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, yogurt, acai bowls. It's the most perfect granola recipe there is!
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. And the beauty of making these at home- you can change it up with different add-ins and I even have a recipe to make them into granola bars!!
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
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup whole almonds, roughly chopped
- ¾ cup whole cashews, roughly chopped
- 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- ¼ cup honey
- ⅔ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ cup dark chocolate chips, plus extra as needed
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ 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.
I'm obsessed with granola. So I appreciate the fact that you're giving me the opportunity to try out another batch! Thanks!
Oh I'm definitely making this!! Looks SUPER yummy!! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I love granola and am always on the lookout for that "best" homemade recipe, yours looks perfect! And I totally agree about the every-30-minute snacks...definitely necessary 🙂
That looks fab, Gaby. I love adding toasted coconut to my breakfast items from granola to pancakes so this is right up my alley.
I love making granola - look forward to my gift!!! HA HA HA!
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!
This would be amazing on plain yogurt, or vanilla ice cream! or just by itself, too!
My son is the snacker in our house. Granola is never safe when he is around. I always welcome a new recipe with lots of nuts. Thanks. Kirsten
This will be the perfect hostess gift this holiday season! Then I will have a batch in my kitchen as well!
I l-o-v-e granola. And I thought at first that coconut was cheese. BAWW! I'm trying this.
I love making my own granola. I will be trying this for sure.
I love home-made granola and it is so easy. Coconut is not one that I have tried and it sounds delicious.
We have granola in our house at all times (homemade). This version looks awesome!
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!
i've been craving making my own granola lately...and this sounds like just the thing to break out of the non-homemade-granola rut 🙂