By now, you probably know I have a thing for granola. But what you probably don’t know is that I also have a thing for chocolate.
Wait. You already knew that, too (obviously). Hmph.
Well, then you won’t be surprised that I’m sharing a recipe for chocolate granola! Besides, who doesn’t want a (healthier) version of Cocoa Puffs in their life?
This chocolate granola is inspired by one I tried recently by Purely Elizabeth. I demolished the whole bag in a matter of days and knew I wanted to create a version for the blog.
This recipe is simple, requiring just 9 ingredients and roughly 30 minutes to make!
The base is nuts, oats, chia seeds, and coconut. To keep things on the healthier side, I went with maple syrup and coconut sugar for natural sweetness. And the chocolate flavor comes from both cocoa powder and vegan dark chocolate! Yessss, come to Mama.
I hope you all LOVE this chocolate granola! It’s:
Crunchy
Nutty
Chocolate-infused
Perfectly sweet
Protein- + Fiber-rich
Quick + easy to make
& Delicious!
This would make the perfect quick breakfast or on-the-go snack. I love adding this granola to some coconut yogurt and berries for an easy summertime breakfast or snack when I don’t feel like cooking.
For more granola recipes, be sure to check out our 7-Ingredient Quinoa Granola, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola, Banana Bread Granola, Nut ‘n’ Honey Coconut Granola, Chunky Coconut Granola, Strawberry Coconut Granola, Grain-Free Granola, and Gingerbread Granola!
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends!
Sea Salt Dark Chocolate Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 cup chopped raw nuts (almonds, pecans, and/or walnuts are best)
- 1/4 cup desiccated or shredded coconut (unsweetened)
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 3 Tbsp coconut or organic cane sugar (or other dry sweetener of choice)
- 1 tsp sea salt
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup coconut (or avocado) oil
- 1/2 cup maple syrup (plus more to taste // or other liquid sweetener of choice)
- 1/2 cup vegan dark chocolate chips or chunks (optional // sweeter chocolate is best – I like Trader Joe’s 72% dark chocolate bar)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 340 degrees F (171 C).
- To a food processor (or mixing bowl), add the oats, nuts, coconut, chia seeds, coconut sugar, salt, and cocoa powder. Pulse a few times (or stir) to combine.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm the coconut oil and maple syrup until melted and combined. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix or stir well. If using a food processor, this breaks down the oats and nuts a bit more so it’s a finer texture, but this is optional.
- Spread the mixture evenly onto a baking sheet (or more baking sheets if making a larger batch) and bake for 17-24 minutes (or until fragrant and deep golden brown), stirring a bit near the halfway point to ensure even baking.
- Let cool completely. Then add chocolate (optional). Place in a container that has an air-tight seal, and it should keep for a few weeks. Or store in the freezer up to 1 month or longer.
Video
Notes
*Recipe makes ~4 ½ cups granola.
Tamara says
To substitute all things coconut related….would you perhaps use olive oil/sunflower oil/Rapeseed oil? And just skip shredded coconut?
Hi Tamara, we would recommend olive or avocado oil in place of coconut oil. And yes, just omit the shredded coconut! Let us know how it goes!
Melissa says
Wow! Fantastic recipe. I wanted to make granola clusters, so I used a technique from Angela Liddon (Oh She Glows) where you bake it with the chocolate and don’t stir it. I also baked it for longer at 300F. I doubled up the desiccated coconut and used unsweetened chocolate. To counteract the bitterness of the unsweetened chocolate, I added nine drops of liquid stevia. Thanks, will be making this again!
Yum! Thanks so much for the great review and for sharing your modifications, Melissa!
Donna says
Does it really only last 1 month in the freezer? I’m going to be RV living with my husband and two boys for the summer and am desperately trying to find a granola recipe that I can make a HUGE batch of that will keep it for several months.
Hi Donna, you could stretch it longer than one month. One month is our go-to for the best flavor and texture!
Donna says
Thank you! Can’t wait to try this!!
Heidi says
Great Chocolate Granola recipe. Since I tried Pret Chocolate Granola, and now can’t get it😏, I have been wanting to make my own. The only thing I changed, because I use it all the time, especially when I make my ChewChew Brownies, is Cacao instead of cocoa powder. The flavour is just smooth and far superior to cocoa. I may try to get it more “clumpy” so the next time I may add an egg white to bring it into some nice clusters. But well done, a super recipe 👍🏽
Thanks for the great review, Heidi!
Sandra Hansen says
What a great recipe! I typically don’t follow recipes that closely but this one was really easy to stick to! Everyone in the family loved it and agreed that it was better than any store bought. I buy 2.45lb bag of oats from Back Roads Granola which are a bit more expensive that say General Mills but the end product of making this recipe still has to be less expensive than buying ready made packaged choco granola! Would love to try to reduce the sugar but I wouldn’t on this one!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Sandra. Thanks so much for the lovely review! xo
Monique says
Second year making this as christmas gifts! I use all walnuts and its soo decadent without being too sweet.
Yay! Thanks, Monique!