A few weeks ago Ben, Lincoln, and I were over at my brother and sister-in-law’s house and were greeted at the door by Finn, my 4-1/2 year old nephew. He was hopping up and down, bursting with excitement to show Lincoln his new favorite thing ever, which he was sure was going to become Lincoln’s new favorite thing ever!
We all sat down then Finn brought out an iPad, giggling with anticipation. Oh man, he said, just you wait! A few clicks later and guess what popped up on the screen? An 80s-inspired, pixelated banana with arms, dancing to the tune of Peanut Butter Jelly time. (I’m laughing at the memory as I type this.) It’s PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME, LINCOLN! he screamed, looking at him expectantly.
Poor Finn. Lincoln just sat there. Confused. Then crawled away. I could nearly see the heartbreak on his little face – he’s so sweet! We all made a big deal of it which wasn’t hard because seriously that video is so insanely ridiculous you can’t help but laugh.
I’m surprised Lincoln was less impressed with his dear cousin’s dancing banana video, because he slays bananas in real life – they’re one of his favorite foods. The other night I thought he hurled one off his dinner tray because I cut it up, looked away for a moment, and when I looked back it was nearly gone. Atta boy! That said, we always have a bunch of bananas at home for Lincoln, and for Ben and me too.
Since I took that Go Sugar Free Course we’ve been trying to snack smarter, and a sweet banana or banana ice cream is sometimes all you need at night. That, or a handful of my newest obsession, Blueberry Banana Bread Granola.
You know how granola is usually laden with excess fat and sugar? Well this recipe replaces some of it with mashed fresh banana – yes! Obviously the benefit is that you can enjoy granola in your morning yogurt or by the handful as a crunchy and satisfying snack with less guilt, but the biggest upside is that it makes the granola taste exactly like a loaf of banana bread studded with blueberries. The flavor is unmistakable!
This granola takes less than 10 minutes to whip up (only 8 by my calculations,) uses all pantry and counter top staples, and bakes in just 15 minutes. The result is pure comfort food. Plus it’s a clumpy granola – everyone’s favorite kind.
The banana bread taste in this granola was top notch. I do love me some dried fruit in my granola thought so I threw in a handful of dried, unsweetened blueberries to amp up the flavor even more. I love eating this right out of my paw, but when sprinkled over vanilla Greek yogurt and joined with fresh bananas and blueberries (which I clearly can’t. get. enough. of,) it’s just insane.
Start by adding 3 cups old fashioned oats, gluten-free certified if you need it, to a large bowl. I was sent this canister of gluten-free old fashioned oats from Country Choice Organic and they were so good I had to share. Thumbs up!
Next add 1/2 cup each almonds that have been roughly chopped, and pecan halves and pieces. You could use whatever nuts you like, really, or even seeds. Walnuts are traditional in banana bead but I like the crunch of almonds in my granola, and the butteriness of pecans.
Next add 1/2 teaspoon each salt and cinnamon then stir everything up. Got to have cinnamon in banana bread!
Set the dry ingredients aside then set your sights on a couple of bananas. Like I said, we always have fresh bananas in the house. For this recipe you’ll need 2 very ripe or “cheetah spotted” bananas. The ones in the photo below are great for casual enjoyment (!) but are a little too perfect for this granola. You want ’em real soft and spotted.
Peel then mash the bananas in a medium-sized bowl until they’re very smooth and liquidy.
Next add 1/4 cup each maple syrup and coconut oil, as well as 2 teaspoons vanilla. Stir until combined then pour onto the dry mixture and mix well.
Spread the granola out on a silpat-lined baking sheet (here’s the one I have >>) then bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown, stirring twice. FYI, the granola will be soft when hot and crisp as it cools. That said, this granola has a lovely crisp yet “muffin-like” texture when it’s completely cool. Definitely banana bread inspired!
Transfer the cooled granola to a bowl then stir in 1/2 cup dried unsweetened blueberries.
Enjoy straight away or transfer to an airtight container to store on the counter for 3-4 days. What a lovely gift this fun and flavorful granola would make!
Blueberry Banana Bread Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups certified gluten-free old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup gluten-free pecans halves and pieces
- 1/2 cup gluten-free whole almonds roughly chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 very ripe bananas
- 1/4 cup coconut oil room temperature
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 1/2 cup unsweetened dried blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees then line a large baking sheet with a silpat or parchment paper. Combine oats, nuts, salt, and cinnamon in a large bowl then stir to combine and set aside.
