Crumb Top Baking

Healthier Desserts and Savory Recipes

You are here: Home / Breakfast and Brunch / Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola

Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola

Updated: By 72 Comments

Jump to Recipe·Print Recipe

Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola is crunchy and nutty, with a base of buckwheat flakes and pecans, and sweetened with dried figs and maple syrup. You’re going to want to add this one to your breakfast line up!

THIS POST IS SPONSORED BY VALLEY FIG GROWERS. AS ALWAYS, ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE BRANDS THAT MAKE CRUMB TOP BAKING POSSIBLE.

Overhead view of ingredients to make Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola.

Chocolate for breakfast! That’s cool, right? I’m hoping you know me well enough by now to know that I look for any opportunity to add chocolate to a recipe. And when that recipe also involves Valley Fig Growers’ California Figs, I get a little over-excited! The combo of chocolate and figs is just too delicious.

Up-close view of sliced California golden figs in a white cup.

I first discovered Valley Fig Growers and their Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice and Sun-Maid California Figs last year when I attended the Everything Food Conference in Utah. There was a snack table set up with figs, cheese and other goodies that we could munch on in between conference sessions. I’ll be honest. I made multiple trips to this table.

And I also came home with quite a few snack-sized bags of Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice Mission Figlets packed in my carry-on luggage.

Okay, I didn’t exactly come home with them. I actually devoured all of them on the flight home. But you guys, these are seriously the plumpest and juiciest figs I’ve ever tasted. And I couldn’t risk having them confiscated going through customs……right?

Fast forward a few months, and I was beyond excited when Valley Fig Growers reached out to collaborate. Let me tell you, it’s been a figgin’ good time in my house these past few months as I’ve been recipe testing with these delicious gems. (And sorry, I couldn’t resist that pun!)

Overhead view of Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola processed in a food processor.

So you might remember a few weeks back, I shared this savoury Tuscan Salad using California Mission Figs. Well, today, I’m going all sweet on you with my new favourite granola mix. And this one is made with a double dose of California Golden Figs.

What’s the difference between Golden Figs and Mission Figs?

Golden and Mission figs are the two main varieties of figs grown in California. Golden Figs are amber-colored, with a slightly nutty taste, while Mission Figs are sweeter with a dark purple colour.

I often use them interchangeably in recipes, and I’ve even made this granola using Mission Figs. But since Golden Figs have a nutty taste, they pair nicely with this nut-based granola.

Overhead view of Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola arranged on a baking sheet, ready for the oven.

Why you’ll love this Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola:

  • The double dose of figs. They’re not only topping the granola, but they’re baked into the granola, which adds a nice taste and texture.
  • Chocolate for breakfast. This granola hits you with cocoa and dark chocolate chips. And that should definitely motivate you to get out of bed in the morning!
  • It’s grain-free and gluten-free, thanks to the buckwheat flakes. If you’re not familiar with my buckwheat obsession, it’s well documented in these donuts, waffles and muffins.
  • This granola is also refined sugar-free. Aside from the dark chocolate chips, these crunchy clusters are sweetened with just maple syrup and figs.
  • You can serve this granola up with just some almond milk, or you can sprinkle it on smoothie bowls and yogurt, or even on toast! (Yes, granola on toast is a thing in my house!)

Up-close view of Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola on a baking sheet.

Some tips for making Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola:

  • If you don’t have buckwheat, and don’t need this granola to be grain-free, you can just use rolled oats.
  • I usually just spread the granola out on a baking sheet and bake it. But for an even crunchier granola, you can press the granola mixture into the pan before baking it.
  • Use a light coloured baking sheet to bake the granola. Darker sheets tend to burn the bottom of granola more quickly.
  • The granola won’t be totally crunchy when you remove it from the oven, but it will get crispy as it cools.
  • Let the granola cool completely before adding the chocolate chips. Otherwise, the chocolate chips will melt all over the granola. I’m not saying this is a bad thing, I’m just saying it will happen!
  • Add the chopped figs for the topping just before serving. Otherwise, if the juicy figs are stored with the granola, the granola will lose some of its crunch.

Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola in white bowls on a white surface.

If you make this Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola, I would love to hear about it in the comments below. Or take a pic and share it on Instagram by tagging @crumbtopbaking and @valleyfig. 

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola in white bowls on a white surface.

Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 28 reviews
  • Author: Leanne
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes (plus time for granola to cool)
  • Yield: 5 cups
  • Category: Breakfast; Snacks
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

Description

Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola is crunchy and nutty, with a base of buckwheat flakes and pecans, and sweetened with dried figs and maple syrup. You’re going to want to add this one to your breakfast line up!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California Golden Figs, stems removed, divided into two half cups
  • 1 cup buckwheat flakes
  • 1/2 cup raw pecans
  • 1/2 cup raw hulled sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons virgin, cold-pressed coconut oil, melted
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
  • 1/2 cup toasted coconut slices (or chips)
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Pre-heat oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a food processor, add 1/2 cup of figs, buckwheat flakes, pecans, sunflower seeds, maple syrup, coconut oil and cocoa. Process on high until the mixture is crumbly. Add in the coconut slices and process until they are in little pieces but still noticeable.
  3. Spread the granola mixture out onto the prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle on the sea salt and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges start to brown. Remove from oven and let cool.
  4. Once cooled, break the granola into clusters and stir in the chocolate chips.
  5. Chop the remaining figs into small pieces, and add to the granola just before serving.

Notes

  1. If you don’t need this granola to be grain-free, you can use rolled oats instead of buckwheat flakes.
  2. Use a light coloured baking sheet to bake the granola. Darker sheets tend to burn the bottom of granola more quickly.
  3. To make the granola even more crunchy, press it into the pan before baking.
  4. The granola will get crispy as it cools, so let it cool completely before breaking it into clusters and adding the chocolate chips.
  5. Add the chopped figs for the topping just before serving. Otherwise, the juicy figs will cause the granola to lose some of its crunch if stored together.

Pinterest image for Chocolate Fig Grain-Free Granola.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Amanda Mason says

    Oh my goodness, YUM!! I have recently fallen in love with figs so this is the perfect recipe for me right now!! This would go perfect on yogurt!



    Reply

  5. Monica says

    Oooh I love this in all the ways! Granola is a definite go to breakfast for us, I nearly always have some on hand, but the chocolate fig combination is new and exciting, which is always great to keep things interesting! They are seriously a perfect pair!



    Reply

  10. Terri says

    You had me at chocolate with my granola, but I really love the sound of the figs with it. I don’t know why, but I always feel so much “fancier” when I eat figs 🙂



    Reply

    • Leanne says

      Haha! I know what you mean Terri. We never really had figs in the house growing up, so they do seem more like a fancier treat now that I’m an adult!

      Reply

  13. Kim says

    I would definitely get out of bed for this. (And maybe have it for an afternoon snack, too.) I have been on a granola kick lately but have never tried making my own. You have given me inspiration to try!

    Reply

  14. Dana says

    This is so crunchy and flavorful and perfect! I love how you can play around with so many ingredients and flavors when it comes to homemade granola and I’m in love with the fact that this recipe uses these glorious figs.



    Reply

    • Leanne says

      Thanks Dana. Yes, any recipe I can incorporate figs in, I’m doing it! And I totally agree, the possibilities are endless with homemade granola!

      Reply

  15. Denise@urbnspice says

    Your recipe for Chocolate Fig Grain-Free (and Gluten-Free) granola appeals to me on so many levels, Leanne! Oh, my – chocolate! 🙂 Breakfast would be an event with this granola, I am sure. Making granola is one of my favourite things to do. I appreciate so much that it is grain-free too and I cannot wait to try your recipe for my son-in-law. Many thanks for the inspiration.



    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.