With simple ingredients, an easy cooking technique (that’s mostly hands off!), and the most delicious flavor, this Banana Bread Oatmeal is one of my very favorite cozy family breakfasts.
Banana Bread Oatmeal
There is something almost magical about stirring very ripe mashed banana into oatmeal—it becomes so incredibly sweet and rich with banana flavor that totally reminds me of banana bread. I love making this easy recipe to share with my family, especially since it works for any age of kiddo at the table.
The beauty of this oatmeal recipe is that you can set the timer and walk away from the stove without needing to stir the pot. And you can add whichever toppings everyone likes to customize each bowl.
This is a nutritious and satisfying recipe to make during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, and thereafter. And it’s a perfect way to use up some ripe bananas.
Ingredients You Need
To make this easy breakfast recipe, you’ll need:
- Rolled oats: Rolled oats are sometimes called “old-fashioned oats” and are located in the cereal aisle in the supermarket.
- Cinnamon: This adds nice warm flavor to the oatmeal.
- Pure vanilla extract
- Very ripe banana: Ripe banana will lend the best banana-bread-like flavor to this recipe.
TIP: You can top this with milk, finely chopped nuts, granola, additional banana, or any other toppings you love on your oatmeal.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here’s a look at the process involved in making this recipe. Scroll to the bottom of this post for the full how-to.
- Bring the water to a boil and add the oats. Simmer
- Mash the banana.
- Stir the banana into the oatmeal
- Finish cooking and serve with toppings.
TIP: I like to make a big pot of this oatmeal and serve it as a family breakfast—or store so those of us who want it can simply heat up one bowl at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
I use old-fashioned rolled oats in this recipe. You can use gluten-free oats if needed.
Simply let it cool and serve with a baby spoon or let baby serve themselves. You can stir in some plain nondairy milk or peanut, almond, or sunflower seed butter to add a little protein if desired.
If it has some brown spots or even if it’s all brown, that is a good indication that it will be very ripe—and very sweet.
Other Banana Oatmeal Recipes to Try
- Banana Oatmeal Muffins
- Banana Oatmeal Cookies
- Healthy Banana Bread
- Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
- Banana Oatmeal Pancakes
How to Store
Store any leftovers in the fridge in storage containers for up to 5 days. Reheat in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until warm.
Best Tips
- You can add ½ cup nuts to the pot while cooking to soften them up nicely.
- To serve this to a baby, let it cool and offer it as is. Or stir in a little milk. You can use a baby spoon or let the kids get messy and do it themselves.
- If the kids aren’t superfans of oatmeal, I find that a few sprinkles on top can go a long way!
- I haven’t had any issues with this sticking to the pot as it’s cooking, but if that was to happen, either add a little water (or milk) to the pot or turn down the heat.
- Gluten-free: Use certified GF oats.
- Dairy-free: Top with nondairy milk of choice.
Related Recipes
Breakfast
How to Make Oatmeal with Fruit
Breakfast
Oatmeal Banana Bread
Breakfast
Lower Sugar Banana Bread
I’d love to hear your feedback on this recipe, so please rate and comment below!
Banana Bread Oatmeal (to Share with the Kids)
Ingredients
- 6 cups water
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed banana (from about 2 medium very ripe bananas)
- Milk, granola, finely chopped pecans or walnuts, and/or honey or maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Place a medium pot over medium heat. Add the water, cover, and bring to a boil.
- Stir in the oats, cinnamon, and vanilla. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer (uncovered) for 8 minutes.
- Stir in the banana and simmer for 2 additional minutes.
- Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 2 minutes.
- Serve with milk, granola (without nuts for kids under age 4), finely chopped walnuts or pecans, sliced bananas, and/or honey.
Notes
- Store any leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until warm.
- You can add ½ cup nuts to the pot while cooking to soften them up nicely.
- To serve this to a baby, let it cool and offer it as is. Or stir in a little milk. You can use a baby spoon or let the kids get messy and do it themselves.
- If the kids aren’t superfans of oatmeal, I find that a few sprinkles on top can go a long way!
- I haven’t had any issues with this sticking to the pot as it’s cooking, but if that was to happen, either add a little water (or milk) to the pot or turn down the heat.
- Gluten-free: Use certified GF oats.
- Dairy-free: Top with nondairy milk of choice.
Nutrition
This post was first published August 2021.
So good with some salt and pecans! Thanks for saving the last banana on the counter as breakfast for 3.