Learn to make this chocolate granola in 4 easy steps. It filling, crunchy, chocolaty, and packed with nutrients perfect to energize you at the start of your day.
Homemade granola is one of our favorite things to make.
We have a few on hand to keep things exciting, including grain-free granola, vanilla granola, and this addictive chocolate version!
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Why this recipe works
- Minimal ingredients. The recipe requires minimal ingredients to prepare that are readily available.
- No prep is needed. Besides making the granola base, the oven does all the hard work.
- Chocolatey fix. It’s a fabulous excuse to have chocolate for breakfast!
- Versatile. You can have it as a stand alone snack or as cereal with milk. It even makes a great topping for flavored yogurt and ice cream.
What I love most about this recipe is its easy customization! If I’m making this more for dessert, I sometimes like to toss through some candy bits or chocolate chips. It makes a fabulous midnight snack.
Ingredients needed
This recipe uses very simple and affordable ingredients you’ll likely have. Here is what you’ll need:
- Rolled oats. You can use old fashioned oats, quick oats, or instant oats.
- Sea salt. Optional.
- Cacao powder. You can also use unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Hazelnuts. Both raw and roasted nuts will work.
- Canola oil. Or sunflower oil.
- Maple syrup. Adds sweetness but helps bind the granola together.
- Brown sugar. Or use white sugar.
- Hazelnut butter. Hazelnut butter and chocolate are a magnificent combination, but any other nut or seed butter works.
- Water. To make the batter.
- Hazelnut extract. For nutty and sweet flavor.
- Dark chocolate. Chopped.
How to make chocolate granola
Besides prepping the ingredients, there isn’t much else that goes into making this granola. Ready to whip some up?
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Preheat the oven to 160C and have a cookie sheet or baking sheet ready.
Step 2: Prepare batter for chocolate granola
Take a bowl and mix rolled oats, sea salt, hazelnuts, and cocao powder in it and set aside. In a small saucepan, mix sea salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, oil, water, and praline paste. Mix and bring it to a boil. Then, combine it with the oat mixture. Now add hazelnut extract, mix well to coat the nuts and oats, and then transfer it to a baking tray in a single layer.
Step 3: Bake
First, bake for 30 minutes in preheated oven. Remove from oven, stir and bake for another 30 minutes.
Step 4: Cool and serve
Remove from the oven and allow it to cool thoroughly. Once cooled, mix chopped chocolate in it and serve!
Tips to make the best recipe
- Make sure to use high-quality dark chocolate containing at least 70% cocoa solids for a rich, intense flavor.
- Toasting the oats in the oven before adding them to the recipe will give the granola a crunchy texture.
- Chocolate granola can burn quickly, so keep a close eye on it while it’s baking. If you notice the edges are starting to brown, give the granola a stir, then remove it from the oven.
Flavor variations
Like any good granola recipe, adapting it with different flavors and mix-ins is super simple. Here are some ideas:
- Try different add-ins. Add nuts, seeds, or dried fruit to the granola mixture before baking to boost the flavor.
- Use flavored chocolate chips. Instead of regular dark chocolate, you can also try using flavored chocolate chips, such as mint chocolate or peanut butter chocolate.
- Add different extracts. You can try adding extracts, such as vanilla, almond, or coconut, to the granola mixture to give it a different 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.
More breakfast recipes to try
Frequently asked questions
When eaten in moderation, chocolate granola can be a healthy alternative to junk food.
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.
Yes, you can make this without sugar by using sugar alternatives such as honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar. You can also add unsweetened cocoa powder to give it a chocolate flavor and sweet taste without adding sugar.
Chocolate Granola
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.
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