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    Home / Breakfast & Brunch

    5 from 1 review

    Rum-Kissed Coconut Granola

    By Alanna Taylor-Tobin on May 19, 2013 (updated Feb 3, 2020) / 17 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    overhead shot of rum coconut granola

    My friend Shawn Magee knows all the best places to eat and drink in San Francisco. He owns Amnesia, a happening bar in the Mission known for its awesome selection of micro-brews and belgian beers. He seems to be best buds with everyone making delicious comestibles in the city. He's a good person to know.

    dry ingredients in a pot

    Shawn is set to open a second bar, called Driftwood, which will boast killer cocktails in addition to great wine and beer. One night, assuming he'd be a wealth of knowledge, I tried to pick his brain about rum. Instead of suggesting the smoothest dark rum or nutmeggiest gold, he said merely, "Rum is SO un-hip." And he didn't stop there; he went on to further besmirch the distilled sugar cane juice. "Rum is like the least cool liquor there is. There are like no good rums." (Shawn doesn't usually talk like a valley girl; rum's lack of hipness must have brought that out; or maybe it was the bourbon he was sipping on.)

    rum poured into pot and onto granola

    Well, I felt a bit indignant on behalf of rum. I've sampled some spectacular rums that a non-rum-hating friend brought back from a trip to Central America and couldn't believe how smooth and rich they tasted. White rum makes a great neutral addition to cocktails, while gold and dark rums can add sweetness and boozy complexity to baked goods. I like rum inpunch,mojitosanddark and stormies; inbanana upside-down cakesandbuttercrunch toffee. It adds boozy sweetness tocongo bars,scones, evencinnamon buns. Besides, pirates like rum, and pirates are cool, right?

    granola mix on parchment

    Coconut, on the other hand, seems to be all the rage these days, as I think even Shawn would agree. Vegans, lactose-intolerants and paleo-dieters are embracing it in all its many forms. I'm hoping that the coconut oil, sugar and shreds in this granola will help bolster rum's status in the manner of the head quarterback taking the class geek to prom in an '80's movie. (Another thing that's hip? 80's movies.)

    close up of granola in baking tray

    Unlike the aforementioned couple, though, rum and coconut do make a perfect match. They also make this granola, my current favorite iteration ofmy favorite granola recipe,highly addictive.Coconut oil crisps the oats, which are sweetened with coconut sugar and maple syrup and studded with roasted whole almonds and cashews. Shredded coconut gives the granola a shattering crispness and dark rum and vanilla flavor the toasty oats. The alcohol bakes away in the heat of the oven, but it adds robust undertones that make the crunchy clusters habit-forming. It's full of earthy, friendly flavors that welcome a scoop of yogurt and any spring or summer fruits.

    granola on a baking tray

    The base recipe comes by way of my pastry teacher who got it from a past job at Moose's. The baking technique is brilliant: the granola gets spread into an even layer and sandwiched between two baking sheets lined with parchment paper. It bakes into a golden sheet, no stirring necessary, which can then be broken into large clumps and clusters. I've seen granola recipes call for flour or egg white to create the coveted clumps, but this method is easier and it allows the final product to be both gluten-free and vegan.

    rum coconut granola

    Once you've made granola at home, you can never go back. I've even been disappointed by the good stuff, purchased from bakeries – it never tastes quite as fresh as homemade.

    rum coconut granola

    I made a batch of this granola with coconut nectar in place of the maple syrup, not just because it is en vogue, but because I've been curious to try it. It worked well, though I found I preferred the robust flavor and crispier texture of the granola made with maple syrup. But the coconut nectar makes quite an adequate substitute if you are so inclined.

    coconut granola in a bowl

    I often find myself snacking on clusters throughout the day. We've been particularly enjoying it with honey-poached rhubarb, the by-product of a syrup that I've been making for a special cocktail, which I'll tell you all about in my next post! Hint: it's made with a type of alcohol that is, I believe, hipper than rum. But I'd have to ask Shawn to be sure.

