Breakfast

Tropical Granola

Homemade granola recipe with coconut, oats, papaya and bananas.

Do you remember the mason jars I filled with homemade granola for the holidays? I am so excited to finally share the recipe with you! We have been enjoying this healthy, sweet & crunchy mix for breakfast and snacks. This is a simple and tasty way to treat yourself to all natural whole foods. It will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth with pure & healthy ingredients.

Let’s make some granola!

Little kids on a dock in the Cayman Islands

Over the holidays I was in Grand Cayman. Have you ever been there? It is very beautiful. Above is my daughter with her sweet cousins on a dock.

The weather and views are spectacular there. They make you want to dance…

Little girl dancing on a dock in the Cayman Islands

My son loved looking at the boats that lined the docks…

Grand Cayman Islands boat dock near Calypso Grill restaurant

OK, time to get back to granola, thanks for letting me divert. I tend to do that sometimes.

Even though you might not be in the Caymans you can still enjoy a taste of the tropics. This granola can help brighten up a dreary winters day. The flavors of coconut, papaya and banana infuse each and every bite. Not to mention some crunch macadamia nuts add to the fun.

Homemade granola recipe with oats, coconut, papaya, macadamia nuts and bananas.

It granola is so pretty all dressed up for the holidays. Do keep it in mind for gift giving any time of the year. I got all crafty this year and made holiday gift tags. You can download those any time you need them.

This recipe is the perfect gluten free breakfast and we love packing it in our lunch boxes too! The perfect snack for Project Lunch Box.

Homemade granola recipe with coconut, oats, papaya and bananas.

Perhaps it is because I knew I had an upcoming trip to Grand Cayman that inspired me to go with a tropical twist on with this recipe. Or maybe it was because I found these gorgeous dried papaya pieces at my favorite natural foods store Mother’s Market.

Homemade granola recipe with coconut, oats, papaya and bananas.

Enjoy this any time of day with dairy free or regular milk. Don’t forget that steamy cup of coffee to round it all off. Never forget the coffee.

This granola is also wonderful served with thick Greek yogurt in parfaits ~or~ as a decadent little dessert with frozen yogurt or ice cream.

Homemade granola recipe with coconut, oats, papaya and bananas.What is your favorite kind of granola? Do you make it yourself?

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Granola Recipe Links

~ Marla Meridith

Join the Conversation

76 thoughts on “Tropical Granola

  1. I love tropical flavours so this looks like the perfect granola to me! Love your holiday shots as well, the colour of that sea is just wonderful!

  2. Grand Cayman is a beautiful place, so I can understand the happy dance. Thijs granola might have you doing one too with all the great flavors! Happy New Year!!

  3. What a fun sounding vacation! I love how you made this tropical granola to make you feel like you were back in paradise! I haven’t made my own granola yet, but really want to! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

  4. This looks delicious Marla. I’ve been making my own granola for about 3 years now. Can’t believe I ever ate store-bought–homemade is so much better! I love how versatile granola recipes are. The tropical variation sounds refreshing. Great pictures, too. Happy New Year! Hope to see you again this year.

  5. I’m a little jealous that you’ve been in the Grand Caymans and you’ve been eating this granola! The only partial remedy I have for my jealousy would be to make this granola. Thanks for the recipe. Maybe I’ll get some little umbrellas for the bowls and pretend I’m on a tropical island.

  6. Looks yummy. Does the dried fruit have added sugar? All the dried fruit I ever see has so much sugar, it’s not worth it. But maybe I should check at Whole Foods?

    1. Catherine, I do not like sugar on my dried fruit either. You can find dried fruit without the added sugar, you just need to look really carefully for it & at the ingredient lists.

  7. Yummy! I love the tropical flavors, and the maple syrup and coconut oil are exactly what I would use. I find I usually have to sub ingredients in recipes that I want to try so often so it’s so nice to see a recipe I wouldn’t need to the change at all 😀 Awesome!

    1. Heide, I am happy about that too! I agree, I love when I find recipes in which I don’t need to make any adaptations at all. Rare though 😉

    1. Esi, making homemade granola is really so simple. I love all of the variety you can have with it as well! Your vanilla scented with dark chocolate sounds amazing!

  8. Yummy! What a great snack to send to school or to have with Greek yogurt for breakfast. Love the photos from the caymans.
    Do the tropical happy dance!!

  9. I love the tropical twist on your granola! I’d love it for breakfast, and just to snack on. I have many of the ingredients on hand so I might just whip up a batch tonight :). Great recipe! And such beautiful pictures of your kids in the Cayman Islands!

    1. Valerie…I added the * for the notes. Think I’ll change that so folks don’t get confused. Was thinking they *** should not be there 😉 Glad you like the post & recipe. xo

  10. Tropical-inspired granola sounds so good! I love the dried fruit you used, especially those gorgeous pieces of shaved coconut.

    You are so talented, Marla! I love the vintage rose look of the plates/bowls/utensils that you matched with this delicious granola…they really look like they were made for each other!

    1. Hi Faith! I am so glad you are liking the sound of my granola recipe. I did have a fun time pairing my new rosette plates with this breakfast. Happy you like them too because they will be making a regular appearance around here 🙂

  11. It’s like 30 degrees outside here and the tropics are EXACTLY what I need! Tropical flavors are some of my favorites, probably because I can live vicariously through them. This granola sounds awesome!

  12. Love the combo of coconut, papaya and banana! I used dried cherries and mango in mine because I didn’t have papaya. Can’t wait to try your version.

  13. Your daughter looks more and more like you every day! This granola, with its tropical flare, sounds like a great way to bring the feeling of the Caribbean back to our wintry climate.

  14. Love this. Looks like a great time in Cayman. I’ve heard wonderful things about it. And this granola is so fitting. Wish this was my breakfast tomorrow!

  15. Love the pictures of you kids…what a beautiful place!!
    This granola looks absolutely delicious…nothing like homemade granola. especially with a tropical twist!