- In a separate bowl, mash bananas until completely smooth and liquidy then stir in coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla. Pour into oat mixture then mix with a spatula until coated. Spread out on prepared baking sheet then bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown, stirring twice. Cool granola completely on baking sheet – it will crisp as it cools – then stir in dried blueberries. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
Notes
- Keep in an airtight container so the texture doesn't change!
Nutrition
Seriously – this cozy granola with fresh bananas and blueberries? Nothin’ better. Enjoy!
This looks awesome! I’ve been on a granola making kick recently, and this will definitely be next on my list :)
Sounds yummy! I bought a jar of coconut oil and have yet to use it. I’ve seen recipes with it and been wanting to try it, but do you melt it before you add it to recipes? Thanks! Love your site, as always!
It depends on the recipe (usually it will be specified) but for this one you don’t have to melt it.
yum! i can never go past a good bowl of granola.. love the banana bread idea. definitely one i will be trialling in my kitchen. thanks for the idea!
looks yum!
I would like to second the request for an alternative to coconut oil, and the request for where you found unsweetened dried blueberries?
I would use vegetable oil, and I got the blueberries at whole foods. :)
Definitely giving this a try, I am all about home made granola.
Not sure what you mean by “crafted this recipe” while it is only slightly adapted from your source?
Hi Mila! I am occasionally inspired by other bloggers and when that happens I always credit the original recipe by clearly listing the website at the top of my recipe. By “crafted” I mean I created this recipe based off another one but changed it in several ways including the ingredients, amounts, baking time, and temperature. I hope that helps answer your question!
This looks so good! Do you have any favorite restaurants in the DSM area? I’d love to hear your recommendations!
xo
You bet!
Miyabi 9 – my favorite restaurant in town – the BEST sushi ever, ever, ever.
Cafe di Scala – very romantic and amazing southern Italian food.
Flying Mango – funky and cute Caribbean/BBQ fusion restaurant.
Cool Basil – awesome Thai food. Don’t let the outside fool you (it’s on the end of a strip mall.) I love their Sweet Basil Stir Fry and Pad See Eiw.
Monterrey – The only Mexican place we eat at in town. Casual.
Zombie Burger – crazy burger and shake combos
Centro – great urban Italian restaurant. Never had a bad meal here!
Trostel’s Dish – awesome tapas menu with a wonderful chef, Jed.
Malo – great patio and food, though may still be trying to work through a few service kinks since they’re new in town.
Proof – Contemporary and delicious!
Cool Basil recently moved out of the strip mall into a stand-alone restaurant space. It’s now near the corner of 86th and University in Clive (basically on the other side of Toys ‘R Us as it was before). Much larger space, plus a patio according to my husband (we haven’t eaten there since they moved; he’s just picked up take out)!
Just made it. Have to stop myself from eating it all!
Yumm!! This sounds so good! Can’t wait to try it! FYI – Trader Joe’s sells big bags of GF oats! I always buy them from there. :)
I keep pinning all of your recipes because they look fabulous! Can you tell me where you found the unsweetened blueberries? I can’t seem to locate any unsweetened fruit near me. Thanks!
Whole foods! :)
Aw, poor Finn! Haha. I probably would have had the same reaction as Lincoln because I’ve had that song stuck in my head for the past week. It’s hard to forget!
This granola looks fabulous! Great idea to use bananas instead of adding sugar.
Oh my goodness, Peanut Butter Jelly Time is my 3 1/2 year old nephews FAVORITE song too! It’s so ridiculous you can help but laugh….and then you’ll catch yourself later with that tune in your head.
Looks delicious! I am curious where you get the brown /cardboard circle tags? I love that idea for my pantry!
It was actually from a shipment of mustard I received (hence the yellow string) but I’ve seen similar tags at the craft store!
This looks delicious!! Exactly the kind of snack I need to start eating. Question, though – I’m allergic to coconut; what would you recommend in place of the coconut oil in this recipe?? Really hope there’s a good substitute so I can try it!! Thanks!
I would use vegetable oil!
Peanut Butter Jelly Time is totally in my head right now, and I’m not even upset. Time to do a little dance!
This looks really fantastic! Something I picked up from Rachel Ray is that if your bananas aren’t cheetah spotted you can microwave for 15 – 30 seconds and they become easy to mash. It doesn’t mimic the aging process exactly but works great when you forgot to buy bananas early.
Kristin, happy Friday! So cute about Finn. Soon Lincoln will be following him everywhere. Love this granola recipe mostly because it is so flavorful and healthy!
Oooh banana bread in granola form sounds fabulous!
Yum! I’ve been meaning to get back into making my own granola. I love bananas so I will definitely have to give this recipe a try.
Looks incredible! I didn’t know I could use banana in granola. And here I am eating plain old banana bread this morning. Pinned to try something new :)