Indulge in the irresistible crunch and natural sweetness of Chunky Maple Coconut Granola, a homemade delight packed with wholesome oats, an assortment of nuts, and luscious dried fruits. Sweetened perfectly with rich maple syrup and golden honey, this granola promises an extraordinary breakfast experience or a satisfying snack any time of day.

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Chunky Maple Coconut Granola: Your Ultimate Homemade Breakfast Treat

There’s something inherently comforting and utterly addictive about homemade granola. While store-bought options offer convenience, nothing quite compares to the wholesome goodness, customizable flavors, and satisfying crunch of a batch made right in your own kitchen. For me, the aroma alone is enough to trigger a craving that’s hard to ignore. As the sole granola enthusiast in my household, I often try to resist, knowing full well that once a fresh batch is made, my self-control goes right out the window. It’s rarely just a modest half-cup with milk; instead, my bowl overflows, and I find myself snacking on those irresistible clusters all day long.

This week, I ventured into a new recipe, a delightful creation inspired by Sara Foster, that has quickly become a new favorite: this incredible Chunky Maple Coconut Granola. It perfectly balances the deep, caramelized notes of maple syrup with the subtle sweetness of honey, creating a flavor profile that’s both comforting and gourmet. But the real magic lies in its generous array of add-ins: thinly sliced almonds, hearty pecans, crunchy pumpkin and sunflower seeds, and a vibrant medley of dried tart cherries and apricots. Each bite is a textural adventure, a testament to the simple joy of real, wholesome ingredients.

Why Homemade Granola Reigns Supreme

Opting for homemade granola offers a multitude of advantages over its store-bought counterparts. First and foremost, you gain complete control over the ingredients. This means you can avoid excessive sugars, unhealthy oils, and artificial additives often found in commercial brands. You can choose organic oats, high-quality nuts, and your preferred natural sweeteners like pure maple syrup and honey. This level of customization not only makes for a healthier product but also allows you to tailor the flavor and texture precisely to your liking.

Beyond health benefits, homemade granola delivers an unparalleled freshness. The moment it emerges from the oven, filling your home with its warm, inviting aroma, you know you’re in for a treat. The oats are perfectly toasted, the nuts are crisp, and the dried fruits retain their delightful chewiness. This freshness translates into a superior taste that simply cannot be replicated by pre-packaged versions that have sat on a shelf for weeks or months.

The Art of Customization: A Truly Versatile Granola Recipe

One of the most appealing aspects of making your own granola, and particularly this Chunky Maple Coconut Granola recipe, is its incredible versatility. Consider these guidelines as merely a starting point for your culinary creativity. Feel free to adapt and experiment to suit your palate and what you have on hand:

Switch up the Nuts: While almonds, pistachios, and pecans are fantastic, don’t hesitate to substitute them with walnuts, cashews, hazelnuts, or even a mix of your favorite varieties. Each nut brings a unique flavor and texture.
Add Your Favorite Dried Fruits: This recipe calls for tart cherries and apricots, which provide a lovely tang. However, cranberries, raisins, chopped dates, figs, or even candied ginger can be wonderful additions. Just remember to add them towards the end of the baking process to prevent them from drying out or burning.
Adjust the Coconut: If you’re not a fan of coconut, you can easily omit it or reduce the quantity. For an extra tropical twist, you could even toast a portion separately and add it after baking for a stronger flavor.
Incorporate Seeds for Extra Nutrition: Chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp hearts, or sesame seeds can be stirred in with the oats and nuts. They add an extra boost of omega-3s, fiber, and a delightful texture.
Experiment with Spices: A pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or even a dash of ginger can elevate the flavor profile. Vanilla extract is also a popular addition for a warm, sweet aroma.

For this particular recipe, I’ve slightly decreased the liquid from the original recipe to ensure a crispier texture. I highly recommend baking your batch until it’s a slightly darker golden brown than what might seem “done” at first glance. However, keep a careful eye on it, as the line between perfectly toasted and unfortunately blackened granola is a fine one! Another cherished granola memory comes from a foodie friend who once gifted me a vacation care package, inspiring me to create my own Maple Coconut Granola recipe.

