If you love granola for breakfast but want a homemade, better-for-you option, this healthier granola recipe is for you.
It uses simple, nourishing ingredients like oats, nuts and cinnamon and is bound together with mashed banana, nut butter and a bit of maple syrup. There are no added oils or refined sugars used.
It’s naturally sweet, really delicious and ready in just 25 minutes. This healthier granola is a great alternative to heavily processed shop-bought versions. It’s ideal for breakfast or as a quick snack sprinkled over yoghurt or fruit.
Nutritional highlights:
✔️ High in fibre from oats and nuts
✔️ Natural sweetness from banana and maple syrup
✔️ Healthy fats and plant protein from nuts and nut butter
✔️ No refined oils or processed sugars
Why make your own granola?
Many shop-bought granolas contain added oils, excess sugar and usually additives and preservatives too. Making your own allows you to:
• Control the sweetness and ingredients
• Boost fibre and protein naturally
• Use whole, nourishing foods
• Remove any preservatives and additives
What ingredients do you need for Healthier Granola?
- Banana
- Maple syrup
- Peanut or almond butter
- Rolled oats
- Unsalted nuts (I used pecans, almonds and cashews)
- Cinnamon
- Raisins
- Toasted coconut chips, optional
What are some of the nutritional benefits of the main ingredients?
Oats
Rich in soluble fibre, particularly beta-glucan, which can help keep blood sugar steady.
Nuts
A source of healthy fats, plant protein and minerals like magnesium and zinc. They also provide fibre for satiety.
Banana
Naturally sweet, it adds moisture and binds the ingredients without the needed for extra oils or sugar. Provides potassium, vitamin B6 and fibre.
Nut butter
A source of protein and healthy fats that help make the granola really filling and nutrient dense.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store in an airtight jar or container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
For longer storage, freeze in an airtight bag or container for up to 3 months.
Recipe Tips
- Sweetness: Adjust maple syrup to taste, depending on how sweet you like it. I use only 3 tbsp.
- Nut free option: Replace the nuts with mixed seeds and the nut butter for tahini.
- Add–ins: Mix in other dried fruit for extra variety. Dried apricots work well in place of raisins.
- Flavour change: Try adding some ground ginger, nutmeg or cardamom for a different flavour.
If you liked this Healthier Granola recipe, why not try:
Healthier Granola
Ingredients
- 1 large banana
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- ⅓ cup natural peanut butter (80g)
- 1½ cups unsalted nuts 210g (I used pecans, almonds and cashews)
- 2 cups rolled oats (160g)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ cup raisins (100g)
- Toasted coconut flakes optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 170C/325F.
- On a large baking tray, mash the mashed banana until soft. Add the peanut butter and maple syrup and mix to combine.
- Chop the nuts into bite-sized pieces and add them to the tray with the oats and cinnamon. Mix well (it should be fully coated in the wet mixture and form small clumps). Spread the mixture out thinly on the baking tray.
- Bake for about 20 mins (taking out and mixing halfway through).
- Once cooled, add the raisins (and an optional handful of toasted coconut flakes) and mix well.
Notes
- Peanut butter can be swapped for other nut butters such as almond, if preferred.
- This will store in an airtight jar for up to 2 weeks.
- If you prefer the granola very hard and crunchy, you can extend the cooking time by 5-10 minutes.
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