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4.6 from 96 votes

No-Bake Dark Chocolate Granola Bites

Perfect for any time of day, this recipe delivers great flavor effortlessly.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 36 Bites (2-3 dozen depending on size)
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 cups quick oats
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened
  • 1 cup sliced or chopped almonds
  • 3 tablespoons cacao nibs optional
  • ½ cup honey
  • ¼ cup extra-virgin coconut oil
  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup natural unsweetened or Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • ½ cup semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats and salt.
  2. In a 10 or 12-inch skillet over medium heat, add the coconut, almonds and cacao nibs, if using. Toast the ingredients, stirring often to prevent burning, for 5-6 minutes until the aroma is nutty and the coconut and nuts are turning slightly golden. Toss the mixture with the oats.
  3. In a medium saucepan, combine the honey, coconut oil, peanut butter, vanilla, cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is melted and smooth.
  4. Pour the chocolate mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until well combined.
  5. Using a cookie scoop or two spoons, scoop the mixture into tablespoon-sized mounds onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Let the little mounds sit for 10 minutes or so until they have cooled and are less sticky.
  6. Roll the mounds into balls using firm pressure with the palms of your hands.
  7. Refrigerate the granola bites for 1-2 hours to set up. They can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks (or freeze for several months). They taste great out of the refrigerator but are even better if left to sit at room temperature for just a few minutes before eating.

Notes

  • Almonds: if using whole almonds, be sure they are chopped into fairly small pieces. I've made the mistake of leaving the almonds a tad bit too chunky and it makes the granola mixture more difficult to form into balls that stick together.
  • Oats: I haven't used regular old-fashioned oats. If you do so, consider pulsing them in a blender or food processor very lightly so they break down just a bit.
  • Cacao Nibs: if you aren't familiar with cacao nibs, they are basically raw pieces of chocolate that haven't been ground and sweetened yet (they are slightly bitter like cocoa powder). 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1 Bite Calories 129kcal (6%) Carbohydrates 11g (4%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 9g (14%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Cholesterol 1mg (0%) Sodium 29mg (1%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 6g (12%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 36Bites (2-3 dozen depending on size)

Amount Per Serving

Calories

% Daily Value*

Serving 1 Bite
Calories 129kcal 6%
Carbohydrates 11g 4%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 9g 14%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 1mg 0%
Sodium 29mg 1%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 6g 12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.