Crunchy homemade granola with chunks of dark chocolate and sweet dried cranberries is a satisfying and delicious breakfast. Just 6 ingredients and ready in under 30 minutes. Is there anything better than chocolate for breakfast? It doesn't have to be as indulgent as it sounds, as a little bit of dark chocolate goes a long way in this Chocolate Granola with Cranberries recipe.
This chocolate granola recipe is such a great batch cook breakfast, as it stores well. Make a huge pan and then store it in a jar for quick and easy breakfasts over the next couple of weeks.
You just can't beat homemade granola (we even have a Low Sugar Granola and an Air Fryer Granola), as you can control exactly what goes into it. It also smells amazing when cooking!
This dark chocolate granola might just be our favourite, as it has a really rich flavour from the dark chocolate, which is balanced out by the sweetness and bitterness of the dried cranberries.
If you are looking for other ways to use cranberries, then why not try our moist Cranberry Bread, delicious Cranberry Chicken, festive Cranberry Brie Bites or our easy Cranberry Orange Muffins?
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Why You Will Love It
- Chocolate for breakfast - Whilst we love eggs for breakfast, we are also a big fan of sweet breakfasts and this tastes far more indulgent than it actually is. If you get a chocolate craving at breakfast, then this recipe for chocolate granola is a great way to feed it, literally.
- Good for batch cooking - This recipe makes a big tray of 10 servings of granola, so it is ideal for batch cooking and keeping for breakfasts over the coming weeks, as it stores really well.
- Easy - I bet you didn't know how easy it was to make your own granola! It's as simple as melting the honey and coconut oil, mixing everything together and baking until nice and crispy.
- Adaptable - We have used chocolate and cranberries as the main flavours in this homemade granola, but there are lots of ways that you can adapt it. More on that below.
Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Honey - This is what sweetens the dark chocolate granola and helps to make it sticky and bind it together. You can swap it for maple syrup, which would help to make it vegan too (you would also need to adapt the chocolate for a vegan alternative). You can use agave syrup, brown rice syrup, or even coconut nectar as a substitute for maple syrup or honey.
- Coconut oil - This is what binds everything together.
- Oats - We used rolled oats (old fashioned oats) as the texture is better and it helps everything stick together. We wouldn't recommend using instant or quick cook oats, as they don't hold together as well. If you want this to be a gluten free, then you need to make sure the oats are certified gluten free.
- Cranberries - This adds a lovely sweetness, as well as a little tart flavour. We used dried cranberries, as dried fruit works best in granola, but other dried fruit works well too.
- Chocolate - We used a really good quality dark chocolate (70%) and the strong flavour means that a little goes a long way.
- Almonds - These add plenty of crunch and texture to the granola. We used whole almonds, but you can use sliced almonds or even a mixture of both.
Variations
Chocolate and cranberries are the stars here, and this is a fairly simple recipe. However there are a few different ways that you can adapt it.
Chocolate - This is one of the main flavours in the granola, so try to use the best quality that you can. We used a 70% dark chocolate, as the strong flavour means that you can get away with using less as it goes a long way. But you can also use milk or white chocolate. Add some extra flavour with a flavoured chocolate like chocolate orange.
Fruit - Dried fruit is what you want to use here. We used dried cranberries, but dried cherries, apricots, dates, raisins or sultanas will also work.
Nuts - We used almonds, but any nuts work well. You can use just one nut, or use a mixture of a few. Nuts that work well are pecans, cashews, peanuts or walnuts.
Extras - It doesn't just have to be nuts that are added to this granola. Seeds as lots of crunch too and we like adding sunflower or pumpkin seeds. If you wanted to add some extra flavour, and festive flavour at that, then add a sprinkle of cinnamon into the mixture - it goes so well with the chocolate.
For a protein boost, you can add a scoop of chocolate protein powder to this chocolate granola recipe.
How To Make Chocolate Granola - Step By Step
One: Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6 and line a large baking sheet with grease proof paper.
Two: Place the honey and coconut oil in a pan and melt over a low heat. Add the remaining ingredients, except the chocolate and cranberries, and mix well.
Three: Pour the granola onto the baking sheet and spread it out evenly. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway.
Four: Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and then add the chocolate and cranberries and mix. Transfer to an airtight container and use within 2 weeks.
What To Serve With Homemade Chocolate Granola
We usually serve dark chocolate granola with some milk in a bowl, but there is so much more that you can do with it. You can eat it with yogurt, or use it to top muffins with - it's also really good on ice cream.
Also, why not try it on top of a Smoothie Bowl. But, cranberry and dark chocolate granola muffins sound like something I am going to try very soon.
