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Get ready for the best chocolate granola recipe you’ve ever tried! My healthy cacao granola recipe makes the perfect companion to yogurt, milk, or smoothies. It not only satisfies your sweet tooth, but also nourishes your body! In this post, we’ll dive into this healthy granola recipe that is free of refined sugars, seed oils, and offers hormone balancing benefits.
The Best Granola Recipe With The Best Ingredients
At the heart of my healthy granola recipe lies the superstar ingredient – cacao. Unlike its processed counterpart, cocoa, raw cacao is packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. From flavonoids that promote heart health to magnesium that supports muscle function, cacao is a nutritional powerhouse. Not to mention, its mood-boosting properties, thanks to compounds like phenylethylamine and anandamide, which can enhance feelings of happiness and wellbeing. By enjoying my healthy granola recipe, you’re not just indulging your taste buds; you’re also nourishing your body from the inside out.

How Cacao Helps With Hormone Balance
One of the reasons I love to incorporate cacao in my recipes, like this healthy cacao granola recipe, is because it can actually help with hormone balance. Packed with antioxidants and essential minerals like magnesium and zinc, raw cacao aids in regulating hormonal activity. Magnesium, in particular, plays a crucial role in various hormonal processes, including insulin sensitivity and cortisol regulation, while zinc is involved in the synthesis and metabolism of hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Additionally, the flavonoids found in raw cacao possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances, such as menstrual cramps and mood swings. By incorporating raw cacao into your diet, whether through delicious treats like chocolate granola, baked goods, or smoothies, you’re not just satisfying your sweet cravings but also promoting harmony and balance within your body’s intricate hormonal ecosystem.
You can find cacao powder at most major grocery stores. I also enjoy this brand of cacao that you can buy on Amazon!
How is My Healthy Granola Recipe Better Than Store Bought?
While store bought granola may seem convenient, it often comes with a hidden cost – added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial ingredients. By making your own at home, you have full control over the ingredients, ensuring a healthy granola recipe that is a more wholesome option.
Many store-bought granolas contain seed oils like soybean, corn, and sunflower oil, which are high in omega-6 fatty acids. Excessive consumption of these oils can lead to an imbalance with omega-3 fatty acids, potentially causing inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is linked to various health issues, including heart disease, arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. By making my homemade cacao granola recipe at home, you have the flexibility to choose healthier oil options, such as coconut oil, olive oil, or avocado oil. These oils not only provide beneficial fats but also have anti-inflammatory properties, contributing to better overall health.

Other Hormone Balancing Recipes
Check out my other hormone balancing recipes to help you enjoy delicious food with amazing health benefits!
- Burger Bowls With Healthy Yogurt “Special Sauce”
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Protien Shake (No Protein Powder)

What’s The Difference Between Cacao and Cocoa?
The disparity between raw cacao and cocoa lies in their processing methods and nutritional profiles. Raw cacao is made by cold-pressing un-roasted cacao beans, it preserves the bean’s natural enzymes, antioxidants, and nutrients. This minimal processing retains the maximum nutritional benefits, including higher levels of antioxidants, flavonoids, and minerals like magnesium and iron. On the other hand, cocoa undergoes a roasting process at high temperatures, which diminishes some of its nutrient content. Additionally, cocoa often contains added sugars and sometimes even fats to enhance flavor and texture, while raw cacao is typically free from additives, making it a purer and more healthful option. In summary, while both raw cacao and cocoa originate from the cacao bean, their processing methods and nutritional profiles distinguish them, with raw cacao being the more nutrient-dense and minimally processed choice. For me, it was a no brainer on which to choose for my raw cacao in my cacao granola recipe.
Ways to Enjoy This Healthy Granola Recipe
Granola is for so much more than yogurt parfaits, although those are delicious. I love to add this cacao granola to smoothie bowls, as an ice cream topping, or eat it as cereal with some raw milk. This healthy granola recipe is versatile, nutritious, and delicious. It’s the perfect thing to keep on hand at all times.

Tips For Making The Best Granola Recipe
- Choose high-quality ingredients such as pure maple syrup instead of “pancake syrup” that is sweetened with corn syrup and flavored with artificial flavorings.
- Ensure even baking by spreading the granola mixture in a thin, uniform layer on your baking sheet and stirring it halfway through baking to prevent burning. This is also help the granola to stay in clusters.
- Allow the granola to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container to maintain its crispness and freshness.
- Make this recipe gluten free by using gluten free oats
How To Make This Healthy Granola Recipe

- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a medium sized baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper.
- Combine all dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl and stir.
- Melt coconut oil in a small bowl and add maple syrup.
- Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir until everything is completely combined.
- Put mixture on a baking sheet and press out into an even layer.
- Bake for 22 minutes, stirring half way. Making sure you press the granola down again once you’ve stirred it.
- Remove from oven and let cool 5-10 minutes. It will really crisp up during this time.
- Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks.

Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned oats gluten free if necessary
- 1/2 cup pecans chopped or whole
- 2 tbsp flax seeds ground or whole
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 tsp mineral or sea salt
- 1/4 cup raw cacao powder
- 1/4 cup coconut oil melted
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a medium sized baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper.
- Combine all dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl and stir.
- Melt coconut oil in a small bowl and add maple syrup.
- Pour wet mixture into dry mixture and stir until everything is completely combined.
- Put mixture on a baking sheet and press out into an even layer.
- Bake for 22 minutes, stirring half way. Making sure you press the granola down again once you’ve stirred it.
- Remove from oven and let cool 5-10 minutes. It will really crisp up during this time.
- Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion
Indulging in my cacao granola doesn’t have to be a guilty pleasure. By harnessing the power of cacao and embracing homemade goodness, you can enjoy a delicious and nutritious treat. So why wait? Whip up my healthy granola recipe and embark on a journey of flavor and wellness.
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