Name: No-Bake Chocolate Granola at Home
Yield: 8

No-Bake Chocolate Granola is an straightforward 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 satisfying, crave-worthy, and addictive. Not to mention straightforward.

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 straightforward. Not to say regular granola isn’t straightforward, 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 reliable 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, It is worth a peanut butter you enjoy eating straight from the jar. home cooks enjoy 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!