With loads of fiber and less fat and sugar than most granola, this Chocolate Lover’s Granola is the ultimate crunchy, cluster-packed sweet snack or breakfast cereal.

Because my husband and I love EVERYTHING chocolate, I recently set out on a mission to make a granola that allowed us to indulge in chocolatey goodness for breakfast without feeling bad about it. After some trial and error, this deliciously sweet recipe was born! Since then, this granola has been something that shows up on everything from Nancy’s yogurt and cottage cheese in the morning to an after-dinner dessert on top of a bowl of strawberries.

The cacao powder and roasted almonds add the perfect chocolate crunch to every bite, keeping us coming back for more!

Real Food or Really Unhealthy?

Your mother’s old adage is so true… breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. It helps increase your energy and performance, gain focus, and even lose weight… but you probably already knew all that! What you might not know is how much sugar and unhealthy ingredients are added into many of your favorite “breakfast” foods, such as granola.

A common theme we found when searching for store-bought granola was that A LOT of the big name companies (the ones that you and your kids would typically gravitate to) use sneaky words to trick us (the consumers) into thinking that their products are healthy – when they’re FAR from it.

Instead, most were made with refined sugar, refined flour, hydrogenated fats, additives, preservatives, artificial colors and flavoring. Some of these ingredients, such as tartrazine, have even been linked to ADHA disorders. After taking a trip down the granola-filled aisle, we realized not only did we have to pay attention to the ingredients listed when choosing a better brekkie, we also had to consider the surplus of sugars.

This homemade granola is made with FfL-friendly, REAL food ingredients. It’s also far healthier than most commercial granolas because it uses half the amount of sugar and fat.

Encourage Your Kids

When you make your own healthier version of granola, help your kids understand the difference between store-bought and homemade. Otherwise, they may think they’re one in the same. If you really want to get them involved, you can even make it a fun activity next time you go to the grocery store. Do most granola labels use real food ingredients or hardly any? Let them take a look and guess!

A great pre/post-workout snack

Headed for a long run or bike ride? A small serving (about 1/4 cup) of this granola makes a delicious pre/post-workout snack. The oats release a steady stream of carbs during your workout, so your energy levels will stay consistent.

Some ways to “reinvent” your leftover granola:

• In yogurt parfaits with fresh berries
• In a bowl with milk
• On top of pancakes
• A crunchy addition to any smoothie bowl
• Over a small amount of ice cream or whipped cream
• On top of cinnamon-baked pears