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 healthy 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
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Preheat oven to 340 degrees F (171 C).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Notes
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with the dark chocolate.
*Recipe makes ~4 1/2 cups granola.
Nutrition Per Serving (1 of 9 half-cup servings)
- Calories: 364
- Fat: 19.1g
- Saturated fat: 9.5g
- Sodium: 225mg
- Carbohydrates: 44.7g
- Fiber: 6.9g
- Sugar: 18.1g
- Protein: 8.2g
First of all I just made this recipe and its phenomenal. I think it would be perfect as granola bars but I do not know how to go about that. Should i form them into bars and bake until crispy or do I need to add something so that the granola binds together more ? Thanks for the awesome recipe!
Glad you liked them! As for making them into granola bars, perhaps this recipe would lend some inspiration to be adapted from?
Hello!
I am in love with your buckwheat granola and I am dying to try this out. Can I substitute aquafaba for the oil in this recipe or is it necessary to bring out the full chocolatey flavor?
Thank you :)
That should work. Use this for inspiration!
I made this with the aquafaba, reduced coconut sugar by 1 tbsp simply due to personal preference, reduced the salt in the granola to just a pinch because the chocolate bar I chopped into it was a salted one and OMG, soooo good! This is just decadent and chocolatey and soooo satisfying and I am in love! Thank you for the wonderful recipe :)
Hi, I have been using this recipe for nearly a year now. Its just delicious. Thanks Dana for sharing. I have made a few adaptation to suit my family’s dietary needs. I use ground cashew nut instead of gluten-free flour. I bake at 150 degrees as coconut oil (raw/cold pressed/unpasteurised) is stable till 170 degrees. It bakes to perfectly crispy after about 50 minutes. (At 25 minutes I mix for even baking).
Thanks again. Keep going, Dana!
Thanks so much for sharing, Shveta! xo
This is delicious! I made it this past weekend and used walnuts instead of almonds. I think I’ll use almonds next time but wanted to use up what I had. I’d like to make it saltier – would you suggest adding more sea salt?
Also, how would I make it clumpier? The Purely Elizabeth granola is the epitome of clump perfection!
Another reader suggested that if you press the mixture down in the baking pan before cooking and then use a spatula to break it up after it has baked, that might help!
Yes, feel free to add sea salt to taste!
Yummy, but keep an eye on it! Mine started full on burning after 17 minutes at 340F, so make sure to flip halfway through to check on it! Only sub was agave and vegan cardamom honey instead of maple syrup. Will try again with a 10-minute timer and go from there. I used the hand-stirred method, and it worked great. Can’t argue with chocolate for breakfast! Did anyone have an issue with their chia seeds falling to the tray and separating from the granola? I did use a silicone mat to bake.
This recipe is absolutely perfect and delicious. So addicting! Can’t recommend it enough.
Thanks so much for the lovely review, Marie. We are so glad you enjoyedit! Next time, would you mind leaving a rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! xo
I made this last night using pecans and walnuts for the nuts and agave nectar instead of the maple syrup. I did use the processor for the oats, nuts and cocoa but will add the cocoa to a bowl and stir in next time because I stirred in the agave and coconut oil rather than processing. I used a 70% dark cocoa for the chunks. I pressed the mixture down on my baking pan and used a spatula to break it up after it was baked. I have nice chunks of granola I can pick up and pop into my mouth. I just love this recipe! Thank you!
This is soooo delicious and feels like such an indulgent and luxurious start to the day! I adore the hint of salt when i eat it with my homemade yogurt.
I’m loving your blog and the wonderful recipes to try. Thank you!
My daughter and I made this last night. So glad I doubled it. It is amazing! Thank you for the recipe. 😋
I really like this granola! I used more nuts & less oats. I pulsed the nuts in the food processor but next time I’ll leave them roughly chopped because I like bigger pieces. Thanks for the recipe, I will make again!
Thanks, Stephanie!
Would this work with carob powder and your carob bars? I’m allergic to chocolate.
Yes, other readers have had success in using carob!
I just made this and oh my hat! It’s amazing. Your recipes are really helping me as I’m six months in on this plant based adventure. You are my hero!
