Homemade Chocolate Buckwheat Granola - A delicious way to enjoy granola, oat-free! This crunchy cereal reminds me of a healthy Cocoa Krispies.
Cheerios, Rice Krispies, Just Right, and Raisin Bran were all regulars in my childhood pantry.
Since I've been older, however, I can't rationalize eating any of the aforementioned due to the abundance of preservatives and obscene amounts of sugar.
Per usual, when I find myself in this situation, I make my own healthy version!
What are buckwheat groats?
Instead of oats, we're using groats!
Buckwheat groats, that is.
Buckwheat groats come from a plant that is related to rhubarb and are actually considered seeds, for classification purposes, NOT a grain.
Though they are named 'buckwheat', they are gluten-free and not related to wheat in the slightest.
Buckwheat is also a complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids.
Its fibers and proteins also lend themselves to making fluffy and delicious baked goods!
How to make chocolate buckwheat granola
Ingredients
Recipe steps
Preparing the buckwheat groats and mixing together the granola ingredients.
FAQs
Can you use toasted buckwheat?
Can I bake this recipe at a higher temperature?
How long does it keep?
Can I lower the sugar and/or use stevia?
Can I use a dehydrator?
Buckwheat served as the perfect proxy in this recipe.
This is the best way to get a cold cereal fix, AND it can be happily enjoyed by many different diet types.
Other buckwheat recipes you might enjoy
Sugar-Free Apple Banana Buckwheat Muffins
Chocolate Chip Buckwheat Muffins
Homemade Chocolate Buckwheat Granola
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw buckwheat groats
- 3 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 5 Tablespoons maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Place buckwheat groats in a bowl and cover them with purified water (about 1-2 inches above the groats).
- Let them soak overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
- Drain and rinse the groats.
- Pat them dry with paper towels as best as you can (this can get a tad messy).
- Mix them with the remaining ingredients until well combined.
- Pour the mix onto a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet. Make sure to spread them out into an even layer.
- Place the pan into the oven, and bake the cereal for three hours.
- Remove the pan and break the granola into pieces. You will have to kind of peel the layer off of the parchment paper, but it will come off easily.
- Bake the cereal for another 65-75 minutes.
- Remove the pan and let the cereal cool (it will crisp as it cools).
Notes
Nutrition
If you have a chance to try this recipe, please leave a star rating and a comment below letting me know how you liked it!
Kristine
This looks great! Could I try this with sprouted groats instead? Alps have you tried it with okay grouts as well? Thanks!
Lauren
Hi Kristine,
Not sure I understand, are you asking about oat groats? I haven't tried it with anything other than buckwheat, so I can't say for sure!
Kristine
I'm sorry! Some major typos there. I was just curious if you have tried this recipe with sprouted buckwheat? And also if you think oat groats could also work? Thanks!
sarah henkel
These were super easy to make. I made them the day before and we almost didnt have any left for breakfast the next day because they were so yummy right out of the oven. Good thing I doubled the recipe. The next morning when we had them with milk they were quite crunchy. I think it might be because I left them overnight on the tray in the oven (turned off). Maybe, I should have stored them in a container? But the flavor was way better than anything in a box. They had a malted flavor, like a chocolate malt ball. Soooo good. Thanks again.
Lauren
They probably continued to crisp up a bit on the tray, so probably store them in a container next time. So glad you're enjoying what you're trying Sarah! 🙂
alexus
Could this work with toasted buckwheat? Would I still soak the buckwheat if it's toasted do you think?
Lauren
Hi Alexus,
I wouldn't try this recipe with anything other than the raw groats, as it will greatly (negatively) affect the end result.
Samantha Diaram
So I made this with all the blood, sweat, and tears ...just kidding it was super easy, super delicious and amazingly simple.I did a couple different things for those of you who want to try :
1) doubled the recipe (because I love cereal and i had a big box of goats)
2) added cinnamon (because I couldn't find vanilla but that's for next time still yummy)
3) Turned the heat up to 250 (because I didn't have 3 hours --it cooked in half the time!)
I have to say I am your number one fan thank you for making eating better convenient (as I have literally no time), cheap ( for a graduate student like me) and yummy (because when something taste good and is good for you such a win) !
Lauren
Thanks so much Samantha! I'm so happy you enjoyed the recipe! 😀
June Abney
Lauren,
I just made this and it is DELICIOUS! What a great wholesome cereal! I love the crunch!
I can eat so much more of this than the grain free granola I was making...thank you for this wonderful recipe and for introducing me to buckwheat groats!
June
Lauren
Thanks so much June, I'm so happy you enjoyed it! 🙂
Marina
How long do you think the cereal would last?
Lauren
I'd say up to two weeks. Let your nose and eyes be your guides though. 🙂
Arielle
I wonder if cocoa crispie-clusters would work....
Kate
Hi there, I was just wondering if the oven should be set to 200 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius? And thanks for the great recipe!
Lauren
Hi Kate,
It is 200 F. I hope you enjoy it! 😀
Heather
YUM!!!! I can't have much chocolate anymore (boo!), but I want to make this for my husband! Maybe he won't realize it's been "healthified" (although he knows who he's married to, so I'm sure he'll figure it out lol!) 🙂
Candace
Just made this. So yummy! Thank you for the recipe! I have really missed cold cereal 😀 Now I can have it again!!!
