Bananas Foster Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a super breakfast. It’s so healthy and filling, it’ll be a great start to your day. This recipe is so creamy, it will win over even people who don’t like oatmeal. I got the recipe for the oatmeal from Cook’s Illustrated. The oats are toasted first and that makes all the difference, enhancing the flavor and improving the texture. There is only a little bit of milk in the recipe, mostly water, so the oatmeal doesn’t burn, feels light but still has a really awesome lusciousness.
I decided to make a bananas foster topping to go with the oatmeal. You can be creative with topping options – I’ve made it with an apple topping (butter, brown sugar, vanilla, lemon juice, cinnamon). You can also add fresh berries or bananas, pineapple, mangoes, toasted nuts or coconut or a sprinkling of raisins.
Bring the water, milk and salt to a simmer. In a skillet, melt the butter and add the oatmeal.
Cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, until it becomes aromatic and slightly golden around the edges. 
Add to the milk. 
Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes on medium-low heat, stirring once in a while. 
Keep cooking for another 10 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed. The liquid will continue to be absorbed even after the oatmeal is cooked, so don’t cook it too much longer. If you like your oatmeal a little runnier, use more water or milk.
Meanwhile, melt 1/2 a stick of butter in a large skillet. Add the brown sugar and whisk until the sugar dissolves. 
Cut the bananas into circles and add to the skillet. 
Cook until the bananas are slightly golden.
I added the first layer of bananas into the skillet in one layer so that the bananas would get nice and golden on one side. Since the bananas are very delicate after they are cooked, if you start mixing them, they’ll break apart. You can add the rest of the bananas on top any which way.
Add a splash of rum and vanilla. 
Serve over the oatmeal. You can also mix it in with the oatmeal so it would be distributed evenly.
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup milk
- 1 Tablespoon butter
- 1 cup oats (steel cut oats or old fashioned oats)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- ¼-1/3 cup brown sugar
- 3-4 bananas
- 1-2 Tablespoons rum
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- Bring the water, milk and salt to a simmer.
- In a skillet, melt the butter and add the oatmeal.
- Cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes, until it becomes aromatic and slightly golden around the edges.
- Add to the milk. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for about 20 minutes, stirring once in a while.
- Keep cooking for another 10 minutes, until most of the liquid is absorbed. If you are using old fashioned oats, they will cook much faster.
- Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large skillet.
- Add the brown sugar and whisk until the sugar dissolves.
- Cut the bananas into circles and add to the skillet.
- Cook until the bananas are slightly golden.
- Add a splash of rum and vanilla.
- Serve over the oatmeal. You can also mix it in with the oatmeal so it would be distributed evenly.
16 Comments
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Olviya@servingsister.com
I love bananas whisked into oatmeal! Thanks for the additional tips/tricks! I will be trying them soon:)
Oksana
Looks delicious!
Alla
Being not a fan of oatmeal I made this today abd absolutely loved it 😉
olgak7
That’s awesome, Alla!
Marina
I was reluctant to try this. The two reasons I did was because I was craving oatmeal and my fruit bowl was overflowing with bananas. And you know what? This dish is AH-MAZING! I absolutely loved it. Now if only I could get my husband to try it… Or the kids:)
olgak7
That’s great, Marina! I’m so glad you liked it.
Nina
Hi,Olechka,
Thanks much for this recipe. My day was just great and part of it was my “Bananas Foster Oatmeal” breakfast.
I highly recommend to everyone to try it. I love bananas but in this topping they indescribable. Taste so good!!!
I couldn’t stopped myself eating it.
Thanks again
PS I love your website
olgak7
Thanks, Nina! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed it. I really like oatmeal with the caramelized bananas. Sometimes, I make these bananas to serve with ice cream for dessert.
Linchara
This is amazing. I ate it for breakfast and lunch and finished it off as a late afternoon snack. Hubby and kids enjoyed it as well!!!
olgak7
Linchara, thanks so much for your compliment. I am thrilled that you enjoyed the oatmeal.
Alex
I sit here astonished. Oatmeal is a food I knew was good for me and ate because of that, but loathed. After making this recipe, oatmeal has been transformed into something I now desire.
I deviated from your recipe just a bit, though: I added two heaping teaspoons of raw cane sugar, half of a sliced overripe banana to the simmering liquid, and honey to dress it up at the end. I’m tepid about leaving remarks, but I pushed myself this time because I really must let you know how satisfied I am with the result. I’ve made your cabbage rolls, baked whitefish, chicken and potato casserole, and tomato salad and have loved all of them. This oatmeal recipe, though, has actually changed my opinion about the food itself.
Anyway, Ms. Olga, I love your blog, your recipes, you and your family. You have a captivating story to tell and I look forward to further reading. Be blessed!
olgak7
Thanks for taking the time to write, Alex.
I am so happy that you enjoyed this recipe.
Here are a few other oatmeal additions I like to use:
– apples, raisins with cinnamon and brown sugar
– pears and walnuts
– fresh or frozen berries
– dry fruit, like apricots, raisins, craisins, etc.
– peaches, vanilla and honey
– almonds, pears, mango, peaches, with vanilla, maple syrup, coconut flakes
– raisins, coconut creme, coconut flakes, almonds
Alex
Yum, yum, and definitely more yum. I’m still on training wheels with the oatmeal, ha ha. I’ll gain more confidence eventually and give all of those varieties a try; they’re all ingredients I like.
Julia
Hey Olga!! I am so obsessed with your website! I have baked and made literally every single thing that you have posted on your Sweets section!! I am actually 12 turning 13, but I love baking. I made my own Banana Foster Oatmeal by making oatmeal the way that you make it, add about 2 tsp. of brown sugar and 1/2 a banana. I just let the Brown Sugar melt and Caramelize the bananas for about a minute. I mix it and it is just so good. And very easy! Know that I eat my own version of Banana Oatmeal, its hard to switch back! Please keep posting! I love your recipes! Blessing!!!! 🙂
olgak7
That’s wonderful, Julia! I am so happy to hear from such a young cook. Good for you!
LEZ
We love oatmeal in our home, always make it with milk only…
When youre rushed for time, heat milk in the microwave first, until very hot, (i make 3:1 proportions milk to oats)boil in saucepan and add quick oats and some sea salt and sugar. Theb we top with just fresh bananas or walnuts or frozen peaches, it cools it nicely to eat fast. And healthier with less cooking!