If you've got one ripe banana, a few minutes to spare, and are looking for a delicious breakfast, this easy Banana Granola is the perfect recipe for you. It takes less than 3 minutes to mix 3 ingredients together and boom - you've got crunchy, naturally sweetened, clusters of a healthy, homemade granola!
When you are looking for a super simple, healthy, homemade granola recipe you can whip up in a few minutes, this Banana Granola is ideal.
This granola is low sugar, gluten free, vegan, and suitable for many diets. There is no added sugar (cane sugar or refined), or oil).
Ingredients
It doesn't get much easier than 3 simple pantry ingredients to make a whole batch of granola. Plus, I love recipes that use just one ripe banana (like these Banana Bread Cookies) - sometimes that's all you have!
- Oats. Rolled oats make up the base of the granola. Make sure you use Certified Gluten Free Oats if you have Celiac or are making this for someone with a Gluten Allergy.
- Ripe Banana. Just one overripe banana adds so much to this recipe - it binds everything together, gives the granola its natural sweetness, and lends that delicious banana flavor! The browner, the better!
- Walnuts. Walnuts add a fun texture and pop of flavor and healthy fat. See below for a nut free version.
- Cinnamon. Cinnamon is optional, but I love the way it compliments the banana bread flavors!
- Salt. Never skip salt! Just a pinch.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Simply add your ingredients into a large bowl, mix, bake, and enjoy!
- Mash a ripe banana in a mixing bowl.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and stir so everything is coated.
- Lay out granola mixture on a baking sheet. Make sure you have everything close together to get big clusters.
- Bake and enjoy!
Hint: Make sure you leave small holes or spaces between the granola mixture on the baking sheet to allow the clusters to bake up beautifully crunchy and golden brown.
Variations
This recipe is super simple and easy to adapt. Its already gluten free, dairy free, oil free, and vegan, but here are some more suggestions for variations you can try.
- Make it Nut Free! Sub the walnuts with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
- Make Chocolate Chip Banana Bread Granola. Simply add mini chocolate chips to the granola mixture after it has baked and cooled.
- Make it high protein. Mix in a couple scoops of your favorite protein powder. You may need to up the bananas or remove some oats to keep the ratios in check.
See this Peanut Butter Banana Granola for a Peanut Butter version, or Grain Free Granola Recipe for a granola made without any oats or grains!
Storage
Store the granola in an airtight container. You can store on the counter, but I would recommend the fridge for up to 2 weeks and optimal freshness. You could also make a double batch and store in the freezer for up to 6 months!
Top Tip
Use a brown banana! The more ripe (brown) a banana becomes, the more sugar it naturally releases, so it becomes sweeter and will add more natural sweetness and flavor.
FAQ
Definitely! Simply sub the walnuts for sunflower or pumpkin seeds, or feel free to leave them out entirely.
Yes! Its naturally sweetened with only banana so naturally refined sugar free, and full of fiber, healthy fats, and nutrition from the oats and walnuts.
You can eat it sprinkled on some yogurt, in a bowl with milk (diary or non-dairy), as a topping on some ice cream, or simply snack on the clusters as a snack! I love adding the granola and some chocolate chips to some vanilla yogurt as a sweet snack,
This recipe is naturally sweetened with a ripe banana. It has some sweetness but is not as sweet as a traditional granola recipe. If you prefer a sweeter granola, you can add some maple syrup or brown sugar - see the recipe card notes.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Banana Granola (Oil Free)
Equipment
- 1 Large Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 Ripe Banana
- 1.5 Cups Rolled Oats
- 0.5 Cups Walnuts
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- Optional: 2 tablespoon Hemp Hearts
- Optional: 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mash the ripe banana.
- Add the rest of the ingredients and mix everything to combine. Make sure all the oats are coated with the banana mixture.
- Pour granola onto the baking sheet and use a silicone spatula to push everything down into a thin layer.
- Bake for 25 - 30 minutes, turning halfway. Keep an eye on the granola to make sure it doesn't burn toward the end!
- Once done, let cool completely - it will firm up and become crunchy while cooling.
- Enjoy! Store in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Robbie
a perfect addition to my morning yogurt bowl
Karen Gunsul
Delicious! Tripled the recipe and will keep it in the freezer for longer storage. The banana as a natural sweetener is great, doesn’t need more, or if you want, add a bit of maple syrup at the table. I added slivered almonds and rough chopped pecans for the last 15 minutes of cooking.