Chocolate Strawberry Granola is healthy enough to eat for breakfast, but it’s so delicious you’ll want to have it for dessert too! This simple and easy granola recipe is gluten-free, vegan, and refined sugar-free, and it’s loaded with chocolate & strawberry flavor.
***2017 Update*** You guys have probably noticed I’ve been updating a lot of older recipes with new photos! This is another one of those – this Chocolate Strawberry Granola was posted last year and has become a major favorite of mine and for lots of you. It’s beyond easy and always satisfying. I love it with yogurt or almond milk and berries, or just as a snack.
As usual, I’ve left the words in the post the same as when it was originally posted for nostalgia’s sake…even though it was a little brutal reliving my LASIK experience in this post 😂 thank goodness that was over a year ago! Scroll down for the recipe, and enjoy! :)
Chocolate and strawberries can always make me feel better. The richness of the chocolate paired with the fruity sweetness of strawberries…I can never get enough of it, and it’s definitely one of my favorite flavor combinations.
I’ve been a little off my game the past few days. I don’t want to get into it too much, because this is a food blog designed to make you hungry, not a place for me to complain about medical problems. But, I figured you deserve an explanation for my absence.
I got LASIK eye surgery this past Friday! And it’s sort of incredible, because I can see right when I wake up in the morning. Dealing with contacts every day is now a thing of the past. BUT, my process didn’t go as smoothly as I expected. Without getting into too many details, the suction on one of the machines didn’t work quite right on my left eye the first two times they tried. They had to restart the machine to get it to finally work.
After the doctors sorted the machine issue out, the surgery went smoothly and just as expected. Having to repeat the suction process three times on one of my eyes really did a number on that eye though, and made my recovery more painful than most people’s. This is a totally uncommon thing that the nurse told me she had never seen happen in her four years of doing the procedure. And it happened to my eye twice. Lucky me!
But, because of that, I haven’t been baking, or on my computer really at all. But, I have been snacking on this chocolate strawberry granola. I know I just posted this chai spice granola recipe not too long ago, but I couldn’t hold on to this recipe and not share it with you guys!
Since these chocolate-dipped strawberry chocolate chip cookies and these chocolate covered strawberry brownies, I’ve been sort of obsessing over chocolate + strawberry everything. When the idea for chocolate strawberry granola came into my head, it wouldn’t leave until it had been made. I’ve been snacking on freeze-dried strawberries all the time lately. So, I knew they would be the perfect addition to the granola. They have the fruity taste I want but without the moisture from fresh strawberries.
This Chocolate Strawberry Granola, like all of my granola recipes, is simple to put together and can be in your oven in less than ten minutes. It’s got all the chocolate goodness you could want because we’ve got chocolate two ways!
We mix cocoa powder into the wet ingredients and then bake the granola until nice and crispy. While the granola is still warm from the oven, we sprinkle dark chocolate to melt on top and then stir it in to coat the granola. Once the granola cools, you’ll have big, gorgeous chunks of chocolatey granola. And once we add the freeze-dried strawberries, it’s bursting with strawberry flavor!
This chocolate strawberry granola is both gluten-free and vegan. I love eating it on top of some yogurt with fresh berries for breakfast. But it’s also a perfect snack just on its own. You may even find yourself having a handful as a guilt-free dessert treat. Enjoy!
Get more granola goodness…
- Chocolate Coconut Paleo Granola
- Banana Almond Butter Grain-Free Granola
- Chocolate Banana Granola (Gluten Free + Vegan)
- Orange Ginger Grain-Free Granola
Chocolate Strawberry Granola
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 4 cups gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 cup sliced almonds
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil (melted)
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup freeze dried strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats and sliced almonds. In a measuring cup, whisk together the coconut oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, and kosher salt. Pour over the granola mixture and stir until all of the dry ingredients are coated. Spread the granola in an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and press down with a spatula or your hands.
- Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through to help the granola bake evenly. When it is browned and feels dry to the touch, remove from the oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let sit for about 2 minutes until chocolate chips have melted, and stir in the chocolate chips to coat the granola (your hands are the best tool to get all the granola covered). Add in the freeze dried strawberries and stir to combine. Let the granola cool completely.
- Store at room temperature in an airtight container.
Notes
Make sure to use dairy-free chocolate chips to keep this recipe vegan.
What you’ll need…
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
Chocolate and strawberries is pretty much the best combo! I wish I could dig right into this bowl for breakfast! Looks so good, Rachel. And I’m glad your surgery went well and you’re recovering quickly! Yay for no contacts anymore! :)
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven says
Eek! Not gonna lie, Lasik eye surgery would freak me out—so I think I’m just gonna have to live with my contacts forever. LOL. Glad to hear that for the most part it went well, Rachel! And about this granola, um ZERO complaints from me about two granola recipes in a short time especially if we’re talking about strawberries and chocolate!
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
My husband had eye surgery a few years ago and it was the best thing he’s ever done. I’m not sure I could ever go through with it, I’m weird about my eyes. But I do know it’s worth it. Good luck during your recovery!This granola sounds so good. Chocolate and strawberries are the best!!
Rachel says
Thank you, Jen!
