With only a handful of simple ingredients, you will have some banana bread granola ready to start the day off right. Ripe bananas, oats, maple syrup, chopped walnuts, cinnamon, and vanilla combine to give you a healthy but filling homemade granola everyone will love. Why not make a double batch and store half in the freezer for a busy week? Vegan, vegetarian, kid-friendly and refined sugar-free, this is one breakfast recipe you need to add to your rotation.
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Homemade Banana Bread Granola
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They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but oftentimes breakfast is the one meal of the day which we overlook when it comes to meal-planning, and settle for some toast or a bowl of sad supermarket cereal.
Well, I say no way to that.
Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, and I for one will be making an effort to put something fun on the table more often than not.
Especially something like this homemade crunchy banana nut granola which contains only a handful of simple ingredients, and can be made ahead of time, and even frozen, making it the perfect option for even the busiest of weeks.
Oh, and as an added bonus, there is no added sugar in this homemade granola, so you can start the day off loading-up your body with only the good stuff.
So go on ahead and grab the following ingredients and we will get started on some homemade goodness:
- Ripe bananas (a great way to use up bananas that are turning)
- Rolled oats (sub in quinoa flakes for something different)
- Chopped walnuts (sub in some sunflower seeds for nut-free)
- Maple Syrup
- Ground cinnamon
- Vanilla extract
Let's get cooking.
Can Homemade Granola Be Frozen?
Yep, banana bread granola can definitely be frozen.
It fact it freezes so well that when I make some I always make a double batch.
One for now, and one to be frozen for a busy week (my future-self is always super appreciative about being able to grab a bag of pre-made homemade granola from the freezer).
Simply:
- Allow the granola to cool completely once you have removed it from the oven;
- Once cooled, transfer to a Ziploc bag, or a container with a lid;
- Pop into the freezer until you need it;
- Remove it from the freezer the night before you want to eat it and you are good to go.
It couldn't be easier!
How To Serve Up Banana Bread Granola
I for one always end of eating handfuls of the stuff straight from the tray as it is super moreish.
However, if you are a little bit more sophisticated, you might want to try serving it up one of these ways instead:
- Simply with some milk (dairy or dairy-free depending on your diet)
- With a dollop of yogurt
- In a homemade yogurt parfait (this one is great for kids)
- In a layered yogurt like this one
- With some milk or yogurt and some fruit (banana slices and/or some fresh berries would go well)
- Throw some into a container and eat it as a trail mix
So many ways to enjoy this scrumptious crunchy banana granola.
Need More Granola Recipes?
Need some more homemade granola recipes? Check these out:
- Bursting with nuts grain-free, sugar-free granola
- Pumpkin spice granola
- Raspberry dark chocolate chunk granola
- Super seedy coconut oil granola
- Super crunchy cardamom and cashew granola
- Super easy homemade granola with macadamia and coconut oil
- Coconut Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola
- Sun Butter Granola from Feasting on Fruit
I prefer to store my homemade granola in a glass mason jar as it keeps it nice and crispy (this is also a really nice way to give homemade granola away as a present, just add a ribbon and away you go).
You can pick mason jars up from most grocery stores, or grab some from Amazon here: Glass Mason Jars.
Happy Eating
xx
Recipe
Easy Banana Bread Granola
Ingredients
- 3 very ripe bananas
- 3 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup pure maple syrup (sub in honey if preferred)
- ½ cup chopped walnuts
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees (165C) and grease a large baking sheet.
- In a large bowl, mash together the bananas, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla.
- Add in the oats and mix well again.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts.
- Pour onto the prepared baking sheet and lightly spread, but not too thin.
- Bake for 20 minutes then flip it using a spatula. Bake for another 30 minutes or untilgolden brown.
- Let cool, then break into smaller pieces and store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
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Dana Sandonato says
What an absolutely genius idea for granola! I love making granola, and I've made a few different variations before. But I'd never thought about incorporate the essence of banana bread and I am SO IN LOVE. Perfect as a yogurt topper or on its own as a snack. By the fistful!
Sean@Diversivore says
I've always liked homemade granola, but I'm really excited about this recipe. Not only do you have a wonderful mix of flavours, but you've incorporated a pretty substantial serving of banana to boot. It's a great combination, and a great way to use up old bananas without always turning to banana bread. Don't get me wrong, I love banana bread - I just think that my waistline would probably prefer if I didn't turn to baking all the time. Lol.
Lisa says
Phooey! I'm out of bananas and can't get to the store.... the maple syrup and crunchy walnuts probably give this a beautiful sweetness and crunch. I love homemade granola and your banana bread version sounds like my kind of breakfast, or. on a scoop of vanilla ice cream. I'm saving this, because it's HAPPENING SOON. Thanks for sharing.
Marisa F. Stewart says
I LOVE homemade granola! I eat it for breakfast but also as a snack and as a topping on my fruit and yogurt. I've never used banana in my flavoring so once I saw your recipe I knew I had to make it. I can't stop eating it. I really have to limit myself. I'm ready to make another batch. Thank you for the recipe.
Gloria says
Homemade granola is so good. It is super easy to make. You can control the sweetness and add all the flavourings you like. I would love some of this on my yogurt right now.