The Best Chocolate Granola (Vegan)
If you’re looking for healthy granola that isn’t jam-packed with sugar, you’ve come to the right recipe!
The Problem with Store-Bought Granola
I LOVE granola! Crunchy, sweet, and satisfying. The convenience of buying store-bought granola is always so tempting for me. I’m sure you’ve seen the packaging before. The box/bag displays beautiful clusters of oaty, nutty, goodness with pure white milk being poured on top. YUM!
Here is a play by play of what happens to me at the grocery store. I pick up that spectacular looking granola bag and flip it over to see the ingredients list. Usually, the first ingredient listed, is oats. Perfect! However, 9/10 times the second ingredient is sugar or variation of sugar. My dreams of enjoying those crunchy clusters are dashed. I wanted a healthy snack, not a sugar bomb.
The order of ingredients on a package is extremely important! Companies are required to list the ingredients in the order of “how much” is used in the recipe. For example, if oats are the first item listed on a food label, this means that oats make up the largest percentage of the ingredients. If sugar is the second ingredient on the list, it means sugar makes up the second largest percentage of the food.
Now you understand my disappointment when sugar is listed second on the list 🙁
Healthy Homemade Granola
My alternative for this heartbreaking dilemma? Healthy homemade granola! YOU control how much and what kind of sweetener to put in! You can use raw honey, agave, or any sticky natural sweetener. Having the ability to control what goes into your granola will make it a much healthier snack or meal. It’s honestly one of the easiest foods to make too. Plus it makes your home smell like heaven when it’s baking in the oven.
What Makes this Granola Special
No sugar overload here! This granola recipe includes raw cacao powder and chia seeds making it rich in antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3’s. There are also superfoods like coconut, oats, and cinnamon too!
These superfoods have the ability to:
- Aid digestion
- Restore gut health
- Promote glowing skin
- Build strong muscles and bones
- Detoxify the body
You can read all about superfoods and how they can positively impact your health in my, How to Build Your Superfood Pantry post.
Chocolate Granola All Day Every Day
This chocolate granola recipe is one of my favorites. It’s so versatile and can be eaten any time of the day! For example…
- Need a quick, nutritious breakfast? Healthy Chocolate Granola.
- Need something crunchy on your yogurt? Healthy Chocolate Granola.
- Need a healthy dessert when everyone else is eating ice-cream? Healthy Chocolate Granola.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless with this granola!
Show us how you like to eat this healthy granola and tag us on Instagram! @secretlyhealthyhome
PIN FOR LATER
The Best Chocolate Granola (Vegan)
Healthy CHOCOLATE granola. It's super-food packed and will improve your digestion, give you an antioxidant boost and satisfy your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Rolled Oats
- ¼ Cup Steel Cut Oats (or sub more rolled oats)
- ¼ Cup Buckwheat Groats (or sub more oats)
- 2 Tbs Unsweetened Coconut Flakes/Shreds (can omit)
- ¼ Cup Cacao Powder
- ¼ Cup Almonds (roughly chopped) (or nut of choice. Can omit to make it nut-free)
- ½ tsp Cinnamon
- ¼ tsp Pink Himalayan Salt
- ½ Cup Pure Maple Syrup (or any sticky natural sweetener)
- ¼ Cup Dark/Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 325 F. and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Pour all ingredients except maple syrup into a large bowl and mix until combined (you may want to sift in cacao powder to avoid lumps). Then, mix in maple syrup until everything is well coated.
4. Spread the granola evenly on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Let cool for at least 10 minutes (this will give the granola its crunch).
6. Enjoy plain, served with your favorite milk, or on top of yogurt! Store in an airtight container or mason jar in a cool dry place for up to 2 months.
Notes
*Store in a jar or airtight container in the pantry for up to 2 months!
*Store in the fridge for up to 4 months!
*Eat it on top of yogurt, with milk, or plain!
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
10Serving Size:
about 1/3 CupAmount Per Serving: Calories: 138Total Fat: 5.7gCarbohydrates: 20.4gNet Carbohydrates: 17.5gFiber: 2.9gSugar: 12.5gProtein: 2.5g
6 Comments
Tarra
Hi, did you soak the buckwheat groats first in water, before adding to the granola mixture? or did you leave them unsoaked?
Claire
Hi Tarra! You leave them unsoaked. Hope you enjoy this granola! It’s one of my favorites 🙂
Elizabeth Sanders
Amazing granola! My kids loved and and so did I! I’m 25 weeks pregnant so I’ll be making this to have after baby is born too!
Claire
Whoohooo! This makes me so happy. So glad the kiddos love it too 🙂 And yay twins for having it after baby is born too. It’s my go-to!
Shaz
When do you add the chia seeds to the granola mixture?
Claire
Hi! The recipe doesn’t call for chia seeds, but you can certainly add them! Just add them in with all the ingredients before mixing in the maple syrup and cacao powder 🙂 Let me know if you make it!