Chunky Monkey Granola (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
This post may contain affiliate links. Read the affiliate disclosure here.
Chunky monkey granola is loaded with banana chips, nuts, coconut, and chocolate chips! This banana granola recipe is healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. It’s an easy sheet-pan granola which means no stovetop is needed. Enjoy it with milk or use it as a topping for yogurt, smoothies, and more!
What flavor is chunky monkey?
“Chunky monkey” is a fun name given to anything containing banana, nuts, chocolate chips, and sometimes coconut. It was popularized by Ben and Jerry’s due to their popular Chunky Monkey Ice Cream flavor.
When creating a chunky monkey recipe, you can use any type of nut – like walnuts, peanuts, or almonds. Fortunately, the nuts are usually interchangeable so it’s easy to customize the flavor to your own preference.
The best healthy banana granola recipe
Have you tried creating homemade granola before? Once you make it, you’ll never want to buy the pre-made kind again. It’s so much better at home because you can tailor the ingredients exactly to your liking.
I’ve shared several healthy granola recipes, including Chocolate Coconut Granola and Banana Bread Granola. This Chunky Monkey Granola is a combination of those two because it’s loaded with bananas, chocolate, nuts, and coconut. Additionally, the recipe contains other pantry staples like oats, peanut butter, and maple syrup.
This chunky monkey granola is:
- Healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free
- Crispy, crunchy, and chocolaty
- Full of banana chips, nuts, coconut, and chocolate
- Sweetened with maple syrup
- A delicious dessert granola recipe
- Perfect for chocolate banana lovers!
Chunky monkey granola ingredients
- Oats: Granola must be made with rolled oats. Do not use steel cut or quick oats because they won’t have the same texture.
- Banana chips: Banana chips are dried, sweetened, fried bananas. You can find them at many grocery stores, including Trader Joe’s and Sprouts.
- Chopped peanuts: Peanuts add a crunchy texture and provide healthy fats. I recommend using chopped peanuts, but walnuts or pecans will work just as well. A raw unsalted variety is best.
- Sliced almonds: Sliced almonds (or slivered almonds) provide a unique texture. Also, they are high in vitamin E and antioxidants.
- Coconut: We’ll use a combination of shredded coconut and coconut flakes. The former is finely chopped, while the latter is large chunks of coconut.
- Peanut butter: Use a natural variety that has a drippy consistency. It will be easier to coat the oats and nuts that way. Alternatively, you can use almond butter.
- Chocolate chips: Any type of chocolate works, including dark, milk, chips, or chunks. Stevia-sweetened chocolate chips are a great choice for a healthy granola.
- Maple syrup: This granola is sweetened naturally with real maple syrup which makes it refined sugar-free. Honey works as well.
- Coconut oil: Coconut oil helps create a crispy texture. If you don’t mind extra coconut flavor, use unrefined coconut oil. On the other hand, the refined kind is flavorless and odorless.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla adds a sweeter flavor and aroma.
- Cinnamon: This healthy spice is anti-inflammatory and adds a delicious warmth.
- Salt: Salt balances the sweet ingredients.
How to make chunky monkey granola
For the full ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
First, preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line one large baking sheet (or two small baking sheets) with parchment paper.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Bake granola slowly at a low temperature for a crispy, crunchy texture. Also, toss it halfway through in order to expose the entire mixture to heat. This helps it evenly bake.
Yes! Granola will always feel soft when it is first removed from the oven. As it cools, it will firm up and become crunchy.
If you don’t like peanut butter, you can use almond butter instead.
If you want big granola clusters, press the mixture together tightly into a compact layer on the baking sheet. When you toss is halfway through baking, let about half of the clumps stay intact so they remain clustered.
If it tastes bitter, you probably burned it in the oven. You can prevent this by ensuring your oven is not hotter than 325 degrees F. Also, keep an eye on it while baking so it doesn’t overcook.
How to store this peanut butter banana granola
Once the granola has cooled completely, store it in a tightly sealed jar or container. Enjoy within 5-7 days.
More healthy homemade granola recipes
If you try this Chunky Monkey Granola, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!
Print
Chunky Monkey Granola (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 cups 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This chunky monkey granola recipe is loaded with banana chips, nuts, coconut, and chocolate chips! It’s healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free. The easy sheet-pan recipe requires no stovetop. You can serve it with milk or use it as a topping for yogurt, smoothie bowls, and more. This homemade banana granola recipe truly tastes like a breakfast dessert!
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts, walnuts, or pecans
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
- 1/4 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup coconut flakes
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup peanut butter or almond butter (use a natural, drippy kind)
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup dried banana chips
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line one large baking sheet (or two small baking sheets) with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, add rolled oats, chopped peanuts, sliced almonds, shredded coconut, coconut flakes, cinnamon, and salt. Mix together.
- In a separate bowl, add peanut butter, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla extract. Microwave for 45 seconds. Mix together until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry mixture. Stir together to evenly coat the oats and almonds.
- Spread the granola across the baking sheet in an even layer.
- Bake the granola for 30-35 minutes, tossing once halfway through with a spatula. Remove granola from the oven and let it cool on the baking sheet for at least 15 minutes. The granola will feel soft at first, but it will firm up and become crunchy as it cools down.
- Add dried banana chips and chocolate chips to the baking sheet. Gently toss together to combine, then continue to let cool completely. Enjoy!
Notes
- How to store granola: Once the granola has cooled completely, store it in a tightly sealed jar or container. Enjoy within 5-7 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 cup
- Calories: 279
- Sugar: 12g
- Fat: 18g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use, trust, and love!
