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Home By Meal Breakfast

Healthy Chocolate Granola Recipe

★★★★★ 79 Reviews Recipe Print
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By: Erin1/26/21

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

healthy chocolate granola
healthy chocolate granola

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.

chocolate granola in bowl with milk

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!

making chocolate granola

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.

chocolate granola makings

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
pouring chocolate onto oats

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.

chocolate granola in bowl with milk

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!
chocolate granola in bowl

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!

  • No Bake Nutty Granola Bars
  • Healthy Granola Bars
  • Trail Mix Granola Bars
  • Healthy Almond Butter Granola

Recipe by Erin Morrissey and Photos by The Mindful Hapa

chocolate granola in bowl with milk
★★★★★ 5 from 79 reviews

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.

Prep: 10Cook: 30Total: 40 minutes
Yield 6 cups 1x
Print Pin it Rate

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

  1. Preheat oven to 325F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
  2. In a large bowl, mix together oats, nuts, coconut flakes, and salt.
  3. 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.
  4. Turn off heat and add in vanilla.
  5. Pour saucepan mixture onto oat mixture and stir until combined.
  6. Pour onto baking sheet and press into flat sheet. Bake for 25-30 minutes total.
  7. 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.
  8. Let cool for one hour before breaking apart.
  9. Store in pantry for up to two weeks.
Author: Erin MorrisseyCategory: snack, breakfastMethod: bakeCuisine: american
chocolate granola in bowl with milk

Did you make this?

Leave a comment below and tag @erinliveswhole on social media!

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There may be affiliate links in this post! By purchasing a product I recommend, I may receive a small compensation. However, I only recommend products I absolutely love and use myself. Thank you for supporting Erin Lives Whole, it helps keep this blog afloat 🙂

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. Annelise R. says

    Posted on 6/20 at 1:16 am

    Absolutely amazing!! Seriously obsessed with this stuff and perfect amount of salty and sweet.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/21 at 11:54 am

      Hi Annelise, so happy you loved it!! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Elle says

    Posted on 4/25 at 4:42 pm

    Hi Erin – I don’t normally post comments on websites but it’s a MUST with this recipe! YUM! I just made it for the first time today and it’s SO delicious. For some reason though, it didn’t stick into clusters. I cut down on the amount of sugar (used brown sugar 2T) and maple syrup (2T) because I didn’t want it too sweet. I also didn’t add the cup of chocolate chips, I simply sprinkled about 1/8 cup on top. Do you think my changes are the reason why I’m not getting clumps? I guess next time I’ll follow instructions as is and see it clumps up next time. 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/27 at 3:52 pm

      Hi Elle, so glad you loved it!! Yes, exactly that – you really need that extra stickiness from all of those!

      Reply
  3. Sarah says

    Posted on 3/29 at 12:10 pm

    Made this granola for a girl’s brunch and it was a hit! Everyone loved it, even my husband, who kept stealing handfuls haha 😂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/29 at 1:52 pm

      Hi Sarah, so glad it was a hit!!

      Reply
  4. Kellyn says

    Posted on 3/27 at 7:01 pm

    This granola was so easy and yummy! I love the healthy alternatives to honey, sugar, oil, etc. Can’t wait to make more variations of your granola!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/28 at 5:52 pm

      Hi Kellyn, so happy you loved it and yes, I have SO many granola recipes. Hope you can try some other ones!!

      Reply
  5. Jenna says

    Posted on 3/9 at 5:36 pm

    Love this recipe! I’ve made it about 5 times now! It’s so good! Thank you!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/10 at 3:42 pm

      Hi Jenna, so glad you love it so much! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Adilyaa says

    Posted on 3/9 at 7:58 am

    How long will it last? N how many people does it serve??

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 3/9 at 3:34 pm

      Hi Adilyaa, you can store it in the pantry at room temperature for up to two weeks in an airtight container and the recipe makes 6 cups!

      Reply
  7. Cherylee says

    Posted on 2/13 at 3:04 pm

    I wasn’t sure about this granola recipe as it looked very dry as I mixed the wet & dry together. Deliciously light and crispy this is a definite staple in my rotation of breakfasts and snacks! I may eat it all before it cools!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 2/14 at 3:40 pm

      Hi Cherylee, so happy you loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Annie, Desserts For The Better says

    Posted on 1/11 at 7:44 pm

    Erin, thank you so much for this recipe! My entire family enjoyed it so much. I used honey instead of pure maple syrup and only 1/2 cup chocolate chips. It was so delicious! =)

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 1/12 at 10:56 pm

      Hi Annie, so glad everyone loved it and you made it your own!!

      Reply
  9. Hannah says

    Posted on 12/10 at 2:12 pm

    Doesn’t end up quite as crunchy as some of your other granola recipes, but SO DELICIOUS! Added a little bit of PB powder into the recipe too.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/12 at 10:08 am

      Hi Hannah, so happy you liked it and made it your own!!

      Reply
  10. Maggie says

    Posted on 12/6 at 8:48 pm

    Perfect chocolatey granola, one of my favorite got to granola recipes. I added some wheat germ for an extra crunch and hit of nutrition.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 12/7 at 3:38 pm

      Hi Maggie, so happy you enjoyed it and great addition! 🙂

      Reply
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I’m Erin. Creator of Erin Lives Whole, a food blog with delicious and easy healthy recipes that will leave you feeling good. We’ve got everything from wholesome baked goods to comforting savory dishes. I can’t wait to see what you whip up! Read More...

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