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This chocolate granola is healthy, chocolaty, and crunchy- not just your regular breakfast-next-bowl! It uses simple ingredients and makes a wholesome breakfast!
Why you’ll love this chocolate granola recipe
- No complicated ingredients. Don’t you love when you don’t need to run to the store when trying out a new recipe? You need only five simple ingredients to make this homemade chocolate granola. And there’s a good chance you already have most of the required elements.
- Crunchy and delicious. The most satisfying thing about any cereal is its crunch- especially granola. And when you make it with nuts, peanut butter, and chocolate chips, it is like having dessert for breakfast.
- Plant-based. Like protein granola, this recipe has no dairy or eggs, so it’s suitable for vegans and vegetarians.
- Versatile. Another thing that I love about this recipe is that you can enjoy it with milk or use it as a topping for your ice cream, overnight oats, porridge, or smoothie bowls.
Ingredients (and substitutions)
While oats form the base of this recipe, what makes the recipe work is the ratio of oats to peanut butter to maple syrup. Let’s see what you need:
- Oats. Granola is all about nailing the texture, and one way to achieve that is by using two different kinds of oats. I have used a combination of rolled and quick oats.
- Salt. It helps enhance the sweet flavors. Don’t omit it!
- Nuts. This is where you can get creative. Mix your favorite chopped nuts in the recipe—almonds, pistachios, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, etc.
- Chocolate peanut butter. A simple mix of peanut butter and cocoa powder. If you can’t find this in stores, standard peanut butter will work. Not a fan of peanuts? No worries! You can try using chocolate almond butter instead. Or try my healthy Nutella for a Nutella-flavored granola!
- Maple syrup. Not only does this add some sweetness to the granola, but it also helps form clusters too. You can use honey or agave nectar if you’d prefer.
- Chocolate chips. What makes this chocolate granola recipe truly stand out is that instead of using cocoa powder, we mix real chocolate into the hot granola. I like to use semi-sweet chocolate chips, but dark, milk, or even white work.
How to make chocolate granola
This recipe’s trickiest part is getting the perfect crunch. Like crunchy biscotti and peanut butter cookies, you want the crispy bits with every bite. And while the oven takes care of baking everything perfectly, follow the steps carefully to get the perfect granola every single time!
- Mix the dry ingredients. Mix oats, salt, and nuts in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix the wet ingredients. Melt peanut butter with maple syrup in a microwave until it bubbles.
- Make the granola mix. Combine the dry and wet mixes until fully incorporated, and layer on a baking tray.
- Bake the granola. Bake the granola mix at 180°C/350°F in a preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. Mix in the chocolate chips, and bake until golden brown.
- Store until later use. Remove the baked granola, allow it to cool down to room temperature, break the large chunks, and store them in an airtight container until further use.
Flavor variations
- Add seeds. Omega-3 fatty acids are so good for you! Mix ground flax seeds in your granola mix to add them to your diet. Alternatively, you could add pumpkin, sunflower, or chia seeds (we often do this in our peanut butter granola recipe).
- Make it gluten-free. Even if you’re allergic to gluten, you can still enjoy these decadent chocolate granola! Just use certified gluten-free oats instead.
- Make it coconutty. The coconut-chocolate combination is a forever classic! All you need to do is add unsweetened shredded coconut or coconut flakes to the granola mix. Add vanilla extract. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the granola mix. If you love the choco-vanilla combo, I’m sure you’ll like this variation.
- Add dried fruits. I love raisins, goji berries, or dried cranberries in this granola. It makes a delicious addition!
What to serve with chocolate granola
I love my day a little better when it begins and ends with chocolate! To enjoy it better, use the following serving recommendations.
- Yogurt. Mix this granola with your favorite neutral or vanilla yogurt for a healthy, wholesome breakfast. Finish with antioxidant-rich berries, and enjoy!
- Milk. Stir in the chocolate granola with your preferred dairy or plant-based milk for a quick breakfast, and enjoy it cold or warm. I love to top it with fresh fruits, berries, and seeds.
- Smoothie bowl. Whether it’s a coconut chia pudding, or a yummy smoothie, in my opinion, it is incomplete without a generous sprinkle of granola.
Storage instructions
To store. Granola keeps well at room temperature in a sealed container for one month.
To freeze. I suggest storing it in the freezer for more extended storage for three months.
Recommended tools to make this recipe
- Mixing bowls. These large and medium-sized mixing bowls always come in handy when making recipes like this.
- Baking tray. This baking sheet will be your best friend when making granola, cookies, or macarons!
- Spatula. Just like you would fold the cookie dough, mix the dry and mix ingredients using a spatula. It makes life so easy!
Recipe tips and tricks
- Melt the nut butter with maple syrup. This step ensures you get nice chunks of granola to bake. It brings the mixture to a perfect workable consistency.
