While thumbing through the latest Forks Over Knives magazine for ideas, I came across easy oil-free granola and one, Vegan Cherry-Chocolate Granola, caught my eye. I love granola a lot and I do have a go-to recipe that my family loves. But I’m always looking for new recipes to mix it up. And who doesn’t enjoy chocolate in the morning? I know I do. Especially in the morning. OK, I enjoy chocolate anytime.
Vegan Cherry-Chocolate Granola
With a whole food plant-based diet like what Forks Over Knives suggests, the ingredients are simple and fresh for this recipe. The granola is exactly that using old-fashioned oats, pitted dates, nuts, dried fruit, unsweetened cocoa powder, and flaxseed meal with some salt and vanilla extract.
I like this granola. It is not overly sweet. I like that as it has flavor without overwhelming sweetness. You taste the chocolate, nuts, and dried cherries. Every bite is different. Serve with non-dairy yogurt or plant-based milk with some fresh fruit making it a great way to start off the day. And a cup of tea, of course. At least in our house, tea is how we start our day.
Looking for other breakfast option? Go here.
Ingredients
- 1 cup pitted dates
- 3 tablespoons flaxseed meal
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 cups thick-cut rolled oats
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1/2 dried cherries
Preparation
- 1. Preheat oven to 300F.
- 2. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- 3. Place dates, flaxseed meal, vanilla, salt, and cocoa powder in a food processor.
- 4. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the top.
- 5. Let stand for 15 minutes to soften the dates.
- 6. Blend until smooth.
- 7. Transfer blended date mixture to a large bowl containing oats and almonds
- 8. Spread mixture on the baking sheet and place in oven.
- 9. Bake 10 minutes and stir breaking up into pieces then bake another 10 minutes more. Bake another 10 minutes and turn off the oven allowing the granola cool.
- 10. Stir dried fruit.
Hello! I'm Ann Marie and I wear the well-worn apron. Join me as explore plant-based eating while I live on an island off the U.S. state of Rhode Island.