Banana Bread Granola
This Banana Bread Granola is crunchy, hearty, and tastes just like banana bread! It’s the perfect breakfast or snack to keep you full and satisfied!
You’ll also love these Easy Banana Pancakes, Banana Overnight Oats, and Air Fryer Banana Bread!
Bananas are one of my favorite fruits to bake with. I love the sweet taste and flavor that it gives to oatmeal, muffins, and more. And because we always have some overripe bananas sitting on our kitchen counter, I’m constantly thinking of new recipes to make.
The hubster eats a banana just about every day, but once they start turning brown, he won’t touch them. So that’s when I hoard those overripe ones for baking. After all, the dark the better, right? And lately, the hubster has been ignoring a lot of overripe bananas, so I’ve been overflowing with ones to use for baking.
So when I was looking at those brown bananas last weekend, my mind immediately jumped to granola. I absolutely love taking on the challenge of creating new granola combinations. But since it’s been a while since I made a batch of granola, I decided that it was time to get creative again.
This Banana Bread Granola is crunchy, hearty, and tastes just like banana bread. With a combination of oats, walnuts and banana chips, this granola is jam-packed with banana flavor and so easy to make. If you’re banana lover like myself, then this was made for you!
If you’ve ever made granola before, you know that it can sometimes be temperamental!
I’ve had my fair share of recipe failures, mainly by adding in to much of a liquid ingredient or cooking it for too long. But I’m happy to report that I perfected this Banana Bread Granola! It has just the right amount of flavor, combined with healthy ingredients, to give you that delicious banana bread taste.
And the best part is that this Banana Bread Granola is so easy to make!
It’s also very versatile, so if you don’t like walnuts, feel free to swap them out with almonds or pecans. The dried banana chips also give this granola a delicious twist and crunch. So if you like these chips, then they’re a must for this granola.
It’s important to let this Banana Bread Granola cool completely on the baking pan once you take it out of the oven. It will continue to crisp up as it cools, resulting in the perfect crunch and texture.
One bite and I was hooked! This granola literally tastes like banana bread, but in a healthier, crunchier form. I literally was eating this by the handful, as I just couldn’t get enough of the fresh taste.
This Banana Bread Granola is the perfect treat to munch on or to sprinkle on some yogurt or use as a delicious cereal. So if you always have those overripe bananas staring back at you or love banana bread, then this granola is perfect for you!
Looking for more granola recipes? I’ve got you covered!
Banana Bread Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned oats
- ¾ cup walnuts, chopped
- 1½ cups dried banana chips
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Dash of nutmeg
- 1½ large banana, mashed
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste, or vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, walnuts, banana chips, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the mashed banana, coconut oil, honey, and vanilla. Stir until well blended.
- Add the wet mixture to the oats and mix until thoroughly combined. Spread oat mixture onto baking pan in an even layer.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until granola is browned. Remove from oven and let cool completely on baking pan. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Well, your husband certainly lives in the right house. As soon as bananas get bad for him, they get good for you! You’re the perfect pair.
It’s great granola, too. I hear ya about not making the same things over and over, but sometimes you have to if they’re that good!
Haha yes we do make a great pair! Thanks so much for the granola love, Mir!
Gayle – I want all of the banana bread granola right now. Seeing as though I have the day off today, I might try and recreate this one at my house. 🙂 Thank you.
I think you would love this, Erin! It’s so delicious!
Gayle, I love this granola!! I’ve been on a banana and almond butter eating craze over the weekend and just bought a ton of bananas! I wonder how easy or hard it would be to make homemade dried banana chips? Anyway, love this granola!! looks perfect!
Homemade banana chips are on my list of things to make, Alice! I’m seriously addicted to them! Thanks so much for the kind words!
This banana bread granola looks absolutely perfect! I make a big batch of granola just about every week and I am excited to try this flavor! I love the walnuts and banana chips that you’ve added for crunch!
Thanks, Kristine! I thought the banana chips and walnuts added a little something extra to this. I hope you love this if you try it!
We always have a few leftover overripe bananas at the end of the week. This is a great way to use those up! I love granola and bananas, so this sounds delicious!
Overripe bananas are so perfect for this granola, Danielle! Thanks!
