We're heading to the tropics with this homemade tropical granola studded with dried pineapple, dried papaya, and coconut flakes. This is one of my favorite granola recipes! It's unique, delicious, and makes a wonderful afternoon snack.
Do you have a favorite granola flavor? I've become a bit of a granola fiend over the last year and tried everything from maple sea salt to honey almond to chocolate flavors.
But recently, I purchased some tropical fruit yogurt, and I thought it could be fun to develop a matching granola!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's simple and easy. This granola recipe is just as easy as any other homemade granola, and it uses common pantry ingredients so you can save a trip to the grocery store.
- It has a delicious tropical flavor, thanks to a variety of dried fruit, macadamia nuts, coconut chips, and hints of ginger.
- It's versatile. My favorite way to serve it? For breakfast, in a yogurt bowl, with freshly chopped tropical fruit and spoons of crunchy granola. But there are SO many applications for this granola. You can pack it for a hike, enjoy it atop a smoothie bowl, or even make a parfait.
For more delicious breakfast ideas, try my Spiced Banana Cake with Coconut, Brioche Cinnamon Rolls, or Apple Cider Coffee Cake.
Ingredient Notes
- Oats: Make sure to use rolled oats (or old-fashioned oats), as they'll have the best texture and keep their shape while baking.
- Unsweetened Coconut Flakes: Coconut flakes, or coconut chips, add a subtle sweet nuttiness to the granola. Make sure to buy the unsweetened, untoasted kind!
- Macadamia Nuts: If you can't find macadamia nuts, you can also use cashews or almonds.
- Coconut Oil: For the best flavor and texture, opt for an unrefined coconut oil, preferably cold-pressed.
- Egg White: Adding egg white to the granola batter helps bind the mixture together and develop more clusters.
- Ground Ginger: I like adding just a touch of ground ginger to the granola. You can omit this if you don't have it!
- Dried Fruit: After baking the granola, I add in a handful of dried fruit. You can customize your granola however you like! I personally love a combination of dried pineapple and papaya chunks. Sometimes I'll add in raisins, banana chips, or dried mango, too.
Top Ingredient Tip
When purchasing dried fruit, note that dried fruit "chunks" are different than dried fruit "chips." For example, dried pineapple chunks have a sugar coating on the inside and a soft, jelly-like texture on the inside.
Dried pineapple chips can be quite tough, with a hard texture, as they hold less moisture than the chunks. I like using 100% dried chunks or a 50/50 mix of dried chunks and dried chips so that the granola doesn't taste too "dry."
Instructions
Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients, including the oats, coconut flakes, nuts, spices, and chia seeds (if using).
Step 2: Whisk the coconut oil, egg white, and honey together.
Step 3: Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, and stir to combine.
Step 4: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, and spread the oat mixture in an even layer.
Step 5: Bake the granola until golden brown, stirring half-way through to ensure everything is evenly toasted.
Step 6: Cool the granola, then toss with dried fruit.
Storage
Make sure the granola has cooled completely, then store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Homemade granola will generally last 1-2 months stored at room temperature.
Theoretically, it can last longer, but dried fruits can get soggy and nuts can often go rancid. For longer-term storage, make sure to use fresh nuts and keep dried fruit separately.
Or, freeze the granola. Transfer the mixture to an airtight freezer safe container or Ziploc bag and and freeze for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw the granola on a counter for several hours before serving.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can, though honey is a better binder than maple syrup and creates better clusters. Sub maple syrup 1:1 with honey.
Make sure the granola is completely cooled (and residual heat will add moisture) and store in an airtight container or sealed ziploc bag in a cool, dry place away from moisture and light.
To stir or not to stir, that is the question! It's important to stir the granola to ensure even baking. If you want clusters, however, you will need to stop stirring about halfway through the baking to prevent the mixture from breaking up too much.
Dried fruit will dry out too much in the oven, so you'll want to add it after baking.
Easy Tropical Granola
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes, loosely packed
- ¼ cup macadamia nuts, roughly chopped
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds, optional
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ cup honey
- 1 egg white
- 1 ½ tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 cup mixed tropical dried fruit, such as pineapple chunks, papaya chunks, and banana chips*
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F/149°C and position a baking rack in the middle of the oven. Line a large 9x13 baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, coconut flakes, nuts, chia seeds (if using), cinnamon, ginger, and salt until well combined.1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, ½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes, ¼ cup macadamia nuts, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon, ½ teaspoon ground ginger, ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- Melt honey in the microwave for 15-20 seconds until warm but not hot. In a small bowl, whisk the egg white until foamy. Add the honey and coconut oil. Pour the liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, stirring with a wooden spoon until the dry ingredients are fully coated.¼ cup honey, 1 ½ tablespoons coconut oil, 1 egg white
- Spread the granola mixture in an even layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and stir the granola with a wooden spoon -- this ensures that all of the granola bakes and browns evenly.
- Return the pan to the oven and bake for another 10 - 15 minutes until the nuts are toasted, oats and coconut chips are golden brown, and the granola is no longer wet to the touch.
- Set the pan on a cooling rack and let cool for 1 hour or until granola is at room temperature. Stir in the dried fruit until combined.The granola can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a couple of weeks.1 cup mixed tropical dried fruit, such as pineapple chunks, papaya chunks, and banana chips*
Video
Notes
- Make sure the granola has cooled completely, then store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Homemade granola will generally last 1-2 months stored at room temperature.
- Alternatively, freeze the granola. Transfer the mixture to an airtight freezer safe container or Ziploc bag and and freeze for up to 3 months for best quality. Thaw the granola on a counter for several hours before serving.
