Chef John's Chocolate Granola

Ingredients

• 0.33 cups packed brown sugar
• 0.25 cups maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 0.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 0.75 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 pinch cayenne pepper , Optional
• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 0.75 cups chopped almonds

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).

2. 2

   Combine brown sugar, maple syrup, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, salt, cayenne pepper, and cocoa powder in a bowl. Whisk thoroughly. Add oats and almonds. Toss and smear the mixture together using a spatula until well coated. Spread mixture evenly over a silicone-lined baking sheet.

3. 3

   Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Toss granola with a fork, breaking up any clumps to get a finer texture. Continue baking until desired texture is reached, 30 to 60 minutes more. Sprinkle some granola onto a plate; if it clinks, it is ready. Turn off the oven and leave granola inside the oven to dry and cool to room temperature.