Oh, gosh. You’re reminding me that it’s been WAY too long since i last snuck banana into my granola. I have a thing for anything and EVERYTHING banana bread, so I’m positive I would love this! It looks so perfect, Gayle!
Thanks, Sarah! This granola ranks right up there with my favorite banana treats!
I love this banana bread granola! It looks super delicious and I am always looking for new ways to switch up homemade granola flavors 🙂 I always have overripe bananas ready to use up so I can’t wait to whip up a batch of this granola next!
Thank you, Kelly! I absolutely love this granola. It’s so great to use up those leftover bananas with!
Love this banana granola Gayle! Awesome flavors and so easy to make! Will definitely try it, since my husband loves bananas! Pinned 🙂
Thanks for the granola love and pin, Mira!
I love this, Gayle. I have a huge weakness for banana bread. I am so making this granola soon!
You would love this granola, Jen! I’ve made it several times and I can’t get enough of it!
This granola looks perfect. You and I should of paired up today with our posts. They go hand in hand. 😉 I’ve tried a few homemade granolas and haven’t been overly impressed with them. This one looks delicious. Gonna give it a try asap. Pinned!
Yes! We are very similar with our recipes today! I’m very hit and miss with homemade granola too, but this one is definitely a winner! 🙂
This looks amazing! Banana bread granola is such a delicious and creative recipe! Definitely need to try this soon! 😀
Thank you, Jess!
This granola is out of this world!! All of my favorite things in one dish!
It’s perfect, Annie!
I hoard all of the brown bananas too. So much better for baking. I love the flavors of this! Wish I had this for breakfast today instead of a boring piece of toast.
Thanks, Natalie! This definitely beats the yogurt I had this morning, too! 🙂
Say wha? Banana Bread Granola! It’s such a creative and innovative recipe – I can’t wait to try it!
Thank you, Heather!
Gayle, this looks amazing! I love banana bread so much. What a great idea to make a granola version. I love baking with bananas too, there is just something about banana desserts that always suck me in!
Thanks, Keri! Banana desserts always suck me in too…they’re just SO good!
Love that you used dried banana chips, so smart 🙂
Thanks, Medha!
Love the addition of dried banana chips in this granola Gayle! I can only imagine how amazing it smells while it’s baking.
This smells amazing, Linda! And tastes even better! 🙂
Hello Gayle!! It’s my first time here and I’m loving all your recipes. This granola looks super good and crunchy. I have some overripe bananas sitting on my kitchen counter so I think I’ll give a try your recipe soon.
Thank you so much for the kind words and for stopping by, Oriana! I hope you love this granola if you try it!
Your creativity continues to amaze me, Gayle! This is such a fabulous idea! Pinning for later! <3
Thanks so much, friend!!
I won’t eat bananas with brown spots either — they go straight to the freezer for smoothies or earmarked for bread or granola! Granola is temperamental, but it’s great with such a minimal amount of sweetener and oil, esp with the mashed bananas! Great recipe, Gayle…pinned!
Thanks, Marcie! I didn’t add sugar to this recipe, besides what’s already in it from the honey and bananas. I think it has the perfect amount of sweetness!
Fabulous recipe! I’m a banana girl…I have one a day and sometimes I’ll smear it with almond or natural peanut butter. I am very excited to make this…I actually have just about everything…all I need are the banana chips!
Thank you, Annie! This granola is delicious without the chips, but I think it gives it a little extra flavor!
this is an awesome way to over-ripe bananas Gayle! Love homemade granola! Pinned!
Thanks, Manali!
What an awesome flavor for granola! Banana bread is easily one of my favorite things ever, so I definitely have to make this!! Pinned 🙂
Thanks, Christina! Hope you like this if you try it!
Banana is one of my favorite fruits and I always have them on the counter. I love this granola! Pinned!
Thank you, Mariah!
This looks delicious, Gayle! Doesn’t coconut oil make the BEST granola?!
My husband is like yours — he eats a banana every day, but he doesn’t go near them once they start to turn brown. That leaves me with plenty of bananas for recipes like smoothies, banana bread, and now GRANOLA! 🙂
Aren’t ripe bananas the best? Thanks so much for the kind words, Blair!
I’m with you Gayle I love trying different flavor combinations for granola. This banana bread version sounds amazing.
Thanks, Kelley! It’s my favorite!
