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Since we don’t eat a lot of grains, I’ve had to get pretty creative to find alternatives to eggs for breakfast. We’ve done cottage cheese crepes and chia seed pudding. This coconut granola recipe was created in an attempt to find something new. If you’ve been looking for a healthy “cereal,” this is a good option.
Granola Without Grains?
Granola and I have had a love/hate relationship over the years. I hated it when I was younger and it was just some weird health food my mom liked. Then I liked it in college when I thought it was a health food. Once I realized that grains and my stomach didn’t get along so well, granola was on the bad list again.
As a result, we haven’t had granola or any other type of breakfast cereal in the house in years. This recipe was created at the request of my kids to eat something besides eggs for breakfast. (Fun fact: I was originally trying to make granola bars, but the first few tries flopped. The crumbly result was perfect as cereal.)
I wanted it to be nutrient dense, grain free, and relatively easy to make. So I started experimenting.
The Solution: Coconut Granola!
After giving it some thought, I decided to use unsweetened coconut flakes as the base for my granola. Coconut flakes are wider and flatter than shredded coconut. Kind of like the difference between fettuccine and angel hair pasta. It’s usually pretty easy to find coconut flakes in health food stores or co-ops. Try the bulk section for a great price.
I toss the coconut flakes together with some nuts and dried fruit and drizzle a mixture of honey, coconut oil, and vanilla over it, and bake it until crispy.
Keep a close eye on it though. It’ll go from golden brown to burned in seconds. And keep in mind that it’ll get crunchier as it cools, so don’t worry if it seems a little soft when it’s still in the oven.
This isn’t an everyday food, but I don’t mind my kids eating it with raw milk or homemade coconut milk, or even homemade yogurt a few times a week.
Customizing Your Granola
The beauty of granola is that it’s so easy to customize it to precisely suit your mood and available ingredients.
Sometimes I like to add nuts, sometimes dried fruit, and sometimes it just feels like we all need a little chocolate (just don’t add the chocolate until the granola is cooled!).
During the summer months when fresh berries are in season, I leave out the dried fruit and toss in a handful of raspberries or blueberries before eating. Or serve it with sliced mango. Mmm. So many possibilities. This post has some interesting ideas.
Coconut Granola Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- ¼ cup maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1 cup nuts (such as cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds, or barukas)
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup chia seeds (or raisins or other dried fruit of choice, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a small saucepan, melt the coconut oil with the maple syrup or honey.
- Heat until it is starting to bubble and simmer.
- Stir in the vanilla.
- In a large bowl, mix together the coconut chips, nuts, cinnamon, and dried fruit and chia seeds.
- Pour the honey/maple syrup/coconut oil mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well. The consistency will vary some depending on the honey, coconut chips, and coconut oil you use. If there is not enough of the honey mixture to lightly coat all of the ingredients, add slightly more melted coconut oil and honey in equal parts.
- Spread on the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 until starting to brown. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning.
- Remove and let cool, then crumble in to granola pieces.
- Store in an air-tight jar and use within two weeks.
Notes
Nutrition
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8 Ways to Stop Sugar Cravings
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This is great and looks so good! You have so many great ideas and inspire me to eat healthier. However, as a college student it can be really hard to focus on my health. Thanks for the inspiration!
I totally get that…I’m in college too though thankfully I have an apartment so I can do some cooking…but all my friends think I’m crazy for being so obsessed with health 😛
I made this tonight. My version of it is coconut oil, coconut chips, almonds, and honey in the proportions you used. I omitted the maple syrup, as it looked like way too sweet for me. I added vanilla, cinnamon, and 1 Tbsp chia seeds, oh yes, and 1/4 c rolled oats. As it is intended as a snack and not as breakfast for me, I then added 1/2 c chocolate chips! It smells wonderful baking! Oh, and so good to eat too! I burnt my tongue munching on it right out of the oven! And, yes, the granola starts to burn at 15 minutes. But, no problem. I just turned off the oven, stirred the granola, and let it bake in the oven for another 15 minutes. Oh, yum! Thank you again, Katie, for another awesome recipe!
Love your posts! The haters are just that… I’m sure you’re used to it. Anyway, I think you’re awesome and so is this recipe. 🙂
Tried this today as I’m trying to remove most grains from my diet. It seemed very treaty to me. I liked it, but somehow mine got a bit burnt after 15 min. Will likely try again with a bit less sweetness & less time in the oven. THanks!
God bless you for all the time and effort you take to post these things. I know I am trying hard to treat my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit that it is, to eat more natural foods the way God created them. I have 3 girls (7, 10, 11) still at home and am trying to re-train them to pursue health before they move out on their own (and hubby as well! not moving out on his own, but encouraging him to pursue health. lol). You really inspire me.
