Banana Bread Oatmeal

This delicious, healthy, and nutrient-packed banana bread oatmeal is made easily on the stovetop. It’s the perfect fast breakfast that keeps you full.

After eating this Banana Bread Oatmeal almost every morning for the past 9 months, I figured it was high time it hit the blog.

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I’ve never been a breakfast person and I’ve talked in length about struggling with breakfast for years. I usually opt for something quick, like this kefir smoothie, but literally days after I found out I was pregnant this past November, my eating habits HAD to change in the morning.

I’ve always been a big eater, but I suddenly had to eat something really substantial almost immediately upon waking up, and this Banana Bread Oatmeal was really the only thing that sounded appealing, day in and day out. I never had morning sickness, but I had some pretty intense food aversions and definitely craved sweeter, carb-based food, especially in the beginning.

I usually get so busy and ready to start the day in the morning that food takes a backseat to coffee, work, etc, but I’ve really started to enjoy my little routine of cooking something every morning, and it helps that this meal comes together in less than 10 minutes.

By the time I make my oatmeal, take all of my vitamins, drink my lemon water and sit down to eat, straighten up the kitchen (and run my new Roomba!!) I’ve had 20 minutes of peace in my kitchen and it’s really lovely. So, maybe I am starting to be a breakfast person after all!

Oatmeal is best made on the stovetop

I love overnight oats, and baked oatmeal (these are some of my favorite make-ahead recipes), but to me, oatmeal is best made on the stovetop. Growing up, we ate oatmeal quite frequently in the mornings and my mom always made it on the stovetop with a sprinkle of brown sugar and a splash of milk. Heaven.

But, the key to creamy oats that aren’t too thick is cooking them on the stovetop with plenty of liquid. And, not stirring them too much. You’ll see that I start them out cooking in just water and then add a bit of milk when I turn the heat down for some richness. I think this results in the best texture, and you can use any milk you like. We like organic whole milk, but I know that isn’t everyone’s choice. Almond, cashew, oat, coconut – it will all work perfectly.

What makes this oatmeal taste like banana bread?

The secret to this oatmeal – cooking half of a sliced banana IN with the oatmeal. Not only does this provide a good amount of natural sweetness, but the banana gets that soft, caramelized flavor that you get in your favorite banana bread recipe.

I top the cooked oats with the other half of the banana, some Greek yogurt, chia seeds and just a teeny bit of maple syrup. And sometimes berries! It’s such a treat in the morning, but it’s a healthy and super filling way to start the day!

If you love oats as much as I do, be sure to check out my banana blueberry and apple pie baked oatmeal recipes! Here’s the pan I love to make this recipe in:

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