Jul 29
2019

Coconut Clusters

in Bento Buddy, Oyatsu/Snack, Vegan

*This post is brought to you in partnership with Organic Traditions.

Coconut Clusters with Baru Seeds

Have you noticed that food allergies seem to be on the rise?  FARE (Food Allergy Research & Education) reports, “Researchers estimate that 32 million Americans have food allergies, including 5.6 million children under the age of 18.  That’s one in 13 children, or roughly two in every classroom.”  The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention reported an 18% increase in the prevalence of food allergies in children 1997 and 2011.  The AJMC (American Journal of Managed Care) reported in 2018, “The prevalence of peanut allergies, the most common food allergy in children, has tripled in the past 2 decades. Today, up to 2.5% of the pediatric population has been diagnosed with a peanut allergy.”  I’ve definitely noticed the change.  On our flight to Tokyo last month we were asked not to open any food that contained peanuts due to a passenger on board having a serious peanut allergy.  My kids’ school has a special table in the lunch room for those children with allergies to sit at and the classrooms are “nut free zones.”  With that being the case I’ve been working on coming up with nut-free alternatives to different bento items.  

Organic Traditions Baru Seeds

Organic Traditions reached out to me recently about a new item they were carrying called baru seeds, marketing them as a nut-free alternative to peanuts.  I was intrigued!  They sent me a package so I could try them and I was blown away.  If I didn’t know they were seeds, I would never have guessed they weren’t nuts.  They are like large peanuts (though slightly longer than peanuts), with the great dense crunch and creamy flavor that you would expect from a nut.  They are grown and hand-harvested in Brazil, have more digestible protein compared to almonds and walnuts, and are a source of fibre, iron and vitamin E.

Making coconut clusters mixture

I decided to come up with a bento-worthy snack using the Baru seeds (although honestly they could be packed as a treat all on their own), and decided to make some coconut clusters.  These clusters are super easy to make and highly addictive.  The trickiest part of the recipe is removing the skins from the Baru seeds.  The easiest way to do this (and it’s easy, I promise) is to put your fingers on either end of a whole seed and twist.  With most of the seeds the skin would break in the middle and the skins would pop off.

Making coconut clustersCoconut Clusters

The Baru seeds add a wonderful toasted nutty flavor to the clusters.  All of my taste testers loved them, and my friend who has a nut allergy and also says she doesn’t like coconut also loved them.  If I can convince a coconut hater to love coconut clusters, I call that a win!  These sweet treats aren’t full of sugar or chemicals and are oil-free, so you can feel good about packing them in a school bento, or making them to snack on yourself!

Coconut Cluster Bento

Coconut Clusters
5 from 1 vote
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Coconut Clusters

Crunchy sweet coconut clusters are made with a mix of seeds---they make a wonderful sweet treat to pack in a bento or to eat as an afternoon snack!

Servings 20
Author Rachael Hutchings, www.lafujimama.com

Ingredients

  • 2 cups unsweetened coconut chips/flakes
  • 1/3 cup Baru seeds, skins removed
  • 1/3 cup pepitas
  • 1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
  • 3 tablespoons oat flour
  • 2 tablespoons chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon coconut sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons aquafaba (strained liquid from canned chickpeas)

Instructions

  1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat and preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

  2. Combine the coconut chips, Baru seeds, pepitas, raw sunflower seeds, oat flour, chia seeds, coconut sugar, and fine grain sea salt in a large bowl and gently mix to combine.

  3. Drizzle the maple syrup and aquafaba over the ingredients in the bowl and stir everything together until it is well mixed.  Let the cluster mix sit for 10 minutes, stirring every couple of minutes, to allow the oat flour to hydrate and help bind everything together.

  4. Pour the cluster mixture out onto your prepared baking sheet and form into a flat sheet, about 1/4-inch thick, pressing down with a silicone spatula or your hands to get everything together.

  5. Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, on the middle rack of the oven, until the coconut turns a golden brown on the edges and a light golden in the middle.  Then turn off the oven and leave the oven door slightly ajar.  Leave the baking sheet in the oven for another 20 minutes.  (This will make the clusters nice and crunchy.)

  6. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and allow the granola to cool completely, then break it into clusters and place it in an airtight container.  It should keep for up to 2 weeks.

*Disclosure: I received product from Organic Traditions, at no cost to myself, to sample. I received no other compensation for my work in developing this recipe, the photography, and writing of this post. All thoughts and experiences are my own.

{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }

Sara J July 29, 2019 at 12:59 pm

Ooooh, are these like those coconut clusters that Costco sells? They are one of our favorite treats! I’m intrigued about the baru seeds. They sound so good. I can’t wait to try these. Thanks Mama!

Reply

La Fuji Mama July 31, 2019 at 2:50 pm

Yes, they are! Baru seeds are AMAZING. I have a friend that says she thinks they’re even better than peanuts!

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Desi July 31, 2019 at 10:00 pm

I made these this morning and they were so so good. I think they’re better than the Costco ones. I couldn’t get the baru seeds soon enough, so I just added some chopped pecans (that’s what I had). We will be making these again and again.

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Justine January 29, 2020 at 9:50 am

This looks like a perfect evening snack with tea. Now that I;m tired with the typical stuff we have been eating for ages, I guess I need to really start experimenting. Will start with this Monday. Will let you know how it goes or if I end up ordering something lol.

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Nida February 8, 2020 at 11:04 pm

Hi. This looks divine..what can we substitute maple syrup with? Looking for a low carb or no carb substitute to enjoy a guilt free treat.

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Kim February 1, 2021 at 3:54 pm

Rachael, I am such a fan of coconut, so this is perfect. They are a great snack for whenever a craving hits. I will be making these often. Thanks so much.

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La Fuji Mama February 1, 2021 at 3:55 pm

You are so welcome! I hope you like them. They are a huge favorite at our house!

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Claire June 16, 2022 at 2:37 am

Hey Rachael,

This is a very thoughtful post. The fact that you took kids with nut allergies into consideration and created an alternative. I am happy I can now serve these Coconut clusters to my kid without fear. I will get back to you on how it went.

Reply

Adnoor Inc August 29, 2023 at 7:25 am

Hey there! 🥥🌟 Just wanted to drop you a comment after reading your post about those delectable coconut clusters. Wow, my taste buds are practically dancing just thinking about them! Your article is an absolute delight – both in terms of your engaging writing style and the mouthwatering recipe you’ve shared.

I could practically smell the sweet aroma of toasted coconut and feel the delightful crunch as I read through your description. It’s evident that you’re not just sharing a recipe, but you’re also inviting your readers to experience the joy of cooking and savoring every bite. Your attention to detail, from the step-by-step instructions to the helpful tips, makes this recipe feel accessible even to someone like me who might not be a baking pro.

What really stood out to me was your passion for incorporating different flavors and textures into your culinary creations. The way you’ve combined coconut with seeds, dried fruit, and even a touch of chocolate truly elevates these clusters to a whole new level. It’s clear that you have a deep love for experimenting in the kitchen and making each dish an adventure in itself.

I can’t wait to give this recipe a shot and enjoy those clusters that you’ve painted such a tantalizing picture of. Thank you for sharing your culinary magic with all of us. Your blog is a true gem for anyone looking to infuse their cooking with creativity and flavor. Keep those amazing recipes coming – you’ve definitely gained a new fan in me! 🥭🍫🥠

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