Hey there! I made this as written a while back but never left a comment. I made it again just recently, but with a few modifications: pistachios instead of almonds, and pecans instead of coconut. Oh, and both times I used light-in-flavor olive oil and just a pinch of table salt. This is my go-to recipe for granola now! It’s flavors are perfectly balanced and I feel satisfied for hours after eating it. Can’t wait to make it again! Bravo!
I just made this and it’s so good I will definitely be making this again thank you for this amazing recipe
I have made this Granola every fortnight for the last six months. It’s my new favourite Granola recipe. It’s easy to make, uses relatively simple ingredients and is dang tasty!
I tried it with the chocolate bits once, but much prefer it without. I’ve also tried it with less sugar (and still use about 2/3 that the recipe states), but if I remove too much it looses that chunky texture which is so lovely and this recipe. Another classic Minimalist Baker recipe. Love love love this!
This turned out great, I subbed the maple syrup for raw honey and added a half teaspoon of vanilla and used cacao nibs instead of unsweetened chocolate. I also added one fourth cup pumpkin seeds and half a cup dried cranberries, it’s delish! Thanks
I tried it! I just used half coconut nectar and half honey instead of maple syrup. I also baked at a lower temperature after adding the honey (added it later after 10 mins on 340 degrees). Loved how it turned out. Quite addicting! Btw I halved the recipe since my syrup’s about to run out. I also added a tiny bit of almond flavor. Excited to see if my sister and little nephew / nieces will like it too!
Our family looooove this granola – just the right amount of crunch, the right amount of chocolate and the right amount of salt. Simply delicious!
I made this recipe with 2 Tbsp avocado oil, 2 Tbsp maple syrup, and 2 Tbsp of cocoa powder. It turned out great! I didn’t add dark chocolate chunks.
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Grace!
This is SO good! Love it on plain homemade yogurt :)
Yay! We are glad to hear it, Jennifer!
I’d like to make the pumpkin fig recipe. Do you have the recipe for that?
Hi Melvin! I’m not sure I know what you’re referring to, but let us know and I’ll help you out!
Made the recipe for boomarang son- you know, moved back home after college- he enjoyed it but did find a bit too salty….making again without the salt and will report back…he eats it with yogurt so maybe the greek yogurt altered the taste to be more salty tasting?
Let us know how he likes it, Anne!
Made a second time with half the salt and he loved it- making third time right now. To clarify, HE is making it. Likes it so much he wants to know how to make it for himself once he moves into his own place- this is a good sign.
Just made it! It tastes so good! It was my first time making granola, it’s a great receipe, I feel like I can totally make tones of variations out of this one. Thank you so much ;)
This was so incredibly delicious!!! Will definitely replace my store-bought chocolate granola cereal. I cut the recipe by half and added two tablespoons of ground flaxseed instead of chia seeds. Im going to make this again and again! Thanks!!
Yay! Thanks for sharing your recipe changes, Yono!
A “healthy” version of cocoa pebbles?! Yes, please! This was even better than I imagined it would be! I kept going back for a small handful while it was cooling…addictive. I added about a 1/2 cup of chocolate almond meal that I had leftover from making chocolate almond milk. It was pretty sweet for my liking already, so I omitted the chocolate chips and next time I will probably also omit the dry sugar.
Just made this. Absolutely delicious! The kids (16 and 17) love it. It definitely won’t last the afternoon. I added the choc chips but think I will leave them out next time. Very yum!
Woot woot!
Made this for Teacher Treats Day at school. I substituted shelled unsalted sunflower seeds for the nuts (nut free campus). Was pleasantly surprised when a teacher I barely knew hunted me down after school and told me the granola was many of the teachers’ favorite treat of the day and asked if she could have the recipe! Thanks MB!
So awesome! Thanks for sharing your recipe changes, Bernadette!
This granola tastes amazing and it really easy!!
This is so so so super good! I added chocolate pieces and dried cranberries. Super decadent!
This granola is delicious! I left out the chocolate chips when I made it. I really enjoy eating it with plain yogurt and strawberries for breakfast or a snack. It is not too sweet, perfectly chocolately, and was super easy to make. Excited to try more granola recipes from here!
Love it. The saltiness and sweeteness perfect combination plus crunchy. ummm good. i added chocolate cheerios instead of chocolate chips.
Just made this for a post race brunch and it was delicious with yogurt, strawberries, and bananas. Everyone asked for the recipe!!
Yay! We’re glad it was a hit, Katie!
