(Note: this post was originally published on July 21, 2019. It has since been updated with a few tweaks.)

A Healthy Granola Recipe with Tropical Flair

Granola is a delightfully crunchy treat, but unfortunately most store-bought options are loaded with both oil and sugar. Let's ditch the store-bought stuff in favor of homemade granola with healthier ingredients. This version has only a fraction of the fat and sugar that packaged granola does, plus it's easy to make at home. I've been making this low-fat granola recipe for years and I think you're going to love it.

In addition to being a much better option nutritionally, this granola is also packed with fun tropical flavors. It features buttery macadamia nuts, fragrant coconut, and a little pinch of cardamon for an exotic vibe. You can enjoy it on top of yogurt bowls, in parfaits, alongside tropical fruit, with milk and berries, or even just by the handful. However you choose to use this tropical coconut granola, it's sure to bring a smile to your face.

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How to Make Granola

Granola is actually quite easy to make at home; once you get the hang of it, you'll never want to go back to store-bought. Making your own is significantly less expensive, you have full control over the ingredients and nutrition, and you can experiment with your own flavors and combinations. I have numerous healthy granola recipes here on the blog for you to explore; check out this versatile Banana Bread Granola, this fall-inspired Apple Pie Granola, and this cozy Pumpkin Pie Granola, and this unique turmeric superfood Golden Granola.

Generally speaking, the process of making granola involves coating oats in a mixture that contains moisture, some fat, and some sweetness, then baking it. Typically, recipes include significant amounts of oil and sugar, but this version is different; see the details below about the nutrition of this low-fat granola recipe, including how to minimize the oil and how to sweeten it naturally.

One of the best parts about making your own granola is deciding what else to add. This recipe calls for adding macadamia nuts part-way through the baking time (so they don't burn) and coconut toward the end of the baking time. You could also experiment with other tropical-inspired ingredients like dried pineapple or mango, which you'd want to add after baking.

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Is Granola Healthy?

Although granola is typically seen as a healthy option, the reality is that it's often loaded with both fat and sugar. Most store-bought brands include an astonishing amount of oil in order to help the granola become crispy while baking, as well as a huge amount of sugar. Even many homemade recipes use low-quality oils and refined sugars in abundance.

You'll see that this version makes a few key swaps. Instead low-quality vegetable oils, this low-fat granola recipe uses a 50/50 combination of coconut oil and applesauce. Instead of traditional sugar, this coconut granola is lightly and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. This healthy granola recipe is also vegan, unlike some that use egg whites and/or powdered milk to help the granola clump.

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Ingredients and Substitutions

Here's what you'll need for this coconut granola recipe, as well as some thoughts, tips, and possible substitutions. If you make any substitutions, I'd love to hear about it in the comments section below.

• Maple syrup. Make sure it's at room temperature, otherwise the coconut oil will solidify.
• Coconut oil
• Applesauce. This low-fat granola recipe uses applesauce to replace half of the oil. Choose one that's just apples, with no added sweeteners or flavors. Although you can experiment with using a higher applesauce/oil ratio, I've found that the texture isn't as good if you try to replace the oil entirely. Similar to the above, make sure it's at room temperature.
• Vanilla
• Old fashioned oats. Make sure to use regular rolled oats; quick-cooking oats or steel-cut oats will not work in this recipe.
• Salt
• Cardamon. It adds exotic flair and some interesting depth to this tropical coconut granola, but you can omit it if you prefer.
• Macadamia nuts. This recipe is designed to work with raw macadamias, which you'll add to the granola mixture part-way through the baking time. If you prefer to use roasted macadamias, wait and add them to the granola mixture after baking.
• Unsweetened shredded coconut. This recipe is designed to work with raw shredded coconut, which you'll add to the granola mixture a few minutes before the end of the baking time. If you prefer to use toasted coconut, wait and add it to the granola mixture after baking.

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Closing Thoughts

Are you excited to try this healthy granola recipe? If you've never made your own granola before, prepare to be amazed; it's easy, smells amazing while baking, and you can say goodbye to store brands that are loaded with oil and sugar. I promise you'll never want to go back to store-bought once you try this.

There are so many ways to enjoy homemade granola too! It's a great crunchy addition on top of yogurt. You can serve it at a brunch party, pack it for a portable snack, or even use it as a crunchy topping on a brunch salad. Because homemade granola keeps well and isn't fragile, it also makes for a great travel-friendly gift; I love giving cute bags of this coconut granola for birthdays.

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Share It!

It makes me so happy to hear from you and see your creations! Please leave a comment below and let me know what you think about this recipe. If you post a photo on Instagram, hashtag #TheRogueBrusselSprout and tag me (@TheRogueBrusselSprout) in the post text so that I'm sure to see it.

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Suggested Pairings

Tropical Ocean (Blue Coconut) Matcha

Tropical Fruity Brunch Salad

Berry Banana Breakfast Popsicles

Vegan Mocha Banana ("Wired Monkey") Muffins

Healthy Vegan Banana Bread (High-Protein and Gluten-Free)