We love this for breakfast with a nice hot drink. Why not try our Chai Tea Latte, Cinnamon Coffee or Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Extra Tips
- Make sure you leave the chocolate granola to cool on the baking tray before you eat it or put it in a jar. I know, it is hard not to eat it straight from the tray.
- Feel free to use a mixture of nuts and dried fruit.
- You can freeze granola, but make sure that it isn't frozen for longer than 3 months.
- Granola can quickly go from golden brown to burnt, so keep an eye on it during the last few minutes of baking.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can make up a big batch of this and just keep it in an airtight container for two weeks.
Yes, you can actually freeze granola which not many people know about. Put it in a zip lock bag and squeeze as much air out of it as possible. Don't keep it in the freezer for any longer than 3 months and defrost it as room temperature before using.
If you use oats that are certified gluten free and make sure that there is no cross contamination, then this can be gluten free.
This recipe is not vegan, because we have used honey and non vegan chocolate. However, you can make a vegan version by using maple syrup instead of honey and using a vegan dark chocolate.
Yes, you can easily double the recipe, but you will need to spread it across two backing trays.
More Breakfast Recipes
If you’ve tried this chocolate granola recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Dark Chocolate and Cranberry Granola
Ingredients
- 4 tablespoon Runny honey
- 4 tablespoon Coconut oil
- 180 g (2.25 cups) Rolled oats
- 100 g (1 cups) Dried cranberries
- 100 g (0.75 cups) Almonds
- 100 g (0.5 cups) Chocolate - 80% dark; roughly chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C(fan)/400°F/Gas 6 and line a large baking sheet with grease proof paper.
- Place 4 tablespoon Runny honey and 4 tablespoon Coconut oil in a pan and melt over a low heat. Add 180 g Rolled oats and 100 g Almonds.
- Pour the granola onto the baking sheet and spread it out evenly. Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 minutes, stirring halfway.
- Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature and then add 100 g Chocolate (chopped) and 100 g Dried cranberries and mix. Transfer to an airtight container and use within 2 weeks.
Recipe Tips
- Make sure you leave the granola to cool on the baking tray before you eat it or put it in a jar. I know, it is hard not to eat it straight from the tray.
- Feel free to use a mixture of nuts and dried fruit.
- You can freeze granola, but make sure that it isn't frozen for longer than 3 months.
- To ensure this recipe is definitely gluten free, use oats that are certified gluten free.
Nutritional Information
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
Beth @ Binky's Culinary Carnival says
You are right, chocolate for breakfast is perfectly doable, antioxidants and all! I love dried cranberries and this granola would not last an afternoon at my house!
Melanie Edjourian says
I've not made my own granola before but thankfully you have made it look like far less of a challenge than i thought. This looks delicious!
Ana De- Jesus says
I had no idea that granola was even in existence in the 19th century that is crazy! I do love the sound of chocolate and cranberry I bet it is a divine combination x
Kavey says
This does look delicious and I can see cranberries working really well here, as you suggest, much like cherries but not quite. I also love that you are generous with the chocolate!
Lottie says
I love granola and this sounds amazing! I haven't made my own so I will definitely give this one a try!
Pamela says
I think chocolate for breakfast is my son's dream. This looks healthier than giving him a bowl of coco pops. Aldi's granola is quite nice though.
Sarah Bailey says
I like to eat granola with my yoghurt, it adds a wonderful crunch and makes it feel a little heartier. I don't think I have ever tried the combination of cranberry and chocolate, but it sounds wonderful and this recipe looks great!
Stephanie Merry says
I love the combination of chocolate and cranberry together and this looks amazing! x
Keely's Nails says
I had a box of dark chocolate granola, when my normal pecan/treacle version was unavailable. It makes breakfast so decadent!
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
I have chocolate in some form (be it a little or a lot) at every meal and often in between... so you know I love this!
hannah says
Now this does look like a very good recipe. Thanks for sharing
Alexa says
This looks like a much better option than all those processed chocolate cereals. I never would have thought to put cranberries and chocolate together.
Jasmine says
My kids love granola with yoghurt for breakfast and snacks, but I always buy it and you're right, it's so expensive. This looks really simple though, so I might whip up a batch today for when they get home.
[email protected] says
I can think of only one thing better than chocolate for breakfast and that's a glass of wine! ;-)
However seeing as chocolate is far more appropriate than wine at breakfast, and much more likely to not send me off the rails, I'll happily agree with you.
Great recipe and I especially like your use of cranberry there. (One of my favourite ingredients!!) :-)
Excellence says
Wow, so many incredible flavors in this dish! Now you have me craving a hot and filling meal.
Thanks.