This healthy granola with roasted bananas and coconut tastes great with cold milk or layered with yogurt and fresh fruit as a parfait.
I love being on summer vacation at my parent's place. I mentioned a few times before that they live in beautiful Kelowna, BC surrounded by mountains right by Okanagan Lake.
We survived the car ride from Calgary with a newborn just fine, although what usually takes 8 hours, maximum, took us 12 hours this time (including all feeding, changing and nap breaks).
Being a food blogger means I can (get to) work even while on vacation. Not too much though, just a bit to keep you supplied with a delicious new recipe 🙂
To be honest, though, it hardly feels like work. After breakfast on the deck, we pulled out our laptops while finishing up our coffee, munching on the sweetest BC blueberries and overlooking the lush green garden full of delicious, ripening fruit and veggies and gorgeous, colorfulful flowers.
Today it's blueberries, but the last 2 days we were stuffing our bellies with the last (meaning super ripe and sweet) raspberries right from my parent's garden. Yesterday I even made a quick cake with those plump berries. If I get the opportunity to take pictures of it today, it might even make it on the blog soon.
But let's talk granola now. Oats are pretty much my favorite food at the moment. This breastfeeding new mommy is constantly hungry (more than I ever was while pregnant) and oats seem to do the best job at keeping me satisfied for at least a while.
That's why I have them in any possible way these days. From porridge and cookies to granola bars and yogurt parfaits - I sure love that grain (any which way).
Making granola for the week is usually one of the things I try to get done on the weekend. I like to mix things up all the time. For this healthy granola version, I used roasted bananas as the binder, sweetener and flavoring agent.
I still listed some optional maple syrup in the recipe ingredient list but for me, the banana sweetness is just enough. In case you like sweeter granola the maple flavor wonderfully complements the roasted bananas and if you use pure maple syrup, there won't be any added sugar!
As with any granola recipe, this one can easily be modified. It calls for ½ cup of seeds - I used chia and sesame seeds because I had them on hand but any other kind could be used. Or you could even add another ½ cup of oats instead.
If you like, you can even toss in some chocolate chips (like I did) or raisins after baking.
This granola is great with just cold milk or as parfait layered with yogurt and fresh summer fruit. If you enjoyed this recipe at home, please share any pictures or suggestions with me!
Random Questions
Absolutely! Bananas and granola make a delicious and nutritious combination. The natural sweetness of bananas complements the hearty texture of granola, creating a satisfying and wholesome meal or snack.
Yes, homemade granola can be a healthier option compared to store-bought varieties. By making it at home, you have control over the ingredients, allowing you to reduce added sugars and customize the flavors and nutritional content to your liking.
There are several healthy options to pair with granola, such as yogurt, milk, or plant-based alternatives. Adding fresh fruits like berries, sliced bananas, or chopped apples can enhance the nutritional value and provide a delightful burst of flavor.
While granola can contain protein, the overall protein content can vary depending on the ingredients used. Some granola recipes incorporate nuts, seeds, or nut butter, which can contribute to the protein content. However, it's important to check the specific recipe or product to determine the protein levels.
Lastly, if you enjoyed this recipe, then try these, too!
Recipe
Healthy Roasted Banana Coconut Granola
Ingredients
- 2 medium bananas roasted in peel
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ¾ cup unsweetened coconut shredded
- ½ cup mixed seeds I used sesame + chia seeds
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- ⅛ cup maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Place the bananas on a lined baking sheet and roast in peel for 15 minutes. Let bananas cool until comfortable to handle, then peel and mash the bananas.
- Turn oven to 300 F. In a large bowl combine oats, shredded coconut, seeds, vanilla extract, cinnamon and coconut oil. Add mashed bananas and optional maple syrup and stir to fully coat everything.
- Place on a large baking sheet and bake for 35-45 minutes until lightly browned to your liking. Toss every 10 minutes or so.
- Let granola cool to room temperature, then store in an airtight container.
Pin Healthy Roasted Banana Coconut Granola recipe for later?
Jacquee @ I Sugar Coat It!
Those parfaits would be perfect right this moment - could keep my company as I catch up on my reading! Your parents' place sound like paradise!! Enjoy.
Regina
Just got back home. It sure seems like I was in paradise 😀
Mallory @ Because I Like Chocolate
I don't think I have ever seen bananas roasted this way before! I will have to try it out!
Regina
Do it! It's also a great way to "quick-ripen" bananas if you have a banana bread craving but only green bananas at home.