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Grain-Free Oil-Free Banana Granola {No Added Sugar}

Grain-free oil-free banana granola is the cereal you crave! Eat it by the handful, or sprinkle it on fruit, yogurt, and anything else you like! It is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and Paleo.

grain-free banana granola on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet with a pink silicone spatula

Give banana bread a rest. The next time you have an overripe banana (or two), I’ve got a new recipe for using up your brown-freckled bounty.

It’s my Grain-Free Banana Granola.

You’ll want to sprinkle it onto everything.

grain-free granola in a glass jar atop a blue and yellow napkin

Forgive me for saying this but…I am bananas about this granola! It is so crispy-crunchy, delicious, and satisfying.

Recipe Benefits

This granola is:

  • Vegan (egg-free, dairy-free)
  • Oil-free (the healthy fats are built into the ingredients)
  • Grain-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Added sugar free (ripe banana provides all of the sweetness)
  • Easy to make
  • Frugal

I am especially pleased with the frugality of this recipe. I use unsweetened flake coconut and pepitas (much less expensive than nuts) to make up the bulk of the granola. Make a double batch, and share it with a friend.

Ingredients for Oil-Free Grain-Free Banana Granola

The exact amounts of each ingredient are indicated in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Here is the entirety of ingredients:

ingredients for grain-free banana granola laid out on a piece of slate

How to Make the Granola

Note that the complete directions are also in the recipe card below.

Step One: Preheat the Oven & Prepare Pan

Preheat the oven to 325F (160C). Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step Two: Chop the Seeds & Nuts

Place the nuts, seeds and coconut in a food processor and pulse them until they are about the size of rolled oats (note: you can definitely do this by hand with a large chopping knife if you do not have a food processor). 

This rough chop allows the bits and pieces of nuts and seeds to glom together into clusters. Yummmmm…clusters…

Step Three: Make the Oil-Free Coating

Next, tmake he sweet coating. In the same food processor (or a blender), blend the banana with salt, vanilla, and an additional 2 tablespoons flake coconut. The natural oils in the coconut help to further bind the granola.

Step Four: Combine the Wet & Dry Ingredients

wet and dry ingredient for grain-free granola in a glass mixing bowl

Mix the dry and wet ingredients until well-blended and then spread on the prepared baking sheet.

Spread the grain-free oil-free banana granola in an even layer. Do not worry about the spread of granola being perfectly even, as it will get some stirring as it bakes.

unbaked grain-free granola on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet

Step Five: Bake

The baking has two parts. The first bake is at 325F, for about 15 minutes. The granola will begin to dry out, but it is here that it will start turning golden brown.

It will get two stirs before the second bake, which is at 200F for 20 to 30 minutes. This bake is to finish drying out the granola so that it is perfectly crisp and crunchy.

Step Six: Cool the Granola

Let the granola cool completely on the baking sheet. Now it it is ready to eat (who am I kidding, though; I start nibbling–for quality control, of course–as soon as it is out of the oven :)).

I love the subtle sweetness and roasted banana flavor of the granola. The natural oil in the nuts, seeds, and coconut yields super-crunchy clusters, too (just be sure the granola is completely dried out during the second bake).

grain-free banana granola in a light blue bowl with strawberries and nondairy milk

FAQ

How Should I Store the Granola?

Store the granola in an airtight jar or other container in a cool, dark place (at room temperature) for up to 1 month or the freezer for up to 6 months.

Can I Make the Granola Sweeter?

Yes. If you like, you can make it sweeter by adding a tablespoon or so of coconut sugar or maple syrup.

Can I Add Other Flavors to the Granola?

Yes! This granola takes well to all kinds of spices and other flavorings (e.g., cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, lemon zest, almond extract), so enjoy experimenting with different add-ins.

More Healthy, Delicious Granolas to Try

Happy baking!

Grain-Free Banana Granola {No Added Sugar or Oil}

Grain-Free Banana Granola {No Added Sugar or Oil}

Yield: About 1 and 2/3 cups
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes

Grain-free oil-free banana granola is the cereal you crave! Eat it by the handful, or sprinkle it on fruit, yogurt, and anything else you like! It is naturally vegan, gluten-free, and Paleo.

Ingredients

  • Dry ingredients:
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/4 cup pepitas (green pumpkin seeds)
  • 1/4 cup whole almonds
  • 1 tablespoon hemp hearts (or sesame, chia or flax seeds)
  • Wet ingredients:
  • 1 medium, very ripe banana
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a food processor, pulse the 1 cup coconut, pepitas and almonds until chopped to the approximate size of rolled oats. Transfer to a medium bowl along with the hemp hearts.
  3. In the same food processor (no need to clean), process the banana, 2 tablespoons coconut, vanilla and salt until smooth.
  4. Add the banana mixture to the dry ingredients, stirring to coat; spread evenly on prepared baking sheet.
  5. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes; open oven and stir granola. Bake granola 8 minutes longer.
  6. Reduce oven temperature to 200F. Open oven and stir granola again. Continue baking granola for 20 to 30 minutes until granola is dry and golden brown. Cool completely on baking sheet.

Notes

Storage: Store the granola in an airtight jar or other container in a cool, dark place (at room temperature) for up to 1 month or the freezer for up to 6 months.

Nutrition Information
Yield 5 Serving Size 1/3 cup
Amount Per Serving Calories 209Total Fat 17.4gSaturated Fat 10.4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 143.2mgCarbohydrates 11.6gFiber 3.9gSugar 4.3gProtein 5.4g

Did you make this recipe?

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karen w

Friday 10th of September 2021

can I make that with out the coconut put walnuts in it and maple syrup

karen w

Thursday 16th of September 2021

@Camilla, Hi I tried the banana granola I didn't put any coconut in it I just added walnuts and heap seeds as I couldn't get hemp heart and put in sesame seeds it came out very nice very happy with the result so will be making it again thanks for the tips

Camilla

Friday 10th of September 2021

Hi Karen, Yes,you can use nuts of more/other seeds in place of the coconut. As for the maple syrup: do you mean add it in addition to the banana? Or use instead of banana?

Kayla

Wednesday 6th of January 2021

I added cinnamon to this granola and it has the potential to be amazing but for how small a batch it makes 1/4tsp of salt made it noticeably salty... A pinch seems like it would suffice. Perhaps my banana wasn't as brown and therefore not at sweet to offset the salt. Otherwise it's a great, simple recipe and I will definitely try again. It seems like it would also double well.

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