Have you seen this little video yet? I’m Making Cook’s Illustrated Beef Stew! I saw it on facebook the other day and it left me in stitches.
I am a huge fan of the Cook’s Illustrated publications, owning more of their supplemental magazines, recipe collections and every off shoot of the brand that I can find. I enjoy reading the tips, tricks, and methods leading in to why they prepare things the way they do, but say I will never cook my way through all of them would be an understatement (as you can see joked about in the video linked above). The quality of the recipes is stellar but even I often find their recipes daunting.
Sometimes its easier to break away from the rules and just cook. That’s exactly what I did for this granola recipe. I knew I wanted to use banana chips and have a peanut butter/chocolate thing going on. Sadly, I forgot this brilliant idea was born over a bowl of Banana Cheerios and forgot to include those little gems in the mix.
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Banana Chocolate Granola
Ingredients:
- 2 cups whole wheat oats
- 1/2 cup shredded coconut
- 1/4 cup sunflower seeds, shelled & unsalted
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1/4 cup agave syrup
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/2 cup banana chips, crumbled
- 2 cups cocoa rice cereal
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
Sprinkle oats, coconut, sunflower seeds, almonds, and pecans on baking sheet. Bake 10 minutes, stirring every 2 to 3 minutes until shredded coconut is browning. Set aside to cool.
Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the peanut butter and agave syrup and stir to combine. Let cool 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients and toss to distribute peanut butter mixture. Some of the chocolate will melt as you combine. You may choose to press the granola out onto the baking sheet at this point if you are trying to make bars. Otherwise, crumble and store in airtight jars.
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Is that a granola or a dessert? LOVE it! I too adore Cook’s Illustrated.
I knew I loved you. This granola talks to my heart. Loving the chunks!
I wish I had this for breakfast right now!
I’ve always associated granola with health food … this is healthy, right? Right? Nuts, fruit, grain … complete and healthy! Makes a pretty picture too!
YUM, that is my kinda granola!
The granola looks super tasty. I love Cook’s illustrated but sometimes I am to lazy for the billion steps some of their recipes take. Although they always turn out good.
This recipe almost has me in tears. I mean really, did you create this JUST for me?? Be honest. If for some straaaange reason you ever need to send me a care package, go right on ahead and include this, and only this, and 4 tons of this granola. Ok, that is all.
I think I might have almost everything to make this in my pantry! Yessss (well except those banana cherrios you forgot to add in).
Ooooh, that sounds amazing. I love banana and coconut, I think this would be dangerous to keep around me! 🙂
I can’t name one thing I don’t love in your ingredient list so I already know this is a keeper. 🙂
Culinary terrorism? I am laughing so hard right now at that video (and loving this granola!)
Hi Kita-I love your granola. Looks so delicious and love the flavors. Banana and chocolate belong together:)xx
Ooooh I love this granola… Chocolate and banana are simply the best!
I make granola frequently and I will most certainly be making yours soon! Thanks so much for sharing your recipe.
Is there any thing you can substitute the peanut butter for?
Melted marshmallows or honey is what I would try. Both are going to result in a totally different flavor, but I bet the marshmallows are good!
Ooo….I want these for breakfast!! x
Oooh, we all love bananas and chocolate together – I’m adding this to my granola rotation!
I have a hard to with recipes that are so regimented, esp for cooking. I can’t get into cooks illustrated books for that reason. I love to throw it all together like you did with the granola
I could probably live of this granola if I wanted to. It has every staple I could possible need… peanut butter, chocolate, banana. Hello, happiness.