The Ultimate Oil-Free Chocolate Almond Butter Granola: Wholesome & Deliciously Chunky

Experience the joy of homemade goodness with our oil-free chocolate almond butter granola. Packed with wholesome oats, crunchy nuts, rich cacao, and generous chocolate chunks, it’s naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup for a perfect breakfast or snack.

If you’re anything like me, chocolate isn’t just an ingredient; it’s a non-negotiable food group. In my household, there’s a running joke that if a dish doesn’t feature chocolate, it might as well not exist on the menu. And, to be honest, it’s not entirely a joke.

Consider the banana bread loaves that emerge from the oven, generously studded with dark chocolate chunks – they vanish significantly faster than their unadorned counterparts. The same goes for my favorite store-bought chocolate peanut butter granola, which is undeniably delicious but dangerously addictive. You’ve been warned!

Naturally, my first instinct when opening a bag of granola is to seek out the biggest, most satisfying chocolate-laden clusters. Because, let’s face it, those are simply the best. Who can resist?

Just last week, my partner, M, peered into our resealable granola bag and, with a perfectly straight face, inquired if I had, once again, managed to eat all the chocolate pieces out of the mix. My only reply could be a sheepish, “Guilty as charged!” We’ve since established a tacit agreement: the granola is mine to enjoy as I please. And for me, that means enjoying every single chocolate bit first, because there’s truly no wrong way to savor a bag of granola. Can I get a witness?

This delightful (and somewhat mischievous) habit inspired me to create my own highly addictive granola recipe, but with a few key improvements. I wanted it to be completely oil-free and, most importantly, allow for *as much dark chocolate as my heart desired*. The result is this incredible Chocolate Almond Butter Granola – so good, I might even share a little bit with you. So, let’s dive in and bake some homemade granola that truly satisfies those chocolate cravings!

Why Homemade Granola is a Game-Changer

Making granola from scratch is surprisingly easy, so much so that I often wonder why it’s not a more regular occurrence in my kitchen. The process is straightforward, and the rewards are immense. The biggest advantage of homemade granola is the unparalleled control it gives you over the ingredients. You can tailor it precisely to your preferences and dietary needs, making it a truly personalized culinary experience.

With homemade granola, you dictate the level of sweetness, ensuring it’s never too sugary or bland. You can completely eliminate added oils, a common ingredient in many store-bought varieties, making it a lighter and healthier option. And the best part? You can go wild with your favorite add-ins, customizing the flavor and texture to your heart’s content. For my signature blueprint granola, all you need is a fantastic assortment of nuts, wholesome oats, creamy nut butter, and a touch of pure maple syrup. This basic template has been the foundation for many delicious variations since my original Chunky Tahini Granola debuted. This particular version takes it up a notch, making it decadently chocolate-y with a harmonious blend of raw cacao powder and an abundance of dark chocolate chunks, all while remaining gloriously oil-free thanks to the rich almond butter.

Essential Ingredients for Your Chocolate Almond Butter Granola

Crafting this irresistible Chocolate Almond Butter Granola requires just a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients. The magic happens when these elements come together to create a perfectly balanced and incredibly flavorful crunch. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:

• Raw walnuts: These add a delightful earthy flavor and healthy fats.
• Raw pecans: Offering a buttery texture and another layer of nutty goodness.
• Gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats: The base of our granola, providing fiber and a satisfying chew. (For a grain-free alternative, simply substitute with an additional cup of mixed nuts).
• Pure maple syrup: Our natural sweetener, contributing a rich, subtle flavor without any refined sugars.
• Runny almond butter: The key to an oil-free, perfectly bound granola, adding creaminess and a boost of protein.
• Raw cacao powder: For that deep, intense chocolate flavor that makes this granola so special.
• Hu Kitchen Gems (or your favorite dark chocolate chunks/chips): Because you can never have too much chocolate!

That’s truly it! Simple, straightforward, and ready to transform into something truly extraordinary.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Perfect Chocolate Almond Butter Granola

Creating your own batch of Chocolate Almond Butter Granola is a rewarding process, and achieving those coveted chunky clusters is easier than you think. Follow these steps for granola perfection:

