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GET IT NOWThe Banana Oatmeal Everyone Asked Me For
Over winter break, we had more than a dozen friends staying with us, and about half of them were kids. One morning I made this banana oatmeal thinking it would just be an easy, filling breakfast. Every single kid was obsessed.
Before we were even done eating, the adults were asking me for the recipe. Since then, my own girls have been requesting this banana oatmeal recipe on repeat. Here’s why everyone keeps asking for it:
- It tastes like banana bread – This recipe was actually inspired by my protein banana bread. I use ripe bananas and cinnamon to give it that same warm, naturally sweet flavor, and the kids love that it tastes like banana bread in a bowl.
- Extra protein built right in – A secret creamy ingredient blended into the base gives this banana oatmeal over 9 grams of protein per serving, a trick I borrowed from my protein oats. And nobody knows it’s in there.
- Quick, cozy anytime breakfast – This recipe is ready in about 10 minutes, with simple ingredients. I make it just as often on busy weekdays as I do when we have a full house on the weekend.
This cozy banana oatmeal is perfect for busy mornings or chilly starts. Make it with me!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my banana oatmeal recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Rolled Oats – Quick oats will work, but they turn out softer and a bit mushier. Steel cut oats take much longer and stay chewier than I prefer for this recipe.
- Banana – Adds natural sweetness, and makes the oatmeal extra soft and moist. Make sure it’s nice and ripe to blend easily. If I have extras, I toss them into my banana smoothie next!
- Cottage Cheese – It might sound unexpected in banana oatmeal, but blending it right into the base made the whole bowl extra creamy and adds protein. I’ve tested this with Greek yogurt too, and it works, but it gives a tangier flavor than I like here.
- Brown Sugar Sweetener – I always use my Besti Brown Monk Fruit Allulose Blend here because it has that warm, caramel-like flavor that pairs perfectly with banana and cinnamon. You can use regular Besti or even maple syrup instead.
- Cinnamon – If you like a little extra depth, a tiny pinch of nutmeg or a splash of vanilla extract works beautifully here, too.
- Walnuts – For a little crunch and nutty richness. Pecans are great, too. For a nut-free option, leave out the nuts or swap in pepitas.
- Water (for cooking the oats) & Sea Salt (for balance)
How To Make Banana Oatmeal
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Cook the oats. In a medium saucepan, combine the oats, water, and salt. Simmer over medium heat until the oats are soft and the liquid is absorbed.
- Blend the banana mixture. Meanwhile, combine the banana, cottage cheese, Besti Brown, and cinnamon in a high-powered blender. Blend until smooth.
- Bring it all together. Stir the mashed banana mixture and chopped walnuts into the oats, and heat until warmed through. I like to serve with some extra bananas and nuts on top sometimes!
My Tips For Flavor & Texture
- Start with less Besti Brown and adjust to your taste. The banana adds natural sweetness, so I recommend starting with 1 tablespoon and add more if needed.
- Blend the banana mixture super smooth. I use this high-powered blender. If you leave cottage cheese curds, the texture of the final banana oats isn’t nearly as nice.
- How to make it thinner: If your banana oatmeal comes out thicker than you prefer, stir in a splash of milk, or a non-dairy milk like almond milk. Personally, I prefer the thick, creamy texture here as-is without milk.
- How to make it thicker: I’ve never had an issue with this recipe being too thin, but if it is, that’s usually a sign that you needed to cook the oats for longer to thicken and soften. You can always cook it for a bit longer if you realize this after mixing. It will also continue to thicken slightly as it cools.
Banana Oatmeal
My easy banana oatmeal recipe tastes like banana bread in a bowl! It's creamy, high protein, and naturally sweetened.
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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In a medium saucepan, combine the oats, water, and salt. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until the oats are soft and fluffy, and any extra water is gone.
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Meanwhile, in a blender, combine the banana, cottage cheese, Besti Brown, and cinnamon. Blend until smooth.
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Stir the banana mixture and chopped walnuts into the saucepan. Heat for 1-2 minutes.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 cup
- Tips: Check out my recipe tips above to help you get the best flavor and texture in your banana oatmeal.
- Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. It will thicken as it sits, but that’s easy to fix when reheating.
- Meal prep: This banana oatmeal is great for meal prep. I like to portion it into individual containers, so breakfast is ready to grab and warm up all week.
- Reheat: Add a splash of your favorite milk to thin it out, then microwave or heat on the stove, until warm.
- Freeze: You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months, but the texture may change slightly. I recommend adding a splash of milk and stirring well when reheating to bring back the creaminess.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Banana Oatmeal
Topping Ideas
My favorite toppings for this banana oatmeal recipe are sliced overripe bananas and walnuts, but here are some other ideas you might like:
- Fresh Fruit – Try blueberries, raspberries, or sliced strawberries for a pop of natural sweetness and color. They pair really well with the banana and cinnamon.
- Nut Butter – Drizzle on some warm almond butter or creamy peanut butter for extra richness and protein. If you’re in the mood for something a little more indulgent, a spoonful of sugar free nutella on top makes it taste like dessert.
- Crunch – If you love a little texture, sprinkle on some homemade granola, toasted coconut, sugar-free chocolate chips, or even extra walnuts for that perfect contrast to the creamy banana nut oatmeal.
8 Comments
Annette Deardurff
0I made this fabulous breakfast dish and it was delicious! I don’t typically eat breakfast, so this was a real treat!! Thanks Wholesome Yum!!!! 🥰
Wholesome Yum D
0Annette, thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it, and I really appreciate you sharing!
Medina Johnson
0Oh My goodness!! This was amazing. It really does taste like banana bread. My hubby even liked it and he doesn’t like anything with cottage cheese.. Cause he didn’t know it was in there. Ha Ha.
Wholesome Yum D
0Medina, thank you so much! I love that your hubby enjoyed it without even knowing about the cottage cheese. So glad it gave that banana bread vibe for you too. Really appreciate you sharing!
veronika
0High protein breakfast meals are a must for me, and this oatmeal is just that. I used over ripe banana so there is no need to sweeten with extra sweetener. Cinnamon is a great hint to help with sugar control throughout the day. Extra bananas and strawberries are the perfect toppings.
Wholesome Yum D
0Veronika, love hearing that! Using an overripe banana is such a great natural sweetener, and cinnamon is the perfect touch. Such a satisfying, high-protein start to the day!
Eva Cook
0I found the recipe easy to follow and the outcome very good. Texture was perfect.
Wholesome Yum D
0Eva, so glad you found the recipe easy to follow! I love hearing it turned out so well for you. 🙂