This Tropical Coconut Oil Granola is guaranteed to make your morning more pleasant. Every spoonful takes your imagination to your favorite island destination. What better way to awaken the senses first thing in the morning?
I am a cereal-for-breakfast kind of person. Sure, pancakes and bacon & eggs are great, but I keep those for weekend breakfasts - that is, when I actually have time.
During the week, I have to have cereal. Firstly, I LOVE it, and secondly, it's quick!
Cereal is the Best Breakfast
Usually I cook some sort of hot cereal (oatmeal etc.) because most boxed cereal is just too sugary (aka unhealthy) for me. When I have cold cereal, it is most likely homemade granola. Take this awesome tropical version that I made with coconut oil, for example.
The benefit of homemade granola is that you know exactly what is and isn't in there. I like to increase the nutritional value by adding a variety of nuts and seeds (which can be adjusted according to taste preferences and availability).
To give this version a tropical twist, it uses not only coconut oil, but also shredded coconut, some orange zest, and pineapple chunks. Aloha!
Three Cheers for Coconut Oil
Do you love coconut oil as much as I do? It has become my favorite oil to bake with (just look at this coconut oil recipe collection), especially when making healthier desserts. If you think about it, a coconut is a super versatile food. Not only can you drink its milk, but you can also make coconut water, eat its meat, or extract its oil and use it for delicious recipes. I love coconuts. Thank you, Coconut Gods!
Now, there are different grades of coconut oil and I definitely always prefer the organic, virgin variety. I came to love it when I tested my Coconut Oil Chocolate Chip Cookies here.
Tropical Coconut Oil Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups oats old-fashioned/large flake
- ¾ cup almonds chopped
- ½ cup coconut shredded, unsweetened
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- ¼ cup sesame seeds
- â…› cup quinoa
- zest of ½ an orange
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup brown/raw/coconut sugar
- 1 cup candied pineapple chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
- Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl.
- In a small saucepan melt coconut oil, honey, sugar and vanilla extract over medium heat. Pour over the oat mixture and stir until evenly coated.
- Spread mixture onto prepared baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes. Stir and bake for another 15 minutes or until golden brown (an extra 5-10 minutes may be required).
- Sprinkle chopped pineapple over the granola and let cool. Once cool break granola into chunks and store in an airtight container or large ziploc bag.
- Enjoy with milk, over Greek yogurt or as snack.
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Elizabeth G.
I use coconut oil for everything! I would make coconut bread.
Deb
I cook with it, bake with it, make lotion bars, soap...love it!
Carrie W.
There's so much I would do with this! Homemade brownies sound delicious right now!
Maria
Thank you for the giveaway! Love making stir fry with VCO
Beth
So glad I found this blog post. My husband & I have decided to make our own granola, but weren't sure where to start.
Your recipe is perfect!
Beth
I would make some Coconut Shrimp with the coconut oil
Laura Lane
Skinny chocolate is a combination of coconut oil, cocoa, and Truvia that has been ground in a coffee grinder. It's from the Trim Healthy Mama book by Serene and Pearl.
Regina
Sounds like a great alternative to feed my chocolate addiction 🙂
Kristen
I'd make granola, kale chips, popcorn, muffins and pancakes.
Jeffrey
I would start of with some chocolate brownies!
Tannis W
I'd use it in granola of course! I'd also use it in baking and body butter.
Regina
Those are wonderful ideas Tannis! I also love the smell of coconut on my skin 🙂
Emilie
I would use it for everything cooking and baking related.
Regina
Thats wonderful Emilie! Coconut oil has become my oil of choice in the kitchen. Its so tasty and healthy!
Christy Spurlock
I love granola and this recipe will be made first.
Regina
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it Christy 🙂
Laura Lane
I'd make Skinny Chocolate and candy.
Regina
I have started using coconut oil in my fudge recipes too, but I do wonder what is 'skinny chocolate'?
loriag
I would love to make zucchini muffins.
Regina
Oh it's definitely the season to be baking with zucchini. I wish I lived closer to my mom. Her crop of zucchini is always soo big!
TZel
I would like to try making cookies and granola!
Regina
It's awesome in both of these! Have you seen my coconut oil chocolate chip cookie recipe?
Jacquee
I've used it since I was a kid and continue to use it on my skin, hair, as a lip balm and a separate jar is kept in the kitchen for cooking. My hubs uses it to help manage his eczema. Will definitely try this recipe!!
Regina
As I started to discover all the different uses I had to start doing the separate jars too. Having my husband go to the pantry to use the coconut oil as after-shave didn't jive too well 😉
Bonny
Whipped body butter. Or I cook with it. Or make raw chocolate. or chocolate chip cookies
Regina
Those are great uses! Do you whip it in the mixer for the body butter?
Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen
I LOVE how versatile coconut oil is! It makes creating vegan and healthier recipes much easier. This granola sounds fantastic!
Regina
Absolutely agree Faith. I feel my baking has become much healthier since using coconut oil 🙂
meg
I use it for everything from moisturizing my skin (no more chemical laden products) to making homemade deodorants...also pop my popcorn kernels in it!
Regina
Isn't it incredible how many uses there are? Would love to hear how you make deodorant Meg. I really want to move away from aluminum deodorant.
meg
here's the link to the recipe I've been using w/much success....she has a fun website w/so many great tips, tricks & recipes.... I hope it works for you!!
http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2012/10/make-your-own-all-natural-deodorant-stick-or-spray.html
Regina
Thanks so much. That link is awesome. I had seem coconut oil deodorant that you had to smear on with your fingers and didn't like the concept, but the solid & spray versions look awesome 🙂
meg
I prefer the solid too!