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Home » Breakfast » Sweet Breakfast Recipes » Chocolate Granola

Chocolate Granola

Last updated on March 3, 2025 By Crazy Vegan 21 Comments

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My healthy chocolate granola recipe combines hearty oats with sea salt, cacao powder, and hazelnut butter to make flavorful and CRUNCHY granola every time! It’s so easy to make.

chocolate granola.

If you’re craving more granola recipes, try my grain free granola, granola cups, or vanilla granola next!

Ask anyone what my go-to breakfast is, and they’ll tell you I’m obsessed with granola (hello, chai spiced granola!). But store-bought vegan granola is packed with sugar, and they never have enough chocolate for my liking. Since I started making it at home, I haven’t looked back!

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    Table of Contents
    • Why you’ll love this recipe 
    • Key ingredients 
    • How to make chocolate granola 
    • Tips to make the best recipe 
    • Variations 
    • Storage instructions 
    • Frequently asked questions
    • More sweet breakfast recipes to try

    Why you’ll love this recipe 

    • Easy to customize. Most of the ingredients can be customized depending on what you have on hand. 
    • Perfect texture. It can be hard to get homemade granola as crispy as store-bought brands. I tested this recipe a dozen times to ensure every bite was extra crunchy.
    • Healthy. Just a little brown sugar and maple syrup add the perfect sweetness, while the cacao powder adds antioxidants, and the oats provide plenty of fiber. 
    • Versatile. I prefer my granola over vegan yogurt, though you could easily add it to banana ice cream for a late-night treat.

    Key ingredients 

    • Rolled oats. AKA old fashioned oats. I wouldn’t recommend using instant oats as they don’t get crispy and are more prone to burning. 
    • Sea salt. Optional, for a salty and sweet combination. 
    • Cacao powder. You can also use unsweetened cocoa powder. 
    • Hazelnuts. Both raw and roasted nuts will work. 
    • Canola oil. Or any neutral flavored oil, like coconut oil or avocado oil. 
    • Maple syrup. Adds sweetness and binds the granola together. I also had luck with agave nectar.
    • Brown sugar. I prefer the moisture and caramelized flavor of brown sugar, though white sugar also works. 
    • Hazelnut butter. Hazelnut butter and chocolate are a magnificent combination, but you can use any nut or seed butter of your choosing. 
    • Water. To make the batter.
    • Hazelnut extract. For nutty and sweet flavor. 
    • Dark chocolate. Chopped.

    How to make chocolate granola 

    Step 1- Prep. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and preheat the oven to 320F/160C.

    Step 2- Mix dry ingredients. Combine the oats, salt, cocoa powder, and nuts in a large bowl. 

    Step 3- Melt wet ingredients. Add the syrup, brown sugar, salt, nut butter, oil, and water to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat.

    Step 4- Combine. Pour the syrup mixture over the oats, add the extract, and stir to combine. 

    Step 5- Bake. Spread the granola onto the baking sheet and bake for one hour, stopping midway to stir. 

    Step 6- Cool and serve. Let the granola cool completely, then use as desired or store for later.

    dark chocolate granola.

    Tips to make the best recipe 

    • Choose good-quality chocolate. I prefer to use dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa solids for a rich, intense flavor. 
    • Pre-toast the oats. Toasting the oats in the oven before adding them to the recipe will give the granola a crunchy texture.
    • Keep an eye on it. This granola is naturally dark in color, which means it can burn quickly. If you notice the edges starting to brown, stir the granola, then remove it from the oven.

    Variations 

    • Try different add-ins. Add sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, or dried fruit to the granola mixture before baking to boost the flavor.
    • Substitute the hazelnuts. If chocolate and hazelnut aren’t your thing, try peanuts or pecans instead. 
    • Use flavored chocolate chips. Instead of regular dark chocolate, I’ll sometimes use flavored chocolate chips, like peanut butter chocolate or white chocolate.
    • Swap extracts. Try vanilla extract or almond extract to transform the flavor.

    Storage instructions 

    To store: Leftovers can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one month.

    To freeze: Place granola in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

    granola chocolate.

    Frequently asked questions

    Why is my homemade granola not crunchy?

