Bananas And Cream Oatmeal
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.Whenever I crave banana bread but want something quicker and healthier, I make these bananas and cream oatmeal. It has all the flavor of rich moist banana bread but rolled into a simple healthy morning breakfast. This is made with rolled oats, ripe bananas, walnuts, almond milk, and warm spices, and it comes together in about 15 minutes for a quick breakfast.
Bananas plus oatmeal? Yes, please! It is one of my favorite classic combinations, and I make it as a simple vegan banana oatmeal for breakfast! But with just a few additions you can turn a regular bowl of oatmeal with banana into decadent, delicious banana bread oatmeal.
This easy banana nut oatmeal is truly AMAZING. It’s actually a total Quaker bananas and cream oatmeal copycat, but much healthier for you. It is also hearty and satisfying enough to keep you full until lunch. It also works as a versatile base that can easily be adapted into Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal or Vegan Blueberry Baked Oatmeal.
👩🏽🍳 Why I Love This Recipe
I admit that breakfast has always been my favorite meal, and I like making it filling and packed with nutrients that my family loves. The other morning, my son ran into the kitchen and asked if I was making dessert because of the smell, and I had to laugh when I told him it was our banana bread oatmeal. This recipe takes under 15 minutes, is vegan, gluten-free, and a healthier take on Quaker oats banana and cream oatmeal. It is kid-friendly, family-friendly, and easy to customize.
I love this recipe because the bananas and oats absorb the liquid perfectly, creating a smooth, creamy texture every time. I stir in cinnamon, a dash of vanilla, and sometimes walnuts for extra crunch. You can even toss in chocolate chips or blueberries for a new twist each morning.
This oatmeal is a family favorite because everyone can enjoy it their own way. One morning my niece piled her bowl high and called it a dessert breakfast. My sister smiled and grabbed a spoon and enjoyed it in minutes. It is a simple nutritious recipe that adds a little joy to our mornings and keeps everyone happy.
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🥘 Ingredients
This bananas and cream oatmeal recipe uses just 5 simple ingredients, with a few spices added for extra flavor. These are what I use for this recipe:
Old Fashioned Oats: I like using rolled oats for this banana cream oatmeal recipe, because they have a fluffy, creamy, hearty texture.
Sliced Bananas: The riper, the better! I like using overripe bananas because they make my oatmeal naturally super sweet without adding much sugar.
Walnuts: Walnuts in oatmeal are one of my favorite combinations. They have a rich, slightly sweet, earthy, and buttery flavor with a mild crunch that pairs perfectly with the oats.
Spices and Sugar: I love using cinnamon and nutmeg to make this oatmeal taste like banana bread. I usually toss in a little coconut sugar but I can also swap that for any sweetener or skip it entirely if you want a less sweet bowl.
Water and Unsweetened Almond Milk: I combine water and milk to get plenty of volume out of the oats while still keeping creamy. I find any milk works well here from regular milk to soy milk to oat milk or any favorite non dairy milk. For a super decadent touch I try coconut cream, canned coconut milk, or whole milk. I use more water or milk for a thinner oatmeal and less for a thicker consistency.
🔪 How To Make
These are the steps on how I make these delicious bananas and cream oatmeal.
Cook Oats: I cook the oats according to the package directions, and for this batch, I microwaved them with 1¼ cups of water.
Combine Cooked Oats With Toppings: I top my banana oatmeal with sliced bananas, walnuts, a pinch of spices and salt, and a sprinkle of coconut sugar, then stir everything together until well combined.
Add Milk: I pour the milk over my homemade banana oatmeal until it reaches the consistency I like, using less milk if I want it thicker.
Stir And Serve: I like to give the oatmeal a good stir to combine everything, then I serve it warm for the perfect cozy breakfast.
💭 Expert Tips
My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to make sure to use rolled oats. They give the perfect texture while still cooking quickly. Steel-cut oats can take up to 45 minutes to cook, and quick oats often turn out mushy.
Other Tips To Keep In Mind:
- Don’t overcook your oats. I’ve found that the oats become mushy if I cook them too long.
- Not all oats are gluten free. I always make sure to use gluten-free certified oats when I want this recipe to be truly gluten free. While oats themselves are technically gluten free, many aren’t processed in dedicated gluten-free facilities, so cross-contamination is possible. If I need this banana oatmeal to be completely safe, I check that the package says “certified gluten free.” When I can find them, I like using Purity Protocol oats for an extra-guaranteed gluten-free option.
