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This Healthy Chocolate Granola recipe is a low sugar treat that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, and snacking! It’s made with oats, nuts, cocoa powder, and maple syrup.
The most delicious chocolate granola
If you’ve been here for a while, you’ve probably seen at least one or two of my granola recipes floating around. I’ve made Trail Mix Granola Bars, Healthy Almond Butter Granola, and a few other recipes. However, I’ve never made chocolate granola!
I decided that now was the time, so I got to work on putting together a delicious (but healthy) chocolatey granola recipe. The results we’re just as I imagined! This mix is nice and sweet, but not overwhelming. It contains just the right amount of chocolate flavor and is perfect for topping smoothie bowls, adding to yogurt, or enjoying with milk!
I can’t wait for you to try it!
Ingredients needed to make this granola recipe
The ingredients used in this recipe are very simple. If you do a lot of baking, you probably already have most of these items in your pantry! Here’s an overview of everything you’ll need:
- Rolled oats
- Nuts
- Coconut flakes
- Salt
- Coconut sugar
- Cocoa powder
- Maple syrup
- Coconut oil
- Vanilla
- Chocolate chips or bars
- Optional: Sea salt
Does this granola taste like coconut?
In this recipe, we use a bunch of coconut ingredients that include coconut sugar, coconut oil, and coconut flakes! If you’re not a huge fan of coconut’s flavor, you may be a bit weary about trying this recipe.
But, don’t worry! Coconut sugar does not contain a coconut flavor, and neither does refined coconut oil. If you’d like to be sure that your granola tastes coconut-free, simply omit the coconut flakes, and opt for the refined version of the oil.
Kitchen materials needed to make homemade granola
This granola recipe is pretty simple and only requires about 6 or 7 kitchen items. To make this dish, you’ll need:
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Two mixing bowls
- Saucepan
- Mixing spoon or baking spatula
How to make healthy chocolate granola
Healthy chocolate granola is very easy to make. From start to finish, expect around 45 minutes of prep and cook time.
To make healthy granola, begin by preheating your oven to 325F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the oats, nuts, coconut flakes, and salt.
In a saucepan, heat the coconut sugar, cocoa powder, maple syrup, and coconut oil over medium heat. Let cook for 3-4 minutes or until the sugar is dissolved.
Turn off the heat and add the vanilla.
Pour the saucepan mixture onto the oat mixture and stir until combined.
Next, pour the mixture onto the baking sheet and press flat. Bake for 30 minutes total, stirring after 15 minutes.
Once fully baked, top with chocolate chips. Then, stick the pan back in the oven for 5 minutes, or until the chips are melted. Finally, stir the granola, letting the melted chocolate cover all of it.
Let cool for one hour before breaking apart.
Store in the pantry at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Granola substitution options
You begin scouring your pantry and fridge for the granola ingredients, only to find that you have everything you need except rolled oats. Will steel cut do? Yes! Find that, along with other substitution options, below.
- Rolled oats: Steel cut oats may be used in place of rolled oats at a 1:1 ratio. Baking time may need to be slightly increased.
- Nuts: I use almonds in this granola, but you can use the nuts of your choice. Pecans, walnuts, and peanuts will all taste great!
- Coconut sugar: If you’d like, you can use brown sugar in place of coconut sugar. Note that with a 1:1 ratio, your granola may wind up slightly sweeter.
- Coconut oil: You can use olive, avocado, almond, or vegetable oil in place of coconut oil. Use a 1:1 ratio.
A healthier homemade granola recipe
To make this granola as healthy as possible, I removed a lot of common granola ingredients such as granulated sugar, brown sugar, olive oil, and more. Instead, I used these alternatives!
- Coconut sugar: Coconut sugar is a good alternative to granulated sugar in that it’s not nearly as processed.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil contains more nutrients than its alternatives and is better for cholesterol and blood sugar. If you don’t want a strong coconut taste, go with refined coconut oil.
- Maple syrup: To add a dash of sweetness, I used maple syrup. This is a healthy alternative to extra sugar that’s great for energy and heart health.
- Cocoa powder: To give this granola its chocolate flavor, I used cocoa powder! This rich powder is great for blood pressure, brain function, mood, and more, and is a great way to achieve the desired flavor!
There are more granola recipes where this one came from!
