Oh so Frenchy, French Chocolate Granola (aka High-antioxidants-are-good-for-your-health-granola)

This is an absolutely delicious, not too sweet (really) chocolately goodness breakfast indulgence! The picture does not do it justice.

3 cups rolled oats

½ cup raw almonds, chopped

½ cup shredded coconut

1Tbsp brown sugar

Pinch of salt

6 Tbsp mild honey or 5 Tbsp agave

Sometimes I add a teeny bit of vanilla extract (1/2 tsp)

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

½ cup or more, finely chopped bittersweet chocolate (I buy bulk chips at Costco and prefer the  “Ambrosia” brand for its darker, less sweet flavor)  DO NOT ADD to dry ingredients.  This is added to the baked and cooled mixture.

In a large bowl, combine the oats, almonds, coconut, sugar and salt.  Stir well to blend.

In a small saucepan, warm the honey and oil over low heat, whisking occasionally – until blended and loose. 

Pour over dry ingredients and stir to combine well.

Spread the mixture evenly on a rimmed baking sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes or until golden.  (I bake and stir every 10minutes which helps it to bake evenly)  Cool completely. 

When cool, transfer to a bowl, or ziplocs or storage jar and add chocolate, and mix well.

Store in an airtight container.  Serve with plain milk or yogurt of choice. 

Note:  This makes about  4+ cups, which goes alarmingly fast in my house, so I always quadruple the recipe, put some in the frig and freeze the remainder in ziplocs.