- Meal prep. I like to meal prep this banana walnut oatmeal by making a double batch and dividing it into individual containers for the fridge. Then, when it’s time to eat, I just pop a container in the microwave and enjoy a quick, delicious breakfast all week long.
- For kids. When I make this oatmeal for kids, I often split 1 serving into 2 since each portion is quite large. I like to top theirs with their favorite toppings or a drizzle of something sweet to make it extra fun.
📖 Variations
I like to experiment with this gluten-free, vegan banana bread oatmeal recipe in so many ways. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
Pumpkin Pie Spice Oatmeal With Vanilla: Instead of cinnamon, I sometimes use pumpkin pie spice and add 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a warm cozy flavor.
Caramelized Banana Oatmeal: I spray a small skillet with olive oil spray or coconut oil spray and cook the bananas for 3 to 5 minutes until they are golden brown and caramelized, then add them to the oatmeal. This one is my favorite!
Banana Overnight Oats: I skip cooking the oats and instead combine the oats, mix-ins, and 1 cup of almond milk in a mason jar or airtight container. I store it in the fridge overnight and enjoy it in the morning.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
I like to top this simple banana bread oatmeal with all kinds of mix-ins. Some of my favorites are peanut butter or almond butter, chia seeds, flaxseeds, and nuts like pecans, almonds, cashews, or peanuts. I also add a bit of high protein granola or low calorie granola for extra crunch.
For a more indulgent, dessert-like touch, I sprinkle in mini chocolate chips or drizzle on vegan Nutella or this white chocolate hazelnut spread for a super decadent dessert I serve when my friends come visit with their kids.
🧊 Storage Directions
Refrigerating: If I have leftovers, I store them in the refrigerator in an airtight container. I also like making a large batch and portioning it into individual containers for easy reheating in the morning, and it keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing: I freeze this banana bread oatmeal for longer storage by letting it cool completely, then transferring it to freezer-safe containers. When I’m ready to eat, I thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating.
Reheating: I reheat this mashed banana oatmeal in the microwave or on the stovetop, depending on what’s easiest for me. I add a little more almond milk since it thickens in the fridge, then warm it in the microwave for about 45 seconds or reheat it on the stovetop over medium heat, stirring often until warmed through.
❓Recipe FAQs
Why is my oatmeal too thick or dry?
This usually happens when there isn’t enough liquid. I add an extra splash of milk or water during cooking and stir until the oatmeal reaches the creamy consistency I want.
What makes my oatmeal too mushy?
If my banana bread oatmeal turns out too mushy, I probably added too much liquid or cooked it too long. I reduce the amount of milk or water I use and watch the cooking time closely so the oats stay soft but still have a bit of texture.
Can I make this oatmeal without banana?
Yes, I have made it without banana by using applesauce or mashed sweet potato when I needed a swap. The texture changes slightly and becomes a bit smoother, but it is still hearty and satisfying. Both options add natural sweetness and keep the oatmeal filling enough to keep my family full through the morning.
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🎥 Watch How to Make It
Bananas And Cream Oatmeal
Whenever I crave banana bread but want something quicker and healthier, I make this bananas and cream oatmeal. It has all the flavor of rich moist banana bread but rolled into a simple, healthy morning breakfast. This is made with rolled oats, ripe bananas, walnuts, almond milk, and warm spices, and it comes together in about 15 minutes for a quick, cozy breakfast.
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 312kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ banana sliced
- 4-5 chopped walnuts
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or your favorite plant based milk
- ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 pinch ground nutmeg
- 1 tsp coconut sugar or your natural sweetener of choice (stevia, monk fruit, agave, honey, maple syrup, etc.)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Cook the oats according to package directions (I cooked mine in the microwave with 1¼ cup water)
- Top with bananas, walnuts, spices, salt, and coconut sugar and stir to combine.
- Pour the milk over the oats until they have reached the consistency you want (for thicker oats, use less milk)
- Stir to combine, serve hot.
Notes
- My #1 Secret Tip for this recipe is to make sure to use rolled oats. They give the perfect texture while still cooking quickly. Steel-cut oats can take up to 45 minutes to cook, and quick oats often turn out mushy.
- Don’t overcook your oats. I’ve found that the oats become mushy if I cook them too long.