I made this and shared it with my yoga class. It was a big hit. I reduced the sugar amount to 2 Tbs and added a 1/4 tsp of so of salt along with using Cacao powder as opposed to cocoa powder. This is on the repeat list of deliciousness.
I made this earlier; super good!
Excellent! I wanted to come back and give it 5 stars.
Thanks for doing that, Jekia!
I made this last week and ate in within days. I am currently making this again…it’s in the oven baking. Excellent recipe and will be trying your coconut granola recipe next!
Would it be crazy to substitute flax seeds for chia seeds?
Not crazy at all!
Is it possible to omit the nuts? I have a peanut tree but allergic child. It looks soooo good!
Hi Anna! You could add more oats, more shredded coconut, add some seeds (like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds), plain puffed brown rice cereal, buckwheat groats… granola is pretty forgiving!
I just made this, with a couple of adjustments (added less maple syrup, more cocoa powder, and added raisins instead of chocolate chips), and WOW it’s ridiculously good!! My whole house smells like a chocolate factory now, haha. It’s so so fast to make too and this amount is gonna last me for a couple weeks at least, if I eat it for breakfast every day.
I made this and loved it! Put it on my greek yogurt every morning. Thank you!
Hi! I am thinking of making this granola but I was wondering if how I could incorporate dates as sweetener instead of the sugar/limiting the maple syrup? Should I chop them up and add it with the nuts mixture? Thanks!
Hi Anne-Celine! If you want to do this, you could try soaking you dates and processing it into a paste? This would change the texture of the granola but may work. If you give this a try, report back on how it goes!
Your granola recipes (well all recipes in fact) are the bom-diggidy. Every one is fantastic but this is my fav for breakfast! Such a delight to eat wholesome ‘dessert’ to start the day ;) xxx 100% love.
Hello!
This recipe sounds amazing..I shall have to try it. Does anybody use fresh dessicated coconut? If so, does that alter the shelf-life. TIA! :)
I’ve changed the recipe a little bit: blended some of the oats to make the granola more crumbly and added the cocoa and sugar to the saucepan with maple syrup and oil to make a super sweet syrup :D
I love it so much tho, it’s probably the first chocoalte granola that satisfy me because most of the time they’re good but just… not exactly right and this one is perfect! Thank you <3
Ok… I have left a review for this before but I have to just emphasize how good this is!!!!!! Literally make it every week!!!
Thank you for this recipe! I am on a quest to try all the best recipes of 2017. This is so flavorful and satisfying sooo much better than anything store bought.
I’ve made this several times now with my sister (subbed muscovado sugar for coconut, and olive oil for coconut oil), and it is always divine! We have no food processor so we just mix everything together in a bowl, then spread it out on a pan before baking. Thank you for sharing this.
So good! And the way that it has made my kitchen smell all day is almost better :)
Chocolate-y Delicious!! Wow!!
DELICIOUS! My 13 year old son saw this recipe on your site last night and asked me to make it. It was so easy to put together, and it is soooo good! We will be making it again!
Made last night… my entire family and I ate half already! All of your granola recipes are amazing! I will say that I do cook it at 300 instead of 340 and just go for a bit longer other wise it might scorch the oats!
this looks amazing! I was wondering if it would work with Quinoa flakes instead of rolled oats?
Hi Luke! We haven’t tried it, but if you do let us know how it goes!
I just made this and my boyfriend yelled out “WHAT IS THIS, BROWNIE GRANOLA?!” We refuse to eat it with yoghurt or milk, it’s way too good just as is. You’re a blessing to us, Dana! Every single recipe I’ve made off your site has been a hit in my (carnivore) home. THANK YOU!
I’d love to make this into a bar! I thought about just adding more syrup and then cooling.. Any other ideas to make this amazing recipe into bars!
Have you tried using brown rice syrup instead of maple? It is much thicker. I’ve used it as the liquid sweetener for oat bars before.
This is literally one of the best things I’ve ever eaten! I just came back from a holiday where my kids were choosing chocolate cereals and I was staring longingly at them. I came home and searched healthy gluten free, dairy free chocolate granola. This is the answer! Easy to make and simply delicious.
Thank you Dana
This…. tastes like Cocoa Puffs. Enough said.
Just made this and it’s the best granola i’v had to this day. just added all the ingredients together in my food processor and it took a minute to prepare.
