Healthy steel cut oats loaded with the flavors of banana bread? Say it isn’t so! (It totally is.)
This post is sponsored by Diamond of California. All opinions are 100% my own. Thank you for supporting brands that help make this site possible.
This past weekend was full of many lovely moments. The best was holding my best friend’s baby boy just hours after he was born. I can’t even describe to you the emotions I felt in that moment – so much love for the tiniest little human, and so much pride for the woman my best friend has grown to be and the mom she has become.
Seeing our two-year-old niece snuggle the crap out of Alex while watching The Goonies (my first viewing, by the way – the to-be in-laws couldn’t believe it) was a close second.
And, finally, scrolling through our engagement photos by the lovely Julie at Jared and Julie Photography. Taking them was so much fun and made me so excited for our wedding day in just a few short months. (Eep!)
If you’re a weirdo like me who likes to look at photos of strangers, you can check out several of our favorites on Julie’s blog. Here’s a sneak peek:
Aren’t we cute? Seriously, Julie’s a genius.
Alright, enough of that. Thanks you for letting me ramble for a bit before getting to the point: A good-for-you breakfast that tastes bad for you.
Thaaat’s right, guys. Banana Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal! Totally my new favorite thing. Healthy steel cut oats flavored with banana, a bit of maple syrup, cinnamon and vanilla to make them taste like your favorite banana bread.
And don’t forget your Diamond of California Walnuts, guys. A little crunch and healthy fat add that extra bit of banana bread oomph for your morning oats.
As for the milk, choose your own adventure there – use soy, almond or coconut milk for a super-healthy bowl of porridge, or whole milk for a rich bowl of oatmeal to share with your family on the weekend.
Make a batch for a lazy weekend breakfast, or make them up on Sunday night and divide into half-pint jars for good-for-you morning fuel throughout the week. Your future self will certainly thank me.
Banana Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup milk
- 2 bananas mashed
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/3 cup Diamond of California Chopped Walnuts
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil in a medium pot. Add the oats and the salt. Allow to simmer until about 80% of the water has been absorbed, about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir in the milk, mashed bananas, maple syrup and cinnamon, whisking to combine if needed. Return to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the oatmeal reaches your desired consistency, about another 10-15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in the walnuts and vanilla.
- Serve with additional banana slices, cinnamon, chopped walnuts, maple syrup, or honey as desired.
I am on a banana bread kick right now! Which means Andy is too. This would be way easier to try and feed him than crumbly banana bread. Seriously, the kid has a hulk grip and smashes food to crumbs.
I think I’m always on a banana bread kick– which is why I needed a healthier solution. Haha!
Also…can you imagine what he’ll do to food when he’s a teenager??? EEP!
This is totally our breakfast this weekend. Daddy will love you even more.
1-awwwww sweetness with little ones!
2-I’ll say it again-I LOVE your engagement photos! You guys look so sophisticated!
3-Yum yum yummmmm!!! This oatmeal is so brilliant-tasty and healthy and tastes like banana bread? YES
Thank you, thank you! And seriously, being an aunt is just the best.
Such beautiful pictures! You are going to be a stunning bride!
Love starting my day with a hearty bowl of oatmeal!
Thank you, Jessica! And I really do love a good bowl of oatmeal. It makes me feel like I’m a little old person but…I can’t help it. So good!
Julie fixed this for our breakfast this morning. Yuuummm!! Awesome recipe!! You are awesome. And I’m not biased al all.
Haha! No, not at all. Love you, Daddy.
I saw your engagement pictures through a few of your social media posts–they are so cute! 🙂 Just beautiful. And this banana bread oatmeal is a great way to start the day. I am a sucker for anything banana–I have to try this. Hope things are going good for you guys and wedding planning is going smoothly!
Thank you! We have had very few planning issues thus far (knock on wood) — hoping that continues!
Yum! I’m hopelessly addicted to banana bread, so I know I’m going to love this oatmeal! And love the sneak peak photo. You two are so cute! Can’t wait to see more!
Thanks, Liz! Julie has more photos on her site – you can get to it from the link above. They’re really great!
Your engagement photos are just fabulous! You must be getting so excited the day is getting close!
Bananas are my favorite thing to eat for breakfast so I am sure I would love this oatmeal. It looks wonderful!
Thanks, Christin! We are getting really excited. Can’t believe we are only a few months away!
Being there for the birth of your best friend’s baby is so awesome. . makes you kinda want to get going right after you guys tie the knot, right?! 😛 just kidding. . anyway. . Stephie, love that engagement photo!!! so beautiful!!! I’m so happy for you and can’t wait to see more photos. . and dude, yes oatmeal is the way to start off the morning. Word.
Haha I kind of had baby fever until i hit snooze about a million times the next morning and remembered that i’m not quite ready to give up my sleep yet! 😉
Adorable engagement pics!! This oatmeal is the breakfast of my dreams….so creamy, healthy and filling! Love it.
Thank you, Taylor!
This is really good oatmeal! I used one banana (I only had one left) and a 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Excellent!
So glad you loved it!
Stumbled upon this recipe and it is wonderful!!! Thank you! New staple in our home!
This was easy to make and very tasty. Thank you for the recipe.