusters! It looks so delish!
Elaine
Thanks so much Dennis! I appreciate it. Enjoy.
Kathryn Donangelo
Loved this chocolate granola recipe! I ate this as cereal and topping it on my vanilla yogurt- so GOOD! Can’t wait to make this again because I’m addicted!
Elaine
Welcome to the cluster loving club, Kathryn. 🙂 Hehe. Thanks for your comment.
Linda
I love this recipe! I’m drooling just reading about but eating it is even better! lol It’s so easy and the idea of adding the chocolate to hold it all together is brilliant. I’m def going to give it for the holidays (especially since I’m as bad as you at controlling myself when it’s around).
Elaine
Hehe. Thanks Linda. Even though I put it in the freezer. I still visit it every day. I need to give it away. 🙂
Denise
I do love granola, and your Chocolate Granola Clusters look amazing! I can’t wait to make it.
Elaine
Let me know how they came out Denise! Thank you!
Marta
I am on team “Lacking Self Control” as well. We made a batch to eat “on the run”, but, I guess that meant running in and out of the kitchen to get a “snack”. It was excellent.
Elaine
LOL. Very funny, Marta. Welcome to the team! And thanks so much for making the recipe and letting me know you enjoyed it.
Veronika Sykorova
This looks so good I’d probably have trouble keeping my hands off it too! 😛 Can’t wait to make it!
Elaine
Thanks Veronika. Yes, I agree. I never forget they are in the freezer when I make them.
Jo
Anything chocolate is really inviting. That granola clusters looks absolutely delicious! Best way to start the morning is with these delicious granolas.
Elaine
Thanks so much Jo! I’m addicted to these clusters.
Melanie C
this looks super easy to make, which in my book is already a winner! I love all things granola and mixed with chocolate… I’m definitely making it this weekend!
Elaine
Great! I hope you enjoy it Melanie! Thanks for your comment.
Kelly
This was out of this world! And so easy!
Elaine
I’m so glad you told me. Yes, I love these clusters – maybe a little too much! 😉 Thank you Kelly.