Homemade Chocolate Granola Recipe

Switching to whole foods meant saying goodbye to store-bought cereal for my family. Not only is it packed with sugar, but my kids could eat several bowls and still be hungry! Instead, I started making homemade granola, and it has completely replaced cereal in our home. This chocolate granola quickly became a favorite because it’s easy to make, naturally sweetened, and has that delicious chocolatey crunch that everyone loves. Whether you enjoy it with milk, yogurt, or by the handful as a snack, this recipe is sure to be a hit!

This post is about a chocolate granola recipe.

Ingredients:

• 8 cups rolled oats
• ½ cup lard (or coconut oil, butter, or any oil of choice)
• ½ cup sugar
• 1/2 cup cocoa
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon salt (I use Redmond’s Real Salt)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 300°F.
2. Melt the lard in a small saucepan over low heat or in the microwave.
3. Combine the dry ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the oats, sugar, and salt.
4. Mix in the wet ingredients: Pour the melted lard and vanilla extract over the oat mixture. Stir until everything is well combined.
5. Prepare for baking: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread the granola mixture evenly across the sheet.
6. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring halfway through for even baking.
7. Add Chocolate Chips: Sprinkle on chocolate chips right after the granola comes out of the oven
8. Cool and store: Let the granola cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.

This chocolate granola has the texture of classic cereals like Cocoa Pebbles, with each oat coated in a rich chocolatey crunch. It’s a satisfying and wholesome alternative to processed cereals, keeping everyone full and happy without the sugar crash. Enjoy it however you like—sprinkled over yogurt, served with cold milk, or straight from the jar as a snack. Once you try homemade granola, you’ll never want to go back to store-bought!

---