    coconut granola

    More Granola Recipes:

    • Maple Bourbon Brown Butter Pecan
    • Cardamom Honey
    • Stolen Granola
    • Gingersnap Granola

    *Bojon appétit! For more Bojon Gourmet in your life, follow along on Instagram,  Facebook, or Pinterest, purchase my gluten-free cookbook Alternative Baker, or subscribe to receive new posts via email. And if you make this rum and coconut granola recipe, I’d love to know. Leave a comment and rating below, and tag your Instagram snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet  and  #bojongourmet.*

    5 from 1 review

    Rum-Kissed Coconut Granola

    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    This tasty granola is perfect for breakfast and snacking!
    Alanna Taylor-Tobin
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes
    Total: 50 minutes minutes
    Servings: 12 servings (6 cups).

    Ingredients

    • 2 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (8 ounces)
    • 1/2 cup whole, raw cashews (2 ounces)
    • 1/2 cup whole, raw almonds (2 ounces)
    • 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons coconut sugar (2 ounces)
    • 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut (2 ounces)
    • 1/4 cup coconut oil (2 ounces)
    • 1/4 cup maple syrup (2 ounces)
    • 3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2 tablespoons dark rum (such as The Kraken)

    Instructions

    • Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300ºLine a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, and have a second rimmed baking sheet and piece of parchment paper at the ready.
    • In a large bowl, stir together the oats, cashews, almonds, coconut sugar and shredded coconut.
    • In a small saucepan, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup and salt. Melt over medium heat until the oil is liquified. Stir in the vanilla and rum. Pour this mixture over the oat mixture, making sure to scrape out the salt that likes to stick to the bottom of the pot. Stir the granola well to coat it with the oil and to distribute the salt evenly.
    • Scrape the granola onto the lined baking sheet and spread it into a very even layer with the edges a touch thicker than the center; this will ensure even baking. Top the granola with the other sheet of parchment paper, then the other rimmed baking sheet, right-side-up, making a granola sandwich.
    • Bake the granola until it is deeply golden all over, 35-45 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. (You'll need to peek under the parchment to check on it.) It will still be soft, but should crisp up as it cools. Remove the top sheet pan and parchment paper, and let the granola cool completely. If the granola isn't shatteringly crisp when cool, break it up and return it to a low (200ºF) oven for 10-20 minutes, then cool again and check for crispness. You can also leave it to dry out overnight in a turned-off oven with a pilot light.
    • Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep well for at least a month.

    Notes

    Adapted from my favorite granola recipe (by Casey Hayden via Claire Legas).
    This granola uses a unique baking technique of sandwiching the mixture between two sheet pans lined with parchment paper – no stirring necessary. Leaving it alone means you end up with big shards that can be crumbled into chunks and clumps.
    You will need two rimmed baking sheets of the same size, and two sheets of parchment paper.
    Store the finished granola in an airtight jar at room temperature; it will keep for at least a month.
    If you can't find coconut sugar, use 1/3 cup brown sugar or unrefined sugar in its place.
    I like the spicy, molassesy Kraken rum here, but any dark rum will be lovely, and a gold spiced rum will work, too.
    If gluten is an issue, be sure to use oats that are certified gluten-free.
    I like this granola sprinkled over a bowl of fresh fruit (berries, mango, apricots and peaches are all great choices) or cooked rhubarb, and topped with a scoop of greek yogurt. Add a drizzle of honey if you want a bit more sweetness.
    This recipe is extra-easy if you weigh the ingredients into a bowl and pan - no sticky measuring cups!
    All ounce measurements here are by weight.
    Nutritional values are base on one of twelve servings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 228kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 156mgPotassium: 175mgFiber: 3gSugar: 7gCalcium: 35mgIron: 1.4mg
    Making this? I'd love to see!Tag your snaps @The_Bojon_Gourmet and #bojongourmet!

