Quinoa Honey Granola Frozen Banana Bites

Our foodie friend, Kristin O'Connor, is here to share her adorable frozen banana bites. They're the perfect snack to get you in that summertime state of mind, with a lot less guilt than your typical ice cream bar. Make a big batch and keep them in the freezer for a fast, family-friendly treat. 

Summer is fast approaching and so is the hot weather… and desire for all things cold and sweet! As an alternative to ice cream or frozen fruit (which can get boring), I created these little bites that pack a balanced punch of protein, complex carbs and nutrients. I included my go-to granola recipe, but feel free to sub with your family’s favorite!

Quinoa Honey Granola

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups quinoa flakes (can substitute quick cook oats)

1/2 cup almond flour

1/4 cup hemp seeds

1/4 cup flaxseeds

1/4 cup pecans

dash of sea salt

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon ghee (can substitute butter or walnut oil)

1/4 cup local honey

2 tablespoons water

Instructions

1. Pre-heat your oven to 225 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine dry ingredients (quinoa through cinnamon). Stir to combine.
3. In a small saucepan, add ghee, honey and water and bring to a gentle simmer*. Keep a close eye on this as the sugars in the honey will get hot quickly and could bubble over (depending on the size of your pan). Stir the honey mixture until it melts and begins to bubble, cooking it for just a couple minutes after it bubbles.
4. Carefully pour the hot honey mixture over your dry ingredients and stir to coat evenly. Use your hands for this one, it makes things a lot easier!
5. Spoon this mixture not your parchment lined baking sheet and spread to the outer edges in an even layer.
6. Bake for about 40-45 minutes or until the mixture is dry and slightly browned, stirring once about halfway through baking.
7. Remove from the oven and let cool completely. Reserve 1 cup of the Quinoa Honey Granola  for the bites and save the rest in a sealable glass container. Stores in a cool, dry place for a week or in the freezer for up to two months.

Quinoa Honey Granola Frozen Banana Bites

Ingredients

2 bananas, sliced and frozen

1 cup Quinoa Honey Granola

Instructions

1. Place frozen bananas in a food processor or mini-chop and blend until completely smooth. You may have to remove the lid and push the big banana chunks to the bottom, but as long as you keep blending, it will smooth out into a fluffy, creamy consistency.
2. Spoon banana mixture into a mixing bowl and add granola. Fold the granola into the banana mixture.
3. Using a silicone mold (you can also use mini-muffin tins for this), scoop banana mixture into the molds up to the top. Once you are finished filling all the molds, add a toothpick (optional) if you want to make them more like a popsicle! (for really little ones, use caution with toothpicks)
4. Freeze for an hour and remove bites from the mold!

Honest Tip: Serve these with a little extra granola for dipping.

~Kristin O’Connor

Kristin is a published author and private chef focused on encouraging optimal wellness. The Kristin O’Connor brand of gluten-free, eco-friendly products is a true culmination of her passion for health and devotion to philanthropy, bearing a mantra as wholesome and pleasing as her food! For more inspiration, check out her website and Instagram.