Banana Bread Granola
I would like to start this post with a question to all of my listeners: what do you do when you only have one ripe banana?
This happens to me every time I buy bananas, and usually I just make my regular 
I seriously cannot believe I didn't think of this sooner! I mean, I love making homemade granola almost as much as I like making different variations of banana bread. Combining these together almost seems too obvious.
But clearly it wasn't, because it took me a while to think about it. Banana bread and granola sound like they'd go well together, don't you think?
But can we talk about the banana and pecan combo? I became a huge banana and nut fan when I worked at Tim Hortons in my teenage years that I began combining everything nut-like with bananas ever since.
And while I know pecans are not technically a nut, I am still loving the nice toasty flavor this gives to complement the sweetness of the banana. And the coconut oil! That may be the best part of this granola! It makes your house smell ah-mazing AND gives your granola a slight hint of coconut.
You might be surprised to hear that I made this granola early in the AM. I'm talking like at 8 AM. I just had a huge craving for granola, and I had none in my house. What is a granola addict to do but make her own?
Unfortunately for my boyfriend, the smoke alarm went off when the granola was done. For some reason, every time I open the oven even though NOTHING is burning the smoke detector goes off. Or maybe it was a good thing that it woke him up. Then he could enjoy this granola when it's fresh.
I think this will be my breakfast for the next month!
If you try this recipe, let me know! Rate it, leave a comment and tag me with #atasteofmadness on Instagram! I always love seeing what you are creating!
Banana Bread Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 cup pecans
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ¼ cup coconut oil
- 3 tablespoon brown sugar
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 medium ripe banana, mashed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, mix together the oats, pecans, salt, cinnamon and chia seeds.
- In a small saucepan over medium low heat, warm the coconut oil, brown sugar, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Once liquidy, remove from the heat and whisk in banana and mix until fully combined. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Spread the mixture evenly onto one or two baking sheets and bake in the preheated oven for 23-28 minutes.
- If you want a less clumpy granola, toss when the granola is halfway done.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely on the baking sheet. Store in an airtight container.
THis looks amazing! I totally love pecans for texture. When I have a ripe banana, I always go for a mug cake 🙂
This sounds wonderful! What an awesome combination of flavors and textures, YUM! Whenever I have one ripe banana, I usually cut it up and throw it in a bag with other cut-up bananas for future smoothies. Not very exciting, I know. This is a MUCH better, more exciting use of a banana. Sounds amazing!
wow I never thought of making banana bread granola, this is just awesome! Love the recipe!
This looks great -- I love banana bread and granola.Thanks for sharing. I'm a new food blogger and found you on a link party. I've followed your social sites and hope we can connect on those. Can't wait to read more of your blog. Becky with CookingWithVinyl.com
OMG no you didn't go there!!! i'm so excited to try this 🙂 Banana bread is my all time favorite!!!! And granola, girl you stole my heart!!
love the idea of homemade granola bread and with banana it's a winner 😉
Dang girl, look at those delicious banananut clusters of oaty goodness 😀 *jawdrop*
Could definitely do with some of this in the early morning too ^ ^
Homemade granola is the best! I love that you made banana bread granola! It looks awesome!
Hi Cathleen,
Isn't it great to enjoy this yummy freshly baked banana bread granola ! Enjoy! Love this healthy brekkie to kick start the day !
Great recipe! I'll have to buy coconut oil to try this out. We eat granola just about everyday. If I don't have coconut oil, what do you recommend for another alternative? Thanks!
The coconut oil makes it crisp really nicely, but if you don't have it on hand you could use olive oil instead.
It sounds and looks heavenly!
I seriously cannot believe I didn't EVER think of this - this just sounds fabulous - And I bet it smells heavenly!
This looks delicious Cathleen, love granola. My kids used to say I cooked by smoke alarm.
I like the idea of homemade granola.
Oh yum that sounds awesome! I love homemade granola, this flavor looks good to me 🙂