Oatmeal doesn’t have to be boring! This Strawberry Banana Oatmeal is ready in 5 minutes and sure to brighten up your otherwise average weekday morning!
(This recipe for Strawberry Banana Oatmeal was originally posted in June 2009, but was updated with new photos in 2019).
Oatmeal is so boring, right?? But it doesn’t have to be! I promise! Not only is oatmeal one of the easiest breakfasts to throw together, it’s also one of the healthiest. And you can make it even more delicious with just a few super quick and simple fixes. Namely, some fruit. OK, and some brown sugar, too.
As you may already know, I love my oatmeal. A lot. And you know when you have total brand loyalty to a product? That’s how I am with Quaker. I cannot bear buying oats that aren’t Quaker Oats. I’m sure it has something to do with my childhood. When I was at the grocery store last night, I was disappointed they only had super huge containers of it. Then I thought about it and realized I had no problem getting 2 lbs. of Quaker Oats because I’m obviously going to eat them all. Starting with this very easy oatmeal breakfast.
STRAWBERRY BANANA OATMEAL RECIPE
OK, so I realize this recipe is barely a recipe. Most of us know how to put together a bowl of oatmeal and adding fruit to it is not rocket science. But I kind of feel like this post is a bit of a public service announcement. Attention friends: oatmeal is easy and strawberry banana oatmeal is ridiculously delicious with almost no work involved. Stop calling oatmeal boring and start waking up to this delicious and totally satisfying breakfast that will get you straight through to lunchtime.
Strawberry banana is basically my favorite flavor combination ever and though I might prefer a strawberry banana daiquiri, I feel like those are looked down on in the morning. So for now, I’m sticking with strawberry banana oatmeal.
My oatmeal making secret? The microwave is your friend. Especially when you’re making oatmeal for one. I simply mix my old-fashioned oats and water in a small bowl and put them in the microwave for about 1 minute and 40 seconds.
When you first take it out of the microwave, it may still look a little watery, but don’t worry, it will thicken up very quickly. Now for the rest of the “recipe”… Simply stir in a little brown sugar and some strawberry and banana slices. Then top the oatmeal with more strawberries and bananas.
Obviously it’s easy for you to control the sweetness of this oatmeal. If you don’t like starting your day with added sugar, you don’t have to add it at all. And if you need a lot of added sugar to make oatmeal appealing to you, feel free to add more. Sprinkling some on top is fun, too. You can also sprinkle cinnamon on top for some extra oomph.
And add in as much fruit as you want. The key is really stirring in chopped fruit while the oatmeal is hot… It kind of infuses the strawberry banana flavor throughout the oatmeal and tastes so much better than simply adding it on top!
I paired my strawberry banana oatmeal with a cup of black coffee- the only way I like my coffee and the perfect way to wake up. Also, since I don’t add sugar to my coffee, I figure that gives me a little more leeway with adding sugar to my oatmeal. Right? Right??? That’s what I thought.
This is the perfect breakfast, but to be honest, I enjoy oatmeal any time of the day. And even for dessert. And this is one oatmeal I make over and over again, especially when strawberries are in season. Now, if only the rain would stop, this would be the perfect Friday!
What’s in your perfect oatmeal?
If you love oatmeal as much as I do, check out my recipe for Creme Brûlée Oatmeal. Also? My dog loves oatmeal as much as I do and is obsessed with this Berry Egg Oatmeal for Dogs. Lastly, I can’t wait to try this Sweet Potato Oatmeal from Dine Like Shay!
Strawberry Banana Oatmeal
Oatmeal doesn't have to be boring! This Strawberry Banana Oatmeal is ready in 5 minutes and sure to brighten up your otherwise average weekday morning!
Prep Time5 mins
Cook Time2 mins
Total Time7 mins
Servings: 1 serving
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp light brown sugar
- 4 strawberries, sliced
- 1/2 small banana
Instructions
- Add old-fashioned oats and water to a small bowl and place in the microwave for 1 minute and 40 seconds. Remove from microwave and stir.
- Stir in the brown sugar, half the strawberries, and half the bananas. Top with remaining strawberries and bananas. You can also top with more brown sugar if you want!
Want!
Today's Atlantic food Channel is also talking about Irish oatmeal today.
http://food.theatlantic.com/behind-the-counter/oatmeal.php
http://food.theatlantic.com/corbys-fresh-feeds/why-im-leaving-the-oatmeal-wilderness.php
I like McCann's Steel Cut Oats but I'm going to look for the Macroom's they are talking about.
Quaker Oats is always our cupboard. I did once buy the Costco Box of it. I think it was four of those big canisters. It lived here for a long time.
I like mine with a touch of honey or maple syrup.
Is there a better way to start your day? Wait, maybe some mimosas! :-p
Looks good! That's making me hungry now.
But I agree with Ben about the mimosas. It IS Friday.
Last night I had Quaker (ONLY Quaker!) oatmeal with a spoonful of dark chocolate Peanut Butter and Co peanut butter and a banana. Delicious!
i've been on a savory kick, stirring in some cheese and spinach, topping it all off with an egg and salsa!
Thanks. You gave me a good idea for my lunch. I have both strawberries and a banana that I need to use.
YUM!
My perfect oatmeal has cinnamon, brown sugar, and raisins!
What a great way to spice up breakfast! Bananas and strawberries are just so good together.
I guess I've never thought about it before, but I ALWAYS buy Quaker too. Always.
I am an oatmeal freak too!
Preferably steel cut oats. I know they take longer but if you boil them for a minute the night before and leave them covered all night, you can re-boil them the next morning… and in only 8-10 minutes they are ready! Much better than the 45 minute cook time they typically require.
This morning I got a little crazy ;P and put coconut flakes into my oatmeal while it was cooking…. so delicious!
Cinnamon and vanilla extract are requirements of oatmeal of course 🙂 But also…
Smashed up Banana…
Almond butter from Trader Joe’s is really good mixed in!
Or a hand full of walnuts smashed up…. With dried cranberries and fresh blueberries cooked into the oatmeal. The cranberries soften and the blueberries get all warm and melty… nothing better then warm blueberries popping in your mouth!
They have bags of Rolled Oats from specifically gluten free factories (Cross contamination typically occurs in other oats). Even if you are not gluten free, these oats are somehow more delicious than any other Rolled Oats I’ve tried. Much more body… chewier. I dont know but something..
I just realized I know waaayyy too much about oatmeal…