Last week, my friend Jess made a batch of granola that completely changed my mindset on the snack. I’ve made granola a lot over the years, but there was something about hers that was so much better than any I’d ever made. I’m used to granola being kinda bland, impossible to get the right balance of dry and moist that’s not crumbly or mushy… but man, this was IT. And the flavour was to die for! The combination of peanut butter, coconut, and just the right amount of sweetness made it the perfect bite. I had to immediately try to create a similar version of my own. Now here we are! 🙂

I was spinning my wheels trying to figure out how exactly to market this recipe… looking into boosting the macros to hit the “high protein” angle, ranting about the benefits of fibre, learning about the details of “healthy fats”, when I remembered one of my most favourite expressions: sometimes the only reason we need to eat a food is because we want to and because it tastes good. This granola TASTES GOOD! I wanna eat it!! Eating for mental health is just as important as eating for physical health. So I’m gonna hit on some information about the nutrients here as well, because it is still a pretty healthy choice… But remember – you can also just make it cause it’s yummy.

Ok so YES, it’s delicious, but it is also packed with a lot of nutrients. The peanut butter and coconut give it a rich, satisfying flavour, while the hemp hearts and nuts provide healthy fats and protein. With fibre from the coconut, hemp hearts, and nuts, it’s a snack that’ll keeps you full and energized, whether you’re fuelling up for a workout or just need a boost to get through your day.

One thing I’ve realized is that people often forget that the brain needs fuel too! We’re all so focused on feeding our muscles when we think about nutrition, but our brains require energy just as much. If you’ve ever spent a few hours cramming for an exam or locked in for a big work deadline, you know just how hungry you can get from burning brain power! This granola offers a balance of protein, healthy fats, and fibre to help support both physical and mental energy, so you can stay fuelled no matter what the day brings.

Why This Granola is Great (beyond the taste!):

Fibre to Stay Full Longer: Thanks to the hemp hearts, nuts, and coconut, this granola is a good source of fibre, helping to keep you feeling full and energized longer, making it an ideal snack for both your body and brain. And it’s gut healthy!
Healthy Fats for Sustained Energy: Thanks to the peanut butter, hemp hearts, and coconut, this granola provides steady energy that helps you feel fuelled for whatever physical or mental activity you’re tackling. Healthy fats are great for keeping your energy levels steady throughout the day.
Protein to Keep You Full: With 10.1 g of protein per serving, this granola helps curb hunger and keeps you satisfied, whether you’re pushing through an intense workout or need a little something to keep you going.
High in Nutrient-Dense Ingredients: This granola is not only a good source of fibre, but it’s also great for getting your omega-3s and antioxidants. The ingredients make this granola a nutrient-dense option, even if the protein-to-calorie ratio is not as high as some other snacks.

Pair It With:

This granola is so versatile — it’s honestly great on its own, but it also pairs perfectly with other foods to create a more complete snack or meal. Here are some of my favourite ways to enjoy it:

Greek Yogurt Topper: I love adding this granola to a bowl of Greek yogurt. It’s a satisfying snack that gives you a protein boost and some extra crunch.
Smoothie Bowl Topper: Make a complete breakfast topping a vitamin-packed smoothie bowl with a generous serving of granola. The texture contrast is amazing!
Oatmeal Topper: Give your oatmeal a crunchy twist by adding a scoop of granola on top. It’s a great way to make your breakfast feel more substantial and satisfying.
Grab-and-Go Snack: When you’re on the move, a handful of this granola is perfect. It’s easy to pack for a quick snack that will keep you going, whether you’re training or just need a tasty energy boost.

What You’ll Need to Make Coconut Peanut Butter Granola

To make this granola, you’ll need some basic pantry staples: rolled oats, peanut butter, coconut, and a few other ingredients like hemp hearts, peanuts, maple syrup, and coconut oil. The recipe is flexible, so you can easily swap in different nuts or seeds based on what you have on hand. A bit of brown sugar adds a touch of sweetness, while cinnamon and salt bring in flavour to balance it all out. This isn’t your typical baking recipe that requires precise chemistry, but it’s still important to stick close to the ratios to get the perfect texture and crunch.

