10-Minute Stovetop Mashed Banana Oatmeal
This creamy, sweet, and satisfying homemade mashed banana oatmeal recipe uses fresh, ripe bananas and rolled oats. Top yours with chocolate, nuts, flaked coconut, or nothing at all for a breakfast that’s sure to delight. Ready in 10 minutes on the stovetop, it’s the perfect breakfast for busy mornings.
10-Minute Banana Oatmeal
When it comes to breakfast, I am a fan of things that I can throw together quickly but leave me feeling full and ready to take on the day. Breakfast granola (nut free sugar granola or granola with pumpkin seeds) or pear overnight oats with yogurt and fresh fruit is always a favorite, but on chilly mornings, when I want something hot, stovetop oatmeal is perfect!
Thanks to the mashed bananas and the milk, it has an extra creamy texture with a natural sweetness. We then add a little bit of both maple syrup and brown sugar to add a unique, sweet flavor that makes the bananas taste even better.
Featured Ingredient: Banana
Bananas are the star of this healthy banana oatmeal recipe—not just for their flavor but also for the creamy texture and natural sweetness they bring. Ripe to overripe bananas are best. Look for bananas with lots of brown spots or even fully brown skins—these are softer and much sweeter than their yellow or green counterparts.
If your bananas are just a little too ripe for snacking but not quite ready for the compost bin, they’re perfect for recipes like this! And if you find yourself with an abundance of overripe bananas, there are plenty of delicious ways to use them.
You can make a batch of soft and flavorful banana bread muffins. A refreshing strawberry banana oat smoothie offers a quick start to your day. For a cozy brunch idea, try golden banana waffles with your favorite toppings.
How to Make Mashed Banana Oatmeal
Making this banana oatmeal is super easy and takes just 10 minutes.
- Cook. Transfer the pan to the stovetop and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Drop the heat and simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed, about 5 – 10 minutes, depending on your preference.
- Serve. Divide your oatmeal into two bowls and add toppings as desired.
Tips for Oatmeal Success
When tackling a new recipe for the first time, it’s always helpful to have a few tips to help you get it right:
- Don’t let it burn. Left alone on the stovetop, your oatmeal can burn, and the added sugar can cause it to stick to the pan. Cooking over medium-low heat (or lower) and stirring it every few minutes can help prevent burning.
- Adjust the sugar as needed. The added brown sugar and maple syrup can be adjusted to taste or omitted altogether if preferred. The natural sweetness in a really ripe banana will add more sweetness to the oatmeal, so you may want to reduce the added sugar if you are using very sweet, ripe bananas.
- Use the right kind of oats. There are three main types of oats: steel-cut, rolled oats (also called old-fashioned), and instant oats. If instant oats are cooked according to this recipe, the results will closely resemble a thick, gluey blob without much texture. Rolled oats will make a soft, creamy oatmeal, while steel-cut oats will make a thicker, chewier oatmeal –– perfect for 5-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls. I recommend using rolled oats for this oatmeal recipe.
How to Store & Reheat Leftovers
Leftover oatmeal can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for about 2 days. It can be reheated either in the microwave or on the stove. It will thicken as it sits, so you’ll want to add about a 1/4 cup of milk or water to make it creamy again.
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10-Minute Stovetop Mashed Banana Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup mashed banana (1 – 2 large bananas)
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 ½ cup milk
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional toppings: chocolate chips, extra banana slices, peanut butter, Nutella, chopped nuts, ground cinnamon.
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, mash the banana until smooth. Add the rolled oats, milk, brown sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla extract, then stir to combine completely.
- Transfer the pan to the stovetop, cover and bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. Once it boils, remove the lid and reduce the heat.
- Cook the oatmeal at a simmer until most of the liquid is absorbed and the oatmeal has reached the desired consistency, about five to ten minutes. The longer you cook it, the softer the oats, while a shorter cook time will give you more textured, chewy oats.
- To serve, divide this creamy oatmeal into two bowls. Add toppings as desired.
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Notes
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 ½ cup almond milk
2 tablespoon brown sugar
2 tablespoon maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional toppings: chocolate chips, extra banana slices, peanut butter, Nutella, chopped nuts, ground cinnamon.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and is for general information purposes only. For the most accurate information, calculate using your select brands and exact measurements.
I made this, added vanilla protein powder and cut the maple and brown sugar down to 1 tbsp each and added cinnamon. I topped it with sliced almonds, coconut flakes, sliced dried dates, and a little bit of cinnamon granola and it turned out amazing. Filling and comforting.
Hi Brianna,
That sounds like a fantastic bowl of oatmeal! We love the idea of adding vanilla protein powder and dialing back the sweeteners, and those toppings sound like the perfect mix of texture and flavor. Almonds, coconut, dates, and granola would definitely make it extra filling. Thanks for sharing how you made it your own.
– Kristy
My family loved this!
That’s wonderful to hear. We love knowing it was a hit with your family. Thanks so much for sharing that with us.
– Kristy
Have you tried it? Share your thoughts!