- Not all oats are gluten free. I always make sure to use gluten-free certified oats when I want this recipe to be truly gluten free. While oats themselves are technically gluten free, many aren’t processed in dedicated gluten-free facilities, so cross-contamination is possible. If I need this banana oatmeal to be completely safe, I check that the package says “certified gluten free.” When I can find them, I like using Purity Protocol oats for an extra-guaranteed gluten-free option.
- Meal prep. I like to meal prep this banana walnut oatmeal by making a double batch and dividing it into individual containers for the fridge. Then, when it’s time to eat, I just pop a container in the microwave and enjoy a quick, delicious breakfast all week long.
- For kids. When I make this oatmeal for kids, I often split 1 serving into 2 since each portion is quite large. I like to top theirs with their favorite toppings or a drizzle of something sweet to make it extra fun.
Nutrition
Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 375mg | Potassium: 398mg | Fiber: 7.5g | Sugar: 11g
Yumm!! Love how healthy and delicious this looks, perfect for this time of year. Saving!
Thanks Cate! You will love this recipe!
sounds perfect to me! I love banana bread and oatmeal is one of my favorite hearty breakfasts.
Yay! I can’t wait for you to try this recipe Pam!
This recipe incorporates my two favorite foods of all time! Awesome!
Thanks so much Kendra! I’m sure you will love this recipe – it’s one of my favs for breakfast!
This recipe looks delicious but since I like my oatmeal like cold cereal I would like to try this recipe without cooking the oats. I bet It will still be yum.
Hi Kay! If you make this recipe without cooking the oats, I’d recommend you don’t use any water, and that you soak it overnight in milk or yogurt (so it’ll have the consistency of muesli in the morning) because otherwise the oats will taste really strange. Alternatively, you could cook the oatmeal and keep it in the fridge overnight, and then just mix in the toppings in the morning and it’ll be cold oatmeal. Hope that helps!
Thanks for the tip!
Hi Anjali! You have so many inspiring recipes, and have already tried several ones out 😀 I have started a food blog on my own and would be so happy if you would´ve taken a few minutes to just check it out! -Lilly Leana <3
Hi Lilly! Aw thank you so much!! I’m so glad you’ve been enjoying my recipes. I just checked out your blog and I love it! Your photos are great and some of your recipes look absolutely delicious! Keep writing and stay in touch!
How many calories is this
It depends on how much almond/soy milk, nuts and banana you use, but with these proportions: 1/2 cup oats (150 calories), 1/2 banana (50 calories), 1 Tbsp walnuts (50 calories), 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (40 calories), and 1/3 cup soy milk (30 calories) – you end up with: ~320 calories!
This is my kinda oatmeal! 🙂
Woohoo! I’m sure you’ll love it!
That is one of my favorite breakfasts! Yum!
Thanks Brit! 🙂
This sounds really good! I could eat oatmeal for breakfast every day.:)
Sounds like we’re a lot alike! I do eat oatmeal for breakfast pretty much every day 🙂
This really sounds like it would be awesome for breakfast (and honestly, I rarely want anything for breakfast). Waking up to this would be a delight.
Hope this inspired you to eat breakfast more often Kita!! 🙂
Oh my… with the milk over top? It looks soooo good! The perfect combination of toppings makes or breaks oatmeal for me. You’ve done a fantastic job. mmm
Hehe thank you so much!! And yes – pouring the milk over might be my favorite part – because that’s when it really starts to come together, and it’s the last step before devouring it!
I’m pretty sure I’ll make my daughter’s whole day when I make this for her in the morning. She is an oatmeal junkie and adding bananas will just send her right over. Great recipe, I love your innovation!
Aw yay! I’m sure your daughter will love it!
I love nuts and fruit combinations in hot breakfast cereals, and this one sounds really kid friendly too.
Me too! Oatmeal is such a great base for all kinds of creative toppings 🙂 Hope your kids love this!
You can never get bored of oats 😀
My thoughts exactly!
I love my oatmeal every morning, and this is a great way to make it even more fun!
Thanks Belinda – hope you enjoy the recipe!
This sounds amazing!! Perfect way to start your morning out right!
Exactly! After a breakfast like this I feel energized and ready to start my day 🙂
I can’t find the “save the recipe”?:(
It should be there now! Sorry for the slight delay in getting this recipe updated, but it should be all set! 🙂