Banana Oatmeal

Featuring ripe banana, warm cinnamon and crunchy walnuts, a bowl of this wholesome Banana Oatmeal is the tastiest way to start the morning and will leave you feeling heaven-blessed. It’s easy to cook over the stove or in the Instant Pot! Gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegan with grain-free, paleo, low carb and keto options.

PIN HERE for later and follow my boards for more recipe ideas

Updated June 2022

Creamy Banana Nut Oatmeal Recipe

Our family is really big on eating oatmeal for breakfast. It cures any morning grogginess, satisfies the taste buds, gives us energy and keeps everyone comfortably full until lunch. While we enjoy all kinds of this classic dish, it’s especially nice to kick off the day with a bowl of banana oatmeal.

This recipe uses simple ingredients to create the ultimate oatmeal flavor and texture. And you only need 20 minutes to make it happen! You could even prepare it days in advance for a ready-made breakfast that can be popped into the microwave and taken on the go.

Is Oatmeal With Banana Healthy?

Very much so. This particular version makes nutrition a top priority. It’s naturally sweetened without refined sugar and tailored to accommodate various special diets. Whether you’re gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan, you can reap all the nutritional benefits of this dish.

Those benefits include an abundance of vitamins, minerals, protein, fiber, antioxidants and potassium from the oats and banana alone. Oats are extremely rich in nutrients – and they’re known to promote digestive health, lower blood sugar levels and reduce cholesterol. As a matter of fact, this banana oatmeal is one of the healthiest breakfasts you could eat!

What You’ll Need

Gather the ingredients below to get started on your next-level oatmeal. You’ll find the quantities included in the recipe card toward the bottom of this post.

• Rolled Oats: Don’t use quick or steel-cut oats, which require different cook times and varying liquid ratios. Need a grain-free oatmeal? Try our Paleo Oatmeal or Keto Oatmeal recipes.
• Almond Milk: Or any other milk that works for you.
• Fine Sea Salt: A pinch of salt makes a wonderful flavor enhancer, but you can leave it out if you must.
• Ground Cinnamon
• Coconut Sugar (Optional): Or another sweetener of your choice such as maple syrup, honey, stevia or monk fruit.
• Mashed Banana: We like to slice up the leftover banana and use it as a topping for our oatmeal.
• Chopped Walnuts: Or pecans.
• Almond Butter (Optional)
• Unsweetened Shredded Coconut (Optional)

Are Oats Gluten-Free?

Oats don’t naturally contain any gluten, but it’s super important to check your labels if you have a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease. If the oats are processed in a facility that handles gluten-containing products like wheat and barley, they can become contaminated. Don’t forget to double-check that your oats are certified gluten-free.

How to Make Banana Oatmeal

There’s nothing quite like waking up to a warm bowl of oatmeal on a chilly morning – or any morning for that matter.

Stovetop Method

1. Combine Oats & Milk: Combine the oats and milk in a medium-sized pot set over medium-high heat.
2. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and allow the oats to gently simmer. Do not leave them unattended.
3. Add Banana & Continue Cooking: Add in the mashed banana and continue to simmer the oatmeal for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping along the bottom of the pan to stop the oats from sticking.
4. Remove From Heat: Once the oatmeal has thickened and reached your desired creaminess, remove the pot from the heat.
5. Add Cinnamon & Sweetener: Stir in the cinnamon and the optional sweetener.
6. Add Toppings & Enjoy! Divide the oatmeal among 2 bowls and top each serving with the walnuts, almond butter, shredded coconut, banana slices and a splash of almond milk if desired.

Instant Pot Method

1. Grease Inner Pot: Lightly coat the inner pot of your Instant Pot with coconut oil or nonstick cooking spray.
2. Add Oats, Milk & Banana: Add the oats to the Instant Pot, followed by the milk. Stir in the mashed banana. Secure the lid and close the vent.
3. Cook: Press the manual (or pressure cooker for newer models) button and set the cook time to 4 minutes.
4. Release Pressure Naturally: Once the oatmeal is done cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally. This will take about 10-15 minutes.
5. Stir & Add Cinnamon: After the pressure releases, open the Instant Pot and give the oatmeal a good stir. Any extra liquid will absorb as it cools. Stir in the cinnamon and optional sweetener.
6. Add Toppings & Enjoy! Divide the oatmeal among 2 bowls and top each serving with the walnuts, almond butter, shredded coconut, banana slices and a splash of almond milk if desired.

Tips for Success

Take the reigns of this recipe with confidence by reviewing the tips below. Irresistible banana oatmeal awaits!