Looking for more delicious homemade granola treats? I have you covered! Check out these recipes for some more great ideas that everyone will love!
Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa
Healthy Chocolate Granola Recipe
This Healthy Chocolate Granola recipe is a low sugar treat that’s perfect for breakfast, dessert, and snacking! It’s made with oats, nuts, cocoa powder, and maple syrup.
Ingredients
- 4 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup finely chopped nuts (I’ve used almonds and walnuts)
- 1/2 cup coconut flakes (optional)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup coconut sugar
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 cup chocolate chips or 2 chocolate bars chopped
- optional: flake sea salt on top
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, nuts, coconut flakes, and salt.
- In a saucepan, heat coconut sugar, cocoa powder, maple syrup and coconut oil over medium heat. Let cook for 3-4 minutes or until sugar is dissolved.
- Turn off heat and add in vanilla.
- Pour saucepan mixture onto oat mixture and stir until combined.
- Pour onto baking sheet and press into flat sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes total.
- Once fully baked, top with chocolate chips immediately. Stick back in oven for 5 minutes until chips are melted. Stir granola, letting melted chocolate cover all of the granola.
- Let cool for one hour before breaking apart.
- Store in pantry for up to two weeks.
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Claire says
I love this recipe but every time I try to make it something goes wrong at the step of melting the coconut sugar+cocoa powder+coconut oil+maple syrup. It melts but then it quickly start becoming a sticky ball of hard caramel that does not melt. I can never obtain a nice liquid like in your video that I can poor. Any tips?
Beverly says
I love this recipe it is my favourite granola recipe. I make it for my daughter with gluten free oats and she keeps asking for more. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Erin says
Hi Beverly, so happy you both love it so much! ๐
Kylie says
Hands down the best granola Iโve ever had! And so easy to make!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Kylie, so happy you loved it! ๐
A says
This is hands down the best granola recipe to ever be created. Itโs a staple in our home because even my picky eaters devour it! Iโve given it as Christmas gifts and everyone always comments that they canโt stop eating it and they ask for the recipe! So so good.
I do have a question, though, Erin. Iโve always baked at the temp & time shown. We just got a new oven which is convection. Just wondering if I should change the time & temp now? Thank you in advance ๐
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi, so happy you love it so much!! It should be the same time/temp. Just keep an eye on it!
Amy says
My mom, who doesnโt even eat yogurt or typically granola, asks me to make this for her regularly. She loves it so much that I made it for her today for her birthday. Iโm sorry that it has taken me a couple years to finally leave a well earned 5 star rating!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Amy, so happy she loved it so much! ๐
Leah says
I’ve made this a few times and just made a double batch last night and OH MY GOODNESS, I forgot how addicting this is!!! I keep mine in the fridge because I like when the chocolate is really cold. Highly recommend this recipe!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Leah, so happy you loved it so much! ๐
Allie says
Iโve made this granola for YEARS! It is unbelievably delicious- the perfect crisp, flavor, and ingredients. I will continue to make it for years to come!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Allie, so happy you love it so much!! ๐
Pam says
Easy, quick to make and delicious. I now use carob powder instead of cocoa powder and it makes it more crispy. Thank you
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Pam, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!
Chris says
Best recipe I have found online. First time I made it I had to use honey instead of syrup, and I actually preferred it. But amazing both ways!
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Chris, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!
Becca says
I LOVE this recipe. It’s delicious! However, my son is allergic to nuts, is it at all possible to leave them out or would it not turn out? Thanks!
Erin says
Hi Becca, yes! Feel free to omit them or sub something else in he can have!
Lori says
The only granola I make. I donโ5 like it as sweet so leave out the sugar and itโs perfect.
Erin says
Hi Lori, so happy you enjoyed it and made it your own! ๐
Darlene says
Hi Erin, I want to make this recipe, and wondered if Quaker Oats are the same as rolled oats? Can they be used in this recipe?
Thanks for all the great recipes! ๐
Erin says
Hi Darlene, yes! Rolled oats from Quaker are the same. Let me know how yours comes out!
Cat says
Amazing!! We added some chocolate protein in place of the coconut sugar, and itโs perfect when youโre craving something sweet.
★★★★★
Erin says
Hi Cat, so happy you loved it and made it your own!!