Healthy Love Crunch Chocolate Strawberry Granola
This is the best-tasting healthy copycat Love Crunch Chocolate Strawberry Granola recipe with oats, cocoa, dark chocolate chunks, freeze-dried strawberries, coconut, coconut oil, chia seeds, almonds, and almond butter. It’s a delicious quick breakfast, snack, or healthier dessert with ice cream or a yogurt parfait.
This is the best-tasting healthy copycat Love Crunch Chocolate Strawberry Granola recipe for a nutritious breakfast. This easy chocolate-covered strawberry granola is made with whole grains and healthy fats from coconut oil, chia seeds, almonds, and almond butter. It gets fresh strawberry flavor from freeze-dried strawberries and is more flavorful than any commercial granola you can buy at the grocery store.
If this is your first time making delicious chocolate chip granola, this is the perfect easy recipe for a delicious combination of crunchy granola clusters and decadent dark chocolate chunks without artificial preservatives. This is one of my family’s favorite recipes for a quick breakfast on busy mornings, a healthier dessert on top of ice cream, or with greek yogurt for a parfait.
Can I use fresh strawberries instead of freeze-dried strawberries in a Love Crunch copycat recipe?
Fresh strawberries will add moisture to the granola and may not yield the same crunchy texture. It’s recommended to use freeze-dried strawberries for the best results. But, you can add fresh strawberries to your bowl of granola right before serving.
Why You’ll Love This Healthy Chocolate Strawberry Granola Recipe
- You only need a few simple ingredients.
- It is super easy to make for an impressive result.
- The flavor-rich ingredients make it taste amazing!
- All the ingredients are easily digestible for a gentle tummy.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here is everything you need to make the best-tasting homemade strawberry granola recipe:
Old-Fashioned Oats: You can substitute with quick oats or organic gluten free rolled oats if you want a gluten-free version. I recommend organic oats.
Sliced Almonds: Whole almonds or chopped almonds also work. Or you can replace them with walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or pecans.
Organic Freeze-dried Strawberries: You can also use a mix of freeze-dried berries or substitute them with dehydrated strawberries or dried fruit like raisins, cranberries, or chopped apricots for a chewy texture. Fresh real fruit or fresh strawberries can also be mixed with the granola in your cereal bowl.
Shredded Coconut: You can also use coconut flakes, organic coconut chips or omit them if you prefer.
Chia Seeds: Replace with flax seeds, hemp seeds, or sunflower seeds for a similar texture.
Cocoa Powder: You can use your favorite variety.
Organic Cane Sugar: Substitute with coconut sugar, brown sugar, or white granulated sugar.
Almond Butter: You can substitute with cashew butter, peanut butter, or sunflower seed butter.
Organic Coconut oil: You can use any variety of coconut oil. Avocado oil and light olive oil are the healthiest replacement oils. You can also use melted butter or a seed oil.
Honey: Organic maple syrup or agave nectar can be used instead of maple syrup.
Chocolate Chips: You can use any variety, including semi-sweet chocolate chips, dark chocolate chunks, or milk chocolate chips.
Egg Whites: The eggs help the granola clump together and add some crunch. You can omit the egg whites if you prefer a vegan option.
Cinnamon: This adds subtle flavor, but you can omit it.
Salt: If you’re reducing sodium, you can omit the salt or use a small amount of sea salt.
How to Make My Freeze-Dried Strawberry Chocolate Granola Recipe
Here are easy, detailed, step-by-step instructions for making this healthy granola cereal. The instructions are also repeated in the recipe card at the bottom of this blog post.
Step 1: Mix the Granola
Preheat your oven to 350°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, cocoa powder, almonds, shredded coconut, chia seeds, cane sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
In a small bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, almond butter, honey, vanilla extract, and almond extract and stir with a fork or whisk until smooth.
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Step 2: Bake the Granola
Spread the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Press it down with a spatula to create the cereal clusters.
Bake for 22-26 minutes, or until the granola is golden brown. Halfway through, turn the pan 180° so it toasts evenly.
Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top and let cool completely. The granola will harden as it cools, forming clusters.
Once cool, break the granola into clusters and mix in the freeze-dried strawberries.
Helpful Recipe Notes
Sweetness Level: You can adjust the sweetness by using more or less coconut sugar or maple syrup.
Clustering: To ensure your granola forms clusters, do not stir it while baking. Press it down gently on the baking sheet before baking to help it stick together.
Texture: The granola will become crunchy as it cools. If you prefer a chewier texture, reduce the baking time slightly.
Freeze-Dried Strawberries: Freeze-dried strawberries work best in this recipe because they retain their shape and add a crunchy texture. If you use fresh or frozen strawberries, they will release moisture and may make the granola soggy.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve this granola as a breakfast cereal with your choice of milk or yogurt.
- Sprinkle it over oatmeal or a smoothie bowl for added crunch and flavor.
- Use it as a topping for ice cream or yogurt parfaits.
- Pack it into small bags or containers for a convenient on-the-go snack.
- Mix it with dried fruits and nuts to create your own trail mix.
- Use it as a crunchy topping for fruit crisps or crumbles.
- Enjoy it by itself as a satisfying and nutritious snack.
Do you love granola? Check out more of my easy and nutritious granola recipes:
Healthy Love Crunch Chocolate Strawberry Granola
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 3-1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
- 1/3 cup sliced almonds
- 1/3 cup shredded coconut
- 1/3 cup cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons cane sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
Wet Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup almond butter
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 2 egg whites
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (150°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.In a large bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, cocoa powder, almonds, shredded coconut, chia seeds, cane sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.In a small bowl, combine the melted coconut oil, almond butter, honey, vanilla extract, and almond extract and stir with a fork or whisk until smooth.Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
- Spread the granola mixture onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer. Press it down with a spatula to create the cereal clusters.Bake for 22-26 minutes, or until the granola is golden brown. Halfway through, turn the pan 180° so it toasts evenly.Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top and let cool completely. The granola will harden as it cools, forming clusters.Once cool, break the granola into clusters and mix in the freeze-dried strawberries.
Video
Made this last night and loved it. The freeze dried strawberries give it a nice pop of color. I used peanut butter instead of almond butter because that’s what I had on hand and it tastes delicious 😋
Hi Mita, thank you for the review! That’s a delicious idea to use peanut butter instead of almond butter 🙂
This was my foavorite breakfast, but it got so expensive! I love being able to make it myself and save money, it tastes just as good!
I hear you! I love Love Crunch granola, too 🙂
I love chocolate cereal already so this feels like a more elevated and delicious alternative. I recommend this to any other chocolate lover like me!
Thank you for the review, Patty! I’m so glad you love this recipe as much as I do 🙂
Liked this even more than the original! Great recipe!!!
Thank you, Florence! I love being able to customize this recipe, too 🙂
I have been obsessed with Love Crunch granola since it first came out, but I wanted to find a healthier and less expensive option. This recipe is the result of my quest, and I am obsessed! I hope you love it as much as I do 🙂