1. **Prepare Your Nuts and Oats:** Begin by combining the raw walnuts, raw pecans, and gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats in a food processor or a high-speed blender. Pulse the mixture until the nuts and oats are finely chopped but still retain some texture – we’re aiming for small pieces, not a fine powder. Usually, 10 to 15 pulses will achieve this ideal consistency, leaving some delightful chunkiness behind. If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can skip this step and use whole nuts and oats, though your granola will be less clustered.
2. **Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:** Transfer the blended mixture into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Now, add the pure maple syrup, runny almond butter, and raw cacao powder. Stir everything together thoroughly until all the dry ingredients are evenly coated and a cohesive, chocolate-infused mixture forms.
3. **Fold in the Chocolate Chunks:** This is where the magic happens! Gently fold in your chosen dark chocolate chunks or chips. Feel free to be generous here – I personally opt for a heaping 1/2 cup, but adjust the amount to suit your chocolate cravings. Remember, there’s no such thing as too much chocolate in this granola!
4. **Press onto the Baking Sheet:** Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer the granola mixture onto the prepared sheet. Using your hands or the back of a spatula, press the mixture down firmly and evenly across the entire surface. The goal is to create a compact, uniform layer without any visible gaps in the parchment paper. Pressing tightly is crucial for forming large, satisfying granola clusters later.
5. **Time to Bake:** Your Chocolate Almond Butter Granola is now ready for the oven!

When Your Granola Is Perfectly Baked

This delightful homemade granola bakes relatively quickly, requiring only about 12 to 15 minutes in the oven. Keep a close eye on it, as oven temperatures can vary.

Your Chocolate Almond Butter Granola is perfectly done when the edges begin to turn a light golden brown. It’s important not to overbake, as this can lead to a dry or burnt taste.

Once baked, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Now comes the most critical step for achieving wonderfully chunky granola: allow the entire pan to cool completely and undisturbed for a full 30 minutes. Yes, I said *completely cooled*! It’s incredibly tempting to break into the warm, fragrant granola immediately, but resisting this urge is key. This cooling period allows the granola to firm up and the maple syrup to act as a binder, ensuring you get those large, lovable clusters you crave. After your 30-minute timer goes off, you can then break up the granola with your hands or a knife into satisfyingly large chunks. Yum!

Granola Meal Prep and Storage Tips

For those who love to plan ahead, this Chocolate Almond Butter Granola is an excellent meal prep candidate. A few important notes for optimal storage:

Even after the initial 30-minute cooling period, the chocolate chunks might still be a bit soft and gooey. To prevent them from clumping together or melting further, allow the granola to cool for an additional period, ensuring all chocolate pieces have hardened completely, before transferring it to storage.

Once fully cooled, store your homemade granola in an airtight container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, maintaining its delightful crunch and fresh flavor. For longer storage, you can also freeze granola for up to three months.

Creative Ways to Serve Your Chocolate Almond Butter Granola

This Chocolate Almond Butter Granola is so versatile and utterly delicious, it will quickly become a nourishing staple in your kitchen. While fantastic on its own, there are countless ways to enjoy it as a wholesome addition to any meal or snack:

• **Classic Breakfast Parfait:** My absolute favorite way to savor this granola is layered in a classic parfait. Combine it with creamy almond milk yogurt, a vibrant assortment of fresh berries, and an extra drizzle of your favorite nut butter for a truly decadent yet healthy start to your day.
• **With Milk:** Enjoy it simply in a bowl with your preferred plant-based milk, like almond or oat milk, for a quick and satisfying breakfast cereal.
• **By the Handful:** It makes for an incredibly satisfying and energizing snack right out of the bag – perfect for satisfying those mid-afternoon cravings or fueling up before a workout.
• **Ice Cream Topping:** Sprinkle it generously over a scoop of dairy-free ice cream for an unexpected crunch and a burst of chocolatey goodness. It adds an amazing textural contrast.
• **Dessert Enhancement:** Use it as a crunchy topping for fruit crumbles, chia puddings, or even layered in vegan trifles for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
• **Flavor Variations:** Don’t hesitate to experiment! Try switching up the flavors by using a different nut or seed butter in place of almond butter, such as cashew, peanut, or sunflower seed butter.
• **Grain-Free Option:** For an entirely grain-free version, simply substitute the rolled oats with an equal amount of extra nuts or seeds like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or shredded coconut.

Whether you choose to share it with your housemates or stash it away in a secret fridge drawer for your own personal enjoyment (no judgment here!), this granola is bound to bring a smile to your face. Enjoy!

Discover More Homemade Granola Creations

If you’ve fallen in love with making your own granola, you’re in for a treat! The world of homemade granola is vast and delicious. Here are some other fantastic recipes from my kitchen to inspire your next batch:

• Oil-Free Chunky Tahini Granola

• Strawberry Almond Butter Banana Granola

• Lemon Blueberry Cashew Granola

• Sweet Potato Spice Granola

• Apple Cranberry Pecan Granola

• Triple Berry Granola

• Pumpkin Spice Pecan Granola

• SunButter Gingerbread Granola