    Your granola may not be crunchy if it is underbaked or if there is too much liquid in the mixture. Spread the mixture evenly on the baking sheet and let it cool completely before storing it in an airtight container to maintain crunch.  

    Is dark chocolate granola good for weight loss? 

    Dark chocolate granola can be part of a balanced weight-loss diet, as it is a source of complex carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats. These nutrients keep you full for longer as they are digested slowly. 

    Can I make this without sugar?

    Yes, to make this granola sugar-free, use natural sweeteners like honey, coconut sugar, or sugar substitutes (I like allulose). You can also add unsweetened cocoa powder to give it a chocolate flavor and sweet taste without adding sugar.

    More sweet breakfast recipes to try

    • Chocolate chia pudding
    • Vegan banana bread
    • Acai bowl
    chocolate granola recipe.

    Chocolate Granola

    Crazy Vegan Kitchen
    Learn to make this chocolate granola in a few easy steps. It's filling, crunchy, chocolaty, and packed with nutrients, perfect to energize you at the start of your day!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Total Time 11 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16 servings
    Calories 263 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 cups Rolled Oats
    • 1/2 teaspoon Sea Salt
    • 1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
    • 1 cup Hazelnuts Chopped
    • 1/3 cup Canola Oil
    • 1/2 cup Maple Syrup
    • 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar packed
    • 2 tablespoons Hazelnut Butter
    • 1/3 cup Water
    • 1/2 teaspoon Hazelnut Extract
    • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chopped

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 160 celsius and have a cookie sheet on hand.
    • Mix Rolled Oats, Salt, Cocoa Powder and Hazelnuts in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
    • In a small saucepan, combine Maple Syrup, Brown Sugar, Sea Salt, Praline Paste, Oil and Water. Whisk, bring to a boil, take off the heat and pour into Oat mixture.
    • Add Hazelnut extract and stir well till all of your oats and nuts are coated with the mixture and spread out on baking tray in a single layer.
    • Bake for 30 minutes, and then stir mixture. Bake for another 30 minutes.
    • Once baked, removed from oven and let cool thoroughly. Once cooled, stir in chopped Chocolate.

    Notes

    TO STORE: Leftovers can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container for up to one month.
    TO FREEZE: Place granola in a ziplock bag and store it in the freezer for up to 6 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1servingCalories: 263kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 5gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 0.2mgSodium: 79mgPotassium: 219mgFiber: 4gSugar: 17gVitamin A: 4IUVitamin C: 0.5mgCalcium: 44mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword chocolate granola
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      Comments

      1. Erin says

        at

        This looks amazing and so easy to make. I definitely get on a granola kick every once in a while... I am thinking I need to get my granola groove back on this weekend!
        Reply
        • Amrita says

          at

          Try it out!
          Reply
      2. Rachel @ Simple Seasonal says

        at

        Looks so yummy! I can always get behind starting the day with chocolate. ;) I so want this sprinkled on yogurt with bananas!
        Reply
        • Amrita says

          at

          That sounds amaze balls. I may have to make another batch and test your idea out!
          Reply
      3. heather@french press says

        at

        nutella is a bit too sweet for me, but I love the chocolate hazelnut combo, and granola is always delicious
        Reply
        • Amrita says

          at

          Nutella is…Godly :P
          Reply
      4. Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says

        at

        Hot damn, this is a perfect granola!!! I've never had real nutella and now never will, but I love making my own vegan chocolate nut butter :P
        Reply
      5. Kacey @ The Cookie Writer says

        at

        Gorgeous! My mom always packed me Nutella as a child but I can honestly not remember what it tastes like (have not had it since.) However, the idea of chocolate and hazelnut has me drooling and I would have zero complaints eating this for breakfast!
        Reply
        • Amrita says

          at

          Nutella is amazing. I can't wait till someone makes a legit Vegan version!
          Reply
      6. Manila Spoon says

        at

        I have to show my husband this as he'll love this! This chocolate hazelnut granola looks absolutely scrumptious and I would probably use hazelnut butter - there, my first world problem solved! ;) Thanks for sharing this!
        Reply
        • Amrita says

          at

          Thank you!
          Reply
      Newer Comments »
      5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Amrita @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen
      I'm the crazy cat behind this blog. Curious? Find out more about me.


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