I’ve been on a granola kick lately. Glass jars fill my counter space with different ingredients: nuts, fruits, spices, and oats.
It’s been a great way to start my morning the past week. A bowl of crunchy granola with a drizzle of almond or coconut milk. Sometimes I’ll add a bit of fresh fruit to the bowl, too.
For this granola, I decided to use bananas to add a gentle sweetness. I didn’t want it to taste too much like banana bread, so I added some dried coconut to make it more tropical. Add a bit of fresh pineapple to your bowl and drizzle with coconut milk, and you are off to the tropics!
~Gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free, soy-free, vegan, and sugar-free
Ingredients
- 3 bananas, mashed
- 3 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup dried, unsweetened coconut
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons flax
- 1 Tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300*
- Combine all ingredients until evenly mixed, and spread in an even layer on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown and slightly crunchy. Stir the granola once or twice throughout cooking time.
- Let cool for 10 minutes before serving or storing. The granola will crisp up more while it cools.
This recipe is linked to Allergy Free Wednesdays 04/11/12.
Health Benefits:
- Oats:ย Oats contain loads of vitamins and minerals to keep you full and energized throughout the day. They can lower cholesterol, burn fat, reduce risk of type 2 diabetes, regulate bowel movements, reduce blood pressure, reduce risks of cancer because of oatโs phytochemical, and reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Coconut:ย Coconut is widely misunderstood because of itโs high fat content; however, coconutโs saturated fat is made up of medium-chain fatty acids. These medium-chains are easy to absorb and digest, and are converted quickly into energy. This means that the body is less likely to store the medium-chain as fat. Coconut is also a great source of dietary fiber with a whopping 5 grams per oz!
- Bananas:ย Rich in potassium, bananasย help the bodyโs circulatory system deliver oxygen to the brain. This also helps maintain a regular heartbeat and a proper balance of water in the body. It also contains tryptophan to help relax you and lift your spirits!
- Cinnamon:ย Studies have shown that it can help lower LDL cholesterol, help regulate blood sugar levels, has anti-clotting effect on blood, and it can boost cognitive function and memory.
Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:
Are you a granola muncher? If so, what is your favorite flavor?
Psst! Still in the mood for more granola? Try my Pumpkin Spice Latte Granola!
Hi Alex, I’ve always wanted to make my own granola so this looks fab. I’m allergic to bananas though so will leave them out. Do you think that will have an impact on how the granola turns out? Also, when you mention coconut oil should it be melted first before combining?
Thanks!!
Elise,
Sorry to hear! The granola would definitely be less moist, less sweet, and wouldn’t stick together as well. I would suggest adding another tablespoon or so of coconut oil. For the sweetness, maybe add a few chopped or pureed dates.
I would suggest melting the coconut oil first just because it is easier to work with when liquid. Hope this helps!
Awesome thanks! I may try a pureed form of another fruit, perhaps a homemade ‘applesauce’ or pureed berries to get the additional liquid in fruit form. Hope it works!
Yes! That would be great!
Just want to let you know I tried with the apples and it turned out brilliant. Thanks for a great recipe Alex.
Elise,
Yay!! I am so glad. Thanks for sharing!
Not big on granola actually, haven’t had it in quite some time- but love this flavor combo. Very summery!!
Do you melt coconut oil before mixing it in?
Stacey,
I would suggest melting the coconut oil first just because it is easier to work with when liquid. Hope this helps!
Oh, yum!! Looks good (and simple!). Is that flax seed or flax meal? I have flax meal and chia seeds. If it’s flax seeds can I use chia seeds?
Heather,
it is flax seed, but feel free to use ground flax or chia! They can be substituted any which way. You really can’t go wrong with granola ๐
I haven’t had granola in a long time but this makes me want to make some ASAP!
Kale,
Step to it! ๐
What is the serving size? About how many servings will it make? How many calories per serving?
Stacey,
I will post the info in the recipe since I had one other commenter with this question.
Yum, love this flavor combo. I am so obsessed with making homemade granola. I cannot believe that I didn’t discover how easy it was until last year. I feel like a dummy for ever buying that expensive, over processed junk at the store. Love the idea of the bananas, can’t wait to try. Thanks so much for sharing, Alex ๐
Beth,
Yes! I am now obsessed, too!
Yum! Looks fantastic…. I love the combo of bananas and walnuts, they go so well together. Perfect with coconut milk and fresh mango I’m thinking ๐
Lou,
Love the mango idea!
Now this is my kind of recipe! Fabulous!!
Thank you for sharing your recipe with us last week on AFW! Be sure to check back this week for reader favorites and hostess picks.
Be Well,
–Amber & AFW Hostesses
Hey.
I tried this recipe, it looked delicious. I don’t know if it’s just me, but it is a calorie bomb. I mean I am using a tool to calculate calories and I ate 150g of this granola and it calculated 640 kcals. Maybe it’s just me (again) but that many calories for (imo) not that much of food is too much.
However, granola is delicious, so I’ll have to figure out when to eat it and be extra active afterwards. ๐
Thank you for the recipe.
Maja,
I don’t know exactly how much is in 150g of granola, but I know 1/2 cup of my recipe has 250 calories (as specified in recipe). This is a pretty typical count for granola with all the whole grains, fruit, and nuts. The key is moderation for this, and like you said, exercise! Glad you enjoyed it, though, and thanks for your input.
Cooking now.. Smells fab. Thanks for the encouraging website. I love your recipes. I’m sugar free for two weeks now and it’s going well.
Caillie,
Yay! I hope you enjoy ๐
Absolutely superb. Making a second batch now. My two kids (aged 2 &5) loved it, as did my non-breakfast-eating husband! A triumph indeed. Thank you.
So glad you all enjoyed it, Caillie! Enjoy your next batch ๐
Brilliant! My parents think my diet is weird and gross just beascue I’m vegan, mostly raw, and somewhat of a purist. I’ll make this and really shock them when they see I’m eating a normal meal. Lol
I LOVE granola but have never made my own. I would like to try this. How is it stored and how long will it last?
Meredith,
Store the granola in an air-tight container for about a week or so, or put it in the fridge or freezer to keep for longer. I hope you enjoy!
Question: love recipe. Except for the oats. On wheat belly, paleo, etc … oats not ok, right?
Suggestion? Gotta find a cereal like this for breakfast. Please reply! Cute site!
Hi Scarlett,
Try substituting chopped nuts for oats. I’ve never tried this, but you can certainly give it a shot.
made this granola yesterday.. super yummy! i’m just two weeks into my sugar free journey (ack!), and SO happy to find some recipes that i can eat! i’m avoiding all sugars except for whole fruits (and a tiny bit of dried fruit, if necessary). it’s been a difficult transition for sure. slowly getting a handle on it.