Friday, January 07, 2011

Banana Dark Chocolate Chunk Granola (Healthy!)

This is my new favorite granola! It’s healthy—the ONLY added fat is the nuts (good for you) and the 72% dark Ghirardelli chocolate (also good for you).  And it’s BANANA flavored!  I could eat it all day.  You could call it Chunky Monkey Granola.  I suppose I’m kind of boring—I’m calling it Healthy Banana Dark Chocolate Chunk Granola.  It also has a sprinkling of cinnamon.  I thought of the cinnamon and chocolate while smelling the banana granola in the oven, so I didn’t add the cinnamon until after it baked.  Next time I will add it with the mixture.  I thought of adding the cinnamon and chocolate because of my love for this Banana Chocolate Chip Coffee Cake.  Next time I make the granola (as soon as the stuff I just made runs out), I’m going to use walnuts instead of almonds, since walnuts are also in the cake.

Heavenly!

Chunky Monkey Granola 1-7-11Banana Dark Chocolate Chunk Granola (aka Chunky Monkey Granola)—Healthy!, adapted by Katrina, Baking and Boys! from www.zulascafe.com

5 cups old fashioned oats

2 tablespoons ground flax meal

1/2 cup unsweetened, flaked coconut

1/2 cup sliced almonds, raw  (or walnuts, pecans—any nut)

3 small or 2 medium bananas, overripe

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

1/4 teaspoon table salt

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons hot water

1/2 – 1 teaspoon cinnamon, to taste

1 to 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (I used about 1 1/2 ounces)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  In a large bowl, combine oats, flax, coconut, and almonds.  In a food processor or blender combine the banana, almond extract, salt, brown sugar, water and cinnamon.  Pour banana mixture into oat mixture and stir together with a wooden spoon until all the oats are moistened.  Transfer the granola onto rimmed baking sheet and spread evenly.  Stir every 12-15 minutes and bake for about an hour (maybe longer if you like it really crunchy).  Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before adding chocolate.  Store granola in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 

Banana Cinnamon Chocolate Chunk Granola 1-7-11

14 comments:

Maria said...

I will be trying this:)

Lisa said...

I think everyone should start their day off with a bowlful of this.

briarrose said...

I that heaven I see....why yes...yes it is...and it has chocolate. ;) Looks wonderful.

Unknown said...

Hi Katrina,
I appreciate your posting this recipe. It looks like something I'm going to have to make. I'm trying to lose weight and become more healthy in the new year (like just about everyone else) so this has got my name written all over it. YUM!!! Happy New Year and thanks!

Lisa Ernst said...

This is really creative using the banana as a binder rather than oil and syrup! The reason I never make granola is because normally its too sugary to be healthy but this looks perfect. I am so making this recipe -- I may give it a try this weekend!

nancy@skinnykitchen.com said...

Mmmm..looks really good, crunchy and healthy too!

♥peachkins♥ said...

I always make granola but I haven't thought of adding dark chocolatre. I'll do that next time!

CaSaundraLeigh said...

I'm not too much of a granola fan myself, but I enjoy making it for gifts. So I will definitely save this recipe! My mom will love it :-)

Fallon said...

Boring name title or not this sounds delicious Katrina! I can't wait to make it.

Anonymous said...

How cool that this uses banana instead of oil! This is definitely one I'd like to try, because I avoid the granola recipes with a bunch of oil in them.

Amanda said...

Oh man I bet that is fabulous! What an amazing breakfast this would be in a bowl with some milk YUM!!!

Leslie said...

I saw the word "healthy" and I though you had lost your mind. But all if forgiven with this delicious granola!

Sarah said...

What an idea to add chocolate to it! I had added cinnamon before, but never chocolate. Thanks for posting it with some new things. I appreciate your comments and thanks again for stopping by!

Megan said...

I'm with Maria, I will be trying this!!!