This easy, homemade Tropical Granola is vegan, gluten-free and the perfect topping to your morning bowl! Made with gluten-free oats and a tropical blend of dried mangoes, papayas, and pineapples, with cashews and coconut.
This post is sponsored by NOW Foods. All opinions expressed, as always, are my own. Thank you for supporting Fit Mitten Kitchen!
Sooo clearly I am thinking about summer already. Or just a warmer place in general. Last year at this time I was getting ready for my first ever tropical vacation in the Virgin Islands for my big bro’s wedding! Now this month Drew and I are casually discussing when and where we’d like to go on our “honeymoon”, since we didn’t really take one after our wedding in May. We’ve got so much going on these next few months I am honestly not sure when or where it is even going to happen. I would love to go to Europe (more specifically, the Mediterranean) but he is thinking Hawaii. Opposites attract I suppose, HA.
I guess I can just keep dreaming of any warm place while I top this tropical granola on anything and everything. It is made super special by NOW Foods exotic blend of mango, papaya, and pineapple.
I love the texture of this blend! Chewy, lightly sweet, and it makes for the perfect addition to granola.
If you are new to my granola-making habits… You’ll find that my main ingredients are both old-fashioned rolled oats and quick-cooking oats, as well as a natural nut butter and maple syrup.
ALSO, I’m not sure if this is considered weird or not… but I highly suggest using your hands at the end for mixing together all of the ingredients. I use my spatula to start after adding in the almond butter mixture, but then switch to using my hands to make sure all of the ingredients are well coated with the almond butter and maple syrup.
Call me weird (happens on the daily, long hurr don’t curr) but I swear by it. Plus it’s just fun using your hands! Come on now. Actually, that brings back memories of when my Pal and I would make cookies in her Mom’s kitchen… and I used to like putting my hands into the flour jar because I loved the silky smooth texture between my fingers. Sanitary? Mmmm, maybe not. Therapeutic? Yes.
Anywhos… Spread out your granola mixture onto your baking sheet, leaving as many clumps as you like. Bake your granola in increments of about 12-15 minutes, gently *flipping* with a large spatula in between. I say *flipping* because that is how you CLUSTER << it’s like an action. Every day I’m clusterin’. (Yes? No?)
Once your granola has cooled, then you toss in your Tropical Fruit Dices.
Now who’s ready for summer?! *raises hand*
Tropical Granola [vegan, gluten-free]
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 40 mins
- Total Time: 45 mins
- Yield: 10-12 1/2 cup servings 1x
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This easy, homemade Tropical Granola is vegan, gluten-free and the perfect topping to your morning bowl!
Ingredients
- 1 TBS chia seeds + 3 TBS water
- 2 cups gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2/3 cup gluten-free quick oats
- 1/2 cup unsalted raw cashews
- 1/3 cup unsweetened coconut (flaked or shredded)
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger (optional)
- 1 cup NOW Foods Dried Tropical Fruit Dices
- 1/4 cup all natural cashew butter(or almond)
- 1/4 cup grade B maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300F degrees and line large baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat.
- In a small bowl, combine chia seeds with water. Set aside for a few minutes so “gel” can form while preparing rest of ingredients.
- In a large bowl add rolled oats, quick oats, cashews, coconut and ground ginger. Stir until combined and set aside.
- In a small bowl, add almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla, and stir until well combined. (If almond butter is very thick, microwave with maple syrup for about 15 seconds.) Add almond butter mixture and chia seed gel to large bowl of dry ingredients, stir with large spoon until the dry mixture is well coated. Then, use your hands to fully mix and get the clusters ready.
- Spread/sprinkle the mixture evenly on prepared baking sheet. You should have clusters of granola already from working the mixture with your hands.
