Prep ahead banana bread granola is sweetened with dates & banana. You'll find gluten free & paleo versions, as well as serving suggestions!
Have you ever tried making homemade granola? I really love it! It comes together quickly and I find it fun to experiment with different add-ins and spices.
In this latest iteration, banana bread granola, I use dates and, you guessed it, a banana for sweetness. There's no added sugar of any of kind but the end result is still deliciously sweet. This is a breakfast you'll genuinely look forward to eating.
Homemade granola is a perfect addition to a brunch spread (hello Easter!) I personally love serving this kind of thing buffet-style. I set it out with an array of fruits and yogurt / milks and let people build their own creation. You could of course also assemble beautiful parfaits for everyone in a fancy glass!
I'm also a big fan of food gifts and homemade granola is a great choice for that as well. For Mother's Day, a hostess gift, or simply a “thinking of you” gift, anyone would be happy to receive this homemade banana bread granola.
Make sure to read below for the Paleo version, suggestions on how to serve and nutritional highlights.
Gluten Free Banana Bread Granola
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1 T flax seeds
- 4 medjool dates, pitted (~1/2 cup)
- 3 cups gluten free oats
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 T cinnamon
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract*
- 1 banana
- milk/yogurt of choice, optional
- 1 pint berries of choice, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a food processor add: ¾c walnuts, ½c chopped pecans, 1T flax seeds & 4 medjool dates, pitted (~½c)
- Pulse the above in a food processor until nuts & dates are chopped. Set aside in a separate bowl and mix in the following: 3c GF oats, ½tsp salt & ½T cinnamon
- Now add to the food processor: ¼c melted coconut oil, 1tsp vanilla & 1 banana
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour banana mixture into nut mixture and mix with spatula until well coated.
- Place mixture on large sheet pan lined with parchment paper and spread out until flat & thin (the mixture should be wet).
- Bake at 350 F for 10 mins. Remove from oven & stir, breaking apart granola.
- Bake 5-10 more mins (watch closely - it burns easily!)
- Remove from oven, cool, break apart as desired and store in an airtight container. Note: Yields ~5c or 10 servings
- Option to serve granola over milk or yogurt and/or topped with berries.
Notes
How can I adapt this gluten free granola recipe to be paleo?
Banana bread granola has been a big hit on both our gluten free and paleo meal plans.
The main difference is, of course, the oats, which are not paleo-friendly. There are some other differences you'll notice in the paleo granola recipe though, like the addition of coconut. This helps the end result have that crunchy, clustery granola texture you're going for!
Here's the paleo version of this banana bread granola:
Paleo Banana Bread Granola
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds (or sub sunflower seeds)
- 2 T flax seeds (or sub hemp seeds, optional)
- 4 medjool dates, pitted (~1/2 cup)
- 1 cup large, unsweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 T cinnamon
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract*
- 1 banana
- milk/yogurt of choice, optional
- 1 pint berries of choice, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- In a food processor add: 1½c chopped walnuts, 1c chopped pecans, ½c pumpkin seeds (OR sub w/ sunflower seeds), 2T flax seeds (OR sub w/ hemp seeds), optional, 4 medjool dates, pitted (~½c), 1c coconut flakes, ½tsp salt, ½T cinnamon
- Pulse until nuts and dates are chopped and resemble “oats”. Remove mixture from processor and set aside in a bowl.
- Now add to the food processor: 1/3c melted coconut oil, 1tsp vanilla & 1 banana
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour banana mixture into nut mixture and mix with spatula until well coated.
- Place mixture on large sheet pan lined with parchment paper and spread out until flat & thin (the mixture should be wet).
- Bake for 10 mins. Remove from oven & stir, breaking apart granola.
- Bake 5-10 more mins (watch closely - it burns easily!)
- Remove from oven, cool, break apart as desired and store in an airtight container. Note: Yields ~5c or 10 servings.
- Option to serve granola over milk or yogurt and/or topped with berries.
Notes
Psst! Want another delicious homemade paleo granola recipe? Check out my Cherry Vanilla Paleo Granola!
Prep ahead! Make this an easy meal prep breakfast.
One reason I love making homemade granola is it's perfect for meal prep!
The morning sets the tone for the day and I don't want that tone to be chaotic. That means, I need to have easy, prepped breakfasts on-hand so I'm not scrambling to feed my family as everyone gets ready for their day. Granola keeps so well and is even freezer friendly!
This recipe makes quite a large batch so feel free to stick some in the freezer for later. If you'd like to do that, spread the granola on a sheet pan and place it in the freezer for several hours. Once it's frozen, transfer to a freezer container and you're good to go!
Freezing it on the sheet pan first, or “flash freezing” the granola, helps prevent freezer burn and keeps the granola from freezing together in one giant clump.
