Banana Pecan Oatmeal
This post was originally published on March 3, 2016 and was improved and updated on October 10, 2023.
This banana pecan oatmeal is a warm and comforting breakfast that combines the natural sweetness of ripe bananas with the delightful crunch of pecans. It’s both delicious and nutritious, offering a hearty start to your day. This oatmeal is easy to make and even easier to love.
What you’ll love about this recipe
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The Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Two Bowls of Banana Pecan Oatmeal
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup milk (or a dairy-free alternative)
- 1 cup water
- 1 ripe banana (mashed)
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Sliced bananas, toasted pecans, milk and maple syrup or honey for garnish
If you have extra bananas laying around, try these simple 4 Ingredient Banana Bread Muffins too – they’re delicious!
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Now, Here’s How to Make Banana Pecan Oatmeal
- Start by mashing up the banana in a bowl and set it aside.
- Then toast the pecans in the bottom of a saucepan over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes, or until they become fragrant and lightly golden brown. Remove them from the pan and set them aside too.
- Combine the rolled oats, milk, mashed bananas, brown sugar, vanilla extract, sea salt, and cinnamon in the same saucepan. Stir well to combine.
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 10-ish minutes, stirring occasionally. The oatmeal should thicken and the mashed banana will blend in beautifully.
- Once the oatmeal reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and stir in the toasted pecans.
- Serve your banana pecan oatmeal in two bowls – garnishing each bowl with slices of fresh banana, pecans, a splash of milk, and an extra drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
Tip
The reason the recipe calls for 1 cup of milk and 1 cup of water is because using only milk (versus a combination of milk and water) to make oatmeal on the stove makes it much thicker and stickier.
While you can always use just milk, using half milk and half water creates the perfect consistency for homemade oatmeal.
Want to Get Creative With It? Here’s Some Fun Ideas
While this banana pecan oatmeal is already a flavor-packed delicious breakfast on its own, you can further customize it by adding:
- Chia Seeds: For added texture and a boost of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, sprinkle a tablespoon of chia seeds in while cooking oatmeal.
- Greek Yogurt: A dollop of Greek yogurt on top adds creaminess and a protein punch to your breakfast. You can also stir in 1/4 cup after the oatmeal is done, just before serving.
- Fresh Berries: Top your oatmeal with fresh berries like strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for a burst of color and antioxidants.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: If you have a sweet tooth, a few dark chocolate chips sprinkled on top can make your oatmeal indulgent.
How to Reheat Oatmeal Perfectly (Two Ways)
To reheat oatmeal in the microwave for the best results, place it in a microwave-safe bowl and add a splash of milk or water to prevent it from drying out as it reheats. Gently break up the oatmeal and stir it to incorporate the liquid evenly.
Microwave the bowl in short intervals, typically 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time, stirring between each interval. This ensures even heating and prevents overheating or burning around the edges, which doesn’t taste the best. Stop when the oatmeal reaches your desired temperature and consistency.
Alternatively, you can reheat oatmeal on the stovetop by adding the cold oatmeal and a bit of milk or water to a medium saucepan. Warm the oatmeal over low heat, stirring constantly until it’s heated through. Pour into a bowl and enjoy your oatmeal just as deliciously as the day it was made.
Questions About This Recipe
So there you have it my friends, banana pecan oatmeal is more than just a breakfast; it’s a warm, comforting bowl of goodness that will set the tone for your entire day. Whether you’re making it for a leisurely weekend brunch or a quick weekday breakfast, this stovetop oatmeal is sure to become a beloved staple in your morning routine (like it has in mine). It really is a breakfast worth waking up for.
Here Are Some Other Breakfast Favorites for You
Banana Pecan Oatmeal
ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 banana (ripe and mashed)
- 2 TBS pecans (chopped and toasted)
- 1 cup milk (any kind or dairy-free)
- 1 cup water (***may use 2 cups of milk if you prefer – see notes)
- 3 TBS brown sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- chopped pecans, sliced bananas, and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey (for topping)
INSTRUCTIONS
- In a medium saucepan, gently toast pecans over medium heat for 3-4 minutes until they become fragrant and lightly golden brown. Remove from pan and set aside.2 TBS pecans
- In the same saucepan, combine the rolled oats, milk, mashed bananas, brown sugar, vanilla extract, sea salt, and cinnamon. Stir well to combine.1 cup rolled oats, 1 banana, 1 cup milk, 1 cup water, 3 TBS brown sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Heat oatmeal over medium heat until it boils, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. The oatmeal will thicken and the mashed banana will blend in.
- Once the oatmeal reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and stir in half of the toasted pecans.
- Immediately serve the banana pecan oatmeal in two bowls, garnishing each bowl with slices of fresh banana, pecans, milk and an extra drizzle of maple syrup or honey.chopped pecans, sliced bananas, and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey
- Store left-over oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
Nutrition
Tagged:
- 30 Minute
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- Fall
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- Small-batch
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- Stovetop
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- Whole Food
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- Winter
YUM! SOOO GOOD! I made this for breakfast. I love that it’s so easy to make.
Thank you so much, Quynh! I’m thrilled you enjoyed the oatmeal!
Wow this banana pecan oatmeal is the perfect breakfast for fall! I looooove the banana and pecan combo of flavors together. This is really, really good!
Thank you so much, Ali! I couldn’t agree more, bananas and pecans are so good together. Thanks for taking a minute to leave a review, I appreciate it!
This oatmeal is scrumptious. I added a dash of nutmeg to it and it was tasty. A perfect breakfast to start the day with. Thanks, Kristine!
Oooh that’s a great idea, Nikki. I’ll have to try the nutmeg next time, which will probably be later this week, haha! I’m glad you enjoyed the recipe!
Absolutely loved this Banana Pecan Oatmeal recipe! It’s the perfect blend of sweetness from ripe bananas and the satisfying crunch of pecans. Such a warm and comforting breakfast choice, and the fact that it’s so easy to make just makes it even better. A delicious and nutritious way to kickstart your day!
Thank you so much, Kim! I’m really glad you enjoyed the recipe. I couldn’t agree more, quick and satisfying breakfasts are my jam. Thanks for the review, I appreciate it!
Enjoyed this for breakfast this morning and started my day off right! Was hearty and delicious; easily, a new favorite dish!
I’m so glad to hear it, Sara! This made my day. Thanks for the 5 star review, I really appreciate it!