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Crunchy granola clusters with classic banana bread flavor, featuring ripe bananas, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Naturally gluten free and easy to customize with various nut butters and mix-ins.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: About 6-8 cups granola 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup mashed banana (about 2 medium ripe bananas)
  • ¼ cup almond butter
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • ¼ cup brown or coconut sugar
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter or refined coconut oil, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups rolled oats
  • 1 cup chopped nuts of choice (e.g., walnuts and sliced almonds)
  • 2 teaspoons cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
  2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Mash ripe bananas thoroughly in a large mixing bowl.
  4. Add melted butter or coconut oil, maple syrup, almond butter, vanilla extract, and brown or coconut sugar to the mashed bananas; stir until combined.
  5. Stir in rolled oats, chopped nuts, cinnamon, and salt until evenly coated.
  6. Spread the mixture evenly on the prepared parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Bake for 45 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
  8. Turn the oven off and leave the granola inside for about 20 minutes (or longer for extra crisp).
  9. Remove the granola from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet.
  10. Break the cooled granola into clusters.
  11. If using chocolate chips and you want them softened, stir them in while the granola is still warm; to avoid melting, wait until granola is completely cooled before adding.
  12. Stir in dried fruit or other mix-ins after baking.

Notes

Use certified gluten free oats if gluten sensitivity or Celiac disease is a concern to maintain gluten free status., Ripe, spotty bananas are recommended for natural sweetness and flavor., To get extra crunchy clusters, leave granola in the turned-off oven longer or reheat briefly when serving., Customize by swapping almond butter with other nut or seed butters, or adding chocolate chips and dried fruit after baking., Store granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks., If granola softens, warm gently in a skillet or low oven to restore crispness.

  • Author: Ashley
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes + 20 minutes resting (in-oven)
  • Category: Snack

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: Approximately 1/2 cup per serving
  • Calories: Approximately 180 kcal per 1/2 cup serving (estimate)
  • Fat: 7 g per serving (estimate)
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g per serving (estimate)
  • Protein: 5 g per serving (estimate)