• Use a Ripe Banana: Don’t be afraid of that banana with brown spots on the peel – you want it to be nice and ripe before you use it in your oatmeal. You can speed up the ripening process by placing it into a paper bag with more bananas or other fruits that ripen after they’re picked (like kiwi, mangoes or avocados).
• Prevent Sticking: Remember to stir the oatmeal and scrape the bottom of the pot every so often while the stovetop cooking process takes place. If you’re using the Instant Pot, be sure to grease the surface of the inner pot. Nobody likes scrubbing burnt scraps off a kitchen tool.
• Don’t Dry It Out: Keep in mind that the oats will continue to absorb some liquid after the oatmeal is done cooking. If you find your oatmeal to be dry, thick or sticky, stir in a small amount of milk at a time until it’s smooth and creamy.

Topping Ideas

There are tons of different toppings that would go great with this banana oatmeal. Here are a few of our favorites aside from the recipe suggestions:

• Date Caramel
• Chia Seeds
• Cranberry Sauce
• Cacao Nibs
• Peanut Butter
• Fresh Berries
• Pepitas
• Nutella
• Hemp Seeds
• Bee Pollen

Storage and Reheating

Cooled oatmeal can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat it over low or medium-low heat, adding a splash of almond milk and occasionally stirring the oatmeal and scraping the pot.

You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave. Add a splash of almond milk and heat the oatmeal in 30-second bursts, stirring after each one and reducing the microwave time as needed, until it’s warmed through.

Can I Freeze This?

Yes – transfer the cooled oatmeal to a freezer-safe storage bag or container with an airtight lid. Leave extra space in either case and remove the air before sealing the bag if applicable. Freeze the oatmeal for up to 2 months, thawing it out in the fridge before you reheat it.

More Easy Breakfast Ideas

• Grated Egg Toast
• Carrot Cake Steel-Cut Oatmeal
• Healthy Breakfast Tacos
• Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

5 from 6 votes

Print

Banana Oatmeal

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

20 mins

 

Featuring ripe banana, warm cinnamon and crunchy walnuts, a bowl of this wholesome Banana Oatmeal will leave you feeling heaven-blessed. It's easy to cook over the stove or in the Instant Pot! Gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free and vegan.

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: how to cook oatmeal, instant pot oatmeal, oatmeal with bananas

Servings: 2

Calories: 267 kcal

Author: Kelly

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats use gluten-free as needed. Do not use quick or steel-cut oats. Need a grain-free oatmeal? Try our Paleo Oatmeal or Keto Oatmeal recipes.
• 1 1/2 cups almond milk or your preferred milk
• 1/16 teaspoon fine sea salt (a tiny pinch), optional
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sweetener of choice optional - coconut sugar, maple syrup, honey, SWERVE, stevia or monk fruit sweetener
• 1/2 well ripened banana mashed
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans
• 1 tablespoon almond butter , peanut butter or date caramel for topping, optional
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut optional for topping

Instructions

Stovetop Method

1. Combine oats and milk in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and a gentle simmer. Do not leave unattended.

   

2. Add in the mashed banana and continue simmering until thickened and desired creaminess, about 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and scraping along the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking. Remove from heat.

3. Stir in cinnamon and sweetener if using.

4. Divide into bowls and top each with more banana slices, nuts or any other toppings, if desired.

   

Instant Pot Method

1. To prevent sticking, lightly coat the inner pot of your Instant Pot with coconut oil or cooking spray.

2. Add oats into the Instant Pot followed by milk. Stir in the bananas. Secure the lid and close the vent.

   

3. Press the MANUAL (or PRESSURE COOKER for newer Instant Pot models) button and set to 4 minutes.

4. After the oats finish cooking, allow the pressure to release naturally (about 10-15 minutes).

5. After the pressure releases, open the lid and give the oatmeal a good stir. Any extra liquid will absorb as it cools. Stir in the cinnamon and sweetener if desired.

6. Divide into bowls and top each with more banana slices, nuts, milk and other toppings, if desired.

Recipe Notes

• To Store & Reheat: Refrigerate cooled oatmeal in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat over low or medium-low heat, adding a splash of almond milk and occasionally stirring/scraping the pot. You could also microwave individual portions. Add a splash of almond milk and heat in 30-second bursts, stirring after each one and reducing microwave time as needed, until oatmeal is warmed through.
• To Freeze: Transfer cooled oatmeal to a freezer-safe storage bag or container with an airtight lid. Leave extra space in either case and remove the air before sealing the bag if applicable. Freeze oatmeal for up to 2 months, thawing in the fridge before reheating.

Nutrition Facts

Banana Oatmeal

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 267 Calories from Fat 153

% Daily Value*

Fat 17g26%

Carbohydrates 24g8%

Fiber 5g20%

Sugar 4g4%

Protein 6g12%

* Nutrition facts are provided as a courtesy using the WPRM recipe calculator. It is best to make your own calculations to ensure accuracy. We expressly disclaim any and all liability of any kind with respect to any act or omission wholly or in part in reliance on anything contained in this website. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.