Tips for Making Coconut Peanut Butter Granola

Making this granola is super simple, but here are a few tips to make sure it turns out perfect every time. First, make sure to mix the wet ingredients well before adding them to the dry mixture—this ensures every bit of granola gets coated in that delicious peanut butter syrup. When spreading the granola on your baking sheet, try to press it down slightly for some nice clumps, which makes it extra crunchy. I recommend checking on it halfway through baking and giving it a quick stir so it bakes evenly. Don’t worry if it feels soft when it comes out of the oven—it will harden as it cools. Once it’s cooled completely, store it in an airtight container for up to a few weeks or freeze it for longer storage.

Storage Tips

To keep your granola fresh and delicious, store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–4 weeks. Make sure the granola is completely cooled before sealing it, as any residual warmth can create moisture and affect the crunch. For longer storage, freeze it in zip-top bags for up to 2 months—just press out as much air as possible before sealing. When you’re ready to enjoy, simply let it thaw at room temperature for a few minutes (or eat it straight from the freezer; it’s surprisingly tasty that way!).

Final Notes

This Coconut Peanut Butter Granola is the perfect snack for any day, whether you’re deep in a training block and need extra fuel, or you just want a tasty treat to power up your body. It’s easy to make, customizable, and packed with the right balance of nutrients to keep you feeling energized. Give it a try and see how it becomes your new go-to snack—your body and mind will thank you!

Here’s a short video showing the process:

And here’s the recipe:

Print Recipe

Healthy Homemade Coconut Peanut Butter Granola

This Coconut Peanut Butter Granola combines the rich flavours of coconut, peanuts, and hemp hearts, offering a crunchy, protein-packed snack with a hint of sweetness from maple syrup.

Keyword: granola, peanut butter, protein

Servings: 12

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients:

200 g unsweetened large-flake coconut 2 ½ cups
160 g rolled oats 2 cups
140 g pepitas (pumpkin seeds) 1 cup
100 g hemp hearts ¾ cup
50 g chopped peanuts or almonds ½ cup
30 g brown sugar 2 tablespoons
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp salt

Wet Ingredients:

80 g coconut oil ⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon
115 g maple syrup ⅓ cup + 2 tablespoons
50 g peanut butter 3 tablespoons
1 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 300°F (150°C).
Line an extra-large rimmed baking sheet (15×21") with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, mix the coconut, oats, pepitas, hemp hearts, chopped nuts, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
Place the coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 15–20 second increments until melted.
Stir in the maple syrup, peanut butter, and vanilla extract until smooth and combined.
Pour the wet mixture over the dry ingredients and stir until everything is evenly coated.
Spread the granola onto the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.
Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the sheet and stir the granola.
Return to the oven and bake for an additional 8 to 13 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden.
Note: The granola will still feel soft when you take it out, but will harden as it cools.
Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet (about 1 hour).
Transfer it to a glass jar or airtight container.

Notes

Macros Per Serving (12 servings of 1/4 cup each):

Calories: 393 cal
Protein: 10.1 g
Carbohydrates: 26.3 g
Fat: 29.8 g

Storage:

Store your granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3–4 weeks. For longer shelf life, freeze it in zip-top bags for up to 2 months, making sure to press out any air before sealing for easy grab-and-go portions.

Substitutions:

Nuts: Swap the peanuts for other nuts like almonds, cashews, or walnuts if preferred.
Sweeteners: Use honey or agave syrup in place of maple syrup for a different sweetness.
Seeds: Replace the hemp hearts with chia seeds, or add more pepitas for extra crunch.
Peanut Butter: If needed, substitute with almond butter or sunflower seed butter for a different flavour.

Boosting Protein:

To increase the protein content, you can add protein powder (about 10–15 g) to the dry ingredients. It blends well with the oats and seeds, providing a protein boost without altering the flavour or texture too much!