Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Clusters

So this recipe was originally supposed to be chocolate peanut butter granola bars…which obviously didn’t work out. At first I thought I was going to have to chalk this up to another fail recipe, but after trying the granola clusters, they ended up turning out better than anything I initially imagined! Granola bars have a different texture than straight up granola – they are chewier while granola is usually more crisp and dry. So this granola-granola bar hybrid ended up clumping into chewy little clusters that are sweet and decadent. It tastes like you are eating dessert rather than something healthy! They weren’t quite sticky enough to stay together in their destined granola bar shapes, but they weren’t dry enough to crumble completely into traditional granola. Hence, this delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola was born!

So basically what happened is I went through the process of making granola bars, and somewhere along the way didn’t add the right proportion of one ingredient or another, so when I took the slab out of the baking sheet to slice it into bars, it broke apart into clusters instead. At first I was super bummed, and then I tried a piece and realized it was actually delicious.

The perfect combination between crispy granola and dense, chewy granola bars :).

There are a few things that make this granola so amazing and unique.

1. It has a different texture than granola usually has. Rather than being little crispy dry individual oats and nuts, this recipe ends with little chewy decadent clusters of granola that make you feel like you are having a guilty pleasure dessert rather than a healthy any-time-of-day snack!

2. It tastes like a Reese’s Cup. The combination of the rich chocolate flavor and delicious peanut butter flavor make these clusters taste like you melted a bag of Reese’s Cups into the granola and called it a day.

3. It is super quick! This granola only takes thirty minutes to make. It does have to sit for another thirty in the freezer, but that doesn’t require any work from you :).

4. It is a healthy food that tastes unhealthy – which, if you follow my blog or have read my about me, you know is one of my favorite things in the world.

In conclusion…….you should make this granola. Because it is perfect. And chocolatey. And peanut butter-y. And chewy. And delicious.

Boone agrees. He didn’t get to eat any after I added the chocolate, but he did thoroughly enjoy the peanut butter.

Here is the recipe:

Chewy Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Clusters

• Author: Annie Chesson
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Yield: 7 cups of granola 1x

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 5 cups old fashioned oats
• 1 cup chopped almonds
• 2/3 cup honey
• 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup coco powder
• 1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
2. In a large bowl, mix together the oats and almonds
3. Distribute the mixture between two baking sheets so it forms an even, thin layer across both
4. Place the baking sheets in your preheated oven and let the oats and almonds toast for 7 minutes
5. Remove from the oven, stir, and toast for another 5 minutes
6. Remove from the oven, and add the oats and nuts back into the large bowl
7. In a microwave safe bowl, add your peanut butter and honey and stir until combined
8. Microwave for 30 seconds, or until the mixture is melted and appears liquid-y and soupy
9. Add your peanut butter and honey to the oats mixture and stir until everything is evenly combined and the nuts and oats are evenly coated
10. Add your coco powder and mini chocolate chips and mix to combine
11. If the chocolate chips melt/partially melt, that is okay
12. Dump the mixture out onto one of your baking sheets, and press everything down into an even layer
13. Firmly press the granola down with your hands to pack it down into the baking sheet
14. Place your other baking sheet on top of the granola, and press down firmly on top of it so it compresses the granola even more
15. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes
16. Remove the baking sheet from the freezer and dump the granola out onto the counter
17. It will break apart into several large pieces
18. Break these large pieces into smaller clusters – the size of the clusters is up to your personal preference

If you make this or any of my other recipes, make sure you Instagram them and hashtag #thegarlicdiaries!