What’s peanut butter without a little chocolate? It’s a question for the ages. Peanut butter is delicious on it’s own, spooned straight out of the jar. But it’s even better when married with the undisputed king of comfort food: chocolate. Fortunately for all of us, the good people at Reese’s have made this heavenly combination readily available to us all.
Unfortunately, the sad but true truth about this delightfully rich combination is that it is just not socially acceptable to eat a Reese’s for breakfast. Not to mention, that eating a Reese’s doesn’t offer any healthy perks for the all important first meal of the day. Except for the happiness factor: informal studies conducted by a certain blogger have deduced that when you eat chocolate and peanut butter for breakfast, you are happier all day long.
Ok, not really. Sadly, when I eat candy for breakfast, the happiness fades shortly after eating it. Then about half an hour later, the headache sets in followed by the hunger. All in all it makes a perfect recipe for becoming severely hangry. All by 10 am. Who needs that?
Not this girl. Mornings are hard enough as is. Why add to it? As a person who drags herself out of bed in the morning bleary eyed and muttering incoherently until I have been up for at least two hours or the clock strikes 11 am, you know, whichever comes first, I need to optimize my chances for a successful morning by eating a decent, healthy breakfast. In my case a successful morning occurs when any one of the following things happens prior to 10 am: I can speak in full sentences; I have managed to workout or at the very least take the dogs on a walk; I haven’t caused any major catastrophes (no burnt hard-boiled eggs). Even with these admittedly low standards of what constitutes a successful morning for me, they are still tough to come by.
Fortunately, this chocolate chip peanut butter granola is the best of both worlds: candy bar test in a wholesome, good for you breakfast. I mean really, do I need to sell you on this? Chocolate and peanut butter. In cereal form. Don’t deny yourself the pleasure of eating chocolate. FOR BREAKFAST!
Even though there is in fact chocolate in this granola, the cereal itself is healthy and has no refined sugar other than what’s in the chips. The oats are full of whole grains and will keep you feeling full and energized all morning long. Even better for me, this granola is easy as pie to keep gluten free. Just use gluten free oats in the recipe. The all natural peanut butter and walnuts pack protein and healthy fats to maintain and build muscles and keep your skin looking gorgeous, darling. The chocolate chips? Well, those are self explanatory. Chocolate equals happiness. Enough said.
Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats (As always, mine were gluten free from Bob’s Red Mill)
- 1 cup of chopped walnuts or other nuts of choosing (optional)
- 1/2 cup of creamy, natural peanut butter
- 1/4 cup of honey
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 1 pinch of salt
- 3/4 cup of mini chocolate chips (any variety you like- I used milk chocolate chips)
How to Make:
- Preheat the oven to 375.
- In a large bowl, mix together 3 cups of rolled oats with 1 cup of chopped walnuts and a pinch of salt.
- In a medium sauce pan over low heat melt your peanut butter with the honey and add a teaspoon of vanilla. Continue to cook until the peanut butter mixture is a thick liquid consistency, stirring constantly. This takes about 5 minutes.
- Pour the peanut butter mix over the oat and nut mixture and stir together until clumps form. Pour the mixture over a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil and sprayed with nonstick spray. Bake in a 375 degree oven for 6-8 minutes or until the oats are lightly golden.
- Let cool, toss with chocolate chips and store in a container. Serve for breakfast over yogurt or with milk. Or just enjoy dry as an anytime snack.
Like this recipe? Other granola recipes you may like:
Gluten Free Coconut Granola
Gluten Free Coconut GranolaLove chocolate and peanut butter together? Check out these recipes:
Flourless Triple Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies
Fudgy, rich flourless (gluten free!!) triple chocolate brownies laced with peanut butter swirl, Reese’s Pieces and chopped up Reese’s cups. Just do it.
Peanut Butter Stuffed Banana Bread Muffins
