This vegan raw cacao granola is chewy, sweet, and perfect for topping smoothie, oatmeal, or yogurt bowls! Super simple to make with just 6 healthy ingredients, no baking necessary.
You knew this was coming, right?
It’s pretty much a guarantee that if I make something in a “plain” version, a chocolate version is just inevitable.
Welp, that’s exactly what happened with this raw granola! The OG is addictive, sweet, chewy, and so fun to sprinkle over anything you’d like. Perfect for smoothie, yogurt, or fruit bowls, or just for eating straight up. Today we’re making that plain version’s fun, sassy sis, also known as vegan raw cacao granola.
The ingredients are still super simple and healthy, and the process is just as quick and easy as the plain version. The only difference is the addition of some rich, chocolatey cacao powder.
Cacao is basically the un-roasted, raw version of the cocoa powder we all know and love. Aside from giving great chocolate flavor, it’s also full of health benefits, many of which are lost during the roasting process. Here are just a few:
- Cacao has tons of antioxidants (40 times more than blueberries!), specifically flavonoids, which are great for a healthy heart and optimal cholesterol levels
- It’s a great source of iron + magnesium
- It can help naturally boost mood + energy
Ingredients for vegan raw cacao granola
- Raw almonds: almonds provide great nutty flavor and healthy fats.
- Raw walnuts: walnuts also provide a ton of healthy fats and make up the base of the raw granola, along with the almonds.
- Hemp seeds: hemp seeds are a great source of fat AND plant-based protein.
- Ground flaxseed: flax is full of omega-3s as well as lignans, shown to have anti-cancer properties.
- Medjool dates: dates give the raw granola its natural, fruity sweetness.
- Cacao powder: cacao brings all the nutritional benefits mentioned above, plus lots of rich chocolate flavor.
Tips for making vegan raw cacao granola
- Start with the almonds and walnuts. You’ll pulse the almonds and walnuts in the food processor first. It only takes a quick 20-30 seconds – you don’t want to process things too long, to keep the mixture crumbly and chewy. If you process the nuts for too long, they’ll heat up and eventually break down into nut butter – super tasty, but not what we’re going for today.
- Use it for whatever you like. This vegan raw cacao granola is full of healthy fats and plant protein, making it a great addition to nice cream or smoothie bowls for extra satiation and energy.
With how much I loved the original version, it’s no surprise that adding cacao made me even more obsessed. It’s just a plus how nutrient-dense it is, and that we don’t even have to turn on the oven.
Sprinkle away, friends!
Xo,
Sara
Vegan Raw Cacao Granola
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups raw almonds
- 1/2 cup raw walnuts
- 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds
- 1/4 cup hemp seeds
- 12 pitted medjool dates
- 1/4 cup cacao powder
Instructions
- In a food processor, pulse the almonds and walnuts for 15-30 seconds, just to get them broken down a bit.
- Add the ground flax and hemp seeds, and pulse for another 30 seconds.
- Add the cacao powder and pitted dates and blend for 2-3 minutes, until everything is incorporated into a loose, crumbly, sticky dough. Don't overdo it, otherwise it will heat up and eventually turn into a more runny nut butter.
- Store the granola in a tupperware in the refrigerator.
