Recipes > Breakfast > Banana Bread Granola

Banana Bread Granola

Ripe bananas replace some added sugar to create a healthier granola. If you love banana bread, then this banana bread granola is for you!
banana bread granola with pecans, almonds, and raisins

This is a variation of our homemade granola base recipe. We use ripe bananas to replace some of the added sugar to create an even healthier granola that is full of flavor. If you love banana bread, then this banana bread granola is for you!

Three Must-Know Cooking Skills

For recipe success, learn how to:

Measure Wet vs. Dry Ingredients
Measure Brown Sugar
Roast Bananas

Culinary Tips for Making the Best Banana Bread Granola

This recipe calls for ¼ cup brown sugar and ¼ cup oil. Measure the brown sugar first to make clean-up easier! Technically, you should use a liquid measuring cup for the oil, but dry measuring cups will work in this case. Measure the brown sugar first; it needs to be measured in a clean cup, otherwise it will stick to the bottom. Then measure the oil; one cup to clean instead of two!

Be sure to use a ripe banana; it should have lots of dark spots. If you want to make this recipe but your bananas aren’t quite ripe, you can always roast them! Don’t worry if you have slightly more or less than ½ cup mashed banana; the recipe will still work.

While we prefer rolled or old fashioned oats, you can make this banana bread granola recipe with quick oats too!

13 x 18 baking sheet will hold a full batch of granola. Any smaller, and you will need two pans. Spreading the granola out thinly allows it to cook evenly and get nice and crunchy!

You don’t have to stir the granola every 15 minutes. If you’re like us, you have crazy toddlers or kids running around, and you don’t want to be stuck near your oven, so just let it cook! It will still brown nicely and taste delicious.

Cook the granola until golden, but don’t expect it to be hard when you remove it from the oven. It will harden as it cools. 

The banana in this recipe will turn the granola golden more quickly, so be sure to check it after 45 minutes of baking.

Stir and re-spread the granola immediately after you remove it from the oven, otherwise it will stick to the pan. If you prefer chunkier granola, cook the mixture on parchment paper, don’t stir it while it cooks, and allow it to cool slightly before stirring once removed from the oven.

Add the dried fruit once the granola cools to prevent it from hardening. 

If you have kids, let them help you with this recipe! It’s very kid-friendly.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • Brown Sugar: substitute honey, agave, or granulated sugar
  • Canola Oil: substitute avocado oil.
  • Vanilla Extract: substitute ½ teaspoon almond extract.
  • Cardamom: substitute cinnamon, pumpkin pie, or apple pie spice.
  • Oats: while we prefer rolled or old-fashioned oats, quick oats work too! We don’t recommend using steel cut oats.
  • Pecans and Almonds: substitute any other raw nuts (e.g. walnuts, cashews, peanuts). Don’t use toasted nuts, as they will burn in the oven!
  • Raisins: substitute your favorite dried fruit. If using larger fruits such as dried apricots, figs, or prunes, dice into smaller pieces before adding.

Recipe Variations

This recipe is very forgiving; think outside the (granola) box!

Don’t want to turn your oven on? Make this recipe using our stovetop granola base recipe!

Want to make a tropical granola? Add unsweetened coconut flakes to the mixture and mix in dried pineapple once the granola cools.

Prefer a higher protein banana nut granola? Add more nuts and/or seeds in place of the oats.

Love spices? Feel free to add other sweet spices such as ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, or ginger. 

Want to make this banana bread granola without nuts? Substitute the same volume of pumpkin or sunflower seeds, or replace with 2 more cups of old fashioned oats.

We love buying our spices from The Spice House. Click on the picture below to view & try out hundreds of flavorful spices and herbs!

row of spices

Need some granola inspiration?

Use our base recipe as a guide, or check out our healthy granola recipe variations!

Homemade Granola Base Recipe

Peanut Butter Granola

Vanilla Almond Granola

Almond Butter Granola

Blueberry Granola

Maple Pecan Granola

Equipment Recommendations

You just need a few simple pieces of kitchen equipment for this recipe!

Is this banana bread granola cereal healthy?

Granola can definitely be part of a healthy diet. The star ingredients in this crunchy granola recipe are oats, bananas, and nuts.. 