More Delicious Brunch & Breakfast Recipes

Granola is an incredible foundation for countless breakfast and brunch creations. I’ve often hosted brunches featuring a lavish granola parfait bar, which is always a hit. Simply set out an array of neutral yogurt flavors (both sweetened and unsweetened), a vibrant selection of fresh berries, and, of course, a generous bowl of your homemade Chunky Maple Coconut Granola. It allows guests to build their own personalized, healthy, and delicious parfaits. Beyond granola, here are some other delectable recipes perfect for elevating your brunch spread:

Blueberry Scones from Roxana’s Home Baking – Light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh blueberries.
Almond Cake from Real Housemoms – A subtly sweet and elegant cake perfect with coffee.
Smoked Salmon Waffles – A savory and sophisticated twist on classic waffles.
Overnight Cinnamon Bread French Toast – Prepare ahead for an easy and flavorful morning meal.
Raspberry Mascarpone French Toast – Decadent and fruity, a true brunch showstopper.
Lemon Blueberry Muffin Bread – A delightful blend of muffin and bread, with bright citrus and sweet berries.
Zucchini Bread Recipe – A moist and flavorful way to enjoy your veggies.
Discover even More Brunch Recipes for endless inspiration.

The Recipe:

Maple Coconut Granola

Prep Time
10 minutes

Cook Time
45 minutes

Total Time
55 minutes

Yield
8 cups

A delightful maple granola full of nuts and seeds, with a hint of coconut. This chunky, satisfying granola is perfect for a wholesome breakfast or a healthy snack. Adapted from Food52 and my food blogger friend, Mary, of Lights on Bright No Brakes.

Ingredients

PAM Cooking Spray
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds, hulled
1 cup raw sunflower seeds, hulled
1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes
1 cup unsalted pistachios
1 ¼ cup raw pecan halves
¾ cup pure maple syrup (Grade B preferred for better flavor)
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
½ cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup dried tart cherries and/or dried apricots, chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 300ºF (150ºC). Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with nonstick foil or spray regular foil generously with Pam cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.
In a very large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, hulled pumpkin seeds, hulled sunflower seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes, unsalted pistachios, and raw pecan halves. In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together the pure maple syrup, extra-virgin olive oil, brown sugar, and kosher salt until well combined. Pour the liquid mixture over the dry ingredients and stir thoroughly until all the oats, nuts, and seeds are evenly coated.
Spread the granola mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. For chunkier granola, gently press the mixture down with the back of a spoon or spatula to form a more compact layer.
Bake for approximately 35 minutes, stirring the granola every 10-15 minutes to ensure even toasting and prevent burning. Watch carefully as different ovens can vary.
After 35 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven. Add the dried tart cherries and/or chopped dried apricots to the granola mixture and stir gently to combine. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the granola is a beautiful golden brown and appears toasted and crisp.
Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the granola cool completely on the sheet. This step is crucial for achieving that desirable crunchy, chunky texture. As it cools, the granola will firm up. Once fully cooled, break it into clusters and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.

Notes

For effortless cleanup, spray your measuring cup with PAM Cooking Spray before measuring sticky liquids like maple syrup. This ensures the syrup slides right out, leaving no residue behind!

To achieve even larger chunks, avoid stirring the granola too much during the initial baking phase. Once you add the dried fruit, a gentle stir is all that’s needed. Then, allow it to cool completely undisturbed on the baking sheet before breaking it apart.

The choice of pure maple syrup (Grade B or Grade A Dark, Robust Taste) can significantly impact the flavor. Higher grades often offer a deeper, richer maple essence, enhancing the overall taste of your granola.

Recommended Products for Granola Perfection

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Nonstick Foil
Black Spatula
USA Pan Bakeware Half Sheet Pan

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

Serving Size:

1/2 cup

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 380Total Fat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 18gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 653mgCarbohydrates: 35gFiber: 6gSugar: 17gProtein: 7g

Thatskinnychickcanbake.com occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although thatskinnychickcanbake.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

Varying factors such as product types or brands purchased can change the nutritional information in any given recipe. Also, many recipes on thatskinnychickcanbake.com recommend toppings, which may or may not be listed as optional and nutritional information for these added toppings is not listed. Other factors may change the nutritional information such as when the salt amount is listed “to taste,” it is not calculated into the recipe as the amount will vary. Also, different online calculators can provide different results.

To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe. You are solely responsible for ensuring that any nutritional information obtained is accurate.

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