I also want to say, I see – from time to time – people being rude to you (I hope they realize they don’t HAVE to do anything you say on here. lol) and all of the arguments that ensue. I know I don’t like listening to my children complain and fight. But I hope you don’t let that deter you from what you are doing. I know you’re not perfect (NO ONE is) but the point is that you are trying to do what’s best AND you are trying to help others. I know the Lord is smiling on you and so am I!
BTW my husband saw this recipe open on my laptop and is the one who asked me to make it! Small victory 🙂
And just as a side note, I’ve learned that there is a good bit of protein in some nuts (like almonds) and seeds (like sunflower) Not an animal protein but still protein. No?
I’m a registered dietitian and approve of this recipe 100%. Especially if you used organic ingredients. Have a radio show for some of the reasons that are brought up by comments on this page. People have lost the sense of what real food eating is all about, real ingredients that pack a concentrated nutrition punch. In dietetic school at Loma Linda University (vegetarian centered), we were taught in the 90s that all saturated fat was bad, but was always curious about the special properties of coconut. It is full of a very special saturated fat that contained “medium chained fatty acids” that worked differently in the body and people with genetic disorders could use it, but not other fats because used different pathway. Could never buy that coconuts are bad. Later we found out could even help with disorders of the brain and are still learning much more. While trying to set guidelines for schools and what was healthy in first stage of getting junk out of schools, the nut situation was hard because they contain good fats and fiber but tested over 30% fat. Eating all the raw unpasteurized organic almonds are a weight loss tool in my opinion and help you rebuild a better body by replacing bad cells with better ones. Nuts are one of our most concentrated food sources and perfect. Maple syrup is amazing too, and give athletes an advantage. Packed full of nutrition and energy. Raw organic honey can have 100 nutrients many we don’t even understand or have not yet identified. Love this recipe and will be recommending it as something that can also save lives because these foods help prevent our top killers. Don’t want to discourage label reading at all, but you have to better understand nutritional data and not just look at numbers but food quality. A calorie is not just a calorie but has nutrition attached or many times today no nutrition and just calories. Would want to ask critics what they think is better. Aspartame? May want to read my interview and webpage on that under resources tab on my website. Katie you are awesome and I’m adding most all of your recipes to my Pinterest board because I wholeheartedly approve. Just please choose organic/non GMO ingredients.
Yes!!! Thank you! This is what I try to tell people, but they just don’t want to understand, I guess. I think we’ve been brainwashed too much. Just eat real food. I ALWAYS notice an increase in energy, a decrease on the scale, better fitting clothing, and overall well-being when I eat more of these naturally “fatty” and “sugary” foods. If we were to really worry about naturally occurring sugars in our food, we’d have nearly nothing left to consume – especially in the produce department. A little education goes a long way. Thanks again for your comment.
I am also a registered dietitian and absolutely agree. You have to understand the science. It is not all about the numbers. Calories in, calories out is an outdated concept. Thank you for your comments. I will look you up on Pinterest!
Any sugar free options?
Sugar is just as bad for you as grains.
In any form.
Thank you! I agree completely!
This recipe has natural sources of surgar. No HFCS here. Te best part is that these natural sweetners have great health benefits
Maple syrup is high in magnesium and zinc. Magnesium being great for the proper function of muscles, arteries and heart. Zinc is required for enzymes and I find it great to help keep colds away.
Natural raw honey is recognized for its medicinal properties. It contain main B vitamins as well as vit c, potassium, magnesium, calcium and iron to name a few. It’s known for supporting gut healthy bacteria and having antioxidants. You reap even more benefits (allergy fighting) when you find local raw honey.
So when labeled as HEALTHY, I don’t think she meant “low sugar”. This is a nutrient packed recipe to be used as a granola substitute. Obviously eat in moderation to control your sugar intake.
As I am not allowed to have any sweetners right now I made it with just the coconut and nuts tossed with cinnamon, vanilla, and the oil. I thought it was great, though I did miss the maple flavoring and may try adding that next time. Thank you for the recipe and the idea! I have been looking for something like this!
Awesome Debbie!! Thanks for the idea!! I tried and loved it. I usually remove the sugar from most recipes, and thought of it after I posted above. Whether its maple syrup or honey they are high glycemic and spike your blood sugar, regardless of nutrients, natural or not. Great Recipe and Wonderful Blog!.
Hi Katie – I just made this and I don’t think there’ll be any left to store by tonight! Everyone in my household loved it. Thanks for creating this treat. It’s nice to find a “granola” recipe that doesn’t contain grains or other crappy ingredients.
Hi Kate – I just made this and I don’t think there’ll be any left to store by tonight! Everyone in my household loved it. Thanks for creating this treat. It’s nice to find a “granola” recipe that doesn’t contain grains or other crappy ingredients.
Where, exactly, is the “healthy” part?
