Chunky Monkey Granola

Chunky Monkey Granola is made with banana, chocolate and peanut butter for a delicious and easy homemade granola!

If you love granola, you are sure to love this yummy homemade peanut butter, chocolate and banana granola – chunky monkey granola!

Once you try this homemade granola, you won’t go back to store-bought granola. It’s just so much yummier, and easy to make!

How to get Chunky Granola!

Most people love big lumps of granola in their mix. Here are some ways you can get perfect clumpy granola every time.

• Make sure your oats are a little crowded on the baking sheet, but in a single layer so it all toasts evenly.
• Be sure to either grease the pan well, or line the pan with parchment paper.
• Don’t over-bake the granola or it will be more brittle and break apart.

How do you Know When Granola is Done Baking?

The first time you bake Granola, the hardest part is knowing when the granola is done. The bake times given are a guideline, but you will want to watch your granola to make sure it doesn’t get over-baked.

Granola won’t be dry right out of the oven — it will dry as it cools. You want to take it out of the oven when it looks and smells lightly toasted.

When is the Best Time to Add the Chocolate to the Granola?

If you add the chocolate chips before letting the granola cool completely it will stick nicely to the granola.

Let it cool completely and re-harden prior to moving it to the container you are storing it in.

If you do not let it cool it will become a chocolaty mess. (But will still taste delicious!)

How do I serve the granola?

This granola is great on its own as a snack. It is also really good served with yogurt or in a parfait!

I also like eating it like cereal with milk on top!

How do I store chunky monkey granola?

Granola is easy, on-the-go fuel that the whole family will eat, so typically this isn’t a worry in our household.

Store your homemade granola in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 7 days.

Can you Freeze Chocolate Banana Granola?

You can definitely stock your freezers with homemade granola so that you always have some on hand.

To freeze homemade granola:

• Prepare the recipe as directed.
• Once the granola has cooled, package it in an airtight container or freezer bag.
• Store for up to 3 months in the freezer.
• When ready to enjoy, let the granola thaw on the counter overnight.

About the Ingredients for Homemade Chocolate and Banana Granola

You will need the following ingredients:

Ripe Banana – You can use frozen, thawed ripe or over-ripe bananas here if you don’t have any nice fresh ones.

Honey – You can replace all or part of it with date honey, maple syrup, agave, brown rice syrup, or golden syrup.

Peanut Butter – Use creamy peanut butter, stick with your favourite brand. Feel free to sub any kind of nut or seed butter. I have tried this with a natural peanut butter. You just need to be sure to mix the peanut butter well before measuring out your half cup so any oil that was on top of the jar gets mixed back in.

Ground Cinnamon – Adds a little flavour to the granola. You could also add in a tsp of vanilla extract in addition to or in place of.

Salt – Helps bring out all the yummy flavours of the granola. I prefer to use sea salt.

Slivered Almonds – Feel free to replace them with your favourite nuts or seeds (like pepitas or sunflower seeds).

Rolled Oats – Just old-fashioned oats here, if going for gluten free, make sure your package is labelled as such.

Dried Banana Chips – Make sure they are sweetened or unsweetened, but not salted.

Chocolate Chips – You can use any level of sweetness here, Personally I prefer dark chocolate chips here to balance out all the sweetness.

Shredded Coconut – You can use unsweetened or sweetened, again it depends on how much of a sweet tooth you have.

What equipment do I need to make Homemade Granola?

You will need the following kitchen tools:

• Small Mixing Bowl
• Large Mixing Bowl
• 9×13-inch Sheet Pat
• Cooking Spray
• Wooden Spoon

Looking for more Easy Granola Recipes?

Check out some of my favourite recipes for delicious, homemade Granola:

This gluten free Pumpkin Spice Granola recipe is filled with warm spices, filling granola and crunchy pumpkin seeds and pecans.

This homemade granola parfait combines a homemade granola made with oats, pumokin seeds, wheat germ and warming spices combined with greek yogurt, nutella and cranberries.

How to Make Chunky Monkey Granola

Servings: 8-10 | Prep Time: 15 mins | Bake Time: 30-35 mins

Ingredients:

• ½ Cup Ripe Banana (or 1 small banana), mashed
• ¼ Cup Honey
• ½ Cup Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• ½ Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Cup Slivered Almonds
• 3 Cups Rolled Oats
• 1 Cup Dried Banana Chips
• 1 Cup Chocolate Chips
• ½ Cup Shredded Coconut

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9×13-inch baking sheet with cooking spray.

Place peanut butter, honey, and mashed banana into a small bowl and heat in the microwave for 20-30 seconds to soften.

In a large bowl mix together cinnamon, salt, almonds, and oats.

Then top with peanut butter mixture and mix well.

Spread granola mixture evenly onto the 9×13-inch baking sheet.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, when done the granola should be golden brown and crunchy.

Allow granola to cool then break into pieces using a wooden spoon.

Mix in banana chips, chocolate chips, and shredded coconut.