- Use sea salt. While regular table salt works just fine, I encourage you to use flaky sea salt in the recipe. It really enhances the overall flavor of the cereal.
- Don’t skip the nut butter. Many healthy recipes online use mashed banana or applesauce instead of nut butter or coconut oil. Let me tell you a little secret! If you want crispy and crunchy granola, you need a fat component! Olive oil or butter works, but a nut/seed butter will add an extra layer of flavor.
- Let the granola cool. You may want to try the granola fresh out of the oven. But hold your horses! The natural sugars in granola will harden as it cools down, and the granola will form the quintessential chunks.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use honey to sweeten my granola?
Well, I have yet to try this recipe with honey. But because honey tends to retain moisture, I am a little wary about using it to make granola.
What can you use instead of nut butter?
If you’re allergic to nuts, you can use tahini or sunflower seed butter instead.
Can I prepare granola mix in a food processor?
You can pulse the wet and dry ingredients in a food processor to quickly mix them. Don’t blend at high speed to avoid making granola butter.
Chocolate Granola
This chocolate granola is healthy, chocolaty, and crunchy- not just your regular breakfast-next-bowl! It uses simple ingredients and makes a wholesome breakfast!
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup nuts I used salted peanuts
- 3/4 cup peanut butter can use any smooth nut or seed butter of choice
- 3/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, quick oats, salt and nuts of choice.
- In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, heat the peanut butter with the maple syrup until it just begins to bubble. Add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture and combine until fully incorporated.
- Spread out the granola mixture evenly on the lined oven tray and bake for 10-12 minutes (depending on the oven) until the edges start to go slightly golden. Remove from the oven and stir through the chocolate chips. Place back in the oven and continue to bake until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and stir through remaining chocolate and allow to cool completely. Once cooked, break up the granola and store in an airtight container.
Notes
TO STORE. Granola keeps well at room temperature in a sealed container for one month.
TO FREEZE. I suggest storing it in the freezer for more extended storage for three months.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 8gFat: 7gPotassium: 3mgFiber: 4gVitamin A: 150IUVitamin C: 2.5mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 0.5mgNET CARBS: 14g
Tried this recipe?Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld!
More ways to have chocolate for breakfast
Pancakes and Waffles
Chocolate Pancakes
Oatmeal and Overnight Oats
Protein Chia Pudding
Oatmeal and Overnight Oats
Chocolate Baked Oats
Pancakes and Waffles
Looks delicious !
What is the serving size ?
Okay why am I just now catching up on blog reading? I made granola last night (but it turned out beautifully so I just have to photograph for the blog :)) but would have LOVED the best dark chocolate granola because let’s get real, how can anything without chocolate not be good? Also, love the idea of mixing rolled & quick oats for texture!!
YES!! definitely consider mixing them to give an amazing texture- perfect to crumble in yogurt or cottage cheese!
Looks delish – too tempting though!!!!
Never too tempting 😉
Chocolate all the way! Love this!!
Thank you, Tina!
You are becoming a granola making master, and I love it. Next up on my list (once I perfect the Coconut Lime Pineapple) is a savory granola.
I don’t know if I was known for always having a food on hand, but I do remember my one friend always had Spaghetti-O’s and I would associate her with them. I loved them and wanted to eat at her house all the time as a result.
SAVOURY granola? No bloody way. Actually, that sounds delicious- OMG I have a genius idea you need to include in it- messaging you now.
What a great time to start that fuckin whole30! This will be one of the first things to make next month!
Btw I was that granola bar girl among my friends 😉 I loved the chewy ones with chocolate on it!
I’m totally toying with you, Juli- although my recipe tomorrow has a paleo option 😉
Now you’d be a tit bowl cake bake girl.
I’ve never been a huge fan of granola bars… but I LOVE granola!!! And dark chocolate granola sounds amazing! Can you just send me a batch please 🙂 is it sad that I have no idea what my favorite snack was…. I do really love the Honey Mustard and Onion pretzel pieces! NOM NOM
I will indeed send you a batch in exchange for tater tots aha! Oh man, those pretzels sound delish!
You just made my day. YUM! I love me some granola. I think granola is my favorite thing everrrr. I always had granola bars with me when I was in school.
Thank you, Audrey! Seriously, granola should be the new water!
I was always SO envious of the kids who had Dunkaroos (little animal cracker things that came with a bit of frosting to dip) or Fruit by the Foot snacks in school. My mom packed me healthy snacks. >:( Just kidding, I’m actually thankful for that now.
DUNKAROOS are in America? I thought it was an Australian thing- they were like crack, and I may or may not have gone through a box of them as a kid…throwing away the stupid kangaroos to just eat the frosting.
