Gluten-Free & Vegan Banana Bread Granola
Thank you to American Greetings for sponsoring this post!
Do you have any plans for Easter this year? I know most families do an Easter dinner or brunch (or both!), and our family usually falls into the brunch category, which is not surprising given that Aaron basically lives for breakfast-y foods.
Like most holidays, ours will likely be low-key, with brunch spent at Aaron’s parent’s house and then dinner with my parents and brother. Since there aren’t any little kids in the family, we skip the whole Easter egg hunt and baskets overflowing with jelly beans and chocolate. Instead, I like to celebrate with gifts of the homemade variety. Something simple but still thoughtful, and always with a cute, handwritten card.
This year I decided to take everyone’s favorite banana bread and translate those flavors into a quintessentially clumpy vegan banana bread granola, that also happens to be gluten-free! It’s a lot lower in oil and sugar than store-bought granolas and made entirely from whole foods—ripe banana, maple syrup, rolled oats, walnuts, flaxseed, cinnamon, and banana chips for extra crunch.
To make the granola feel extra special, I picked up a few things at Target: some sealable jars, ribbon, gift tags, and then I spent way too much time reading through the entire Easter card section to find the perfect cards (this one is Papyrus for anyone planning to do a little gift card shopping at Target).
If your family does the whole Easter gift thing, this banana bread granola is great because it’s quick to make and you can easily customize it for your giftees. Skip the walnuts, add raisins, or mix in chocolate chips after it bakes…I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t like granola, especially when it’s homemade.
Thank you to American Greetings for sponsoring this post! From now until April 15th, 2017, download and use Target’s Cartwheel to save on all greetings cards at Target!
Gluten-Free & Vegan Banana Bread Granola
Gluten-Free & Vegan Banana Bread Granola
Serves: 5 cups
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 50 mins
A quintessentially clumpy vegan banana bread granola, that also happens to be gluten-free! This granola is a lot lower in oil and sugar than store-bought varieties, and made entirely from whole foods to boot.
Cuisine: Gluten Free, Vegan Servings: 5 cups
Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 40 mins Total Time: 50 mins
A quintessentially clumpy vegan banana bread granola, that also happens to be gluten-free! This granola is a lot lower in oil and sugar than store-bought varieties, and made entirely from whole foods to boot.
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the banana until very few lumps remain. Add the maple syrup, coconut sugar, walnut oil, and vanilla. Whisk to combine. Add the rolled oats, walnuts, ground flaxseeds, cinnamon, and salt. Stir together until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer, using a spatula or your hands to press it down as you go. (This will help form granola clumps.) Bake for 40 minutes, rotating the pan at the 20 minute mark, until the granola is golden, dry to the touch, and crispy. Let cool completely.
- Once cool, break the granola into bite-size clumps and mix in the banana chips. Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. Use within 2 weeks.
Copyright © 2020 Amanda Maguire for Pickles & Honey
What a thoughtful gift idea! You’re so right – who doesn’t love granola?!
I just adore gift that are perishable and will be used up by the receiver. Sweet idea.
This will be my husband and my 1st Easter without the kids as they have gone a’wandering around the globe (taking after their mother with the gypsy feet). I look forward to a holiday that unfolds without fan fare and ado. -Thank you. -Hanne
I’m so envious of your kids’ travels! (I also have a case of gypsy feet 🙂 ) I hope you and your husband have a wonderfully laid back Easter, Hanne!
This granola looks amazing and so clumpy! Absolutely genius to combine banana bread and granola.
Thanks, Laura! I’m obsessed with those granola clumps. 🙂
This is a wonderful gift idea. I usually wait until the last minute to figure out gifts and it’s stressful, but this year you’re making it easy for me to get my act together. 😉 I’m planning to make your granola for family and also see if I can find that adorable card too.
The best granola I’ve ever made! Obsessed with the banana chips. Thank you!!
What an adorable gifting idea. I really like that card too (papyrus is great). I’ll be on the lookout for it when I go to Target soon. -Mary
I made this over the weekend for quick breakfasts this coming week. It turned out great! I keep reaching for handfuls to snack on, so I’m not sure how many breakfasts I’ll get out of it. 😉
Like the simplicity of this recipe. Really looking forward to making this recipe.