I know that's a bit of a stretch, but come on, it's Friday. And while I am well aware of the joys of freezing overripe bananas, not least because they're great in smoothies like this apple crumble one, there's only so many containers of frozen bananas that our tiny freezer can take. And there's only so much banana cake a small family can eat in a week too (really, there is!)
Banana Granola
This makes the house smell like banana cake, but it's much more virtuous. The buckwheat gives it an extra crunch, but if you can't lay your hands on any try quinoa or another cup of seeds.
4 cups whole or jumbo oats
1 cup seeds - sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, linseed - or a mixture of all of them
1 cup desiccated coconut
1 cup buckwheat or quinoa
1 Tbsp cinnamon
2 Tbsp neutral, flavourless oil
2 Tbsp honey
3 very ripe bananas
1 1/2 cups dried fruit, optional
Heat the oven to 160C and line a large baking dish with baking paper. Put the oats, seeds, coconut, buckwheat or quinoa and cinnamon in a large bowl and stir well to mix.
In a separate bowl, mash the bananas to a smooth puree with the oil and honey. Stir this mixture through the dry ingredients - don't be afraid to use your hands to really mix it in.
Spread in an even layer on the prepared tray and bake for 35-40 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. If it starts to look a little dark towards the end of the cooking time, just switch the oven off and leave the door slightly ajar, but leave the granola tray in the oven until it has cooled down. This will ensure it dries thoroughly.
Stir through some dried fruit if you like - I reckon sultanas and banana chips are a good combo - and store in an airtight container.
Have a great weekend, everyone x
i love your banana = bus metaphor! it's like somethign crazy i would think of :-)
ReplyDeletei have never made granola but whenever i see pics like yours, i know i need to. and it has to be healthier than store-bought stuff, right? so crunchy and nutritious!
Once you've made your own you'll never go back to the bought stuff, trust me! And it's SO easy I can't understand why more people don't DIY.
Deleteyes yes YES!... you're so right about bananas.. and about this wonderful bowl of gloriousness!
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DeleteI so agree with your observation of bananas! And I am so so bookmarking to make this recipe, not only because I always have over-ripe bananas in my bowl at some time or other, but also because I've never had buckwheat in a cereal, so intrigued as well.
ReplyDeleteThe buckwheat is great in it because it's both super crunchy and it offsets the sweetness of the banana. Hope you like it!
DeleteThis is a fab way of using up granola, and makes breakfasts are now super healthy x
ReplyDeleteWell. What a coincidence - right now I'm staring at a bunch of overripe bananas, wondering what to do with them that doesn't involve making smoothies or banana bread. Thanks for this granola idea.
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