Lauren
Yay! Thanks for the feedback! 😀
Jen
Can you use stevia instead of maple syrup?
Lauren
The maple syrup is the biggest component in keeping the cereal together, so I don't think stevia alone would work. You could perhaps make a syrup from granulated stevia and water and try that...
Addy
I just tried this recipe and I found it has a really strong aftertaste, could that be the buckwheat groats? Or maybe the cocoa? If you have any clues for what to change, let me know!
Lauren
Did you use the raw groats? The only thing I can fathom is that you used the toasted groats by mistake. They have a really strong taste...
Laurie
Could you dehydrate this instead of using the oven??
Lauren
Sure! Just account for a longer 'baking' time. 🙂
Anne
I make a raw granola with buckwheat ehhh it's ok but I wonder how sprouted oat grouts would be
Cindy (Vegetarian Mamma)
YUM, this looks so good! I have never had buckwheat groats! Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
GiGi Eats Celebrities
Totally walking down memory lane 😉
Suzette
Happy Mother's Day!! This looks SO GOOD!! Do you think this would work with steel cut oats?
Lauren
Thank you Suzette! Hmmm...I don't know, as buckwheat is quite a bit harder in texture. Maybe don't soak it as long and it might?....Let me know if you try it!
Gabby @ the veggie nook
I was never allowed to eat unhealthy cereals as a child and now looking back I'm glad I wasn't. So I love that something like this will allow me to indulge the desires of my inner child while making my now grown-up nutritionist mind happy 🙂
jodye @ chocolate and chou fleur
Homemade cereal is the greatest, especially when it's of the chocolate variety! I''ve avoided all store bought cereals for a while now, but I had a nasty habit of eating all of the marshmallows out of lucky charms when I was a child.
Lauren
Hahaha! We were never allowed sugary cereals, but I would pick the raisins out of Raisin Bran so I can relate on some level! 🙂
Peggy
Awesome looking recipe and great pics!
Terris | Free Eats
These look so good. I'm always looking for good gluten-free, corn-free cereals for my 7 year old son. Since there aren't many options I usually make my own. This looks like something he would love! Thanks for the great idea.
Amber
The buckwheat goats are soaking as we speak!! 🙂 Can't wait to try this.
xo,
--A
Lauren
Ahhhhh! 😀 Let me know Amber! I hope I don't strike out! :-O
Christina
Thank you. I will look into it. I live on an island so resources can be scarce.
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
I could eat cold cereal morning, noon, and night, it's the perfect all around meal (or snack)! I need this ASAP. I'm thinking cocoa rice krispie treats??
Lauren
Haha, do it girl!! 😀
Christina
Looks delish but I can't find raw buckwheat. Will toasted work?
Lauren
I haven't worked much with the toasted, but I've read that it can have a stronger taste, which may not work well here. If you have a close health food store, you might call and ask if they carry the Bob's Red Mill brand of raw buckwheat groats or if they have it in bulk. I'd hate for you to take the time to try this and have it taste bad! 🙁
Amy
I am trying this with bulgar (because that is what I have) I will let you know if it works!
Megan @ Allergy Free Alaska
Oh my goodness, Lauren! I am REALLY looking forward to trying this! What a great recipe!
Hugs,
Megan
Kim @ Hungry Healthy Girl
This looks like such a great recipe!! I wonder if my kiddos would go for it, well, I know I would!!
Lauren
Thanks Kim! My girls really enjoyed it, so hopefully yours would too. 🙂
Susan
Lauren, you have really hit a nerve with this one - I used to eat chocolate cereal all the time, but like you, I now cannot justify it. I may just have to try this, and I think that since buckwheat tends to be strong flavored (and I doubt my husband would like it), that a mix of quinoa and buckwheat would be good. It sounds like this would work well in place of granola on the açai bowls we enjoy for breakfast. Thank you for sharing this.
Lauren
That sounds like a good idea Susan! Let me know if you try it that way. 🙂
Anna @ Your Healthy Place
Great idea to use the buckwheat groats as the cereal grain! Delish!
Amber
So brilliant! Love this Lauren. Great recipe. You're always so inspiring. 🙂
Admittedly, I did not like overly sugary or chocolaty cereals as a child. For example, I never ate fruit loops, but LOVED shredded mini wheats (still had sugar, but not as much). But one thing has always stayed true throughout the years, my cereal HAS to be crunchy...and it cannot go soggy quickly in milk. -) I've been working on nut free dehydrated cereals. Still getting the flavors just right, but it's SOOO fun to make homemade cereal, isn't it. In my many efforts to keep a green, low waste kitchen, making cereal is a great way to decrease box and plastic waste. Love it!! I am very excited to try this cereal. I can tell you my husband will LOVE it (he's a HUGE chocoholic).
Have a fabulous week!
xo,
--Amber
Lauren
Thanks girl! I hope you both enjoy it! 😀
Mary Frances @ The Sweet Tooth Life
Oh my goodness I love cold cereal. Mom never let us buy the chocolate version of anything, but as I have a major love affair with chocolate, I would never turn this down. Granola is my breakfast staple and I would eat this for that and a snack. All. Day. Long. Looks gorgeous and delicious! Have you tried it with anything other than buckwheat groats?
Lauren
I haven't, but I suspect quinoa might work too! 🙂
Dawn Shelton
YEA! can't wait to try this!
Lauren
Haha, thanks Dawn! 😀