I made this today but doubled the quantity of shredded coconut because I had lots of it on hand ( I added half a cup), and subbed the maple sirup with agave and the result is FANTASTIC.. sweet and savory coconutey chocolatey dream! I’ve just had a bowl of granola, not completely cooled yet ( I just couldn’t wait any longer but who could blame me?) with plain almond milk… Why was I eating store-bought granola all that time?
Absolutely LOVE this recipe. It’s the first minimalist baker recipe I’ve tried and this has become my go to website for when I want something new. I made this FIVE times in a month. I ate it as yogurt topping, on top of apples and peanut butter for added texture, or just as cereal with almond milk. I didn’t ever add chocolate, just because for some reason I never have it on hand. But it is amazing! Btw I’ve never left a review before but I’m going to start!
This is AMAZING! My dream granola. Thanks so much, Dana!
Any suggestions for nut free? Id like to send this to school with the kiddos.
Hi! You could just leave out the nuts and add some more coconut and oats!
Amazing! I am completely addicted. Also love the Banana Bread Granola.
Hi! I tried this and it looked delicious but it taste as if i had overcooked something. I figured maybe i burnt the coconut oil/maple mix when combining it together because it was my first time cooking with coconut oil.
How do you know when to stop before burning this type of oil?
Thanks a lot!
Love your website!
I always have to take my granola out earlier than I think–it’s always better a little undercooked than overcooked because it tastes horrible burnt! Also, make sure not to cook the oil/syrup on high–the coconut oil will start to burn past medium on the stove.
Why did I just make this?? Best granola ever. Granola is an acceptable dinner, right..?
Glad you loved it, Caitlin! :D
Thank you so much for this recipe! I made it yesterday and am already addicted! It’s so good and easy!
Where’s the sea salt
I just made this recipe and OMG!!! I only used two Tbs of dry sugar and 1/4 cup maple syrup (trying to cut back in sugar) and it still was so perfect! I love how chocolately it is without the calories!!! Thank you
Just WOW!!! I made it today and we just had a bowl with fresh strawberries, the granola and a bit of soy milk. It tasted heavenly – and i don’t even like coconut very much :D the combo of sweet and salt just can’t be beaten <3
I will never ever buy granola at a store again.
Thank you for that great recipe!
Oh my gosh this is amazing, I’m eating the last of mine right now. And when I mix it with my coconut vanilla yogurt it tastes like I’m eating Cocoa Pebbles. So delicious! Going to make more today.
I definitely have a thing for granola and chocolate, myself! Put them together with a little peanut butter, and you have drugs in the form of food and nutrients! LOL! Anything with simple ingredients is ideal. It’s hard to replicate granola, and this looks absolutely incredible!
Just made this recipe, turned out awesome! I didn’t have chocolate chips on hand so subbed dried cherries and it worked out really nicely as an alternative.
I made this and this was the best. thing. everrrr!!! Thank you so much!
I made this and oh my gosh I am never buying store bought granola ever again! It is great as a snack on its own, oatmeal, or yogurt. I made a batch didn’t last a week. thanks for this recipe ??
am totally loving it. am gonna make it this weekend
I made this and it’s AMAZING. It’s been hard not eating it for every meal! Thanks for the recipe. :) Definitely will be making it again once i consume the first batch!
THAAAAANK YOU FOR THIS! I actually tried the Elizabeth’s a few months ago and this is the perfect dupe for it!!! I WILL MAKE THIS ALL THE TIME !!! Thank you!!!
Fantastic! Now my favorite granola.
I made this (with the addition of chopped dried cherries) a few days ago and it’s fantastic. Can’t stop eating it!
Have already made this twice. So yummy!
xoxo!
I just made this! Dericious!! It’s perfect to be satisfied for my chocolate’s cravings. I used pink salt instead of sea salt. it’s a bit salt for me. I will put less when I make next time. Thanks for sharing the recipe always. ?
Have not tried it, but with grandkids coming soon, how would this chocolate granola do with the life altering banana pancakes? I think there is potential for yumminess !
I think you’re right, Laurie! Hope your Grandkids love it!
I’m going to try it without the salt (low salt diet). Can’t wait to eat it with plain homemade yogurt! Yum!
I am a granola freak and this is my new fave. Can’t. Stop. Eating. Thank you!!