Haha yup, typical kid thing to do – we all did that! I haven’t seen them around in awhile, though I haven’t necessarily looked. Next time I hit the store…
…..Guess who’s doing that this weekend. 😉
Meghan brought me granola to Blend. You should probably send me this so I can do a side-by-side comparison.
YES. I will make you a strangebutgood custom blend.
Obviously I’m known for crackers and hummus…more like eating it, not making it. Considering dark chocolate is my second favorite food (we know the first), this is being made ASAP. Drool!
Do it, my crest beauty.
Granola Bars!! I am so jealous of you guys who actually can buy good granola bars. The ones here are filled with crab – a no go.
BUT my genius kangaroo made a granola recipe that calls my name – how much more do I love you because you added LINDT chocolate!! . Now you just have to send over 64378267832 jars of that Dark Chocolate Super Spread. Geeeeez, I want to lick my screen. Stop making these recipes or you will have to take over the task and cleaning my Laptop.
Um….our granola bars are terrible- wait until you come. Actually, I’m probably digging a hole now and when you come, they will be magical.
I MAY have a cheeky giveaway soon involving them!
Wooowza all you needed to say was dark chocolate and you had me, but then you said granola and now I’m wishing I wasn’t on a cleanse this week. This looks like crack!
We don’t use the word crack on this parts of the world.
….say crack again.
I think I might actually be granola bar girl…I currently have one in my purse and another in my desk. Any granola with chocolate sounds delicious to me!
You are NOT the granola girl. Don’t put the Wine God’s to shame.
No surprise here that the best granola bars were the ones with chocolate in them. I mean, everything is better with chocolate, right ;)?
This looks great! I love granola on everything. Oatmeal, yogurt bowls, the list goes on and on.
Granola is like the health food icing on ….. everything.
I am known for my balls OBVIOUSLY. How am I supposed to trust that this is the best granola. Who is giving you advice on these ridiculous SEO-friendly names? She must be a whore…
That, she is. My favourite kind.
What snack would I be known for? Do I need to answer that question? 😉 I have tried making homemade bars a couple of times, and mine just fall apart, I should just stop trying to make granola bars and stick with plain granola! Great idea!
I like that mindset- failed granola bars = perfect granola. Do it. Do it real good.
I can’t even remember the last time I had a granola bar, but I would definitely be down for one with chocolate AND peanut butter. Nom!
Australia just brought out a range of chocolate and peanut butter ones….the proportion of peanut butter to oats was like 1:100000000000000.
This granola looks UNREAL. Anything with chocolate is a big winer in my books!!! I always had healthy snacks as a kid and was so jealous of people whose parents packed them candy and cookies for snacks.
Vega snack bars are my current fav at the moment 🙂
Thanks Christina- I’ve never tried a Vega bar but must admit, their vanilla shake is pretty epic in oatmeal.
I can’t say I’m known for any specific snack other than I always have one haha. I like to try all the granola bars in the organic section at my local grocery store but I’d have to say Clif Bars are always going to be my first love. I will try anything as long as it has natural ingradients and is minimally processed, but Clif Bars were my first love and I will never whore myself out to another brand :-X
I was shocked when I got clif bars in America- I thought they were all natural but they were quite processed! But delicious…Very delicious.
I like the company philosophy though
Chocolate granola sounds amazing! I love making my own! It’s so easy and at least you know exactly what is going into it. And, I love that hint of chocolate – you can never go wrong there!
Definitely cannot go wrong there- after making my own, buying it is just criminal.
I’m with Lauren — granola NEEDS to have chocolate in it. So does trail mix. And oatmeal. And cookies. And cake. And… well… pretty much everything 😛 Ice cream too, but only if we’re talking chips or chunks — chocolate ice cream is a cruel imposter. As for what shack I was known for… in school it was Skittles. I had one of those red baggies with me almost every day, so I guess people got used to seeing me with one. Then came a day where I ate too many of them in one sitting, made myself sick, and went cold turkey for a few years.
Chocolate ice cream is an insult- INSULT. Hear this- the best gelato I ever had in Italy was Sachertorte- Which was a German Dark chocolate cake and it legit had cake pieces in it. THAT was not an insult.
Skittles? More reason for Niki to love you.
I’m pretty sure it’s been a few years since I made granola…but I did always make chocolate and peanut butter 😉 Can’t beat that flavour combo!
I feel like in elementary school, I would have been known for chocolate pudding cups (every damn day) and when I was older, chocolate-covered granola bars (usually twice a day…)
Twice a day? That’s inspirational. I remember playing swapsies for the good stuff with naive little kids.
Mmm this looks awesome! I love almond butter or soy nut butter and chocolate together!
I probably would have been known for my turkey sandwiches. I ate them pretty much every day from grade 4 til grade 12 haha.
I wish I had turkey sandwiches every day! Ironically, my mum would make almond butter and nutella sandwiches and I’d be like ewww. Her mindset? Nutella needed the AB to offset the sweetness.
