Chocolate Almond Granola

This oil free chocolate almond granola is delicious on top of yogurt or eaten by the handful. Try a scoop of this deliciously crunchy granola when you need a tasty snack!

Granola is one of my favorite snacks and I love being able to customize it depending on what I’m craving. I was thinking about making this chia almond granola but I decided I needed something chocolatey. This delicious dark chocolate almond granola has plenty of chocolate to satisfy your sweet tooth but it’s still made with healthy ingredients like whole grain oats and chia seeds! This is a great recipe for breakfast or enjoy it as a delicious snack! Even though it’s made without oil, you can still get perfectly crunchy granola clusters.

Chocolate Almond Granola Ingredients

• Maple Syrup or Honey- I like honey best, but if you wanted to keep this granola vegan, use maple syrup instead.
• Peanut Butter– Peanut butter helps make the granola clumpy. You can substitute almond butter, if you like.
• Oats– Rolled oats are best for this recipe. Do not use instant oats. If you’re gluten free, be sure you’re using certified gluten free oats.
• Chia Seeds– Chia seeds help create clumps of granola. They also add healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
• Sliced Almonds– I like to use sliced almonds which get deliciously crunchy. If you’re using whole almonds, be sure to chop them before adding to the granola.
• Salt– A little salt enhances the sweetness.
• Chocolate Chips– These are a must for chocolate granola! Be sure to use dairy free chips if you wanted to keep this recipe vegan. I used vegan dark chocolate chips.

This recipe is made without any oil or butter! The peanut butter adds a little healthy fat to help create delicious clusters, but you don’t need any additional oil!

Tips for Baking Perfect Granola

• Melting the peanut butter and sweetener in the microwave makes it easier to combine with the rest of the ingredients.
• Keep a close eye on the oven temperature. This granola cooks at a low temperature, so it gets crispy without getting burnt. I use an oven thermometer to be sure my oven stays at the right temperature.
• Stir the granola halfway through cooking, to ensure it cooks evenly.
• If you’re using salted peanut butter, add salt to taste, as you may not need as much salt.
• Don’t add the chocolate until you remove the granola from the oven. It will melt slightly on the warm granola, without getting burned.

Is Granola Healthy?

You may be wondering, “Is granola healthy?” The short answer is, it can be. But oftentimes, store-bought granola is loaded with oil and sugar. This granola is made without any oil or butter. Instead, it uses peanut butter for a healthy fat that helps create clusters of granola. While this granola is certainly sweet (it is chocolate granola, after all), it’s sweetened with honey or maple syrup, and it uses just enough to give this granola a sweet taste without adding too much sugar. I like pairing granola with plain Greek yogurt, which has a lot of protein and helps balance out the sugar from the granola.

How to Store Granola

Store granola in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep in mind that this granola contains chocolate chunks so if you take it on the go, beware of it melting in hot temperatures! I do not recommend storing this granola in the fridge.

Granola Variations

If you want to mix up this recipe, here are a few additional ingredients you could add:

• Dried fruit– Dried fruit like cherries or raisins would be delicious! Just wait until the granola comes out of the oven to add the fruit pieces.
• Coconut– You could add unsweetened coconut slices to this granola. Just be sure to coat it with the honey and peanut butter, so it doesn’t burn in the oven!
• Hemp seeds– Stir in hemp seeds for a little more protein!
• Cocoa powder- To make this granola extra chocolatey, stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the honey and peanut butter mixture. It’ll make the granola extra rich!

Ways to Use Granola

• Add it on top of these frozen yogurt bites!
• Try it on a tasty yogurt bowl recipe or on top of your favorite ice cream.
• Sprinkle it onto chocolate granola bark!
• Use it as a topping for this chocolate almond smoothie bowl.

Looking for more homemade granola ideas? For a unique twist on a classic snack, try my savory granola! Or switch things up with my grain free granola.

Print

More Granola Recipes

• Chia Almond Granola
• Cinnamon Applesauce Granola
• Oli Free Granola

What’s your favorite kind of granola?