Crunchy and golden, the naturally sweet granola with corn flakes and chocolate is the perfect breakfast for those who love to start the day with energy, but without added sugars. The sweetness comes only from the natural sugars of apple pulp and dates, which bind the ingredients and create an irresistibly crunchy texture.
An easy and genuine homemade recipe with simple ingredients and no preservatives, perfect to enjoy with yogurt, plant-based milk, or even alone as a snack. The combination of unsweetened oat flakes and corn flakes makes the texture light yet crumbly, while the 100% dark chocolate adds that intense and delicious note that conquers from the first bite.
Making it at home is really easy: you just need a small blender to chop the nuts and dates and a bowl to mix everything and create the perfect blend.
READ THE FAQ AND TIPS AT THE END OF THE RECIPE
AIR FRYER BAKING OPTION; READ BELOW HOW TO DO IT
OTHER INTERESTING RECIPES:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Economical
- Preparation time: 5 Minutes
- Portions: 400g
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Wellness
- Seasonality: All Seasons
- Energy 160.50 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 25.20 (g) of which sugars 7.56 (g)
- Proteins 2.35 (g)
- Fat 6.11 (g) of which saturated 1.23 (g)of which unsaturated 3.85 (g)
- Fibers 2.20 (g)
- Sodium 52.33 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 40 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 3.5 oz corn flakes (unsweetened)
- 3.5 oz whole oat flakes
- 3.5 oz apple sauce (100% natural)
- 3 tbsp rice oil (or sunflower oil)
- 2.5 oz mixed nuts (hazelnuts and almonds)
- 1 oz pitted organic dates
- 1 oz dark chocolate chips
- vanilla (or cinnamon)
Tools
- Chopper
Steps
Preheat the oven to 356°F.
Place the nuts, pitted dates, a tablespoon of oat flakes, the oil, and the apple sauce in the blender cup. Pulse to roughly chop the dates and nuts and mix.
Pour the oat flakes and corn flakes into a container; mix.
Add the chopped mixture and mix uniformly.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and pour the mixture, leveling it with a spoon.
Bake for about 15 minutes at 356°F, then lower the temperature to 338°F and bake for another 5 minutes. Let cool well, then add the chocolate chips.
Store the naturally sweet granola with corn flakes and chocolate in a jar or airtight container to preserve its freshness.
Tips and Variations
You can replace the apple pulp with pear puree or mashed ripe banana.
For an extra crunch version, add 1 tablespoon of pumpkin or sunflower seeds.
If you prefer a sweeter taste, use a teaspoon of natural honey.
The 100% chocolate is perfect for those seeking a granola completely without added sugars, but you can add pieces or chips of chocolate with your desired cocoa percentage.
Air Fryer Baking:
The granola in the air fryer turns out great — in fact, often more crunchy and even compared to the oven. Since mine is really small, I avoid it. However, I’ll tell you how to do it:
Temperature: 302°F.
Total Time: 15–18 minutes.
Stir every 5–6 minutes to prevent over-browning on the edges.
In the end, let cool in the open basket for 10–15 minutes: drying in the air makes it even crunchier.
Practical tip:
Spread the granola on a perforated parchment paper sheet (or in a low mold suitable for the air fryer) in a thin layer — not too compact, otherwise, moisture gets trapped and it doesn’t dry well.
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
How long does homemade granola last?
In an airtight jar, up to 3–4 weeks.
When to add the chocolate?
Only when the granola is completely cold to avoid melting.
