Jump to RecipeHomemade granola is so easy to make at home and way better than store bought! This dark chocolate cherry granola is absolutely delicious made with simple ingredients and you’ll have it ready in under 30 minutes!
Granola is one of those things I always knew how to make, but for some reason never got around to. But you know this quarantine changed that and with ample amount of time, I decided to tackle some things off my baking list. And now I am hooked on granola! I mean how can I not be? It is super easy to make, totally customizable to what you already have in your pantry and it is soo much better than the store bought stuff! Homemade is typically always better, right? This chocolate granola is sweet but not too sweet, crunchy and just a little tart from the cherries! I’m kind of obsess ed with it!
How to store homemade chocolate granola?
Homemade granola can be stored in air tight container for up to 6 months! It can also be frozen and last even longer. I would put in a freezer friendly resealable (ziplock) bag.

Tips and Tricks to making Homemade Granola:
Make sure you line your sheet pan with aluminum foil and then spray that with nonstick cooking spray. You want to make sure your granola doesn’t stick to your pan and it also makes clean up a breeze!
Nuts: In this granola I used chopped pecans, but slivered almonds or chopped walnuts will work fine as well!
Dried fruit: If you don’t have dried cherries on hand, cranberries or raisins will work great as well!
Oil: I used canola oil, but you can also use melted coconut oil!
Oats: For this recipe I suggest you stick to old fashioned oats!! I have not tested it with quick or steel cut oats, but I don’t think it will turn out as good. Old fashioned oats just give off the perfect crunch!
Chocolate: I used dark chocolate chips but semi sweet or milk will be fine too! Even white chocolate sounds delicious. Use whatever you have on hand but I personally am a dark chocolate lover!
How to serve: I can snack on this by itself, it is so good! It is also delicious served over yogurt or in a bowl with milk (like cereal).

Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1/4 cup dark cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/3 cup pecans chopped
- 1/4 cup canola oil or melted coconut oil
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup dried cherries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients together.
- Spread the granola mixture on the baking sheet in a thin layer.
- Bake for 24 minutes, stirring the granola every 8 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and immediately top with chocolate chips and cherries and stir to combine.
- Let cool completely and then store in airtight container.