Banana Split Granola Recipe

I love this time of year… The end of August is always a hive of activity in our kitchen because summer fades into fall, the children dash off to school with amazing lunch boxes packed with care, and  I drink champers like there is no tomorrow while celebrating my birthday.  In other words, pears become the new berries, the excitement of back to school energizes me to create pin worthy lunch boxes, and I search for coconut water and vow to never drink again…  This year we are adding one more celebration to the menu, National Banana Split Day on August 25th.   And since this fabulous holiday falls on my birthday, the house is buzzing with ideas on how we can turn my inevitable middle age into a youthful feast that will take this classic dish and give it a twist.  To celebrate both events, I’ve partnered with Dole Bananas to bring you a prize packed Twitter Party and share my recipe for Banana Split inspired granola.

Let’s face it, who doesn’t love a traditional banana split?  The whipped cream, salty nuts, sweet bananas, rich chocolate, tangy cherries, irresistible vanilla ice cream..just thinking about it I’m tempted to whip one up so I can type and snack at the same time.   The truth is, as I get older, decadent sweets like a traditional banana split,  are not as kind to my health as they once were.  But with a few simple changes, I can whip up all the flavor of a banana split and give myself a healthy snack at the same time.

My children love granola bars, but eating granola that I make is a battle I have never won.  In fact, I all but gave up trying to get them to taste it…  until I started recipe testing this Banana Split Granola.  Like ants to a log…  they came marching in one by one.  Nibble here, shrug, nibble there, smile, nibble nibble nibble, gobble.  So I took it a step further and swapped out their normal breakfast for diced bananas, greek yogurt and the granola.  First came the hesitation, then came the scooping of granola off the top, and then the ultimate kitchen victory…… the empty bowl.  My kitchen has been a nonstop factory of this granola for days, I can’t make enough.  We snack on it, add it to yogurt, and toss it fruit salads.  It goes without saying, those carefully packed lunch boxes I mentioned earlier will be carrying a batch.

Whilst it tastes amazing,  making it is so simple that anyone that is old enough to handle a hot baking sheet, can whip up a batch and be a kitchen rock star.  We used 2 medium sized baking sheets for this recipe with parchment lined trays, but you can use a baking matt on a larger tray, just stir more frequently to ensure that your oats golden evenly.  Since I’m a home cook, I use what’s in my kitchen:  instant oats this time.  I’d never tried making granola with instant oats before, the verdict …   brilliant finish, the only real difference is that your granola is smaller, more crumbly (which is why  I think my children went gaga for it).

Banana Split Recipe

• 3  Cups of Instant Oatmeal
• 1 Cup of chopped almonds, unsalted
• 3/4 Cup of sweetened coconut, shredded
• 1/2 Cup of shaved dark chocolate (I used a bar, but you can also use chips)
• 1 1/2 Cup of dried banana chips, chopped
• 1 Cup of dried cherries
• 1/4 Cup of brown sugar, packed firmly
• 1/4 Cup of Maple Syrup, a splash more if you like it sticky
• 1 Tablespoon of rich honey, a splash more if you like it sticky
• 1/4 Cup of Grapeseed Oil
• Pinch of salt

Directions

1. Pre-heat your oven to 200F, then combine the oats, nuts, coconut, brown sugar into a large mixing bowl and hand toss.
2. In a separate bowl, combine the maple syrup, honey, oil and salt, and then whisk to blend them together until it looks thick and brown.
3. Pour the syrup mixture into the dry bowl and use your hands (or a fork) to blend the two together until everything is evenly and fully coated.
4. Lay the oat mixture onto you lined baking tray(s) and evenly spread across.
5. Bake at 200F for an hour, taking the time to stir the trays every 15 minutes to ensure even baking.  Once cool, add the cherries, bananas and chocolate.

Join me for a prize packed Twitter Party on Monday 25 August to celebrate National Banana Split Day with Dole Bananas.  I’ll be sharing more healthy recipes like this, plus ideas on how to give your Banana Split a healthy make over at home.  No RSVP required to win, simply follow @DoleBananas and @CoryanneEttiene on Twitter and use the tag #BananaSplit to join the party.

Rules & Regulations:  No RSVP required, open to US residents over the age of 18. Winners will be selected at random and announced during the party.  No purchase necessary. 

When:  Monday August 25th 2014, 8pm EST

Where:  #BananaSplit on Twitter

Follow:  @DoleBananas and @CoryanneEttiene, and use the tag #BananaSplit to follow and join the conversation

Disclosure:   I have partnered with Dole Bananas to celebrate National Banana Split Day and am being compensated to host the #BananaSplit Twitter Party.  All thoughts expressed are my own.