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Looking for a quick and easy breakfast recipe? This banana granola is perfect! It’s healthy, filling, and packed with flavor. Plus, it stores really well. Give it a try today!

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If you are a fan of bananas,  you’ll love this delicious and nutritious homemade banana granola recipe.

tasty banana granola breakfast

It is far tastier and a better option than just eating plain bananas. Plus, the sweet crunchy flavor makes for a deliciously, healthy breakfast.

Banana granola uses common ingredients from your kitchen, including oats, nuts, and butter,  to make a healthy granola snack.

This banana granola recipe will power you through the day and help you avoid any energy dip.

What Does Banana Taste Like?

Bananas offer a range of flavors depending on the stage of their ripeness. Unripe bananas taste bland with a mild hint of sweetness and grassiness. They also have a higher starch content, so they taste much more “starchier” than ripe bananas.

banana granola recipe

As they become yellow and ripe, the sugar concentration gradually increases to give a more distinct sweet taste. You can taste melon and pineapple as the undertone flavors at this stage. 

And as the banana peels start to brown, the flavor may contain hints of honey and vanilla. Overripe bananas develop an intensely sweet taste.

Homemade Banana Granola Ingredients

  • ½ pound or 2.5 cups of quick-cooking oats – Oats are naturally bland to taste. But, they can absorb the flavor of whatever you’re cooking it with. Plus, they add to the texture of granola.
  • ¼ pound oat flour – You can easily make your own. Just grind some oats in a coffee grinder or food processor until you get powder-like consistency.
  • 4 ounces unsweetened shredded coconut – Unsweetened coconut is usually dry but is a healthy source of fiber. It adds a chewy texture to your granola.
  • 4 ounces slivered almonds – Slivered almonds make for nuttier and tastier granola.
  • 4 ounces chopped peanuts – Peanuts help add an earthy flavor to your granola.
  • 2 ounces flax seed
  • 1 cup light brown sugar – Brown sugar makes for chewy granola and help the ingredients stick together.
  • 4 ounces or ¼ stick of unsalted butter – Unsalted butter gives a more balanced flavor than salted butter.
  • 4 ounces coconut oil – Coconut oil can imparts distinct tropical taste to the homemade banana granola.
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon – Not only does it smell divine, but it adds a spicy, citrusy note to the recipe.
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste – Vanilla bean paste gives you a more intense flavor than vanilla extract.
  • 2 teaspoons pure banana extract – You can easily find banana extract in online cooking or baking shops.
  • 1 cup sweetened banana chips – They add a crunch factor to granola while retaining its banana flavor.
  • ½ cup chocolate chips (optional) – Bananas pairs exceptionally well with chocolate. 
simple banana granola recipe 17

Tools Needed to Prepare Homemade Banana Granola 

To follow the homemade banana granola recipe, you’ll need:

Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For This Banana Granola Recipe

There are some extra ingredients, including spices and nuts, that you can add to your banana granola recipe. They can help enhance the flavor to suit your personal preferences.

Nutmeg

You can add nutmeg to give your granola a more earthly and nutty flavor.

Raw Walnuts

 Walnuts add extra crunchiness to your banana nut granola.

Raw pecans

Not only are they delicious and versatile, pecans also have a warm, buttery flavor.

If you have run out of a few key ingredients, you can use the following ingredients as substitutes:

banana granola recipe ingredients

Kosher salt

You can use sea salt as an alternative to kosher salt.

Brown sugar

If you can’t find brown sugar in your store, you may use raw sugar.

Vanilla bean paste

You can always use vanilla extract in its stead.

How To Make Homemade Banana Granola

Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups of oatmeal
  • 0.5 cups of oat flour
  • 0.5 cups of coconut
  • 0.5 cups of peanuts
  • 0.25 cups of flax seeds
  • 0.5 cups of almonds
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup of butter
  • 1/4 cup of coconut oil
  • 0.5 tsp of kosher salt
  • 2 tsp of vanilla paste
  • 1 cup banana chips
  • 0.5 cups of chocolate drops (or chocolate chips)
  • 2 tsp of banana extract
ingredients to make banana granola

Instructions

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.

STEP 2: Lightly spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.

