Normally I like to pair my recipes with a fabulous story, some witty banter, or even flatulence.
I’m definitely not above using fart jokes to garner attention. In fact, I don’t think I have much of a filter at all. You know what else I don’t have. A story line for today’s recipe. Yeah, sorry about that. My bad.
I guess I could tell you I made and photographed this months ago. I created it at the Hubby’s request because I am a wonderful wife. Obviously. We can gloss over my other fun traits; there’s no need to talk about my fetish for ultra clean kitchen counters or why the beer (and pretty much everything else) must always be stored and grouped by category, forward facing, of course. I make him granola on demand, which more than makes up for those other shall we say, quirks. His only requirement for this was it contain peanut butter, which makes the addition of chocolate chips a no-brainer in my book. I’m fairly certain the two should always be coupled together; just like the Hubby and I. Bow chicka-wow-wow.
I could tell you my nuts to oats ratio is high, which really is no different from any of my other granola recipes. What can I say? Nuts taste damn good, and they’re a great source of healthy fats. Nutrient dense food and the inclusion of the right fats helps make you feel satiated longer. The fact this is also finger licking good doesn’t hurt either, although I would totally recommend you use a spoon. Fine, use your phalanges, you animal you.
I could also tell you this recipe contains no refined sugar. My granola never does. I always use pure maple syrup to create a sense of sweet, while the peanut butter adds a lovely balance. It’s the absolute sweet and salty combo in a single bite. Adding a freshly diced banana to the final product is the cherry on top or the icing on the cake. To be clear, it’s not really a cherry or even icing for that matter, but damn if it doesn’t complete this dish perfectly. Anyone who’s had peanut butter, bananas, and chocolate knows they’re the reason threesomes exist.
Last but certainly not least, I could tell you I secretly like to call this recipe The Elvis.
It might not actually sing to you, but if you make this for someone, you certainly won’t be lonesome tonight.
- 3 cups Rolled Oats
- 2 cups Nuts, chopped. I use a blend of almonds and walnuts.
- 1/2 cup unsalted Peanuts, chopped
- 1/2 cup sweetened Banana Chips, chopped.
- 3 Tbsp. Flax Powder or Wheat Germ
- 1/2 tsp. Salt
- 4 Tbsp. Peanut Butter, melted
- 2 tsp. Vanilla Extract
- 1/3 cup Canola or Olive Oil
- 1/3 cup Maple Syrup
- 3/4 cup Chocolate Chips, I use the Enjoy Life dairy and soy free chips.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine dry ingredients into a bowl and mix thoroughly (from the rolled oats through to the salt).
- Melt peanut butter either in microwave or on the stove top. I zap mine in the microwave for thirty seconds or so. Add melted peanut butter to dry ingredients and stir to incorporate.
- Add in the vanilla and your oil of choice. Mix to coat everything. Add in the maple syrup, stirring to coat everything.
- Once combined, spoon mixture onto a baking sheet. Leave clumped together. Do not spread out on the baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 22 to 25 minutes, stirring once at 12 minutes. Note: If you like your granola on the crunchier side, you can cook it longer. Also, if you like big clusters, don’t stir it as often.
- Remove from oven and let cool for at least 30 minutes and up to overnight.
- Once cool, add chocolate chips.
- For maximum eating enjoyment, I recommend topping a bowl of this granola with plain or honey flavored yogurt and a sliced banana. Trust me on this one.
Do you ever make your own granola? What is your favorite granola combination?
I am almost ashamed to admit I have NEVER made my own granola!! OH MY! I should, and I want to. I would love to roll around with this PB chocolate granola, because dear Lord it looks delicious. While I love your stories, and attention grabbing fart talk, these photos do the speaking for you!! Great recipe and I WANT a huge bowl with my coffee!
Brittany recently posted…Cranberry Chocolate Almond Oat Cookies
I feel like we may need to revoke your hippie card until such a time when you make your own granola. It’s a prerequisite to joining the club. 🙂
Chcolate, PB, banana and oats- no better combo has been created yet! Your hubby is one heck of a lucky man. Oh what I would do for my spouse-to-be to whip up some granola for me on demand! I am digging cereal lately but I think it’s time to switch to granola aka the REAL good stuff!!
Khushboo recently posted…Red Curried Brown Rice Stir Fry
Yes, I love having granola on hand, and if you want to use it like cereal (i.e. just add milk), then cook it a little longer so it doesn’t get soggy. You’ll love it.
This looks fabulous – it is definitely the Elvis of the granola world! Thanks for bringing this to Angie’s party – Happy Fiesta Friday!
Selma @ Selma’s Table recently posted…Home-made Lemon Olive Oil and Dukkah
Thanks for being such a wonderful cohost and having me at your fine affair. 🙂
You can call it the Elvis if you add some bacon.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table recently posted…Strange But Good: Switzerland
Oh yeah! Now that is an amazing idea!!!
