Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola

This Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola combines cozy, toasted oats with creamy peanut butter, rich maple syrup, and silky melted chocolate. It bakes up perfectly sweet and crunchy, making it a snack you’ll want to reach for again and again.

Update: This post first came out in 2021 and now it’s back with fresh photos and an updated recipe for you to enjoy.

About this Granola

Granola is one of those snacks that feels like it can be anything and everything: different shapes, textures, and flavors galore. Whether you love it loaded with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or drizzled with honey – the options are endless. But at its core, granola is always satisfying, crunchy, and just right for grabbing on the go.

What I really like about homemade granola is how simple it is to customize. You can throw in whatever you have on hand and make it exactly how your family likes it. This Peanut Butter Chocolate Granola mixes toasted oats with luscious peanut butter, a hint of cocoa powder, sweet maple syrup, and melty chocolate. Baking it all together creates one of the best flavor combos I’ve made, with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt to take it to the next level!

This chocolate peanut butter granola is super versatile. Use it for a quick snack, pack it for meal prep, or sprinkle it over your breakfast yogurt or smoothie bowl. It’s equally great on a plane or car trip, and yes—totally amazing atop ice cream or a favorite dessert. Honestly, the ways to enjoy this granola are endless, and it all tastes like a little cozy hug in every bite.

If you’re all about snacks you can pull from the pantry anytime, you might also love my Cheerio Trail Mix, these Apple Peanut Butter Energy Bites, or this Cranberry Granola—all perfect for keeping hunger at bay with something tasty and wholesome.

Recipe Ingredients

• Oats – Old-fashioned oats are your best bet here. Quick oats won’t hold up well baking, and steel cut oats are way too tough for this recipe.
• Peanut Butter – Peanut butter in smoothie and yogurt bowls is a fave of mine, so I love baking it right into my granola topping for extra creamy flavor.
• Brown Sugar – You can swap in coconut sugar if you prefer a bit more natural sweetness.
• Pure Maple Syrup – This sticky sweetness helps bind everything and create those delicious granola clusters we all love.
• Coconut Oil – Melted coconut oil adds richness; alternatively, use melted cocoa butter if you want to boost that chocolate aroma.
• Cocoa Powder – This sneaks chocolate flavor throughout without weighing down the granola.
• Quinoa & Nuts – Tossed in for an extra crunchy texture that keeps it interesting.
• Chocolate – I used a Ghirardelli bar that melts beautifully right on top of the hot granola for gooey chocolate pockets.

Check the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and precise amounts.

Substitutions & Variations

One of my favorite things about homemade granola? You can tweak it any way you want. Here are some fun ideas to make it your own:

• Swap out nuts for your favorite kind: pecans, walnuts, cashews, or Brazil nuts all work wonderfully.
• Add more texture with toasted coconut flakes, sunflower seeds, or chia seeds.
• For a lighter crunch, replace half the oats with Rice Krispies or Cheerios.
• Try almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or even tahini in place of peanut butter for a new twist.
• Sweeten it up naturally with dried fruit like cranberries that add chew and flavor.

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1

1. Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a large bowl, stir together the dry ingredients: oats, quinoa, chopped nuts, brown sugar, and a pinch of sea salt. Make sure everything is mixed evenly so the flavors blend well.

Step 2

2. Warm a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add coconut oil and maple syrup, letting the oil melt before whisking them together. Then whisk in peanut butter and cocoa powder until smooth and silky with no lumps. Once it looks glossy and well blended, take the pan off the heat.

Step 3

3. Pour your chocolate peanut butter mixture over the oats and nuts. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together until all the oats get coated evenly in the chocolatey goodness.

Step 4

4. Spread the granola out on the parchment-lined baking sheet. Press it down firmly with your hands or the flat of a spatula to form a thin, even layer. Bake for about 15 to 18 minutes, or until the granola turns a light golden brown and smells toasty.

Step 5

5. Take the granola out of the oven and immediately sprinkle chopped pieces of your chocolate bar over the top. Pop it back in the oven for 2 to 4 minutes, just until the chocolate starts to melt. Remove again, then spread the melty chocolate gently all over the granola using a spatula.

6. Let the granola cool completely—about an hour or so—before breaking it into clusters. If you’re making this in the evening, just cover the pan with foil and break it apart the next morning. Serve with Greek yogurt and fresh berries, or as a crunchy topping on your favorite smoothie (like my Healthy Wendy’s Copycat Smoothie!).

PRO TIPS

When your granola comes out of the oven, keep it on the baking sheet and pop it into the freezer to cool down quickly before breaking it up. This little trick helps you get chunky, crispy clusters perfect for snacking or topping your breakfast.

Serving suggestions

This granola shines in so many ways! Pour it over milk for a quick breakfast, sprinkle it on yogurt with fresh banana slices for a little chunky monkey vibe, or top your ice cream cone. It’s also fantastic on smoothie bowls, pancakes, or waffles—seriously, there’s no wrong way to enjoy it!

Recipe FAQs

How do you store it?

Keep your granola in an airtight container for up to one week. Just make sure it’s completely cooled before storing. This helps prevent steam from making your granola soft or soggy.

Is granola healthy?

This recipe strikes a nice balance. It’s made with whole grain oats and healthy fats from nuts, which are great, but it also features maple syrup and chocolate, so it has some sweetness that means it’s best enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

How can I make homemade granola crunchy?

Crunchy granola is all about baking it low and slow so it gets golden without burning. Using solid fats like coconut oil instead of liquid oils helps it set up hard as it cools. That way, you get the perfect crunch without the granola turning chewy or soggy.

Fun Idea

If you want to switch things up, you can easily turn this granola into granola bars. Just press the mixture into an 8×8-inch pan instead of spreading it on a sheet pan. Bake the same amount of time; since the granola is thicker, you’ll end up with chewy, satisfying bars instead of loose clusters.