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Home By Meal Breakfast

Healthy Chocolate Granola Recipe

★★★★★ 88 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 88 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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chocolate chip cookies
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  1. Mark Forde says

    Posted on 11/24 at 8:47 am

    Hi. I’m new to your site. Thank you for the free desert ebook. Do you know the shelf life and if it can be frozen. I’m making today as part of a chocolate cherry or raspberry parfait. Looks perfect after a coq au vin

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/24 at 12:48 pm

      Hi Mark, welcome to my community!! You’re welcome for the eBook and you can store it in your pantry for up to 2 weeks. I recommend storing it in an airtight container. You can try freezing it too- I haven’t so let me know how it works for you!!

      Reply
  2. Nori says

    Posted on 11/16 at 12:36 am

    Easy and so yummy. I halve the recipe. I find baking it a few minutes less works for me. Favorite vegan granola recipe by far! Thank you for sharing such a fun recipe!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/16 at 8:55 am

      Hi Nori, so happy you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  3. Danielle says

    Posted on 10/31 at 8:56 pm

    So delicious! I made this granola two days ago and already can’t wait to make it again. Can’t stop eating it! It’s the perfect treat for when I’m craving something sweet. Thank you Erin!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 11/1 at 4:14 pm

      Hi Danielle, so glad you loved it!!

      Reply
  4. Elita says

    Posted on 10/11 at 8:19 pm

    One of my favorite recipes! I have been making this recipe at least two times a month for the past year and usually add it to dairy free ice cream for desert. Whenever I make it for other people they love it just as much!! Soooo delicious. I omit the nuts!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 10/12 at 12:20 pm

      Hi Elita, so glad you love the granola so much and great idea!! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Suzana says

    Posted on 9/28 at 6:51 am

    Best granola me and my family ever tasted!!! We eat it for breakfast, in the pass, between meals… it’s perfect as s hole meal or just a snack.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/28 at 4:15 pm

      Hi Suzana, so happy you all loved it so much!!

      Reply
  6. Maddy says

    Posted on 9/25 at 7:43 pm

    Soooo good! I want to eat it all. Glad I finally made this 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 9/28 at 4:05 pm

      Hi Maddy, so happy you loved the granola!!

      Reply
  7. Kara says

    Posted on 8/26 at 11:53 am

    This is a staple in our house! I don’t like coconut so I do some of recommended subs- vegetable oil and brown sugar. No coconut flakes. My son loves helping to crush the nuts and I’ve used almonds and peanuts and it’s always been great!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/27 at 11:54 am

      Hi Kara, so glad you love the granola and made it your own!! Even better that he helps!!

      Reply
  8. Ashley J says

    Posted on 8/24 at 2:55 pm

    There honestly is no better granola. Homemade or from a store. And the thing I love about all ELW granola recipes is you can play around with them! Like add or switch out some fun mix ins. You will NoT want to eat any other crunchy snack after you’ve tried this ❤️

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/25 at 8:18 am

      Hi Ashley, so glad you loved it! Thank you for your support!! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Irene says

    Posted on 8/5 at 6:37 pm

    Thank you for the recipe! I added ground chia and flax.

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 8/9 at 4:02 pm

      Hi Irene, so happy you loved it and great additions!

      Reply
  10. Kara says

    Posted on 7/26 at 7:00 am

    Just made this the other day and have been enjoying it on plain Greek yogurt with peanut butter and banana! So easy to make, however I probably should have baked it longer to get it to stick together more?! Regardless it’s great!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 7/27 at 2:42 pm

      Hi Kara, so happy you’re loving it!

      Reply
  11. Alexandra Selimshayev says

    Posted on 6/22 at 12:51 pm

    Hands down THE BEST GRANOLA RECIPE eveeer! I keep making it over and over again. My husband just snacks on it, my oldest loves it with milk and our toddler just keeps asking for it for her breakfast (she does not eat any other type, I have tried).
    Thank you, Erin! Love your recipes.

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/22 at 2:17 pm

      Hi Alexandra, so happy you and your family loved it!! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Nicole Santos says

    Posted on 6/13 at 8:56 pm

    Easy & delicious! Perfect snack to keep around for me since I’m nursing & to top on Greek yogurt for a healthy snack!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/14 at 3:20 pm

      Hi Nicole, so glad you enjoyed it!!

      Reply
  13. Kiersten says

    Posted on 6/13 at 8:01 pm

    this is THE BEST granola i have ever had in my life, taste just like brownie brittle and is a crowd pleaser for sure!! So simple and easy to make as well thanks erin!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/14 at 3:02 pm

      Hi Kiersten, so so glad you loved it so much!!

      Reply
  14. Savannah says

    Posted on 6/13 at 3:35 pm

    so delicious!! I love eating it plain or in my berry smoothies

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/13 at 8:19 pm

      Hi Savannah, so glad you loved it!!

      Reply
  15. Tammy says

    Posted on 6/13 at 3:01 pm

    Hands down my favorite granola recipe! I eat this with a spoon or mixed with greek yogurt. (Sea salt on top is a must for me.) Absolutely epic and so hard not to eat a whole batch in 3 days. 🤤

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/13 at 8:13 pm

      Hi Tammy, so glad you loved it!

      Reply
  16. Hannah says

    Posted on 6/13 at 1:41 pm

    This is one of my favorite granola recipes!! I use brown sugar instead of coconut sugar and it turns out great 🙂

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/13 at 8:01 pm

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

      Reply
  17. Emily says

    Posted on 6/2 at 8:21 am

    I’ve made this granola recipe twice and both times turned out amazing. I followed recipe to the T. So good!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 6/2 at 1:23 pm

      Hi Emily, so happy you loved it so much! 🙂

      Reply
  18. Sarah Hayes says

    Posted on 5/21 at 6:30 pm

    Can you omit or substitute the coconut sugar with something else?

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 5/21 at 7:31 pm

      Hi Sarah, yes you can feel free to sub it with another sugar. Let me know which one you use and how the granola comes out!!

      Reply
  19. Jordan says

    Posted on 4/18 at 6:34 pm

    Love this granola! Great on it’s own, over yogurt, or milk poured over it. The clusters in this make it 100%

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/19 at 5:05 pm

      Hi Jordan, so glad you loved the granola!

      Reply
  20. Melissa says

    Posted on 4/12 at 10:14 pm

    Made this tonight and I can’t. stop. eating. this. So amazing!! And the salt on top is a game changer, don’t skip that part. YUM!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • Erin says

      Posted on 4/13 at 12:37 pm

      Hi Melissa, so happy you enjoyed it!

      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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