STEP 3: In a large bowl, combine the cereal, flour, crushed peanuts and almonds, coconut, flax seeds. Stir to combine, and set aside.

how to make banana granola step 3

STEP 4: In a medium saucepan, mix the brown sugar, butter, and coconut oil. Place over medium-high heat.

STEP 5: Stir the saucepan occasionally, and when everything is melted and the mixture is bubbling, remove from the heat.

how to make banana granola at home step 4 and 5

STEP 6: Add the cinnamon, salt, vanilla bean paste and banana extract, and stir to combine.

banana granola healthy step 6

STEP 7: Pour the hot liquid over the oat mixture, and stir to combine thoroughly.

easy banana granola recipe step 7

STEP 8: Pour the granola onto the prepared baking sheet, and spread into an even layer.

healthy banana granola step 8

STEP 9: Bake the granola at 300 degrees for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes are up, remove the sheet pan from the oven and break up the granola with a spatula, stirring it up and arranging it back into an even layer.

healthy banana granola recipe steps 9 to 12

STEP 10: Place in the oven for another 20 minutes, and then stir again.

STEP 11: Repeat this process for approximately 1 hour, or until the granola is fairly dry, golden brown, and broken up into medium-sized pieces.

STEP 12: Remove from the oven once golden brown, and allow to cool completely at room temperature.

STEP 13: Once the granola is cool, stir again to break up any large chunks that may have formed. Stir in the banana chips and chocolate chips, if using.

homemade banana granola step13

STEP 14: Transfer the granola to an airtight container, and store at room temperature until ready to use.

healthy banana granola step 14

The granola will keep at room temperature stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

What to Serve With Delicious and Nutritious Homemade Granola?

There are plenty of beverages and snacks you can have with banana granola.

  • You can enjoy granola with a glass full of milk. Not only is the combination a healthy, and nutritious snack, it’s scrumptiously delicious as well. 
  • You can also serve your homemade banana granola with yogurt and peanut butter. Pairing it with peanut butter can make it creamier, healthier, and nuttier.
  • Granola can also be mixed in baked items such as banana bread. You can make parfaits for dessert with this banana granola recipe. Or you can even make granola bars covered in honey and peanut butter. 
  • Moreover, you can also add it to your PB&J sandwich for a midday snack.
what does banana granola taste like

If you’re looking for another scrumptious way to use up those overripe bananas sitting on your counter, I highly recommend checking out this amazing recipe for banana poke cake.

Tips About Making the Homemade Banana Granola Recipe

  1. To make your granola crispy and crunchy, cook your dry ingredients at medium-low heat. Higher temperatures can burn the nuts and oats before they have a chance to become crispy.
  2. Rotate your pan midway through cooking. This makes sure your granola is cooked evenly from all sides.
  3. If you’re unsure whether the granola is ready, put your nose to good use. The granola is ready to come out of the oven if it smells like freshly-baked cookies. 
tips about making banana granola

How To Store Banana Granola

Once you’re done following the banana granola recipe, it’s time to store the granola properly to avoid it becoming soggy or bland over time. There are three simple guidelines for storing banana granola that help it retain its crunch and flavor.

  • For starters, let your granola cool at room temperature.
  • Next, place it in an airtight container.
  • Once done, seal the container and keep it away from heat, preferably in a dark cupboard. 

Pro Tip: Do not store your granola in the fridge. This will prevent it from becoming soggy.

Can You Put Granola in Banana Bread?

If you love banana bread and granola, why not put the two together?

You’ll end up with a moist banana bread  that has an incredibly crunchy texture, thanks to the insanely delicious homemade banana granola recipe.

To make banana bread granola,  simply add a cup of granola to your banana bread ingredients. Yes, it’s that simple!

simple banana granola recipe 17

Can You Put Granola On Top of Banana Bread?

If you want an extra crunch on top of banana bread, you can sprinkle the granola on top of your banana bread. You can also put some banana granola inside the bread for additional crunchiness.

Why Is My Homemade Granola Not Crunchy?

If you have cooked your oats and nuts over high temperatures, chances are your granola will not be crunchy.

To make crunchy banana granola, cook your ingredients at a low temperature. Also, keep stirring the granola so the ingredients are exposed to heat evenly.

