Banana Chocolate Chip Granola
Banana Chocolate Chip Granola is healthy banana granola recipe with no refined sugar! It’s reminiscent of banana bread, and perfect for breakfast and snacks!
Normally for breakfast I eat a bowl of oatmeal sweetened with maple syrup and topped with fresh banana and some toasted nuts, seeds, or coconut. If I have blueberries, those might go in, but it’s almost always banana.
Then I’ll have another half of banana later in the day with some peanut butter or almond butter. I love my banana. 🙂
I’ve been making a lot of healthier banana bread lately, and I decided I needed to do a granola take on it. I adapted banana granola recipe from my almond granola recipe by adding in one medium mashed banana.
I wasn’t totally sure if the granola would be as crispy this way, but it was perfect.
In fact, this banana granola was not only crispy, it was downright clumpy — just the way I love it. Those big clusters are perfect for snacks, or eating a few fistfuls before you get any in the bowl.
You do that too, don’t you?
The granola was in extra big clusters this time around because I didn’t stir it while it baked. I can honestly say I’ll never, Never, EVER stir granola again.
This banana granola smelled just like banana bread while it baked, which to me is one of the best aromas on the planet. The banana flavor is mild in the granola itself, but it really helped sweeten things up.
I wanted a mildly sweetened granola, and that’s just what this is, between the banana and just enough maple syrup.
Since the granola isn’t too sweet, the dark chocolate chips were totally warranted. A little indulgence doesn’t hurt, and it is dark chocolate. 🙂
I also tossed in some walnut pieces for a nice, nutty crunch, which really played up that banana bread thing. And more sliced banana for serving — yes! The more banana the better.
Needless to say, if you love banana, you need this granola in your life. 🙂
More granola recipes you’ll love:
Honey Granola by Cooking on the Front Burner
Banana Chocolate Chip Granola
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned rolled oats*
- 3/4 cup walnut pieces or your favorite nut
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds optional
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 1/4 cup coconut oil sub with your favorite oil
- 6 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large banana mashed (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the oats, walnuts, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
- Place the coconut oil and maple syrup in a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until warm and melted. Stir in the vanilla and banana puree until incorporated.
- Stir the banana mixture into the oat mixture until the oats are well coated. Pour onto the rimmed baking sheet in an even layer and bake for 25-30 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and cool completely. Place in a bowl, break into clusters, and gently toss in the chocolate chips. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Enjoy!
Notes
- *Be sure to use 100% certified gluten free oats to make this recipe gluten free.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
44 Comments on “Banana Chocolate Chip Granola”
Thanks for the love Marcie! Next time I crave granola I definitely will be making you recipe – seriously can breakfast be any better when it has banana and chocolate?
You’re so welcome, Thalia! I need to try your granola VERY soon. 🙂
this is perfect! Chocolate and banana is always a great combination.
Thanks, Zainab! 🙂
Banana and chocolate is just the best combo! I love that the banana actually coats the granola… how cool! I have to try this!
I really loved this granola and it went so fast I need to make more! 🙂
I love bananas too so I’m loving this granola! It looks amazing, Marcie! And the addition of chocolate chips is just perfect. This would be a delicious breakfast or mid-day snack! And I love your bowl, too! Pinned!
Thank you, Gayle! Since the granola isn’t too sweet, there was plenty of room for chocolate chips. I need to make your banana bread oatmeal soon! 🙂
I am ALL about those big clusters of granola, they are my favorite! Love the looks of this one, Marcie, can’t possibly go wrong with a little chocolate in my breakfast 😉
The big clusters are the best, and chocolate for breakfast will never hurt anybody. 🙂 Thanks, Denise!
I love banana chocolate chip muffins, and I LOVE granola, so I know this granola would be my perfect breakfast! Big clusters are the best, and I always snatch a few before I even take my baked granola off the pan! The walnuts sound delish in this!
I can never resist the big clusters! This batch went way too fast so more is on the horizon. 🙂 Thanks, Kristine!
The big clusters are the best part – I always pick those out first too 🙂 This looks perfect, Marcie! Chocolate and dark banana is the best combo! Love the walnuts in here too!
The clusters are the best — besides the chocolate that is. haha Thanks, Kelly! 🙂
Ha. I always over stir my granola and then I’m sad when it’s not chunky enough. I love the big clumps, because I usually just like to eat it as a snack with my hands. This is right up my alley. Chocolate + banana = I’m in love!
Thanks, Liz! I used to always over stir my granola too to make sure it was evenly toasted, but now I know what I need to do to get the clusters I love. 🙂
This looks too perfect, loving all the stuff in it. The clusters been the best part. Great recipe as usual Marcie.
Thank you so much for the sweet comment, Ash! Hope you’re having a wonderful Monday! 🙂
I need to make another batch of granola! LOVE the extra big clumps — that’s the best way!
I totally agree, and I need to make more granola, too! 🙂
Clumpy granola for the win! The more big chunks the better! This looks absolutely delicious, Marcie! Pinned!
Big granola clusters win every time! Thanks for the pin, Justine! 🙂
Chocolate does make things seem indulgent, but since the granola wasn’t too sweet, it was just perfect. Thanks, Dannii!
Hi Marcie, such a great recipe, love that it is sweetened with maple syrup.
Thank you, Cheri!
I am allll onboard the granola train right now, now that it’s finally getting warmer out! This flavor sounds so good! I made banana bread like mad the last few months – it’s time I make some banana granola! Love the chocolate chips too 🙂
I’ve been making banana bread like crazy too — it goes real fast around here. This granola goes just as fast and I think I prefer it to bread any day! 🙂
Love the chocolate banana combination, which reminds me that I should make some granola right now 🙂 Love the recipe and will definitely try it!
Thank you, Mira! 🙂
Banana and Chocolate combo is one of my food love languages. This looks amazing! Must try.
Have a great week Marcie!
I need to make a double batch next time — it went way too fast! Thanks, Melanie, and have a great day! 🙂
Thank you, Mary Frances! This is one granola combination I’ll be whipping up a lot! 🙂
sounds yummy! I really love banana and granola together
styleandchocolates
Thank you, Celyn!
This sounds so delicious and healthy. A great way to use up leftover bananas too!
Thank you, Aimee, and it really is a great way to use up overripe bananas! 🙂
Thank you, Stacy! This granola does feel like an indulgence, chocolate or no chocolate! Anything that smells and tastes like banana bread is enough for me. 🙂
Haha — I’m glad you love this, Lindsey! This will be the perfect breakfast when you’re tired of all the gorgeous pastries you get to eat at school! Wait — is that even possible? 🙂
Haha
Looking forward to trying this recipe– but where is your bowl from- love it!
Thank you, Samantha! I got the bowl at Anthropologie a few years ago — unfortunately they stopped carrying it some time back.
Hi this flavour seems yummy!
What is the shelf life like?
Delicious! Thank you for the recipe.
I substituted Okara for half the oats. I always have lots of Okara (soy pulp) after making soy milk, soy yogurt and tofu. I put some of the granola over my unflavored soy yogurt and cut some fresh bananna in. Yummy 😁
Thank you for the feedback Simone and I’m glad you enjoyed the granola!