These Homemade Dark Chocolate Granola Clusters Are Easy + Healthy

Inside: Get a recipe for easy Dark Chocolate Granola that bakes up into big clusters, so it’s great for snacking and packing in lunch boxes too. Perfect for chocolate lovers!

Homemade granola is a fixture around here, ever since my husband discovered he much preferred a bowl of it to any boxed cereal I brought home. 

I’m not a big breakfast eater, but I most certainly AM a world-class snacker. 

A granola that makes both a good breakfast and a delicious snack? Challenge accepted!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It bakes up into big granola cluster, not small crumbles like you get with most granola recipes. Tossing the granola with two egg whites before baking produces those big clusters.
• It has a dark chocolate flavor thanks to dark chocolate cocoa powder and chocolate chips that are baked right in.
• It has less sugar than a lot of store-bought granola (but if it’s not sweet enough for your tastes, add another tablespoon or two of maple syrup or brown sugar).
• It’s full of healthy ingredients like oats and nuts, so it’s got feel-full fiber and protein. 

Ingredient List for Dark Chocolate Granola

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: You can also use quick oats
• Sliced almonds: If you don’t have sliced almonds, chop whole almonds in a food processor or by hand
• Unsweetened shredded coconut: You can use coconut flakes as well
• Sunflower seeds: Feel free to use pumpkin seeds if that’s what you prefer
• Ground flaxseed meal
• Chocolate chips: Use semi-sweet or dark chocolate chunks 
• Butter (Feel free to swap in melted coconut oil)
• Unsweetened cocoa powder, preferably a dark chocolate cocoa powder like Hershey’s Special Dark
• Pure maple syrup
• Packed brown sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract (optional)
• Salt: Use table salt, kosher salt, or sea salt
• Egg whites

Did you know? Almonds are the tree nut highest in protein, fiber, calcium, vitamin E, riboflavin, and niacin. 

How to Make Dark Chocolate Granola

In a large mixing bowl, mix your dry ingredients: oats, almonds, coconut, sunflower seeds, flaxseed meal, and chocolate chips. 

In a saucepan, melt butter over low heat. Add the cocoa, maple syrup, brown sugar, extracts, and salt. Stir until well blended.

Pour the chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and stir well. t may seem too dry at first, but continue to stir until the mixture is completely coated.

Whisk egg whites (I use the saucepan to get all the remaining chocolate goodness!) and pour over oat mixture. Stir until completely coated and blended.

Spread granola in a single layer onto a parchment-lined large baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven for 45 minutes.

Take it out and let the granola cool, then break into pieces and store in airtight container.

FAQ About Dark Chocolate Granola

Can I use coconut sugar instead?

Yes, it has a similar flavor as brown sugar. Wondering whether it’s healthier? See The Truth about Coconut Sugar

I don’t have any chips, but I have a bar of dark chocolate. Can I use that instead?

Yes. Feel free to finely chop a dark chocolate bar and use that in place of the chocolate chips.

Can I use cacao nibs instead of chocolate chips?

Yes. Keep in mind that while cacao nibs are very intensely chocolatey, they are not sweet at all.

More Granola Recipes

Use-What-You-Have Pantry Granola

Soft + Chewy Chocolate Granola Bars