Oats

Oats are whole grains, making them rich in disease-fighting phytochemicals and antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Any variety of oats provide a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Fiber is important for digestion, satiety, stable blood sugar, good cholesterol, and healthy gut bacteria. Complex carbohydrates are important for steady energy and focus. (1, 2)

Learn about the different types of oats in this article!

Bananas

Bananas contain fiber and potassium. The natural sugar in bananas (and all fruit) does not count against your daily sugar budget. Aim to include fruit in all of your meals so that you fill up on beneficial vitamins, minerals, fiber, water, and phytochemicals!

Nuts

Nuts are a great source of plant-based protein and healthy fat. Almonds and pecans in particular are high in monounsaturated fats which are good for heart health. 

Banana Bread Granola Serving Suggestions

Homemade banana bread granola is great for an easy breakfast, a satisfying snack, or even a healthy dessert!

  • Use it to make a yogurt parfait – layer plain yogurt, fresh fruit, and ¼ cup of granola
  • Use it to garnish a smoothie bowl
  • Sprinkle it on nut butter-coated apples (as seen in our Apple “Cupcakes” recipe)

How to Store Banana Bread Granola

This granola will keep for at least a month in an airtight container in your cupboard or pantry.

Want more healthy recipes?

Do you love oats and bananas as much as we do? Check out our other favorite recipes that feature this tasty combination!

Banana Nut Overnight Oats

Banana Oat Pancakes

Baked Oatmeal Cups with Bananas and Chocolate Chips

Strawberry Kefir Smoothie with Oats

banana bread granola with pecans, almonds, and raisins

Banana Bread Granola

This is a variation of our homemade granola base recipe. If you love banana bread, then this banana bread granola is for you! We use ripe bananas to replace some of the added sugar to create an even healthier granola that is full of flavor.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 6 cups

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ripe medium banana
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • ¼ cup canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon cardamom
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 cups old fashioned oats
  • 2 cups raw pecans
  • 1 cup raw sliced almonds
  • 1 cup raisins

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 250°F.
  • In a large bowl, mash the banana. Add the brown sugar, oil, vanilla extract, cardamom, and salt and whisk until combined.
  • Add the oats and nuts to the bowl. Using a spatula, stir until well-combined.
  • Spread granola in an even layer on one or two baking sheets (depending on size). Cook for 45 – 60 minutes. Stir every 15 minutes to achieve an even color.
  • Remove from oven and stir one more time. Add raisins. Once cool, store in an airtight container. Enjoy!

Notes

The granola will still turn out delicious if you don’t stir it every 15 minutes. It just won’t brown as evenly. 
 
The banana in this recipe will turn the granola golden more quickly, so be sure to check it after 45 minutes of baking.
Keyword Banana Bread Granola

Leave a Reply

Recipe Rating




Did you make this recipe?

Let us know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment above and share a picture on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtag #totasterecipes! And don’t forget to share it with all of your friends and family!

Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and Share-a-Sale affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases. If you click on those links and make a purchase, we will earn a small percentage of the sale, at no extra cost to you. 

Hey there! We are To Taste – a team of registered dietitians, chefs, and culinary medicine specialists.

We’re here to teach you how to cook confidently, simplify nutrition, and feel better (no BS)!

Our Recipe Promise

The Whole Life Meal Plan Title Slide

Meet the only meal plan you'll ever need.

Improve your kitchen efficiency! Learn how to slice, dice, and chop 20 common ingredients

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Never miss a beet! Sign up for updates, recipes, and course offerings!

Is your kitchen set up for success?

Find all of our go-to kitchen tools, books, and accessories here!

Want to improve your culinary skills?

Check out these helpful knife skills, fundamental skills, and even beyond-the-basics videos!

Need some recipe guidance?

Each base recipe is accompanied with at least 3 variations that are totally customizable to your taste.

Want to know which ingredients to buy?

Download our free ingredient guide for helpful tips on which ingredients are best.

Latest Recipes

Subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter so that you never miss a beet!

Download our FREE Meal Plan!

Learn how to cook confidently, simplify nutrition, and feel better (no bs)!