    Rum-KissedCoconut Granola

    Adapted from my favorite granola recipe (by Casey Hayden via Claire Legas)

    This granola uses a unique baking technique of sandwiching the mixture between two sheet pans lined with parchment paper – no stirring necessary. Leaving it alone means you end up with big shards that can be crumbled into chunks and clumps. You will need two rimmed baking sheets of the same size, and two sheets of parchment paper. Store the finished granola in an airtight jar at room temperature; it will keep for at least a month. If you can't find coconut sugar, use 1/3 cup brown sugar or unrefined sugar in its place. I like the spicy, molassesy Kraken rum here, but any dark rum will be lovely, and a gold spiced rum will work, too. If gluten is an issue, be sure to use oats that are certified gluten-free.

    I like this granola sprinkled over a bowl of fresh fruit (berries, mango, apricots and peaches are all great choices) or cooked rhubarb, and topped with a scoop of greek yogurt. Add a drizzle of honey if you want a bit more sweetness.

    This recipe is extra-easy if you weigh the ingredients into a bowl and pan - no sticky measuring cups! All ounce measurements here are by weight.

    Makes about 6 cups

    2 1/2 cups (8 ounces) old-fashioned rolled oats
    1/2 cup (2 ounces) whole, raw cashews
    1/2 cup (2 ounces) whole, raw almonds
    1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons (2 ounces) coconut sugar
    1/2 cup (2 ounces) unsweetened shredded coconut

    1/4 cup (2 ounces) coconut oil
    1/4 cup (2 ounces) maple syrup
    3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    2 tablespoons dark rum (such as The Kraken)

    Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 300ºF. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, and have a second rimmed baking sheet and piece of parchment paper at the ready.

    In a large bowl, stir together the oats, cashews, almonds, coconut sugar and shredded coconut.

    In a small saucepan, combine the coconut oil, maple syrup and salt. Melt over medium heat until the oil is liquified. Stir in the vanilla and rum. Pour this mixture over the oat mixture, making sure to scrape out the salt that likes to stick to the bottom of the pot. Stir the granola well to coat it with the oil and to distribute the salt evenly.

    Scrape the granola onto the lined baking sheet and spread it into a very even layer with the edges a touch thicker than the center; this will ensure even baking. Top the granola with the other sheet of parchment paper, then the other rimmed baking sheet, right-side-up, making a granola sandwich.

    Bake the granola until it is deeply golden all over, 35-45 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through. (You'll need to peek under the parchment to check on it.) It will still be soft, but should crisp up as it cools. Remove the top sheet pan and parchment paper, and let the granola cool completely. If the granola isn't shatteringly crisp when cool, break it up and return it to a low (200ºF) oven for 10-20 minutes, then cool again and check for crispness. You can also leave it to dry out overnight in a turned-off oven with a pilot light.

    Store the granola in an airtight container at room temperature. It will keep well for at least a month.

    bowls of coconut granola on a table

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Paula @ Vintage Kitchen Notes says

      May 19, 2013 at 11:24 am

      I´ll have to try this just to try that two baking sheet technique. And because I love rum in any baking recipe! sorry Shawn

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        May 20, 2013 at 4:48 am

        Haha! So glad you're with me! Please let me know how you like it, Paula. :)

        Reply
    2. Amy @ Swiss Miss in the Kitchen says

      May 19, 2013 at 6:23 pm

      Rum kissed granola?? How cool is that!! As always, you're a true inspiration Alanna! Thank you for this beautiful recipe :)
      xox Amy

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        May 20, 2013 at 4:48 am

        Aw, thanks, Amy! You sweetheart. :)

        Reply
    3. Shelly West says

      May 20, 2013 at 12:29 pm

      I love rum! I could not imagine my life without Dark & Stormy's. Are you sure you your friend knows what he is talking about?! Hah.

      Also, I can't wait to try this new technique with wedging the granola between two baking pans. Sounds so simple!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        May 20, 2013 at 5:45 pm

        Yeah - hah! Thanks, Shelly. :) I hope you love the granola and its baking technique!

