Ever wanted to have an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie for breakfast? Than this gluten-free chocolate chip granola recipe is for you! It’s perfectly crunchy and loaded with mini chocolate chips for bursts of chocolate in every bite. Whether you munch on the granola clusters as a snack or enjoy a bowl with milk for breakfast… this granola is sure to be popular with modern pioneers of all ages! Skip the store-bought cereals and granola, instead, head to the homestead kitchen and make your own healthy gluten-free breakfast foods. I love having a batch of this homemade granola on hand for quick breakfasts that taste delicious!

homemade chocolate chip granola served with dairy-free milk

Modern Pioneer Recipe

This gluten-free chocolate chip granola recipe is a modern pioneer recipe. Even though granola may not have been eaten by the early pioneers, it is an American food! It was made popular by the Kellogg’s cereal brand and eventually became a food that anyone could make since it uses raw, natural ingredients.

This modern pioneer version of granola is perfect for the homestead! It helps you stay away from the store-bought cereals and granolas in the grocery store since you can make your own right in the homestead kitchen. And by making your own granola, you can choose what oils, sugar, grains, and nuts you include in your granola.

Which also means you can make gluten-free granola that is allergy-friendly! This chocolate chip granola is…

gluten-free
dairy-free
tree nut free
refined sugar free
egg free
corn free

While homemade granola may not have the same shelf-life as store-bought granola, I have found that it still stays fresh for quite a while when stored properly! When kept in an airtight glass container (like glass canning jars), the granola will remain fresh for up to 3-4 weeks at room temperature (not above 70°F). I like taking homemade granola on camping trips since it lasts so long, is easy to pack, and can be used as a quick breakfast or delicious snack!

Another one of my favorite granola recipes is this sweet and salty peanut butter granola!

gluten-free blueberry cardamon granola free recipe

homemade gluten-free granola made with whole oats and chocolate chips

How to Make Chunky Granola

Nobody likes soft, soggy granola. Soggy oats is strictly reserved for oatmeal. Granola on the other hand, should be crunchy and crispy! Whether you like a granola that is more loose with small chunks or whether you like large chunks of granola clusters… this recipe can be made either way. And either way, you will still have crunchy, crispy granola when you follow these recipe tips!

Oil Instead of Butter– This is going to sound really unhealthy, but it’s true and it’s actually not that unhealthy when you use the right oil. Oil makes for crispier granola than butter since it is kind of like ‘frying’ the oats. I have used butter in countless granola recipes with delicious results, but if you want truly crunchy granola, use oil instead. Avocado oil and coconut oil are two healthier oil options to use in granola recipes.

Let It Cool– Don’t touch the granola as it cools! Don’t stir it or try to break it into pieces until it has cooled completely. Allowing it to cool completely enables those delicious granola chunks to form without breaking into smaller pieces. If your granola has cooled completely and you still find it a little soft, no worries! Just re-heat the oven and pop the granola back in the oven to bake a little longer. It may not seem crispier right away since you will have to wait for it to cool again before it becomes completely crispy.

For Crunchy Granola Clusters….

Flour– If you’re a fan of big granola clusters, than this tip is for you! Adding a little bit of flour to the granola helps the oats bind together to create large granola clusters. I like using homemade oat flour since it doesn’t add any extra flavor to the granola.

Pat It Down– Another tip for getting large granola clusters is to pat the granola into the baking pan almost like you are making granola bars instead of granola cereal. Then don’t stir the granola at all while it bakes! Don’t mess with the granola once it comes out of the oven either. Instead, let the giant ‘granola bar’ cool before breaking it into large granola clusters!

Speaking of granola bars… you may want to check out these gluten-free trail bars for a healthy granola bar recipe!

Granola Recipe Questions

Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?

Yes! You can use raw honey instead of maple syrup in this granola. However, I have found that granola sweetened with honey is not quite as sweet or flavorful as granola made with maple syrup.

How do I get the granola to look light colored like in the pictures?

If you use coconut sugar in your granola, you may find that your granola appears darker in color than the granola in my pictures. I like to use maple sugar or organic cane sugar to keep my granola lighter colored. But if you’re not concerned about the looks, coconut sugar is a natural, low-glycemic sweetener option that works great in granola recipes!

Can I use coconut oil instead of avocado oil?

Yes, you can use coconut oil in this recipe instead of avocado oil. Just make sure the coconut oil is in its liquid state before using it in the recipe. If you use unrefined or virgin coconut oil (which is the healthier than refined coconut oil) you may find that the granola has a coconut flavor, which may or may not be appealing to you.

Is it okay to use quick oats instead of whole, rolled oats?

I have not tried this recipe with quick oats. Quick oats will cook differently than whole oats and they will affect the texture of the granola. If you do want to use quick oats, I recommend subbing them in for only half of the whole rolled oats. For example, you could try using 1.5 cups of quick oats and 1.5 cups of whole rolled oats.

Can I make the granola without the shredded coconut?

Yes, you can make this granola coconut-free! Just sub in additional whole oats instead of the shredded coconut. If you don’t have a tree nut allergy, you can use chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds instead of the shredded coconut.

Don’t forget to make your own dairy-free milk to go with your homemade granola! Check out these dairy-free milk recipes for making your own nut milk and oat milk.

This gluten-free chocolate chip granola creates large granola clusters that are studded with chocolate chips for the ultimate bowl of crispy, crunchy granola! It’s like eating an oatmeal cookie for breakfast, but nobody has to know since it just looks like you’re eating a bowl of granola!

Gluten-free Chocolate Chip Granola

Recipe by The Pioneer Chicks

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 28

Total Time 48

Author Alexa Lehr

Ingredients

3 cups gluten-free, whole rolled oats
1/4 cup coconut or maple sugar
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 tsp. sea salt
2 T. gluten-free oat flour
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/2 cup avocado oil
3/4 cup EnjoyLife mini chocolate chips

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325℉. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with unbleached parchment paper.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the oats, sugar, coconut, salt, and oat flour. Stir to combine.
Add the maple syrup and avocado oil. Stir to combine, then stir in the mini chocolate chips.
Spread the granola into the large baking sheet. For large granola clusters, pat the granola down with a measuring cup or a spatula so that it is flat and compact.
Bake for 28-30 minutes without stirring the granola. It should be just starting to turn golden brown. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the granola to cool completely before breaking it into chunks.
Store the cooled granola in an airtight glass jar for 2-3 weeks at room temperature.

Where to Find the Ingredients:

a pan of homemade gluten-free chocolate chip granola

This gluten-free chocolate chip granola recipe is super easy to make and it only requires a few simple, wholesome ingredients that you probably already have stocked in your homestead pantry. It’s a great way to help you avoid store-bought cereals that are made with unsustainable oils, loaded with unhealthy sugars, and contain cheap filler ingredients. Instead, you can have a quick breakfast option that is healthy, homemade, and addictingly delicious! These chocolate chip granola clusters are perfect for enjoying in a bowl of milk or munching on for snack!

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