Dark Chocolate Granola
on Aug 30, 2015, Updated Feb 24, 2025
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This dark chocolate granola recipe is so delicious and packed with chocolate flavour it makes an amazing breakfast treat or sweet snack any time of day.
About the Recipe
Here are a few reasons to love delicious, homemade chocolate granola:
- Vegan and gluten-free.
- Can be made nut-free.
- Packed with chocolate goodness.
- Enjoy with your favourite plant-based milk and sliced banana or sprinkle over smoothies, ice cream or yogurt.
- Easy homemade alternative to store-bought cereal like Kashi Chocolate Crunch.
For more homemade granola, you might enjoy this Pumpkin Spice Latte Granola, Easy Peanut Butter Granola or Sugar-free Cinnamon Raisin Granola.
Ingredient Notes
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe and any possible substitutions.
You’ll find the complete ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Maple Syrup: You can substitute agave or honey.
- Almond Butter: Any other nut or seed butter can be used.
- Coconut Oil: Coconut oil works well for texture but you can substitute olive oil or avocado oil.
- Cocoa Powder: Use a dark cocoa powder or cacao.
- Oats: Use large flake oats or old fashioned oats (rolled oats).
- Almonds: Substitute any other nut such as chopped walnuts or pecans. You can omit this for a nut-free recipe or use sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds. Coconut also works.
- Chia Seeds: This helps the granola clump up. You can also use ground flax.
- Chocolate: Use dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate.
Variations
Here are a few yummy ways to customize chocolate granola:
- For chocolate coconut granola, add up to 1 cup shredded (desiccated) coconut when you mix the oats and almonds.
- For mocha granola, add 1-2 tbsp instant coffee or espresso powder when you mix the oats and almonds.
- For chocolate peanut butter granola, swap the almond butter for peanut butter.
- Add up to 1 tsp sea salt for delicious sea salt chocolate granola!
How to Make Dark Chocolate Granola
Before You Start: Preheat the oven to 325 F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. If you don’t have a large baking sheet, you may need two as you want to make sure you have room to bake the granola in a single layer.
The first step is to combine the liquid ingredients with the cocoa powder:
- Heat the maple syrup, almond butter and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir often until it’s melted and smooth.
- Stir the vanilla and cocoa powder into the almond butter mixture and mix until it’s completely combined.
Next you’ll mix the dry ingredients then add the liquid chocolate mixture, combine and then bake the granola:
- Mix the oats, almonds and salt together in a large mixing bowl, then pour the chocolate mixture over the oats and mix well.
- Stir in the chia seeds.
- Spread the granola in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for at least 20 minutes.
Finally, sprinkle with the dark chocolate chips then allow to cool completely on the pan. It’s ready to enjoy!
FAQs
Yes. To freeze, let cool completely then transfer to a freezer-safe container and store in the freezer up to 3 months. It can be enjoyed straight from the freezer.
Yes. Let cool completely then store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.
Yes. Use sunflower seed butter, Wowbutter or tahini instead of almond butter and omit or replace the almonds with sunflower seeds, coconut flakes or raisins.
Dark Chocolate Granola
Ingredients
- ½ cup pure maple syrup, 120 ml
- ½ cup almond butter, 120 g
- 5 Tablespoons coconut oil, 68 g
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, 300 g
- ½ cup sliced almonds, 70 g
- 2 Tablespoons chia seeds, 24 g
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate, 85 g
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325° F and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Heat the maple syrup, almond butter, and coconut oil in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir frequently until melted and smooth.½ cup pure maple syrup, ½ cup almond butter, 5 Tablespoons coconut oil
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract and cocoa powder.1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- Add the oats, almonds, and salt to a large mixing bowl and stir to combine. Pour the almond butter mixture over the oats. Stir well to combine.3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, ½ cup sliced almonds, 2 Tablespoons chia seeds, ½ teaspoon sea salt
- Stir in the chia seeds and spread the granola into an even layer on prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes, or until no longer sticky.
- Remove the granola from the oven and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and allow to cool completely before breaking into chunks.½ cup dark chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
I do not use any oil at all as I am SOS free……can I simply omit the oil or if not, is there anything you would recommend to take its place? This sounds very yummy and filling so I’m hoping there is an alternative 🙂
Hmm, I think you could try omitting it and just adding a little water instead but I don’t think it will get as crunchy or clump together as well. It will still taste good though!
OMG its looks like High Rich Protein meal i would like to add its in my meal just after workout.
This looks dreamy!! I’ll definitely be making it. I need to switch up my breakfast game!