Banana Bread Granola – Oats are tossed with pecans, walnuts, banana puree, honey, and cinnamon to make for a crunchy snack that tastes (and smells!) just like banana bread.
Making granola at home is the snack I didn’t know I needed. I never thought it would be worth the effort. But, as it turns out, the effort is minimal which makes the end result that much more “worth it.”
After making a pumpkin version a couple years ago, I saw first-hand how easy it was to make homemade granola. Since then, I’ve been eager to test out new recipes any chance I get.
First, I tried a classic cinnamon granola that I added to this grilled peach sundae. It was so crispy and flavorful, yet didn’t distract from the main components of the sundae. My next granola, however, was set to be a star so it needed to shine all on its own.
The next granola I made was this sweet and salty concoction: chocolate cinnamon granola. It was loaded with chocolate flavor that was made even better with cinnamon and flaky sea salt. I was eating it by the handfuls! I was on a roll!!
Today, I am sharing my third original homemade granola. This one combines all the flavors of another baked treat: banana bread. I added in walnuts and pecans, which are nuts I love to include in my banana bread. And don’t forget that cinnamon – banana bread just ain’t the same without it.
Without further ado, I present my Banana Bread Granola!
How to make this granola
Just like with banana bread, this banana bread granola is a great way to use super ripe bananas. Those bananas get mushed and added to the other wet ingredients: honey, canola oil, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and salt. It’s important to mix the wet ingredients before adding the dry ingredients because you wan them to mix evenly. This is hard to do with all the dry ingredients in there, too.
Once the wet mixture is done, add in the dry ingredients: oats, whole pecans, and walnuts. You can use chopped versions of the nuts – I just like the look of the whole ones.
One the mixture is all combine, it’s patted into one flat layer on a large baking sheet. Don’t make the layer too thick or it will take forever to crisp up. But do remember to pat down the granola tightly. This will ensure the granola clusters beautifully.
After the granola has been baking for 15 minutes, it’s time to toss around and flatten again. You’ll probably notice that the edges of the granola around the rim of the baking sheet have begun to brown, while the center probably doesn’t have much color. This process ensures even browning of the granola.
Once the granola is done, let it cool completely and then break it into pieces. You can eat it alone or with yogurt, milk, or ice cream. I love snacking on it so it never makes it for any other use.
My favorite thing about this granola
Hands down, my favorite thing about this granola is the smell. When it bakes, the banana and cinnamon create an aroma almost exactly like baking banana bread. It’s intoxicating! And what’s even better is that the smell stays in the granola even after it’s finished baking. Every so often I would just sneak a whiff of the granola and sure enough, it smelled like bananas and cinnamon. Mmmm I’m drooling just thinking about it.
Tips & Tricks
- You must use super ripe bananas for this recipe. Ripe bananas have more sugar so you don’t need to use lots of honey in the granola. If the banana isn’t ripe enough, it won’t have the right amount of sweetness.
- Do not underbake the granola. You’ll know it’s ready because it will turn golden brown. If you underbake the granola, it won’t be crunchy, but instead, it will be chewy.
Banana Bread Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned oats not instant!
- ½ cup banana puree about 1½ bananas
- ½ cup walnuts
- ½ cup pecans
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Add nuts and oats to a large bowl. In a separate small bowl, add the banana puree, oil, salt, honey, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and whisk together. Pour mixture into bowl with oats and nuts. Stir together until well-mixed.
- Pour granola onto large baking sheet and spread evenly into one layer and pat down to compact the mixture. Bake 15 minutes and remove. Stir mixture, pat down to compact it again, and return to oven for another 20 minutes, until the mixture is golden brown.
- Remove from oven to cool. Once cool, break apart the granola into chunks.
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More recipes you’l love:
Chocolate Cinnamon Granola
Pumpkin Banana Bread
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
This is making me want to try a new granola recipe this weekend! I totally agree, it seems intimidating, but it’s surprisingly easy. I’ve been meaning to experiment with different nut combinations and maybe even some dried fruits. I wonder if you could even create a fun, colorful granola that looks like an Eggy Car for a themed brunch? The possibilities seem endless! Thanks for the inspiration.
Love how this recipe turns overripe bananas into crunchy, banana-bread-flavored granola
Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven. Use a spatula to toss the granola, ensuring that all pieces are mixed well. Then, flatten it out evenly across the sheet. You’ll likely notice that the edges of the granola have started to brown, while the center remains lighter in color. This is a normal part of the process!
Okay, this banana bread granola sounds absolutely amazing! I love banana bread and granola, so combining them? Genius! Definitely going to try this recipe this weekend. Yum!
—–written by unblocked games
How long can you store this for? What is the shelf life?
Fantastic granola to start a day with. I have everything I need for it, so really looking forward to making it some time soon.
I am about to throw this down in my kitchen! I know I won’t be able to stop snacking on it and that my house will smell amazing!
This is exactly what I need this week – we indulged way too much this Thanksgiving weekend, and tomorrow we need to get back on eating hearty and healthier foods. This will be in our breakfasts for sure!
I’ve been experimenting with granola A LOT lately. And despite the fact that banana bread granola is a must, I haven’t made it yet this season. I should definitely try your recipe now – it looks too good! 🙂
I could have this every morning with my cereal or yogurt…I usually add bananas so this is a perfect recipe to try! Sounds wonderful ^_^
I have been wanting to make homemade granola forever! But for some reason, it has always intimidated me. Oats toss with all the yumminess above is enough to make me conquer that fear 😉
What a fantastic idea to spruce up granola! You can never go wrong with banana bread! I can’t wait to try it out!
I have a favourite banana bread granola, but this recipe sounds so tasty!! I will have to try this version out sometime.
We eat so much granola! I love it with Greek yogurt, the kids like it with milk and my husband likes it as a snack on its own! The only ingredient I haven’t used in my granola is banana – now I must try it!
wow, this banana bread granola looks so flavorful and toasty I need to make it at home as now I am carving it. Your pictures look mouthwatering.
This Banana Bread Granola looks so good and healthy too. I love Homemade options. The Banana flavor is surely unique and the combinations amazing.
One of the best banana bread granolas I’ve seen this season. The texture is just the way I like it – super awesome!
What a great idea, the perfect addition to a vanilla yogurt!
What a quick and easy snack to make! I always say I’m going to make my own snacks so I don’t have to buy processed ones at the store and never seem too!
Oh wow, I’ve never thought of making homemade granola with banana bread flavor. This looks so delicious, and I will be waiting patiently for my bananas to turn super ripe and make this ASAP. 🙂
Yum this looks delicious! I love home baked granola!
What a creative variation on this classic! Will be making it for sure.
I’ve made granola so many times but I’ve never tried this flavor. I bet it’s amazing!
Thanks for the recipe and all the tips and suggestions! I am going to make this banana bread granola soon, I have all ingredients ready to be used!
mMm…I love banana flavored granola for my yogurt & acai bowls! this sounds so simply & good…must try it sometime! Thanks for sharing!
I really love that you’ve made this to taste like banana bread! I can totally see myself topping my morning yogurt with it!