I LOVE things with chocolate. Chocolate Covered Brownie Energy Bites, Peanut Butter Protein Bars, Oat Cups with Almond Butter Chocolate...you get it right?? I like to make homemade chocolate with many of my recipes. I love the fudgy taste of it. And with the addition of semi-sweet chocolate chips...it's just dark chocolate deliciousness.
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Store bought Granola vs Homemade Granola
You might be wondering, why can't I just buy granola? Making granola seems pretty fancy but after I tried making it for the first time, I don't think I'll be buying granola again. Plus, why is packaged granola always so expensive?! Homemade granola has less sugar (because you control how much goes in there) and you can flavor it with so many different spices, nuts, dried fruits, and seeds. You control what goes in yours when you make it at home and adjust it to your taste! This recipe can be used as a granola recipe for yogurt, alone as a crunchy snack, or with your choice of milk!
📋 Ingredients and Substitutions
- Oats. If you have gluten intolerance, you want to make sure your oats specify they are gluten free. I used rolled oats in my granola recipes.
- Coconut Oil. The oil binds the granola together and gives it the perfect crunch. I used coconut oil but you can use any neutral oil. Olive oil works well too but will add a touch of flavor and alter the taste of the granola.
- Sweetness. I love using maple syrup as a natural sweetener. You are welcome to use your choice of sweetener. If you opt for making it sugar free, you can add raisins or chopped dates after baking for a touch of natural sweetness.
- Rich Flavor. I used cocoa powder to make the rich chocolate taste. Vanilla in my dessert recipes as it really enhances the flavors and ties the sweetness together. I prefer to use pure vanilla powder, like this one, however you can use vanilla paste or vanilla extract as well.
- Coconut. I used finely shredded coconut. I recommend using unsweetened coconut.
- Sea Salt. Salt in sweets, especially baking, is meant for many reasons...one of them being a flavor enhancer. I used coarse sea salt for that sweet and salty flavor. Using table salt will work just fine as well but I'd start with using ¼ teaspoon first and taste test it.
- Optional mix-ins:
- Dried Fruits: cranberries, raisins, apricots, cherries (add after baked).
- Chocolate chips (add after the granola has cooled).
- Seeds: chia seeds, sunflower seeds, flax seeds/ground flax meal, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds.
📖 How to make chocolate granola at home
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, shredded coconut, and sea salt.
- Then add cocoa powder, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 10-15 seconds until melted and liquid consistency.
- Pour the chocolate over the dry ingredients and mix until well-coated.
- Press the mixture onto the prepared baking tray.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes. The granola will get crispier as it cools.
- I like to add in my chocolate chips after about 10 minutes of cooling. You can add them after the granola is completely cooled as well.
- Let the granola cool completely. If you want to keep larger clusters, do not mix the granola until completely cooled.
- Once cooled, break into pieces. Enjoy as a cereal (I like to use almond milk or soy milk), snack, with fruits, or with yogurt!
🍴 Storage
Cool COMPLETELY before storing. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for 2-3 months. You can also freeze the granola for up to 6 months to maintain the crunch for a longer period.
I eat this immediately as a snack with greek yogurt then again with some milk as a cereal. This would also go really well as a topping for my blueberry chia seed pudding or topped over some fresh fruits.
Healthy Dessert Recipes to Try
- 5 Ingredient Almond Butter Brownies
- Vegan Blueberry Almond Crumble Bars
- Vegan Mini Baklava Cups
- Chocolate Covered Brownie Energy Bites
If you loved this Dark Chocolate Granola recipe, let me know in the comments below! I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest! Subscribe for my weekly emails so you never miss a new recipe!
📖 Recipe
Dark Chocolate Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups oats
- ½ cup shredded coconut, unsweetened
- ½ teaspoon course sea salt*
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon vanilla powder; or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips; optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F.
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, shredded coconut, and sea salt.
- In another microwave safe bowl, add cocoa powder, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla. Microwave for 10-15 seconds until melted and liquid consistency.
- Pour the chocolate over the dry ingredients and mix until well-coated.
- Press the mixture onto the prepared baking tray.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes. After removing from the oven, let the granola cool completely. The granola will get crispier as it cools.
- If using, add in chocolate chips about 10 minutes after removing from the oven. You can add them after the granola is completely cooled as well for non melted chocolate chips.
- If you want to keep larger clusters, do not mix the granola until completely cooled.
- Once cooled, break into pieces. Enjoy as a cereal, snack, with fruits, or with yogurt!
Notes
- This recipe is meant to have a sweet and salty taste. If you prefer a less salty, more sweet, you can start with ¼ teaspoon salt.
- I don't like my granola extra sweet so if you prefer yours to be sweeter, add in a little more maple syrup. Optional mix-ins such as dried fruits or chocolate chips will also increase the sweet flavors.
Nutrition Info
Making my second batch right now because the first one was so good. I didn't know making granola at home is so easy, better than store-bought granola! Thanks for the great recipe!
I'm so happy to hear that!! It really is so easy!
I'm a fan of dark chocolate so this was so delicious! I add it to yogurt in the mornings, so good!
I love dark chocolate too!
Chocolate for breakfast?? Count me in! Yum. 🙂
Right???? I'm always in for chocolate any time of the day!
This granola was super easy to make and turned out perfectly! I topped my yogurt bowl with it this morning for breakfast and it was delicious!
I was getting so bored of my regular go-to granola and went searching online for something a little more exciting! This is heaven and mixed in with my morning yogurt, I'm a happy camper! Would recommend!
Hi,
I am trying to follow your recipe and I love the taste a lot.
However, quick question, Granola appears to be not really Crispy.
It was soft after a few hours. You have any ideas to share on how to be them more Crispy.
Thank you