PBB and Chocolate Chip Granola

Peanut butter, banana, chocolate... they go together so well!  I tried coming up with a granola that would be fit to give for the holidays-- something healthy,  but not quite as healthy as my usual granola.  😂 It's meant to be for snacking as opposed to eating it with milk.  I would give it 👍👍-- it's perfect if you are looking for something a little different than the average holiday cookie to gift at the holidays.

Ingredients:
2 C old fashioned rolled oats
1 large over-ripe banana (The riper, the better! )
1-2 T pure maple syrup
3 T melted coconut oil, divided
4 T peanut butter  (The runnier, the better.  I use Smucker's Natural PB)
3 T dark chocolate chips
1/2 t vanilla
1/2 t cinnamon, if desired

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 325° and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper.  (If you don't have parchment, just use a little coconut oil on the cookie sheet.)
2. In a medium bowl, mash banana with a fork.
3.  Add 1-2 T pure maple syrup to the banana.  (If you have a sweet, ripe banana, you can use less maple syrup.)
4.  Add 2 T coconut oil and 2 T peanut butter to the banana mixture.
5.  If using, add in vanilla and cinnamon.
5.  Stir in oats.  
6.  Dump the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.  Use hands to spread the mixture out into a thin layer.
7.  Bake for 15 minutes.
8.  Add half of the leftover coconut oil to the chocolate chips and melt in microwave-- 15 seconds at a time, stirring after each time.  Take your time with this.  You don't want the chocolate to seize up.  
9.  Mix the other half of the coconut oil with the remaining 2 T peanut butter in the same manner.  You want it loose enough to pour over the granola.
10.  After 15 minutes of baking, pour the peanut butter/oil combo over the granola. Then pour the peanut butter mixture over the granola.  
11.  Bake another 5-10 minutes, depending on your oven.  

Let cool completely before you dig in!  The peanut butter and chocolate will harden back up as it cools.  The waiting is the hardest part!  

Optional add-ins:  I think cranberries would be delicious if you wanted to bulk it up and add a little color to it.  Almonds might be nice as well.  If you are add in cranberries or another dried fruit, you can add it after the granola is baked and cooled.  If you are adding almonds or other nuts or seeds, you can add it in before baking.

Enjoy!