Freezing this granola ahead of time is especially beneficial if you're planning a brunch or get-together! I love taking care of anything I can ahead of time to avoid that last minute stress.
Nutritional Highlights for Banana Bread Granola
Whether you choose the gluten free or the paleo version of this banana bread granola, it's quite packed with nutrition. Plenty of nuts provide both protein and healthy fats for a breakfast that's filling without being heavy. Here are some of the nutritional highlights this recipe provides:
Walnuts (Copper, Folic Acid, Phosphorus, Vitamin B6, Manganese, Vitamin E, Antioxidants, Polyphenols, Fiber)
Many consider walnuts to be the healthiest nut, in part due to their high antioxidant content. They may help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes, as well as support healthy brain function and healthy gut bacteria. They are a true superfood!
Pecans (Fiber, Copper, Thiamine, Zinc, Magnesium, Iron)
Pecans and other nuts are considered excellent for heart health and they also add healthy fat to help keep you full until your next meal. If you are following a high fat keto diet, pecans are a great source of healthy fats because they're high in monounsaturated fatty acids which may benefit cholesterol levels. Pecans may also help improve blood sugar levels.
Flax Seeds (Omega 3's, Antioxidants)
Flax seeds are full of omega 3s, fiber and antioxidants. Because of these vital nutrients, flax may help reduce the risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and even hot flashes!
Pumpkin Seeds (Magnesium, Vitamin K, Iron, Zinc, Copper)
Like most seeds, pumpkin seeds are nutritionally dense. Also known as “pepitas,” pumpkin seeds' high magnesium levels support healthy blood pressure, lower risk of heart disease, strong bones and stable blood sugar. They also support heart health.
Dates (Copper, Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Potassium)
Studies show that dates may not only be a healthier replacement for sugar, but indeed a genuine healthy food. Dates provide copper, vitamin B6, magnesium and potassium, in addition to plenty of fiber. Medjool dates provide more calcium than other varieties.
Cinnamon
Frequently used in traditional medicine, cinnamon is good for your heart and also may help stabilize blood sugar. Research also suggests that cinnamon may help lower cholesterol.
Bananas (Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Potassium)
You've likely heard that bananas have potassium but did you know that they're also a great source of vitamin B6, manganese and vitamin C? Bananas also have a lot of fiber, which is good for healthy digestion.
Oats – Gluten Free Version (Manganese, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Copper, Iron, Zinc, Vitamin B1)
Naturally gluten free, oats are full of fiber, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc and vitamin B1. Oats are also quite high in antioxidants, specifically avenanthramides which may help lower blood pressure. Oats may also help with insulin resistance and help lower blood sugar in those with Type 2 diabetes. (Note: While naturally gluten free, make sure to get oats that are certified gluten free to avoid trace amounts of gluten, if needed.)
Coconut – Paleo Version (Manganese, Copper, Selenium, Iron, Potassium)
Coconuts provide copper, iron and selenium. They're also very high in manganese, which is beneficial for metabolism and bone health.
What to Serve with Banana Granola
Honestly, this banana granola is so good all on its own. If you find yourself eating it by the handful straight from the jar, you're not alone…
It's also of course tasty mixed into yogurt or with whatever milk your family enjoys. I love banana granola with a splash of homemade almond milk! Do I always have time to make homemade almond milk? No, no I do not. When I do manage to pull it off though, it is seriously next level! This would certainly be a beautiful pairing next time you host a brunch or have company stay with you.
And don't feel limited to breakfast! Homemade granola is an excellent snack as well. Or add it to your kiddo's lunch with some yogurt!
I want more easy meal prep breakfasts!
Well, my friends, you've come to the right place! I'm definitely a “breakfast person” and having easy meal prep breakfasts is important to me. I know that if I eat a solid breakfast full of protein and healthy fats, I'll feel better and have more consistent energy levels all day.
If you feel the same way, here are a few of my favorite recipes and resources for easy meal prep breakfasts!
Prep Dish Breakfast Bundle
If you want ALL of the easy meal prep breakfasts you'll ever need, I urge you to check out my breakfast bundle. I'm a big breakfast lover and I like to think it shines through in this collection of prep-ahead recipes.
The bundle includes 3 prep-ahead brunch menus, “grab ‘n go” recipes like breakfast cookies and pumpkin donuts, 6 freezer breakfast hash recipes and SO much more!
The BEST Freezer Breakfast Burrito Recipe
We developed these freezer breakfast burritos for one of our freezer challenges and they were an instant hit! I can personally vouch for them as we flew through them in my house. Once you get the basic concept down, it's easy to customize these freezer burritos with your favorite mix-ins.
10 Healthy Meal Prep Breakfast Ideas
In addition to ten super tasty meal prep breakfast ideas, you'll find lots of tips on how to prep breakfast ahead, including freezer meal prep tips.
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