- Bake granola in increments for a total of 35-40 minutes, flipping the granola gently at 15 minutes, then again at 12 minutes, then again at 12-15 minutes*
- Remove granola from oven and allow to cool completely, do NOT stir again. While the granola cools, the air will help set the crunchy texture. Once the granola has cooled, add in your Dried Tropical Fruit Dices
- Store in airtight container. Granola should stay fresh up to 3 weeks.
Notes
Granola will make roughly 8-10 servings, about ½ cup each.
*Using a mixture of old fashioned oats and quick oats helps create the clusters. But feel free to use all old-fashioned if you prefer.
*Not stirring the granola as much will get you more clusters. I use a big spatula to “flip” the granola, rather than stirring. I also “sprinkled” the mixture on the pan, which resulted in more clumps from the beginning, then only flipped the granola gently to maintain the clusters. Watch granola after each time flipping to make sure it is not getting too dark, adjust time accordingly, as every oven is different!
*If not worried about keeping vegan, you can also use one large egg white as binder
- Category: Granola
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Amercian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 14
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 29
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 6
Keywords: Tropical Granola, Gluten Free Tropical Granola
So I must know
- If you’re married, where did you go on your honeymoon?
- In general, where is one place you’d like to visit? Any country, state, province, island etc!
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*making something from FMK? Tag me so I can have a looksee 🙂 I LOVE seeing what you’ve made.
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sarah says
honeymoon = hawaii!! completely amazing place – the scenery, climate, people, FOOD!!!
★★★★★
Ashley says
Noted! Thank you Sarah 🙂
Christina says
Great minds think alike!!! Or is it that we’re just legit dying for Summer to be here. This is so pretty and I love that you put it in a cute little mug. I am obsessed with dried fruit especially the ones you have used here!
Ashley says
Great minds, DUH. And of course we both would love for it to be summer. But I’d come down to Florida any day this winter and be okay with it 😉
Dried fruit is nature’s candy <3 Thanks Christina!
rachel @ athletic avocado says
Those clusters though! This makes me want to go to a tropical island right now. In fact, my parents are leaving for the Bahamas on thurday and I’m so jealous that they are not taking me with them 🙁
Ashley says
AH! Jump in their suitcase, QUICKLY.
Sarah | Well and Full says
Oooh tropical fruit granola!! Like a little bite of summer 😉
Ashley says
I’m hoping each bite brings us closer to summer.
Thanks Sarah!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
Ah yea!!! Granola love! Just made a tropically one last week! So good! And sure thing about getting your hands in! The more involved you get with the granola the better 😉
Ashley says
Haha, thanks Rebecca!
Leah M @ love me, feed me says
That dried fruit combo sounds incredible! and so does this granola <3 <3 I want to sprinkle it alllll over a mango smoothie bowl!
Ashley says
It is an awesome mix Leah! Highly recommend.
Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says
Apparently you and I both had granola on our minds today! I love NOW foods. I need to give this bag of goodies a try.
Ashley says
Haha awesome! I love them too. They have a great variety of products, and their prices are good! Thanks Megan xo
KJ | Om Nom Herbivore says
Yum!!! I love putting extras into granola!! 🙂
Ashley says
Me too! The texture combo is just great. Thanks KJ 🙂
Erin @ The Almond Eater says
Two things: 1) I have that mug THANKS TARGET 2) go to the Mediterranean because when else are you going to? Actually, Hawaii is on my bucket list and I imagine they’re both super dreamy 3) Love granola and so, so ready for summertime!
Ashley says
YAS Target <3 It was on an end cap, and naturally it spoke to me.
I've gotta convince the husband the Mediterranean would be worth it... 😉
Thanks Erin!
Rachel says
Thanks for linking up with us this week. Looks quite tasty.
Ashley says
Thank YOU Rachel!
Alexa [fooduzzi.com] says
Yum yum yum! I’m craving anything tropical right now…spring must come quickly! haha this recipe looks and sounds so incredibly yummy – can’t wait to give it a try!