Moreover, bake your granola until they become golden brown. Once the baked granola can cool down, it will start getting crispier.

tasty banana granola recipe 14

How Do You Get Granola to Stick Together?

There are a couple of things to remember when making your granola. To make your granola stick together, sir it occasionally during baking. This encourages the ingredients to toast better. 

As the sugar starts to caramelize, your granola will gradually stick together. You can also add a lightly beaten egg white before putting it in the oven so the mixture clumps together.

What can you do with old bananas?

Don’t throw them out just yet. There are several uses for old bananas. You can make classic banana bread granola.

Old bananas work wonders in banana bread. Plus, you can make yogurt parfaits, smoothies, hair masks, ice cream, banana muffins, and banana granola.

what to do with old bananas

What can I use as a binder for granola bars?

There are several binding ingredients that can hold a granola bar together without affecting the flavor.

Egg whites, butter, honey, and brown sugar all work well to bind your granola bar. Even maple syrup and peanut butter can act as a binder for your granola bars.

Other FAQs About Homemade Banana Granola

How long does homemade granola last?

Homemade granola can last up to 1 month without losing its flavor and crunch.

Can you freeze homemade granola?

Yes, you can freeze homemade granola as well as store-bought. It’s a great way to make sure your granola stays fresh for as long as possible.

Can I substitute quick oats for rolled oats in granola?

Rolled oats can be substituted for quick or instant oats. The difference between quick oats and rolled oats is that quick oats are thinner and need less time to cook than rolled oats. The latter has more thickness and texture.

what to do with old bananas

Banana Granola

Yield: 6 cups granola
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour

Just when you thought breakfast couldn't get any more delicious... we present to you: Banana Granola! Crunchy granola mixed with juicy bananas – it's the perfect way to start your day.

Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups of oatmeal
  • 0.5 cups of oat flour
  • 0.5 cups of coconut
  • 0.5 cups of peanuts
  • 0.25 cups of flax seeds
  • 0.5 cups of almonds
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup of butter
  • 1/4 cup of coconut oil
  • 0.5 tsp of kosher salt
  • 2 tsp of vanilla paste
  • 1 cup banana chips
  • 0.5 cups of chocolate drops (or chocolate chips)
  • 2 tsp of banana extract

Instructions

For The Granola

  1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
  2. Lightly spray a large baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray, and set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, combine the cereal, flour, crushed peanuts and almonds, coconut, flax seeds. Stir to combine, and set aside.
  4. In a medium saucepan, mix the brown sugar, butter, and coconut oil. Place over medium-high heat.
  5. Stir the saucepan occasionally, and when everything is melted and the mixture is bubbling, remove from the heat.
  6. Add the cinnamon, salt, vanilla bean paste and banana extract, and stir to combine.
  7. Pour the hot liquid over the oat mixture, and stir to combine thoroughly.
  8. Pour the granola onto the prepared baking sheet, and spread into an even layer.
  9. Bake the granola at 300 degrees for 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes are up, remove the sheet pan from the oven and break up the granola with a spatula, stirring it up and arranging it back into an even layer.
  10. Place in the oven for another 20 minutes, and then stir again.
  11. Repeat this process for approximately 1 hour, or until the granola is fairly dry, golden brown, and broken up into medium-sized pieces.
  12. Remove from the oven once golden brown, and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
  13. Once the granola is cool, stir again to break up any large chunks that may have formed. Stir in the banana chips and chocolate chips, if using.
  14. Transfer the granola to an airtight container, and store at room temperature until ready to use.
  15. The granola will keep at room temperature stored in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

Notes

* This recipe was originally published on 06/2013 by Jaclyn. Notes and photos updated 06/2022.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 362Total Fat: 22gSaturated Fat: 11gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 161mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 4gSugar: 23gProtein: 6g

* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.

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Conclusion

Granolas are a fulfilling snack and jam-packed with nutrients. They can be served as breakfast cereal, afternoon meals, or added on top of loaves of bread as a light snack. 

protein banana granola

You can also make granola bars from this insanely delicious homemade banana granola recipe. Homemade banana granola is perfect for munching while working or studying to boost your energy levels. 

I hope you found this post helpful. For more food ideas, visit our recipe index. Here are a few suggestions for you:

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