Yay! Thanks Kathy!!
Wow, this recipe is a game changer:)! So easy and quick to put together and the taste, look, smell and crunch is amazing! I used carob in place of cocoa, date syrup (silan) instead of maple and threw in some hazelnuts alongside almonds and walnuts. Thank you for amazing recipe!
Of course! Thanks for sharing, Lucie!
This is fantastic! I left out the dark chocolate chips as didn’t have any chocolate to hand, still absolutely delicious and very chocolatey, with a lovely chocolate milk to enjoy at the end (my boyfriend, an ex coco pops addict, was particularly thrilled about this!) I threw some goji berries into the bowl at the end when serving – delicious :)
Thanks for sharing, Teresa!
I have this in the oven right now – smells amaaahhhzing!
Verdict: fabulous! …trying your gingerbread granola next week. :)
That’s a winner, too! Good luck!
Hi Dana! I wasn’t paying attention and accidentally combined everything in the food processor right away-oops! It came out like a paste so I made little chunks and baked them that way and it still turned out wonderful, tastes just like cocoa puffs but with a happy conscience : ) Thanks for another great recipe!!
haha, yes! Sounds like a happy accident!
Looks and sounds awesome but I will have to try subbing the oats with quinoa flakes, as even GF oats bother me (must be some other protein in oats). I want to make it and bring it to work to fake out everyone that yes! it’s healthy! Gotcha!
Let me know how it goes, Ines!
looks amazing, have to try
I just made this and it is now my favourite granola along with your banana bread granola recipe. Next time I make this (there will definitly be a next time), I’ll probably add a little less salt and more cacao.
Oh I didn’t use a food processor and omitted the sugar because it is sweet enough for me like this. Amazing recipe :)
Thanks for sharing, Ann!
I never need an excuse to eat chocolate – even for breakfast – but when it gets wrapped up in a healthy granola package then I’m all it. Pass me a spoon already! :-)
Granola + Chocolate! Yes, please! This looks amazing!
Any excuse to have chocolate for breakfast:) I love it!
Would this work without sugar and just the maple syrup???
Yes, but it won’t be as sweet, obviously. Maybe add a little stevia (if trying to avoid sugar), or a little more maple syrup. Good luck!
Maybe you can sweeten with dates/water/almond butter blended.
Came home from work and found your email, threw it together in about 5 minutes in a bowl, no processor and I used avocado oil so I didn’t hear anything. Just mixed in 1 bowl and baked….. OMG the most delicious granola I’ve ever made. Loved that I could taste the salt too. Thanks for another great recipe! Love your site!?
Yay!!!
Thanks for the recipe! Looks great! any suggestions for replacing the nuts as I am allergic? Thank you xxx
You could add more oats, more shredded coconut, add some seeds (like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds), plain puffed brown rice cereal, buckwheat groats… granola is pretty forgiving!
Great ideas!
I’m allergic to nuts too. When making granola I sub. Sunflower & or pumpkin seeds to give the granola that nutty flavour & texture.
Just made this! Delicious! Didn’t have quite enough of any one oatmeal so did combination of reqular, quick, and steel cut. I don’t use oil so subbed a flax egg for binding. Seemed to work.
Nice! Thanks for sharing.
I used this tip and swapped oil for flax egg (as I don’t like the taste of coconut oil) – and it worked great – thanks!
Yay! Thanks for sharing!
Oh my, this looks delicious! Totally making it this weekend.
Awesome! Your recipes are ALWAYS so, so appealing. This one, too. And your humor always gives me a chuckle! You are crackin’ me up! Laughter is a good side dish to any recipe. :-)
So kind! Thanks Julia xoxo
This looks amazing. I can’t wait to try it.
Oooh yes, I’m so making this today! Looks so delish and chocolaty! Thanks
This granola looks amazing! Totally need to try it next week!
Oh this looks so tasty
where is the salt in the ingredients list? ;)
In the middle of the ingredient listing (1 tsp sea salt) :)
so blind hahaha thank you
Yeah!!! Yeah!!! Making this over the weekend…I think my chocolate obsessed boyfriend will be very happy :)
Would this work with instant oats or does it have to be regular oats? Definitely going to make this!
That should work!
Wow!! This granola looks so yummy! I gotta try that!
So yes, that recipe is definitely happening! That looks incredible delicious!
Melodie