Hhahah you are a stalker for sure. Also I have a granola recipe that I’ve delayed posting because I’m not obsessed with the pics but the recipe is pretty similar to yours so please don’t think I am stalking you. <<felt the need to provide a disclaimer! Although in my defense and yours, I think most granola recipes are fairly similar.
I know your a copycat blogger, Ez. I’m going to report you to the blogging police.
😉
OK, I’m a chocolate peanut butter freak – I have a PB granola recipe I add chocolate chards to but loving the idea of using a dark chocolate nut spread in a granola – yum!!
Thank you, Deanna! I think it exemplifies the chocolate flavour!
Chocolate granola ftw! Bear Naked makes a chocolate granola that I was OBSESSED with. Sadly for me, like yours it had honey so it had to go after my fructmal diagnosis. Happily for me, thanks to you I now have a recipe so I can make my own and sub a tummy-friendly sweetener. Winning!
Try it out with brown rice syrup but cut the proportions by 2-3 T- as long as the stickiness is there, it shouldn’t detract from the chocolate flavour 🙂
I think anything with chocolate beats fruit or yogurt flavor! HA.
My parents packed me a lunch…I was always that pudding cup kid.
Hahaha pudding cup kid. I’m LOLZ-ing right now.
Haha I’m definitely that girl who always has a granola bar lurking in her handbag…you never know when they’ll come in handy! Any recipe involving nut butter and dark chocolate has potential to be the best, so I am taking your word buddy! Lately I’ve been loving those store-packaged bags of popcorn…the sweet & salty flavor is especially addictive!
My friend is currently in Japan and went to Universal in Tokyo and get this- they had a popcorn factory store with flavours like curry, soda and burnt caramel!
I’m known for having fancy snacks with me at work. Like kale salads and protein chia pudding. I’m eating a carrot muffin right now.
How healthy of you. Kale salads? You’re kale-ing me softly with your voice.
I just made granola for the first time last week. I can’t believe I’ve never done it before. It’s so easy and simple! I would have never thought about putting Mayver’s in it, so I may have to try that out next time!
It is really simple, isn’t it! the only possible error is burning it- so many failed batches!
I DO have a granola bar friend! It’s Kristi— she loves the chewy s’mores bars. It’s her business calc go-to snack. Just like nuts are my go-to snack!
LOL- Alison!!!! I am not kidding you, but my business calc snack in America was those Chewy bars too- (I think-) Did they come in a box with chocolate chip and a peanut butter style one? By Quackers? YES? YES?
YES! Man, we really are alter egos. Either that, or you’re just all my friends in one person.
Shut up and let’s make s’mores.
Yum!! I am definitely jealous of your granola friend. Wish I had this granola on top of my oatmeal today for breakfast!
Make a batch, it is delicious- even better on oatmeal.
I don’t think I have a granola friend. 🙁 I think my favorite snack is hummus. I love the stuff! This would b really good in yogurt though!
Oh Tonya I read that as hummus would be good in yogurt and thought…that Sh!t crayyyy.
I was always the granola bar friend! I didn’t have much experience with other kids in “real school” (home-schooler since forever) but at all dance recitals you could count on me to bring along some kind of granola or meal bar.
My favorite store bought snack bar is Luna (carrot cake is my #1; lemon zest takes a close second).
NOOO Not lemon zest- The white chocolate and macadamia is del-i-cious.
A great way to eat granola and get your chocolate too!
I LOVE your mindset, Cindy!
hahaha, you sure you’re not stalking her all through life? 😛 Thanks for sharing the recipe! I am somewhat of a granola fiend, but had to vow not to make my own until I finish the frightening stores I have first (waste not, har har).
I was known as the apple girl! I was a science camp counselor for a while, so we taught the kids to eat the cores to lessen the waste and join the hardcore club (heh heh heh). I had friends who later admitted to watching me eating apples, looking away for a moment and wondering how it was that when they turned back, there’d be no evidence of it left.
I like this Spill It, Sundays thing! 😀 May join up on it this weekend!
Hahahahaha hardcore club. Thanks for the good laugh.
Hope to see you join in 🙂
Dark chocolate granola – that looks delicious yet dangerously moorish! I cannot wait to have a stock of that mayver’s nut butter!!
Mayver’s is dangerously delicious- expect a cheeky giveaway soon 😉
YES! Chocolate is a necessary part of granola 😉 haha. This recipe looks so yummy!!
Thank you, Liz! And happy Wedding! 😉
I haven’t made this yet, but would like to know if granola bars could be made from this recipe or if I would have to modify it in some way?
Thanks for posting delicious healthy recipes.
I love that this actually uses chocolate, and not just cocoa. Looks amazing!
Thank you, Regan! Definitely real chocolate here 😉