Banana Bread Oatmeal

I realized the strangest thing this morning: I have never posted a recipe for banana bread oatmeal.

Which is absolutely bizarre if you consider a) how easy it is, b) how it was one of the first oatmeals I ever created, and c) that Quaker Instant Banana Bread Oatmeal packets were my very first experiences with porridge.

And let me just say, those Quaker packets saved my life. You may think I'm super anti-instant packets, but I'm not sure if that's the case. I'm definitely pro-make-it-yourself, but I have to give credit to Quaker packets for helping me transition to a healthier life. I would never eat one now, and I wrinkle my nose at my mom whenever she makes a bowl (I'm so pretentious), but I'm still grateful those options exist for people who are new to oatmeal. If my first experience with oatmeal had been that crappy, tasteless porridge I made back in spring of 2011, I probably never would have given it a second chance.

Now, my recipe blows Quaker's out of the water. It's naturally sweetened by the banana, and nothing else. There's a miniscule amount of molasses, but that's for flavor and not sweetening. I believe molasses helps achieve the darker, deeper flavor of actual banana bread. I very often use it in stove-top recipes that are meant to emulate baked goods!

I believe if you try this out, it may end up being a regular part of your menu! It uses pantry staples like cinnamon and vanilla, but I swear it isn't boring. I make this more than any other recipe, I bet.

Banana Bread Oatmeal

by The Oatmeal Artist

Prep Time: 2 min

Cook Time: 5 min

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Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1 cup milk of choice, or water
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (I use Country Choice Organic)
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp molasses (or maple syrup)
• pinch of nutmeg (optional)
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Bring milk (I use an equal mixture of almond milk and water) to a boil, add oats, and reduce heat to medium.
2. Mash up a ripe banana and add to the oatmeal. Stir.
3. Once more of the liquid has absorbed, add vanilla extract, cinnamon, molasses, nutmeg, and salt. Stir.
4. If you'd like to add any extra ingredients (coconut oil, raisins, sunflower seeds), do so now. I like raisins in mine.
5. When you're pleased with the consistency of the oatmeal, transfer to a bowl. Serve with another splash of your milk of choice and any other additional toppings (shredded coconut, nuts, etc.). I would recommend walnuts for this recipe, but I only had almonds on hand. I also topped with raw chia seeds. :)

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**You can also find hundreds of other oatmeal recipes (as well as tons of other meatless recipes) on my Pinterest account!  You can also like The Oatmeal Artist on Facebook. Thanks!