Ashley says
Oh SAME Alexa. It was sunny here and actually got outside for lunch, which was great! But I am ready for the warm weather to stay. 🙂
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness says
Hands make THE BEST mixers. So much control 😉 I LOVE this Ashley! I’ve never had granola with a tropical twist but this is soooooo calling my name! PS go to Iberostar Grand Bavaro in the Dominican Republic for your belated honeymoon. AMAZING
Ashley says
Thanks Chrissa! And thanks for the recommendation 😉 <3
Marisa | Uproot Kitchen says
This granola looks dreamy and perfect for California’s summery weather!
Ashley says
How I would love to be in Cali right now!
Thanks Marisa 🙂
Stacie, RDN says
Ashely! This looks amazing….but all of your recipes do 🙂
Ashley says
Aw thank you Stacie! That means a ton <3
Sam @PancakeWarriors says
Love the tropical twist. NOW foods are great I love everything I try from them. The Mediterranean sounds amazing. I think that would be such an awesome trip but Hawaii well how to you argue with palm trees and sunshine!! Sounds like a good honeymoon either way!! Def pinning this!!
Ashley says
I am sure both places would be lovely but I’ve heard too many good things about the Mediterranean that I just need to see for myself!
Thanks for pinning <3
Annmarie says
Mmmm anything tropical right about now sounds heavenly!
Ashley says
I know right!?
Jess @hellotofit says
Ray wanted to go to Hawaii too, but we don’t have enough time before his residency starts! This. Granola looks so tasty, especially with the tropical fruit!
Ashley says
Oohh man! Time time time!! Never enough. I hope you guys get somewhere! At this rate it will end up being my 3rd wedding anniversary before we get anywhere :-p
Deborah Ledbetter says
This looks delicious. I am looking forward to trying this. I usually grab a handful of granola just as a snack but I never thought of making it myself. My tropical dream is to go to Bora Bora and stay in the huts over the crystal blue water. Honeymooned in Tahoe, which is where I was married, not tropical but beautiful. I have been to Hawaii and loved it, definitely will visit again. Already warm & sunny here in California, just soaking up at morning sun.
Ashley says
Thanks Deborah! Making your own granola is SO easy and budget-friendly 🙂
Bora Bora sounds LOVELY. I think that is awesome you honeymooned in Tahoe! It is actually someplace we (I) kind of considered, but I’d rather get away in the winter time to some warmer weather 😉 WAY jealous of your California sun. So beautiful there. Thanks so much for stopping by Deborah! 🙂
Sarah @ Making Thyme for Health says
YES, I am SO ready for the tropics! I have a feeling one bite of this granola would take me there. It looks so good! I want to put some in my pocket and head straight to the beach.
I can see the attraction to both the Mediterranean and Hawaii but I personally think Hawaii would be more relaxing right now, with what’s happening in the Middle East. Can you tell my husband forces me to watch the news/politics? Lol, it’s making me paranoid!
We went to Maui for our honeymoon in 2014 and it was beyond incredible. I highly recommend it!
Ashley says
Aahh true, way to bring politics into the convo Sarah! :-p Kidding, kidding. Definitely good stuff to think about. If we want to get away next winter we should probably start seriously planning! I’ve heard great things about Maui from my coworker too, we’ll def have to check it out. Thanks Sarah 🙂
lindsay says
You know we lived in hawaii, right? and got married there and honeymooned. haha. my father in law owned a coffee farm. I say we go back and you bring this granola. Deal?
Ashley says
No way! I did not know that you lived there! That is awesome… well if Hawaii is what is decided on, I know who to come to for advice then! 😉 <3 DONE DEAL.
Kerri McGrail says
Omg, looks like a tropical island party! Ive never had a tropical granola before and this looks to DIE FOR! OMG drooling. I need this in my life.
Ashley says
Haha, thanks Kerri! The texture combo is amazing! You should definitely try 🙂
jill conyers says
Ashley I love granola! This looks delicious.
Ashley says
Me too, granola is definitely love. Thanks Jill 🙂
Drew says
Love
★★★★★