If I could have a bowlful of this banana bread granola every morning.. I would be one happy person Gayle. Looks very delicious!
Thank you, Thalia!
Gayle I love banana bread and banana bread granola sounds too good!! I am just wondering how delicious it will taste on top of thick yogurt!! Ohh I need to make this asap!
It’s amazing on yogurt, Ami! Gives it a nice crunch and flavor!
This banana bread granola sounds wonderful, Gayle!!! Bananas are my favorite fruit to bake with by far as well – they might just be my favorite fruit in general as well! I sure eat a lot of them 🙂 I would love a big bowl of this with almond milk in the morning – YUM!! Pinned and have a wonderful week my friend!
Thank you for the kind words and pin, Ceara! This definitely works great as a delicious cereal!
I’ve been obsessed with granola lately. Can’t wait to try this! Love bananas!
Thanks, Christin!
Very creative adding banana to granola, need to try this. Thanks!
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by, Christine!
I have banana’s all over the place, freezer, countertop, you name it. Although i prefer slightly unripened ones for eating. Love this granola. I buy a similar one at the grocery store but it would be so much better to make it at home. Thanks
Your house sounds just like mine, Kathy! I do like the less ripe ones for eating too, but love the overripe ones for baking!
I love banana bread and I love granola, so this looks like it is right up my alley!
Thanks, Kelly!
I would INHALE this!!! Seriously! Pinned!
I think I pretty much did inhale the whole batch! 🙂 Thanks, Dorothy!
Oooh this looks so so good! My granola stash is running low so this is totally going to be the next kind I make!
Thanks, Rachel! I hope you love it if you try it!
I love granola and banana chips, too. I used to love banana chips back in the day. They’re crunchy, slightly sweet, and oh so delicious. I love the fact that you used two kinds of bananas in this recipe. Yeah, I could eat this for days.
Thanks so much, Neeli! I think the banana chips provide the perfect touch!
I am the same way! I only like to eat bananas plain before they turn brown! But I always buy a huge bunch because once they do turn brown, I can go crazy baking with them. I never would have thought to use them in granola though! Genius, Gayle!
Thanks, Michelle! This granola is such a great way to use up old bananas!
This granola looks perfect! I love trying new granola flavours, although I think I always make them more than once, one of the only things that gets repeated with regularity around here! Maybe I make too much granola?! Pinned!!
I don’t think too much granola is ever a bad thing! 🙂 Thanks for the pin, Stacey!
My hubs is the same way — he doesn’t like any brown spots on them. That’s just when I start to get excited! Lol. This granola looks awesome Gayle!
Haha me too, Ashley! The browner, the better! 🙂
I love banana bread so this granola would be SO dangerous! I could eat that whole bowl 😉
I think I did eat the entire batch! 🙂
Homemade granola can definitely be temperamental! But man do I love it! Looks like you have this one nailed down – the banana bread flavor sounds fantastic!
Yes! I think I’ve made more bad batches than good ones. But luckily this one is a winner! Thanks for the kind words, Ashley!
We always have bananas sitting on our counter too! I also think I have about 1,000 of them in the freezer too! Banana granola sounds so good! I’ve been meaning to make more granola from scratch lately and I bet this tastes so good!
Thanks, Izzy! It’s my favorite granola!
This granola looks amazing! I love how you combined the flavors of banana bread into this to make a really fun granola mix!
Thank you, Shelby!
I love baking with bananas too, but I need to start buying them in bulk because they always seem to all get eaten before they have a chance to get brown! This granola looks so good! I love all your homemade granolas!!
Thanks so much, Jess!
Hahaha! I am the same way…once a banana turns brown I can’t eat them. But that makes it perfect for all the banana treats! Love this fun granola! I would definitely love it!!!
Brown bananas are definitely the best when it comes to baking! Thanks, Jocelyn!
Gayle, This recipe sounds too good to not try! I’m a breakfast food and granola fanatic, but I’ve never tried to make my own granola at home. This one is being added to the top of my list! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thanks so much for the kind words, Ali! I hope you love this granola if you try it. It’s my favorite!
This looks heavenly! I’m sure your house smelled amazing while it was baking!
It’s smelled wonderful and tasted even better, Ariana! 🙂 Thanks so much for the kind words and for stopping by!