This chocolate quinoa granola is packed with tons of chocolate and the quinoa addition gives it an incredible crispy texture.
Save this recipe for later using the ‘save to recipe box’ button. If you make it, please let me know by leaving a comment + star rating below the recipe card. This only takes moments and helps support my website so much!
Adding chocolate + extra protein via quinoa to your granola game is a little breakfast hack that everyone needs in their life.
Big chocolate-y clusters boasting the most incredible crispy factor included. Your morning bowl of yogurt isn’t ready for this madness.
This recipe loosely follows my keeper almond granola and if you’ve tried that recipe you know we’re in for a picture-perfect crunchy texture, a background of subtle maple flavor, and just all-around perfection.
But adding quinoa to the mix? Wow, does it ever level up the texture of this granola into heights I never even knew were possible.
Double that addiction factor if we’re inviting chocolate to the party too.
This Granola Features…
- Rich chocolate, pecans, and coconut
- Crispy quinoa for extra crunch and protein
- An easy recipe that comes together in one bowl
Making the Granola
(scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe)
Ingredients You Will Need
- Oats
- Quinoa
- Coconut
- Pecans
- Cocoa powder
- Brown sugar
- Chia seeds
- Salt
- Coconut oil
- Maple syrup
- Egg white
- Vanilla extract
Choosing Your Quinoa
I typically go for standard white quinoa in this granola but I’ve also had success using tri-colored quinoa as well. No need to cook the quinoa before adding to granola, it gets mixed in raw.
Tips for Perfect Granola
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats – do not substitute quick-cooking oats for this recipe as they have a very different texture.
- Use coconut oil – melted coconut oil gives this granola an incredible light and crunchy texture.
- Bake granola at 300F – this low temperature will keep the nuts and oats from burning.
- Stir granola halfway through baking – this helps even crisp up every inch of the granola.
- Allow granola to cool completely – the granola will firm up as it cools after which you can break it into bite-sized clusters.
Recipe Variations
Try these ideas for a different twist on this granola.
- Use different nuts – try walnuts, peanuts, cashews, or hazelnuts in place of any of the pecans. Feel free to use several different kinds.
- Add dried fruit – try dried cranberries, raisins, or dried blueberries.
- Add spices – try adding a few pinches of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, or cardamom.
How to Serve Granola
This granola is great served with milk as a breakfast cereal, with yogurt in a parfait, or mixed into a trail mix.
Storing Granola
This granola stores well in an airtight container at room temperature up to 2 weeks.
More granola recipes you’ll love!
Save this recipe for later using the ‘save to recipe box’ button. If you make it, please let me know by leaving a comment + star rating below the recipe card. This only takes moments and helps support my website so much!
Chocolate Quinoa Granola
This recipe may included paid links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (270g) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup (150g) uncooked quinoa
- 3/4 cup (60g) sweetened flaked coconut
- 1/2 cup (60g) chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup (24g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons (30g) packed light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (10g) chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup (120g) melted coconut oil
- 2/3 cup (220g) maple syrup
- 1 large egg white, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300F and line a large sheet pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine all ingredients until just combined. Spread granola mixture onto prepared pan and gently flatten with a spatula. Bake granola at 300F, stirring once halfway through baking until granola is fragrant and appears a bit dried out.
- Allow granola to cool completely on sheet pan before breaking into chunks. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This post was updated with new recipe adjustments and photos on 10/8/26.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I definitely ate a little too much this weekend, so this granola is perfect for today! I love the quinoa in here, Sarah! I’ve always wanted to try this in granola. And double the chocolate sounds even better! Gorgeous pictures, too! Pinned!
Sarah says
Thanks for the sweet photo love and for pinning, Gayle!! 🙂
Laura @Petite Allergy Treats says
Lol! Your first sentence about dieting fits me to the T! We had fun too but a little healthier eating is needed after all that indulgence. Love this hearty healthier granola!
Sarah says
Haha thanks so much Laura!!
Chelsea@TableForOne says
YUM! I will totally detox from the weekend with this granola recipe.
Sarah says
Best detox ever right?? 😉 Thanks Chelsea!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Oh I could SOOOO use this granola. I ate all the food this weekend. And had smores, twice! This sounds so healthy and delicious!
Sarah says
Totally wish I could send you a big panful, girl! And YES to smores twice! Sounds awesome. 😉
Ashley says
Yes yes for quinoa in granola! I love using it in mine! This flavor sounds fantastic with the chocolate! Can’t go wrong with that! 🙂
Sarah says
Yessss! Glad I’m not the only one who dies over that combo! 😉 Thanks Ashley. xoxo
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
This granola looks perfect, Sarah! Love those giant clusters and the crunch from the quinoa! You can never go wrong with double chocolate. So healthy, addicting and delicious!!!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelly!! It’s really just the best kinda “healthy” food! 🙂
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
Double chocolate? Sign me up! I love the crunch that quinoa gives to granola and this recipe looks like my kind of breakfast! 🙂
Sarah says
Right?? I never want to make my granola without quinoa now! I love the crunch so much!
Joanne says
I’m always up for quinoa and chocolate! Even better when they’re in the same bite. This looks awesome!
Sarah says
Totally a win-win kinda deal, right? 😉 Thanks girl!
Kelley @ Chef Savvy says
This looks and sounds fantastic Sarah!! I’ve never thought about adding quinoa to granola before. Genius!
Sarah says
Thanks Kelley! You’ve gotta try quinoa granola asap!!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
This looks so good, Sarah! Love all the chocolate in there!
Sarah says
Thanks girly!! xoxo
Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says
I’m all in for double chocolate granola! 🙂
Love the quinoa!
Sarah says
Thanks so much Christin!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
I definitely need a little reset after my holiday indulgences!! This granola looks so yummy and perfectly toasty. I love the quinoa in it– lots of great protein!
Sarah says
I personally believe that this granola is the best kinda “detox” there is! 😉
Manali @ CookWithManali says
i clearly need to try quinoa in my granola. Looks fantastic and sounds delicious!
Sarah says
You totally do, Manali!!
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg says
Granola is one of my favorite snacks. It’s great on it’s own, but I love it on top of yogurt as well. 🙂 You had me at double chocolate. <3
Sarah says
It’s totally my favorite snack too! Can’t beat it with yogurt. 🙂
nadia says
I LOVE quinoa granola! It’s so much better than regular granola in my opinion and the fact that this is double chocolate only makes even more amazing 😀
Sarah says
Oh, it’s totally better than regular granola! 😉 Thanks Nadia!!
Cyndi - My Kitchen Craze says
Why did I never think of adding quinoa? This sounds amazing and I need to detox after eating everything this summer. Hehe. Not just the weekend, but this whole summer. Gonna make this granola this weekend! Yum! 🙂
Sarah says
Best detox EVER, right?! You need this granola in your life, Cyndi!