Jennifer @ LiveLearnLoveRun recently posted…Rams Football….Lady Rams That Is!
But then I’d have to eat it on the toilet.
Your husband is one lucky man to have this healthy and delicious granola. I never tried making my own granola. I always depend on cereals if I prefer fast breakfast. Your granola sounds superb – nothing could go wrong the chocolate-PB-oats combination. Thank you for sharing this to us and thank you for coming over to FF.
Have a wonderful weekend to you! 🙂
Jhuls recently posted…Tomato Cheese Focaccia for FF#17 and FFC#1
I like a fast breakfast as well, which is why I make the granola on weekends or in the evening in a great enough batch size to last all week. It’s almost as easy as running out to the store, picking a box of cereal and then coming home. 🙂
You have a great weekend as well and thanks for having me at the fiesta. I always have a good time and get such inspiration from the other recipes.
reaihglareuewae please come live with me? Or at least send me breakfast every day?
Jess @ JessieBear What Will You Wear? recently posted…Just Stopping By
If you make a batch of this granola, you’ll have breakfast for two people for a week. See – I’ll be taking care of you form afar.
Meghan,
You had me at PB, Banana, and Chocolate is the reason threesomes exist!
I love to read your blog, and you can make me the Elvis any old time (though I’m thinking my favorite flavor Honey Salted Caramel Yogurt would rock it best)
Kirsten recently posted…Greek Olive Salad Pizza
You’re right: Honey Salted Caramel Yogurt would be a dream come true in this. Things might turn into an orgy then. 🙂
Before this weekend, I only made my own granola once, and I gave up because I burned it 😆 But I’ve been wanting to make a granola version of one of my favourite homemade granola bars for a while now, and I think I may have just done it… Even if i did burn the first batch 😆 Ohhh I’m a lost cause and I bow to your superior granola making skills. Also… In your relationship with the husband, which one is chocolate and which one is peanut butter??
Amanda @ .running with spoons. recently posted…. thinking out loud #79 .
I will teach my granola making ways. It’s really easy, I promise, although I will except a granola bar in return. Seems fair, yes? 🙂
I am the peanut butter and he is the chocolate, simply because I’m the stronger one. Hopefully he doesn’t see this, or else I might have some explaining to do. Oops.
You know I am a huge fan of this recipe and cannot wait to make it…although, I’ve already made the executive decision to solely peanuts in the nut addition- I have this thing where I don’t like to mix the nuts in cereals or yogurt etc…my nutty OCD?
I have made my own granola before, and have a recipe coming Friday…although nutless. I blame this recipe taking it all up.
PS I’ve said nuts too many times.
Arman @ thebigmansworld recently posted…Spill it, Sundays #26- The Jen Edition
You know I love you, which is why I can say that a nutless granola sounds a lot like oats to me. 🙂
I can’t wait to see your recipe, and thank you for sharing this. You really do rock, even if you do like to go nutless or stick to one nut at a time. 🙂
PB, chocolate, banana….you had me at that…but in a granola…oh my, you’re a woman after my own heart…or should I say tastebuds 🙂
I like tantalizing people’s taste buds.
Ooooo this looks yum!! Can’t wait to try 🙂
Gayatri recently posted…The Fudgiest Nutella Brownies
I hope you like it as much as I do.
Best non-story story EVER! That’s it, the next time I have writer’s block, I’m calling YOU! I love this…LOVE IT! And I happen to tag Elvis’s name on just about everything related to peanut butter and banana…unless it has chocolate…and then it’s chunky monkey. Actually, the last time I “tried” to make granola, it ended up turning into my Chunky Monkey Bars! Lol! I need to make some more granola. It’s been a while! Favorite combo so far (that I’ve made) was my Almond Joy granola…but your blueberry almond comes in as second! 😀
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli recently posted…Playing Favorites
Maybe I should have called this the Chunky Monkey Elvis?!
You should try the Lemon Blueberry. It’s my new favorite.
Finallyyyyyyyyy!!! The secret of the PB & Chocolate Granola is out 🙂
How great is that! I am so going to make this asap! And because you’re such a great wife I can shine and sparkle as the perfect wife, too! Stefan will so love me for making this granola for him! And I myself can’t wait to stuff my face with it 🙂 And adding banana sounds like such a great idea! Okay I think I just got a tad overexcited. Now I am back to normal. No kidding, as if… 😉
Juli @ 1000lovelythings recently posted…My Week in Review – Celebrating Love
Yes! I can’t wait to hear what you think. I suspect Stefan will be happy to reward you as well…if you get my drift. Wink, wink, nudge, nudge. 😉