This guide for how to make oatmeal and oats nutrition overview will have you craving a healthy oatmeal recipe! My collection of creative oatmeal recipes, mix-in ideas, and toppings will inspire you to create a bowl of creamy whipped banana oatmeal for breakfast.
Some people call me the Queen Of Oatmeal
Back in 2008, when this blog was very young, I discovered how much I loved the “stick to your ribs” satisfaction that a bowl of oatmeal gave me for breakfast. I always make my oats with two key ingredients: milk (for protein) and banana (for natural sweetness). And I always go crazy with toppings!
How To Make Oatmeal
How much oats to water is ideal?
I really like 1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup water, 1/3 cup milk ratios. The milk adds extra creaminess and protein, and splitting the liquid with water seems to give the oats more of a chance to steam. I find that milk only cooks a little too fast! But all milk certainly works too. I like to add my oats, milk and water all at the beginning and put the heat on medium until the oats are creamy and thick. Other people boil water first and then add oats, which doesn’t get them enough time or agitation to release that creamy starch inside!
I’ve been known to get a little crazy with the ingredients in my oatmeal recipes and the toppings I use to finish each dish. From pumpkin oatmeal to crumbled bars and muffins to savory oats – you’ll find them all below!
Favorite Toppings
- Granola
- Nut butter
- Fresh fruit
- Dried fruit
- Coconut flakes
- Chia seeds
- Cereal
- Muffin
- PB&J
- Crumbled anything
- Crunchy anything
Favorite Stir-in Ingredients
- Banana slices (to whip!)
- Chia seeds for thickness
- Pumpkin
- Cottage cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Fruit of all kinds (dried like raisins or fresh like chopped pear)
Is oatmeal good for you?
YES!! Oats are a whole grain and a great source of complex carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. The soluble fiber from oatmeal, as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, may help reduce the risk of heart disease. Beta-glucans are one form of that soluble fiber that helps lower blood cholesterol. Here are more benefits of eating oats.
Are oats gluten free?
Oats are gluten free by nature. However, there is a high risk of cross contamination during processing, so unless a brand labels them as gluten free, do not assume they are. More and more labeled gluten free oats are popping up these days, so it’s easier to find a trusted brand.
Are all types of oats the same?
Nutritionally, yes. But in cooking method they vary quite a bit. I prefer old fashioned rolled oats for their cross between texture and quick cooking time. All of the different oats varieties have the same nutrition but the surface area and cooking time is what varies.
- Steel cut oats = cut only
- Quick steel cut oats = cut and steamed
- Old fashioned rolled oats = cut and rolled
- Quick oats = cut, rolled, and steamed
Classic Whipped Banana Oatmeal Recipe
This is the recipe I made famous back in 2008. The banana infuses the bowl with natural sweetness and makes the oats incredibly creamy! This recipe serves one but you can easily double or triple and reheat all week too! Just add a splash of milk when you do.
Whipped Banana Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/3 cup milk of your choice
- 2/3 cup water I like my oats a bit liquidy - cut back to 1/2 a cup if you don't
- 1/2 banana very thinly sliced
- 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
- Pinch of kosher salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract stirred in at end
Instructions
- Start by combining rolled oats, water, and milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Slice a banana into VERY thin pieces, leaving just a few bigger chunks.
- Walk away for a few minutes while the oatmeal heats.
- Once it begins to steam or bubble, stir vigorously at times to “whip” the banana into the oats. The oats will take about 5 minutes on medium heat from start to finish to fully absorb the liquid. They’re done when they reach your desired consistency!
- Stir in vanilla (and often pumpkin or cottage cheese) and pour into your bowl.
- Add any toppings you like, such as almond or peanut butter dollops, nuts, granola, coconut, crumbled granola bars, or trail mix – with dark chocolate chips! Or check out all the combos listed below.
Kath Video on How To Make Oatmeal
Oatmeal Recipe Variations
All About Overnight Oats
Smoothie Bowls aka Smoothie In A Bowl
More Healthy Oatmeal Posts
- Tour of Quaker’s Milling Facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
- Chai Spiced Instant Pot Oatmeal
- Quick and Easy Oat Breakfasts
- Baked Banana Oatmeal
- Oatmeal Pancake Recipe
- Can you grow oats at home?
- Overnight Oats Banana Split
Kath’s Creative Oatmeal Recipes!
- Pumpkin Pumpkin Seed
- Cornbread + Almond Butter
- Peanut Butterscotch Toffee Crunch
- Hot + Toasty Walnuts
- Blackberry Graham Cottage Cheese Oats
- S’mores!!
- Eggy Oats
- Cacao Coconut Butter
- GREEN – blended with spinach
- Apple Cinnamon Raisin muffin top
- Cottage Cheese + Chia Seeds
- Cacao nibs
- With butternut squash puree
- Tiramisu on top!
- With Bourbon Pecans
- Butterscotch Toffee Pumpkin Oats
- Peppermint Egg Nog
- In an almost-empty nut butter jar
- Oats in a hazelnut jar
- Summer Dream Morning
- Bread Pudding Oats
- Blackberry Bran Muffin
- Butternut Squash
- Butterscotch Brandy Oats
- Savory Prosciutto Oats
- Tropical Carrot Cake
- Pumpkin Snail Design
- Chocolate Pumpkin
- Butterscotch Chips
- Pumpkin Love
- Bourbon Balls!
- All About Almonds
Photo Gallery of Oatmeal Bowls