Bella says
This looks to die for!!! I love anything with strawberries
http://xoxobella.com
Erin says
Evertime I see granola, it just looks super dry and unappetizing, Not your, your’s looks so incredible and tasty, so making this this week!!
Erin | http://www.erinelizabethmiller.com
Rachel says
Thank you so much, Erin!
Medha (Whisk and Shout) says
:Love the freeze dried strawberries in here- I love granola so much :)
Patricia @Sweet and Strong says
YUM! Can’t go wrong with chocolate and strawberries. And I often eat a handful of granola or with some yogurt for dessert. It’s the perfect sweet treat!
Rachel says
I totally agree – it’s one of my fave snacks! Thanks, Patricia :)
Rachel @the dessert chronicles says
Loving the idea of adding freeze dried strawberries to granola! I bet that sweet crunch is an amazing addition!
David | Spiced says
Oh wow…this looks delicious, Rachel! I just made a batch of granola last night for our morning yogurt. Once that one is finished, I’m definitely making this chocolate-strawberry version. What a perfect combination for breakfast! :-)
Laura @ Laura's Cuiary Advenures says
I’m sorry your lasik didn’t go as well as planned. Sounds rough! This granola looks delicious!
Annie says
I’m glad you can see now! Isn’t it strange when random things like that happen during procedures? When I got my wisdom teeth taken out the dentist cracked my tooth next to it! (I have secretly always thought maybe he started pulling the wrong tooth and then realized) hahaha!
But chocolate makes everything better!
Rachel says
Wow I can’t believe that, haha! Ya I’m just glad I didn’t read about the things that could go wrong before the surgery or I would’ve totally freaked myself out, haha!
Amanda says
I’ve thought about getting that done before. After a while glasses and contacts get really annoying! Glad you’re feeling better! I love the chocolate strawberry combo in this granola. They are perfect together.
[email protected] says
You certainly earned this granola and then some! So sorry you had such a trial…not fun! But so happy you’re back at it and can see in the morning without contacts! Yayay! Loving the addition of the freeze dried berries, my friend!
Rachel says
Thank you Annie! I’m glad the worst is over :)
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
My goodness, this is my kind of granola! I can never have too many strawberries and could snack on this all day long.
marcie says
I’m sorry about your LASIK difficulties, but glad the surgery results are good! I had it done many years ago and have been so happy! This granola would be one amazing way to start the day — I love chocolate and strawberry!
[email protected] says
Eeekk!! I don’t deal well with medical stuff like that! But I’m so glad to hear that otherwise the surgery went well and you are on the mend!! And of course this granola sounds fantastic – chocolate + strawberry is the best!
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
How exciting that you are seeing as hoped after your surgery, I hope you continue to heal well after the initial miss hap. Loving this chocolate strawberry granola, if this were in my house I would be munching on it all day long one handful at a time. Take care, rest as you need it!
Kelly says
Oh my goodness, I’m so glad to hear that the actual surgery part went okay and you are recovering well. And this granola is gorgeous! Love the chocolate and strawberry combo!
Stephanie says
Made this last night and it is *delicious*. Thanks for being obsessed with chocolate and strawberry – it’s my favorite too : ) (And I had LASIK a few years ago and had to go back in for a ‘touch-up’… the things people never tell you might happen!!).
Rachel says
So glad you like it, Stephanie! More chocolate + strawberry recipes to come, I’m sure :)
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
Chocolate granola is one of my favourite things, and I love the freeze dried strawberries in it, that would be amazing! Hope your eye feels better soon – that’s not fun at all. I had Lasik done 6 years ago and I still think it’s amazing to be able to see when I wake up in the morning. So awesome!
[email protected] says
Just filled out your little pop bar on the side. I would love to learn more about paleo cooking and desserts!
This strawberry granola looks delicious!! However.. the quantities that I would consume, wouldn´t be seen as healthy :-) Ha!
Rachel says
Thanks for the sweet words and for answering the poll, Johlene! You’re definitely with the majority, so there will be a lot more paleo/GF goodies around here :)
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Oh my! That eye-sucking situation sounds dreadful! I’m glad you’re feeling better and you can see! Thank goodness you had this strawberry chocolate granola to get you through!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
Oh my, so sorry your surgery didn’t go smoothly, but yay for being able to see!! Woot woot! And double yay to this granola! Wowza, girlfriend, this is some serious granola… almost too good to be called simply granola. Ya dig? Chocolate and strawberries is such a delicious combination, and having it for both breakfast and dessert in granola form is all sorts of heavenly! LOVE IT! Cheers, doll!
Raquel says
Love this! I made it last night and was able to maintain my will power to not sneak any until this morning. Baked 40 minutes – perfection! Thanks for a great recipe!
Rachel says
So glad you’re enjoying it, Raquel!
Casey the College Celiac says
I am a self-proclaimed granola addict (I make a huge batch every week, and every week I eat it all), and the chocolate-strawberry combo is def calling my name! And, in other news, I can totally relate to your Lasik debacle. While I haven’t had that done, my family is INFAMOUS for always be the patients who doctors tell, “Well, I’ve never seen this before…”
Cara says
Aw Lasek! I am glad that overall the surgery went well and your back in action! I think having chocolate/strawberri granola to snack one would make recovery more enjoyable for sure. The new photos look incredible!!