No-Bake Chocolate Granola is an easy snack to make that takes less than 10 minutes to prepare and doesn’t require the oven!
Or try our baked version of Chocolate Granola here! These Chocolate Granola Bars and Chocolate Energy Bites are also favorites on the site.
No-Bake Chocolate Granola
Years ago while I was in high school (college, maybe?), I made some granola bars and they did not turn out so well. They ended up super crumbly and not at all bar-like. Instead of throwing it all out, I threw all the crumbled ingredients into a bag and set it out on the counter. It was eaten in less than two days — either handful by handful or added to smoothies and yogurt bowls.
After that, no-bake granola became a “thing. Yes, non-baked granola is not really “granola” and may sound a little bit odd. But I still make this snack all the time. A couple of months ago, I made a few batches for my sister –it’s one of her favorite snacks– and she told me I had to share it here! Yes, it’s unconventional– strange even? But totally delicious, crave-worthy, and addictive. Not to mention EASY.
But WHY No-Bake Chocolate Granola?
- First, it’s very fast. We can whip this up in 10 minutes or less, which means it’s ready pretty as soon as we want it.
- Second, it’s very easy. Not to say regular granola isn’t easy, but it takes more effort–particularly the baking process which can take a good amount of time. And then there is the time spent waiting for it to cool….
- Third, it’s unique. It’s got the same ingredients you know and love in regular granola, but the texture is different. Overall, it makes a unique snack, filled with good-for-you ingredients.
- And fourth, it’s the perfect hot-day snack recipe. So, when it’s burning hot outside, you can still have granola without turning on the oven!
I know it’s a bit unique, but I hope you love it as much as we do!
No-Bake Chocolate Granola Ingredients
- Creamy peanut butter adds flavor and nutrition to these oats. It also ensures they’re filling and satiating. As far as peanut butter goes, I recommend a peanut butter you enjoy eating straight from the jar. We love using one that is slow–roasted and lightly salted with plenty of flavor.
- Honey sweetens this granola. If you’d like to keep this vegan, try pure maple syrup or agave nectar instead.
- Vanilla and salt are flavor enhancers for this granola!
- Special Dark® Cocoa Powder contributes intense chocolate flavor to this granola. I highly recommend using a Dutch-process cocoa powder as opposed to a plain (natural)one. Any Dutch cocoa powder will work, but Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder is readily available at most grocery stores.
- Old-fashioned oats will give the best results; steel-cut oats will be too coarse and hard, and quick oats don’t add enough texture.
- Cocoa Krispies® cereal adds a fun crunch and additional chocolate flavor. If you prefer, plain Rice Krispies cereal can be used instead.
- Oat flour is simply pulverized oats (more on this in the “quick tip” box below). To add more nutrition to this No-Bake Chocolate Granola, try flaxseed or hemp hearts instead!
- Mini chocolate chips are the last bit of added chocolate. They add more flavor, texture, and pull everything together!
*Trademark note: Hershey’s Special Dark is a trademarked brand of The Hershey Company. Cocoa Krispies is a trademarked cereal from The W.K. Kellogg Company. We use these names in a generic sense because of the easily recognized names. Any similar brand of product will also work in these Lucky Charms Bars.
Quick Tip
Oat flour is just regular old-fashioned oats we grind up in a blender until they resemble flour. Nothing fancy here, so if you already have the old-fashioned oats for this no-bake granola you’ll have everything you need!
How to enjoy this chocolate granola
- Straight out of the bowl — just like regular granola!
- Served over ice cream (or this frozen yogurt recipe)
- Topping a bowl of yogurt with some fresh chopped berries
- Add to a parfait or açaí bowl
- Here are 14 other ways to enjoy it!
More Easy Snack Recipes
- No-Bake Breakfast Cookies with a chocolate drizzle
- Banana Bread With Greek Yogurt and other nutritious ingredients
- Soft-Baked Oatmeal Breakfast Bars with dark chocolate
- Chewy Granola Bars with M&M’s and chocolate chips
- Banana Bites two unique recipes!
No-Bake Chocolate Granola
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 tablespoons honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 3 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder Note 1
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- ⅔ cup Cocoa Krispies cereal (or Rice Krispies)
- 2 tablespoons oat flour (regular oats that have been blended) Note 2
- ½ cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- WARM THE PEANUT BUTTER AND HONEY: In a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl combine the peanut butter and honey. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir until smooth.
- ADD REMAINING INGREDIENTS: Add in all the other ingredients and mix until combined. It's thick and messy at first, but just keep stirring until a good consistency is formed–you may need to lightly knead the mixture with your hands and then crumble to form granola crumbles.
- STORAGE: Store in an airtight container in a dry, cool place for up to a week. We do like it best within 1-2 days.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’ve never heard of no bake granola, totally love this idea! Looks so crunchy and chocolaty – yum!
This is my kind of granola right here. Love all that chocolaty goodness! Love all the healthy things you packed in this too. I’ve never made homemade granola for some reason, but I’m totally going to change that soon. Love this, Chelsea! 🙂
Mhmm granola is one of my favorite snacks! I’m a notorious hand-in-the-bag eater as I walk around the house and also LOVE it on yogurt. Even better that it’s chock full of chocolate!
This looks great Chelsea! I’ve never made granola, but I’ve always wanted to. Pinned! I need to save this for making later – and I love that it’s no bake!
This is perfection, Chelsea! I’m loving the fact that this is no-bake, not only because turning on the oven is insanity around this time of the year, but because I can’t even tell you how many batches of granola I’ve ended up burning either… And that time I thought it would be a good idea to BAKE raisins? Yeaaaah. Crispy raisin turds aren’t high up there on my list of favourite granola add-ins. Chocolate definitely is, though. Pinned! 😀
This granola looks perfect, Chelsea! I always end up burning my granola, too. I’ve tried making different kinds and have only made one that turned out good. I am so loving this no-bake version! Perfect for my granola baking, challenged self! 🙂 Pinned!
once I read “chocolate” and “no-bake” in the same sentence i was sold! looks delicious- perfect snack! Pinned!
This looks so good! Chocolate granola is one of my favorites!
Can’t wait to try this. We love granola in yogurt parfaits. This is a perfect sweet way to start our days!
My hubby seriously eats granola face-first. But, with the FL heat, this girl don’t wanna turn no oven on! You saved my life! Love all the chocolatey goodness girl!