Friends, if you’ve ever wished your favorite chocolatey dessert and your breakfast granola could unite into one irresistible treat, then Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola is your delicious dream come true! Imagine rich cocoa, toasted almonds, gooey caramel, and the perfect hint of sea salt—all bound together with golden clusters that are equally at home topping yogurt or eaten straight by the handful. This recipe is a total crowd-pleaser, and you’ll be amazed at how quickly a batch disappears. Whether you’re prepping snacks, looking for the ultimate breakfast upgrade, or simply want to indulge a sweet-salty craving, this Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola is pure gold.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You’ll be amazed at how a handful of pantry staples transforms into such a decadent treat! Every ingredient in Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola has a part to play—adding depth, crunch, sweetness, or that irresistible fudgy flavor.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: These create the hearty, crunchy base for your granola clusters.
- Sliced almonds: Add nutty flavor and a satisfying crunch in every bite.
- Cocoa powder: Brings that essential brownie richness and a deep chocolatey color.
- Salt: A pinch enhances both the sweet and salty notes for balance.
- Unsalted butter: Melts with the sugar for a luscious, binding caramel base.
- Brown sugar: Gives rich sweetness and depth, mimicking the gooey center of a brownie.
- Honey or maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness and helps cluster everything together.
- Vanilla extract: Gives your granola a warm, comforting aroma.
- Mini chocolate chips: Melt slightly into the warm granola, creating those perfect chocolate pockets.
- Caramel bits or chopped soft caramels: Swirls in chewy, buttery caramel flavor throughout.
- Flaky sea salt: The finishing touch that brightens every bite and elevates the caramel flavor.
How to Make Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C) and lining a large baking sheet with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola comes off the pan effortlessly, with every cluster perfectly golden and easy to break apart.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a roomy mixing bowl, toss together your oats, sliced almonds, cocoa powder, and salt. Give it a good stir—this mixture creates that irresistibly nutty, chocolatey foundation that makes this granola so memorable.
Step 3: Make the Caramel Sauce
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt your butter, brown sugar, and honey (or maple syrup), stirring constantly. As soon as everything is smooth and the mixture just begins to bubble, remove it from the heat. Stir in the vanilla for a fragrant finish. This warm caramel will soon act as the delicious glue for all your granola ingredients!
Step 4: Combine and Coat
Pour your warm caramel sauce over the dry mixture and use a sturdy spatula or spoon to combine everything evenly. Make sure every oat and almond is beautifully coated—the goal is to guarantee fudgy clusters in every scoop of Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola.
Step 5: Bake Into Clusters
Spread the granola mix evenly onto your prepared sheet, and press down a bit to create chunky clusters. Then, bake on the middle rack for 20–25 minutes, giving it a gentle stir once halfway through. The magic happens here: your kitchen will start to smell like pure chocolate heaven!
Step 6: Add Chocolate and Caramel
As soon as the granola comes out of the oven—while it’s still nicely warm—sprinkle on the mini chocolate chips and caramel bits. Resist the urge to stir! Let everything cool completely on the pan. The chips and caramel will melt just enough to bind the clusters together with fudgy, caramelized goodness.
Step 7: Cool and Add Sea Salt
Once the granola is entirely cool, break it into generous chunks. Finally, sprinkle flaky sea salt all over the top. This is the step that really rocks—it amplifies the caramel and cocoa, giving your snack that irresistible sweet-savory contrast Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola is known for.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola
Garnishes
Top your granola with a swirl of lightly whipped cream, a handful of extra toasted almonds, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce for a showstopper brunch treat. A scattering of fresh berries can bring brightness and extra color to every bowl.
Side Dishes
Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola loves partners like thick Greek yogurt, vanilla ice cream, or a glass of cold milk. Add it beside sliced fruit or a smoothie bowl to turn snack time into something truly special.
Creative Ways to Present
Make parfaits by layering your granola with yogurt and berries in pretty glasses, pack it in mason jars as a heartfelt homemade gift, or simply set out a bowl with a scoop for a crowd-pleasing snack at any gathering. It’s also fantastic as a crunchy topping for pancakes or even folded into cookie dough!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any remaining Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola in an airtight container at room temperature. It’ll stay beautifully fresh for a week, and the clusters stay amazingly crunchy, making it perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts or snacks.
Freezing
Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola freezes like a dream! Pack it into a freezer-safe zip-top bag or airtight container, and it’ll last up to three months. Let it come to room temperature for a few minutes before serving—no need to reheat, and all the texture stays just right.
Reheating
If you prefer your granola a little warm (and who could blame you?), pop individual servings in the microwave for 10–15 seconds. Or, re-crisp a whole batch on a parchment-lined baking sheet in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes—just watch closely so the chocolate and caramel don’t get too melty!
FAQs
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Rolled oats give you those big, toasty clusters in Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola. Quick oats tend to be a bit powdery, so if that’s all you have, expect a finer, less chunky texture.
What if I don’t have caramel bits?
No worries! Chop up soft caramels into small pieces—they’ll soften and melt deliciously into the granola, creating pockets of gooey caramel just like the classic version.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola can be gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats and double-check your other ingredients for cross-contamination. Always check your labels if serving to someone with dietary restrictions.
Can I cut back on the sugar?
You can reduce the brown sugar if you’d like a less sweet version, but keep in mind some sweetness is necessary to help everything caramelize and form those clusters. Taste as you go to find your perfect balance!
How do I get really big granola clusters?
After pressing the granola down on the baking sheet, avoid stirring too much during baking and especially after. Letting it cool completely undisturbed is the trick to those glorious big chunks in every batch.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a snack that’s equal parts comfort and adventure, Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola truly delivers. It’s easy to make, totally show-stopping, and packed with bold, craveable flavors. I can’t wait for you to experience all the joy in every crunchy, chocolatey, caramel-swirled bite—so grab your mixing bowl and make it today!
Print
Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich flavors of chocolate, caramel, and almonds with this Salted Caramel Almond Brownie Granola. Perfect for breakfast or as a snack, this homemade granola is a delightful treat that will satisfy your sweet cravings.
Ingredients
Granola:
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Wet Mixture:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Additional:
- 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup caramel bits or chopped soft caramels
- flaky sea salt for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix dry ingredients: Combine oats, almonds, cocoa powder, and salt in a large bowl.
- Prepare wet mixture: Melt butter, brown sugar, and honey in a saucepan. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Combine ingredients: Pour wet mixture over dry ingredients and mix until coated.
- Bake: Spread mixture on baking sheet, bake for 20–25 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Add toppings: Sprinkle with chocolate chips and caramel bits while warm.
- Cool and enjoy: Let cool without stirring to form clusters. Break into chunks, sprinkle with sea salt, and enjoy!
Notes
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.
- Delicious served with yogurt, milk, or as a snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
