Homemade Tropical Granola with Dried Mango and Coconut
Cheers to the ladies and coach of the USTA 3.5 team that I have the honor of being a part of! After a challenging and fun-filled Saturday at the University of Illinois tennis center, we won both of our matches and we’re the STATE CHAMPIONS!!!
For the second year in a row we will be competing against the state champs of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio for the opportunity to go to National Championship. Fingers crossed, along with a lot of hard work and heart that we make it this year.
Call me crazy—you wouldn’t be the first—but I think that my homemade tropical flavored granola with dried mango and coconut had something to do with our win. This stuff is filled with some pretty powerful fuel.
Before I tell you what’s in it, let me just give you an idea about the type of women who are on my team. If you don’t care, then skip ahead to the recipe. It’s all good.
The drive from our tennis club to the University of Illinois took about three hours, so being the type A/fun personalities that we are, we rented a fourteen seat van with the nicest professional driver—we ♥ you Ernie—to take us so we could all be together.
When Ernie pulled his van up to the curb he looked at our stuff and started laughing. We had three large coolers and about four small ones, twelve tennis bags, and other miscellaneous bags filled with food and extra clothes. We stuffed that van to capacity!
After a long drive with several bathroom stops—moms—we finally arrived. We all walked into the small tennis lounge area together, schlepping our multiple coolers and bags, and the opponents who were waiting to go on court looked a little frightened. We honestly looked like we were planning on staying for a week.
This half of what we brought. The other half wraps around to the right of this picture!
The best part was that within a minute of walking in and taking over half of the room, the Jimmy John’s delivery that we placed in the van arrived. I’m sure we looked like divas as we ate our sandwiches and put the loads of food that we brought out on the tables.
We had SO much food!
I made hummus, Kite Hill ricotta cheese, and spinach rolls, chocolate chip banana bread muffins (recipe coming next week), and this delicious and energy filled mango, coconut, and almond granola for everyone to share. I also brought pickle juice for hydration (it sounds awful but I really enjoy drinking it) and champs for the ride home. We had a blast on our journey home! Try and guess what was in the biggest cooler?
So you guys, this homemade tropical granola is to die for.
Have you ever had dried mango
Here’s another question for you. Have you ever had roasted watermelon seeds
I didn’t know they were a thing until I saw them at Costco. Of course, being the curious person that I am, and because the bag boasted that they were high in magnesium, zinc, iron, folate, and healthy fats, I had to try them.
While I was standing in line to pay for my basket of healthy foods I took inventory and that’s where my inspiration for this granola came from.
I had a bag of unsweetened coconut flakes, watermelon seeds, raw almonds, and dried mango. Granola, yo! Right? Wouldn’t you think of granola too?
When I got home from shopping I started making food for the tournament. Granola was first because I couldn’t wait to rip open the bag of watermelon seeds. They’re really good, kind of like pumpkin seeds.
This is what’s in the granola:
Click on each ingredient to learn more about their health benefits.
Nine healthy and delicious ingredients that come together and pop!
I can’t even tell you how much of this stuff I’ve eaten over the course of this weekend. It’s so darn good. You can eat it by the handful, or put it in a bowl and pour a plant-based milk over it, or put it on top of some So Delicious ice cream or homemade nice cream. The possibilities are almost endless.
It will only take you about ten minutes to put this together and another twenty minutes to bake it. Thirty minutes from start to finish and you’ll have a huge batch of a super healthy snack that tastes too good to be good for you.
So what are you waiting for? Get mixing!
Notes on the Dried Mango: If you can’t find dried mango you could substitute dried pineapple, apricot, or peaches.
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Strength and Sunshine says
Congrats to your big win! Woohooo! That's fantastic!!!
Granola <3 But dried is so old school, you've got to get freeze-dried mango! That's where it's at!!!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Rebecca! We're going for first place this year. Second won't cut it! 😉
I'll definitely try and find freeze dried. Time for a taste test!
Jenn says
Congrats again on your big win! So awesome! And homemade granola is the BEST!! Love the tropical flair in this one!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Jenn! Yes, homemade is the only way I like granola.
Becky says
Oh, what a fun flavor combination!
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Becky!
Kristine says
Congrats on your win! What kind of sandwich did you get from Jimmy Johns? I used to love their veggie but don't eat it since quitting dairy. Did you order the veggie with no cheese?
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Kristine! Yes, I ordered the veggie with no cheese and no mayo. It comes with guacamole so it wasn't dry.
harrietemilys says
This granola looks so delicious Linda. Nothing beats homemade granola! I love the addition of dried mango, I haven't made a tropical version before so I definitely need to try this! <3
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Harriet! You should definitely try it. The mango and coconut is so good together.
veggiesdontbite says
Ok, first, you girls travel like we would! And of course champs for the ride home! Win or lose, you always need some champs. But I can already tell you guys will win! I can't wait to hear! Oh and this granola sounds insane! I love tropical flavors and I love homemade granola. I'd be putting this stuff on everything!!
Linda Meyer says
It's the only way to travel! Poor Ernie, oh the stories that poor guy had to hear. LOL! Thanks, Sophia! We're going to fight like hell to get to Nationals this year. 🙂
mel | avirtualvegan.com says
Congratulations! What an achievement. I love granola and this one sounds delicious. I love that you use roasted watermelon seeds in it. I have never eaten them except accidentally when I'm eating a slice of it. I will be tying that for sure!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Melanie! Yes, you have to try the roasted watermelon seeds, they're really good!
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
Congrats on the win, so impressive and awesome! And this granola looks great, perfect to hanging onto summer flavors. Thanks!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Christine! I'm looking forward to the next tournament, but I can't wait to just focus on running again. My legs are tired!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
We love granola in my house, and this one looks fantastic! Mango is my favorite.
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Amy!
Lucie @WIN-WIN FOOD says
Congratulations!!!! Oh I bet this "fuel" has a lot to do with it. I'd definitely do my very best if this was my pre-training meal 🙂
Linda Meyer says
Thanks, Lucie! It must be doing something. 🙂
The Vegan 8 says
Big congrats Linda and wow sounds like y'all were all loaded up with your coolers and everything, haha! This tropical granola is such a wonderful idea and it looks just heavenly!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Brandi! Yes, we definitely went big-haha!
alisamarie says
Congrats, that is awesome! I love dried mango and this looks like amazing fuel for sure.
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Alisa!
Vegan Heaven says
Congrats, Linda! 🙂 I love granola and this one looks absolutely delicious!!
Linda Meyer says
Thank you, Sina!
julioa robat says
I think I would add unsweetened coconut flakes! They are my new favorite, and add more great crunch
Linda Meyer says
There are unsweetened coconut flakes in the ingredients. 🙂