Coconut and Almond Granola: properly coconutty
Coconut and Almond Granola is a perennial favourite with customers, possibly because it pairs so well with a variety of seasonal fruits: stewed rhubarb in the spring; fresh local berries in the summer; apples, brambles and pears in the autumn; and bananas all year round.
This was the second granola I ever made, and the recipe was intended as a complete contrast to my Nutty Granola, which is my ginger and cinnamon-based signature flavour.
As with each flavour I make, I start with Scottish wholegrain jumbo oats from Aberdeenshire. These are lovely, big oatflakes that hold their shape throughout the mixing and baking processes and provide a creamy texture in the finished product.
I then add desiccated coconut and generous helpings of sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Over this oaty, coconutty base, I drizzle a blend of warm honey, coconut oil and a little rapeseed oil, then slowly toast it all to a nice, coconutty crunch. The reason I use a combination of oils is because coconut oil on its own can taste and smell a little cloying, in my opinion. I think I have got the balance right here, as the granola definitely tastes coconutty, but not excessively so.
I gently hand roast the whole almonds to the perfect crunch. I also hand toast the raw coconut so you get lightly coloured and lightly toasted coconut flakes, not the darker, pre-toasted varieties. When the almonds and coconut are cool, I mix them into the coconutty granola, and it’s ready to pack.
In 2022, I won a Great Taste 1-Star award for my Coconut and Almond Granola. The judges described it as “Attractive and unusual big chunks of oats and seeds with flecks of clean, white fresh-looking coconut. A generous helping of almonds. The chunks are on the lightly toasted side. A lovely medley of crunchy and soft textures, hints of gentle spice lifted by the freshness of the lightly toasted coconut and creamy almonds. Well balanced sweetness from the honey with sufficient biscuity notes. Excellent and wholesome with an honest homemade flavour.”
I couldn’t have been happier with the judges’ feedback.
I hope you enjoyed that little insight into how I make my Coconut and Almond Granola, but if you would like to know anything else, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via the Contact page.