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 serving (113.6g)
Servings: 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories 550 Calories from Fat 320
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 36g 55%
Saturated Fat 21g 106%
Trans Fat 0g
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 230mg 10%
Total Carbohydrate 56g 19%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Sugars 39g
Protein 5g
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin C 0%
Calcium 4% Iron 10%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
First of all, I’d love to know where you came up with these numbers. Second, this is a great grain free option as grains are terrible for you and finding a new grain free recipe is always awesome! Third, finding a new way to squeeze more coconut into your diet is great. Fourth, what exactly are you complaining about in this recipe? If it’s the fat content, saturated fat from natural sources (like coconut) is not bad for you. This may not be packed with vitamins and minerals, but it is a natural snack free of chemicals. So please voice your concerns a little better next time instead of a general statement of disapproval and a nutritional facts list.
I could, if you showed me how, upload a PDF document with all of the nutritional data for your recipe — including all ~40 vitamin & mineral information, if you are really interested.
This isn’t my recipe. I was just wondering where you got that info and why you disapproved so much.
I already answered all your questions (but you censored that post). In any event, I didn’t disapprove of the recipe. I am sure it is delicious… how could it not be with that much sugar? My issue was with the word “healthy.”
I didn’t censor anything… posts with links are automatically flagged so spam doesn’t clog up comments (not saying you were spamming…)
Okay, let me try again to respond to your four points:
1. Yes, you are correct. I have no way of verifying the “Nutrition Facts” assigned (by the supplier) of each of your ingredients. But they are readily available (ignoring the accuracy issue) to anyone who seeks that data.
2. There is more than “grain-free” involved in “healthy.”
3. Okay.
4. No. The Fat content is fine (if a little on the light side). The Red Flags are the 52g of Carbohydrates — 39g of those being Sugar — and the imbalance of Protein.
In any event, I concur that I am not as eloquent as I should be — clearly not as much as you. Nevertheless, I try to plod along as best I can.
There are two images attached to my above response. I am unsure if they are visible… or even accessible.
I could, if you showed me how, upload a PDF document with all of the nutritional data for your recipe — including all ~40 vitamin & mineral information, if you are really interested.
Her recipe was for 4 servings, not one. So wouldn’t it be about 10 grams sugar per serving? Still more than I’d want, but more reasonable than 39! Just cut back on the sweeteners. And don’t add dried fruit, which is another mega-source of sugar. If you want dried fruit then only use a tiny bit of honey or maple syrup.
Excuse me? First of all, this has 39 grams of sugars and 21 grams of saturated fat. (Granted, the sugars from maple syrup and honey are not as bad, and sat fat is not necessarily bad… research continues.) Secondly, it only takes a working BRAIN to get the nutrition info because it’s home made! You only have to add up the ingredients and divide by the amount of servings! It has only a little protein, considering the whopping 550 calories it packs, which is more than a typical waffle and way more than a kid or adult needs to eat for breakfast.
If you’re looking for a grain-free recipe, try eating veggies or fruit or meat or anything other than a glob of sugar!
Except for the honey and maple syrup, which is used by athletes to increase performance, most of the sugar is attached to fiber which is a whole different ballgame on how it is absorbed into the system, I would see this as the perfect combo to add to some greek yogurt that would supply protein to start the day. A waffle will go into the body completely differently with the flour and sugar in that product raising blood sugar quickly and why whole wheat helps. When sugar is bonded to fiber the time to release sugar is extended as body as to first break down the fiber to get to sugar. Other ingredients such as flour/sugar release those carbs quickly to train you body to be a diabetic. Would suggest adding Salba Chia to increase fiber and nutrition even more. As a dietitian I believe in looking at meals as a whole and making sure half my plate is f/v and yes that is always a good meal and have eaten eggs/veggies many times as perfect meal to me, but do we want that everyday? There has to be fiber there! This granola, yogurt and some fresh fruit would be the bomb! Our brain and muscles run on carbs which are not the devil. It is the source that is key and if there fiber! Eat 30 gms/day.
Saturated Fat is healthy 🙂 We don’t eat grains…
The research will eventually prove one side wrong, and I’m still sitting on the fence. My family eats conventionally, and because I am not the one buying the groceries, I find it extremely difficult to avoid all the foods you say I should: peanuts, beans, grains (wheat, corn, oatmeal, rice, etc.), processed foods, vegetable oils, sugar, and more than a little fruit. That’s pretty much all my family eats. The meat and veggies are more like side items around here.
Dear Katie,
Do you recommend buying the Tropical Traditions Gold Label Extra Virgin Coconut Oil or just getting their regular, non-organic coconut oil? I plan to do everything with it from cooking to snack recipes to skin care. Also, what is the name of your holistic dentist? I live in NKY and wonder if I might be able to see him/her. There is one two hours north of me that uses the Huggins Protocol but doesn’t see children. Thanks for your help!
I’ve bought and used both in the past, but only use the Gold label any more…
This recipe says that there are FOUR+ servings and it seems that you are giving the nutritional values as if the entire recipe is one single serving. No?
?? The total recipe is 454.5g/16.0oz and an individual serving is 113.63g/4.0oz. So, if I understand your question properly, no.