Orange zest and chocolate is a match made in heaven, I swear. I mean, it's only a matter of time before I made another recipe featuring these two flavors. A smoothie maybe? A cake? Brownies? Cookies? I already made a chocolate orange zest flavored oatmeal (oh look! just when you thought I wouldn't talk about oatmeal in this post. lol ops) and it's one of my absolute favorites! If you're not a fan of the bitter flavor or dark chocolate or orange zest, this granola probably isn't for you but if you're anything like me and love dark chocolate, you'll love this recipe! The orange zest and chocolate go so well together ity§s crazy. I actually used cacao paste instead of melted bar of chocolate which makes this even better. Cacao paste are cacao beans ground into paste at low temperatures to preserve all the nutrients and then cooled which makes the chocolate harden up into chunks. I chopped the chocolate, sprinkled over the hot granola and let it melt. You could also gently melt the chocolate yourself and pour it over the granola. Then just wait until it hardens and it's done, ready for snacking!
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I can't only talk about granola today, I'm too excited about other stuff not to let you know. You know how I'm moving to Canada in May? Well I finally booked an Airbnb for the first month I'm there and I may even have an apartment for the following months. Booking a place makes it all much more real all of sudden. Like, I'm actually moving!!? From Europe. Across the freaking ocean. It's going to be so much fun and I can't wait to take you along and tell you all about it!
I literally just stopped writing for solid two hours to look at vlogging cameras! Should I start vlogging and vlog the move?? Would you care and want to watch that? I don't know how and when I'd be able to shoot actual blog posts so vlogging my days and what I eat/cook might just be easier (I say that now but I've never edited a video in my life so don't take my word for it lol). I have this ancient point & shoot that probably doesn't even shoot in 1080p (which says a lot about how old it is wow) so I'd have to buy a new one.. Should I do it? I've wanted to start making videos for SO LONG but I wanted them to be sort of bigger production with overhead DSLR filming cooking videos with really good editing but why not just jump into it and not make such a big deal out of it? To be honest, I wanted to save up for the move rather than buy new camera gear but I get so excited about this stuff and now I can't stop thinking about it. You know what? I'll just stop talking about it and go out to check out the cameras available! I'm really into the Sony Alpha A5100 so I'll go check it out right now to see if it's the right one for me and who knows, maybe next time I talk to you, I'll have already bought it!
📖 Recipe
Dark Chocolate Orange Zest Granola
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 30 mins
- Yield: 5 cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup almonds, chopped
- 1 cup sunflower seeds
- ½ cup hemp seeds
- 1 ½ tsp orange zest (1 orange)
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tbsp hazelnut butter(or other nut or seed butter)
- 2 tbsp melted coconut oil
- ½ tsp vanilla powder (optional)
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup chopped cacao paste (see notes)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 170C (325F) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a big bowl, mix the oats, almonds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds.
- In a cup or a small bowl mix the orange zest, maple syrup, nut butter, coconut oil, vanilla if using, and sea salt. (Make sure the maple syrup isn't too cold or if it is, try to mix in the coconut oil quickly so it doesn't form a crust on the top. You can always reheat it on the stove, though)
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix to combine.
- Spread the granola on the prepared baking sheet and press it down with a spatula so it sticks together. This will help make clusters.
- Bake for around 17 minutes or until it's slightly golden on the edges.
- Sprinkle the chopped chocolate on the granola and let it melt. You can start gently breaking it apart with a wooden spoon and stirring to help the melting process and to coat everything. Be careful not to break up the clusters.
- Cool completely before removing from the pan to ensure the chocolate hardens up again.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Notes
Cacao paste is made of raw cacao nibs which are ground into paste at low temperatures and then cooled and dried forming chocolate chunks. It's essentially 100% chocolate. Use normal dark chocolate if you can't find cacao paste.
Jill @ RunEatSnap
Hmm I don't know how I feel about orange and chocolate. Does it taste like orange?
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Kind of, you taste the orange zest which isn't exactly the same as drinking orange juice. It's good. Really!
Sarah | Well and Full
You photographed this granola so beautifully! Also good luck with your move :)
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thank you so much, Sarah! :)
Leah | Five for the Road
Congratulations about your move! How exciting!! This looks amazing and I think I would eat it all day long if it was in my house!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
It did disappear quite quickly in our house haha.. and thank you! :)
Alexandra Yargeau
That looks SO GOOD. Chocolate/Orange is one of my favorite flavor combinations. It reminds me of Christmas for some reason!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Haha yeah me too sort of! Thanks Alexandra :)
Bianca Osbourne
Holy WOW! This recipe sounds so yum and your pictures are making me drool!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks so much, Bianca!
Jen
That looks amazing. Chocolate and orange are soooo good together!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks Jen! The best combo<3
Dawn
This really is a heavenly combo! I have never tried them in a granola but can imagine how wonderful it would be. Love your photos too!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thank you so much Dawn!
Krysten
I am obsessed with orange and dark chocolate, it really is a match made in heaven. I love granola, but I never can find a recipe that I like when I make it myself. This looks perfect! I think I would love it because of the chocolate and orange.
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
I used to have the same problem. I think it's because all recipes usually suggest adding mashed banana which throws the flavor a bit. You'd love this one!
angie
love the recipe sounds like it will provide lots of energy and be delicious as well
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Veronika | thehealthfulideas
definitely! :)
Jessi Joachim
This looks delicious! I love anything orange. Growing up in Florida we ate a lot of citrus, so it has always been a staple flavor in my house.
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Yum! I wish I could eat local citrus!
Joscelyn | Wife Mama Foodie
Mmm, what a delicious combo! Love the healthy ingredients and your pictures are just amazing too!
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thank you, Joscelyn! :)
Jazz
This looks delicious! And gorgeous photography, as usual.
Veronika | thehealthfulideas
Thanks so much, Jazz!<3
Daniella
Best chocolate granola I've tried in a while! Loved the orange zest flavor.