Homemade Coconut Granola

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Bringing out one of my fav recipes from the private chef days way back in the day! I’d make vats of this on a weekly basis and store it for breakfasts and snacks. It’s the most perfect granola recipe there is!

Homemade Coconut Granola from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

When I tell you that this is the best homemade coconut granola recipe in the world – I’m not kidding you. The nuts, the coconut, the dried fruit, the chocolate, all of it combined with the oats make for the most flavorful bites. I throw this into yogurt. I eat it plain by the handful. I’ve been known to add it on top of a bowl of ice cream. Once I even folded it into the batter of banana bread before baking. It’s truly my all time fav.

Homemade Coconut Granola from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Some things to think about when it comes to making homemade coconut granola:

  • Dried Fruit – yes you can use any kind of dried fruit! Freeze dried fruit is also delicious in this. Dried blueberries and apricots both make frequent appearances in my kitchen.
  • Chocolate – when it comes to chocolate, semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips are my 2 favorites. Only thing to keep in mind, is don’t add it to the granola until it’s cooled. Otherwise it will melt everywhere – which isn’t the end of the world but not quite as pretty.
  • Nuts – I love cashews and almonds, but you can use any kinds of nuts you prefer. Walnuts. Pecans. Brazil Nuts. You name it. Just make sure they aren’t seasoned and plain. They’ll get roasted in the oven so no need to buy roasted nuts ahead of time.
  • Oats – Old Fashioned Oats are the way to go! Trust me!! Quick oats and steel cut oats do NOT make the perfect granola if you ask me.
Homemade Coconut Granola from www.whatsgabycooking.com (@whatsgabycookin)

Homemade Coconut Granola

5 from 3 votes
Truly the best homemade granola you'll ever make!! It's loaded with shredded coconut, chocolate, toasted oats and plenty of nuts. It's PERFECTION
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 40 mins
Total Time 50 mins
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 10 Servings+

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
  • 3/4 cup whole almonds, roughly chopped
  • 3/4 cup whole cashews, roughly chopped
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 stick unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 2/3 cup brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips, plus extra as needed
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup dried strawberries

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • In a large bowl, combine the oats, cashews, almonds, coconut, salt and cinnamon and set aside.
  • In a medium saucepan, melt the butter, honey and brown sugar until the sugar has completely dissolved. Remove the mixture from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Pour the butter mixture over the oat mixture and stir to combine until everything is well coated. Spread the granola mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a few large clumps. Bake the granola for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and break up the pieces to ensure even baking. Place the baking sheet back into the oven for another 15 minutes.
  • Remove the sheet pan from the oven and give it one more toss to break up some of the pieces and place back into the oven for the last 10 minutes.
  • Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let it cool completely. Once cooled, add the chocolate chips and the dried fruit. Give it a quick toss with a spoon and then serve or package and store.

52 Comments

  1. Oh my gosh… this looks SO good! I was licking my lips come the end of the post. I’m the same with snacking. I’ve been trying to control it…but like you, I just love it and I’m great at becoming grumpy when I don’t eat!

  2. I don’t think I have ever considered making granola until I read your post today. Now I can’t wait to do it! What a terrific idea for gifts! What a fun activity for the family! Thank you!

  3. I love 18 Rabbits granola which has coconut in it but it’s SO expensive! I cannot wait to make this. Thank you! I’m so glad I saw your guest post at EatLiveRun. Can’t wait to try the butternut and sage quinoa recipe also.

  4. This granola is so delicious! I made a batch for holiday gifts, and it’s so fantastic that I’m making a second round today! Thank you so much for this awesome recipe!

  5. Made this twice now. First was AMAZING. Today I decided to experiment and I used only 1/2 stick butter and 4 T canola oil. In stead of brown sugar I used splenda brown sugar ( measurement conversion on bag). I used rasins instead of chic. chips. Wow it was great too. Browned a little more (prob. because of. the canola oil) Always looking to cut a few calories:).

  6. This sounds like it’d be great with coconut oil too instead of the butter,
    in order to accentuate the coconut-ty taste šŸ™‚

  7. It doesn’t say how much is needed of everything.. Like “add the butter” well I could mess it up by not enough butter or too much!

  8. Granola is my go to thing for breakfast over yogurt and to tuck into gifts I send by mail: my family has come to expect it. The ingredients are terrific – I always include unsweetened coconut – but what really impresses me is your method. Some granola recipes don’t pay attention to the fact that the nuts toast in the oven. I will eschew the chocolate chips unless putting over ice cream.

  9. Looks delicious! Can’t wait to make this. Is the honey now taking place of the agave listed in the directions?
    Congrats on your beautiful bebe, sweet Poppy!

  10. The instructions mention agave? Have you replaced that with honey? Also, has anyone tried replacing the brown sugar with Sukrin gold (erythritol)?

  11. 5 stars
    I have had so many different granolas over the years, and this has to be the all time best! The strawberries are an absolute delicious surprise!!

  12. 5 stars
    Love this! Did dried apricots and dried blueberries and it was wonderful.
    Iā€™m wondering if I am missing the calorie information or if it could be provided?

  13. 5 stars
    Gaby is right – this is a perfect granola recipe. It has been a family favorite for about 5 years now and MUST always be on hand or people get cranky. I have added dried blueberries in a pinch but the sweet/tartness of the dried cranberries is perfect! I do leave out the chocolate chips because it seems a bit decadent for breakfast but if I have this as a snack I throw in a few choc chips:) Thanks for the recipe!

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