        Reply
    4. Rosie @ Blueberry Kitchen says

      May 20, 2013 at 7:34 pm

      This looks so delicious, I really love the idea of adding rum to granola! I absolutely love your photos too!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        May 21, 2013 at 4:18 am

        Aw, thank you, Rosie!! :)

        Reply
    5. carey says

      May 21, 2013 at 12:44 am

      Oh man, poor rum! With this whole fancy cocktail revolution thing a'happenin', it totally seems like rum has been getting kind of left in the dust, and that's so not fair. The funny thing about rum is that it's such an easy-going liquor, and I feel like that can lead some people to discount it entirely (especially when it's over-sweetened or all coconut-ified, which I can certainly understand). But there are just some things that it works so. dang. well. with, and I cannot imagine any sort of substitute. (There's no substitute when it comes to tropical fruits like pineapples and mangoes, and of course dark & stormies. OMG, I was going to email you about it, but I will just tell you now — I saw a Tamarind Dark & Stormy the other day with "tamarind drinking vinegar." WHAT. I must make and drink all of that.)

      OK, wait, so this was a post about granola and not rum, wasn't it? (: I love the double sheet baking method! When my mom would bake granola, one of my favorite things to do was to snag the giant chunks off the baking sheet while they were cooling (and she wasn't looking). Since I am a savory breakfast gal most days, I am much more inclined to eat granola as a snack than as a breakfast, and chunky bits are perfect for that!

      Aaaand so psyched for that special rhubarb cocktail!! :D

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        May 21, 2013 at 4:27 am

        OMG, tamarind Dark and Stormy?! Sign me up! That sounds incredible! I agree that rum is misunderstood and needs some lovin'.

        (As I was putting away the ingredients for this drink, I spotted a bottle of umeboshi vinegar in the pantry and wondered how that would be in a cocktail? Something with shiso, maybe? I wanted to pick your brain about it, see if you had any thoughts. :))

        Lucky you to have a mom who baked granola! I grew up on shredded wheat and Cheerios. :/

        Reply
    6. rcakewalk says

      May 21, 2013 at 1:48 pm

      I've taken to making granola for only myself lately as a once in a while treat - it seems if I deviate from my standby recipe in the slightest, my son will not eat it at all! So weird. But good for me, especially when I find recipes like this!

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        May 22, 2013 at 4:18 am

        Aw! I hope he hates this one. ;)

        Reply
    7. Linda says

      May 23, 2013 at 3:38 pm

      Thanks so much for your baking pan trick! I just made the most shatteringly crisp granola ever, and I loved how the process wasn't fussy in the least bit. I can't comment on the rum, since I'm not much of a drinker, but my significant other loves The Kraken simply for its name. Can't go wrong with giant sea monsters. :)

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        May 29, 2013 at 7:02 am

        Indeed not! I'm so glad you liked the granola and its baking technique - this makes me very happy. :)

        Reply
    8. inuakena.com says

      March 09, 2015 at 9:02 pm

      Sounds yummy! For the rum n00bs out there, Kraken is actually not a "dark" rum but a spiced rum. Your mileage may vary with this recipe if using a different unspiced rum. As for your friend Shawn, I sincerely hope he was being ironic about rum being unhip. I wrote a little treatise on that very topic, actually: http://inuakena.com/2014/11/18/sorry-youre-not-allowed-to-hate-rum/

      Reply
      • Alanna says

        March 10, 2015 at 7:13 am

        Oooh, thank you for enlightening me! I'm pretty sure Shawn was being completely serious, unfortunately. I mean, he WAS drinking whiskey when he said it. Thanks to your fabulous article, I'm well equipped to deal with naysayers in the future. Thank you!

        Reply
      • inuakena.com says

        March 11, 2015 at 2:01 am

        Aww, thanks! FWIW I love whisk(e)y, too :)

        Reply

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