Peanut Butter Cacao Granola (vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar free)

overview shot of almond milk being poured into a bowl of granola
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This peanut butter cacao granola has been my husband’s favorite granola for the past 7 years! It’s nutty, crunchy, perfectly sweet, and oh so good. Tastes like you are eating a Reese’s peanut butter cup for breakfast, but way healthier. If you are a chocolate peanut butter fan, this is for you.

This peanut butter cacao granola is packed with healthy fats from the nuts and seeds, fiber, and protein. My husband does not like nuts or oatmeal, but he will eat it in this granola. This is his most favorite granola, even more than any other homemade or store-bought ones. He ALWAYS wants this one. You would think he would be sick of it by now, but he eats this almost everyday. It’s the only way I can get him to eat some nuts!

Feel free to use whatever nuts and seeds you have on hand. Just make sure to keep the same proportions as written in the recipe below. If you would like it sweeter, add a little bit more of pure maple syrup. It is done when the granola is mostly dried out. It will crisp up even more as it cools. Don’t store it until it has been cooled completely.

Anyways, this is also the granola that I make that all of our family and friends love. It’s tried and true and seriously so good. I usually don’t measure anything when I make it, but I had to write it down for all those who wanted the recipe. It is a staple in our house and I make it, no joke, every week! It’s like having dessert for breakfast and I’m not complaining! I can literally snack on this all day.

If you make this granola, tag me @nutsaboutgreens so I can see your creations!

farther away shot of bowl with granola, spoon, and a jar of granola on it's side bowl of peanut butter cacao granola with a spoon jar with granola spilling out of it peanut butter cacao granola with milk and a gold spoon overview shot of almond milk being poured into a bowl of granola spoonful of peanut butter cacao granola with milk

Peanut Butter Cacao Granola (vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar free)

This peanut butter cacao granola is like eating dessert for breakfast, but way healthier! It's packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber.
Print Recipe
overview shot of almond milk being poured into a bowl of granola

Ingredients

  • 3 1/2 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup raw walnuts
  • 1/2 cup raw almonds
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
  • 1/4 cup hemp seeds
  • 3 tbsp cacao powder
  • 1/4 tsp salt (add more if your pb is not salted)
  • 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/3 cup salted peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup coconut oil, packed
  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup, add more if you like it sweeter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 340 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat.
  • In a large bowl, add the oats, nuts, seeds, cacao powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir with a spatula until well combined.
  • In a small pot over medium heat, add the peanut butter, coconut oil, and maple syrup. Stir continuously until melted and well combined. Remove pot from heat and add the vanilla extract. Stir to combine.
  • Pour peanut butter mixture over the dry ingredients. Stir with a spatula until everything is evenly coated and well combined.
  • Pour granola onto baking sheet. Smooth it out so it is evenly distributed onto the pan. Flatten the granola with the back of the spatula. Bake for 15 minutes. Gently flip granola and flatten down again. Bake for another 20-25 minutes until golden and mostly dry. Let it cool completely before storing. It will crisp up more as it cools. Store in an airtight container. Enjoy!
Servings: 8
Author: valeria.chao