So I burnt my tongue eating one too many Sour Patch Kids on Sunday. I know.
I’m not even sure how it happened – I don’t feel like I had that many – but Monday morning I woke up, drank a cup of water, stuck my tongue out to examine it (don’t you?) and was horrified to spy two bright red streaks running down the center. Salt & Vinegar Chip lovers, I bet you feel me, right? Surely I can’t be the only one in this sinking, shame-ridden boat!
Anyway, since then I’ve been pampering my mouth with cold water, cool yogurt, and creamy Blueberry Banana-Nut Oatmeal. Easy on the tongue AND the taste buds!
Seriously though, I’ve been looking to incorporate more wholesome breakfast dishes into my diet lately, and thought it might be time to bring oatmeal back into my life. Back in the day, 3 or 4 years ago, I used to eat oatmeal every single morning for breakfast. Full of heart-healthy oats, and vitamin-rich fruit and berries, there’s no denying that oatmeal is an awesome way to start the day. It doesn’t have to have the texture of paste, either, which I know some of you are thinking.
This particular combo of blueberries, bananas, and nuts is particularly lovely (and totally ripped off from McDonalds,) as all the ingredients are metabolism-boosting and full of fiber and antioxidants. Plus I think blueberries might be my favorite oatmeal topper ever. They way they get kind of warm and bursty when sprinkled over the hot oatmeal is just divine. They, along with a banana, help to naturally sweeten the oatmeal too, so you can cut down on added sugar.
Today I’m going to show you how to make this oatmeal on the stove top. The whole cooking process takes about 6 minutes, which I think is definitely doable in the mornings, especially if you pre-measure your ingredients the night before to make putting the recipe together go even faster. You could make the oatmeal in the microwave to shave a few more minutes off the cooking time, but I just love the thick and creamy texture stirring it in a saucepan gives ya’. Mmm!
Start the Blueberry Banana-Nut Oatmeal by adding 1/2 cup certified gluten-free old fashioned oats into a saucepan. Steel cut oats, which are essentially chopped whole oats, are my favorite type, but when time is of the essence I turn to old fashioned oats, which are flattened oats. (Quick cooking oats are just chopped up old fashioned oats, and are a little too texture-less for me, read: gummy gruel.) I’ll stop saying oats now.
Next add 1/2 cup each water and milk. I used unsweetened vanilla almond breeze, but use whatever you’ve got in the fridge. You could also use all water in this recipe, but I like the creaminess milk brings to the table. Filling protein too, if you’re using cow’s milk.
Finally, thinly slice 1/2 small banana into the saucepan and turn the heat to medium. Stir to combine then cook until the mixture begins to bubble.
When the oatmeal is bubbling, stir, breaking up the banana, until the oats have absorbed most of the liquid and are cooked and creamy, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat then stir in 1 Tablespoon brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. You could get away with using less sugar if your banana is super ripe!
Pour the oatmeal into a bowl then slice the remaining banana half on top, and sprinkle with 1/4 cup fresh blueberries and 1 Tablespoon chopped nuts. I used walnuts but just use what you’ve got. Dig in and enjoy!
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
Blueberry Banana-Nut Oatmeal
Description
Blueberry Banana-Nut Oatmeal is easy, gluten-free, and full of fiber and antioxidants. Ready in just 6 minutes, it's the perfect breakfast recipe to begin your day with.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup certified gluten-free old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond breeze)
- 1 small banana
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 Tablespoon gluten-free chopped walnuts
Directions
- Add oats, water, milk, and 1/2 the banana thinly sliced into a saucepan then turn heat to medium. Cook until oats begin to bubble then stir until oats are cooked and creamy, about 3 minutes. Remove pan from heat then stir in brown sugar and vanilla. Pour into a bowl then top with remaining 1/2 sliced banana, blueberries, and walnuts.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
I sort of feel like I’m on a commercial when devouring a steamy bowl of homemade, lightly-sweetened oatmeal in the morning (minus the tongue burns, of course.) It truly is the best way to start your day, and really – how quick and easy was it to make? Let me know if you give this combo a try!
I actually look forward to waking up because of oatmeal. Love your combination. And there are so many. In the winter, I take frozen strawberries and blueberries and microwave them until warm and a bit syrupy and then put the oatmeal on top and cover with milk and nuts. Or I’ve carmelized diced bananas with a bit of butter and brown sugar for a topping. And kids (or husbands for that matter) will have no idea if you sneak in a bit of flax seed, oat bran and/or almond meal as it boils. Thanks!
Sour Patch Kids take me back to watching movies in theatres when I was younger!
I love oats and they’ve been my typical breakfast for the past couple of years. So good! Steel cut are my favorite as well – so I can have them during the week, I soak them over night so it doesn’t take as long to cook them in the morning. If I’m doing 1/2 cup oats, I’ll soak them in a 1/2 cup of water in the fridge over night and then cook them in another 1/2 cup of water in the morning. Works great and they’re done in a few minutes!
Steel cut oats are doable in the morning if you soak them overnight. Cuts the cooking time by 1/2! Give it a try. Also love April Bloomfields version combining the 2 types of oats into a porridge on http://www.food52.com.
Sometimes I like to quickly toast my oats in the pan before I add my liquid. It makes it taste nutty.
What a great idea! I would love that toasty-nutty flavor, but would never have thought to do that.
Also, guilty on the salt & vinegar potato chips tongue burn – ouch!
your pictures are extra clear – like the bowl of oatmeal is in front of me……did you get a new camera or new setting…love it!!
I’m so happy to see a breakfast recipe! That was my very favorite part of your blog when I started reading about 3 years ago. I still make overnight oats a few times a week.
This Oatmeal sound perfect! Healthy, BUT good!! Awesome breakfast!
I love this recipe just because of how “do-able” it is! Normally, I see all these complex breakfast recipes that sound amazing, but are just too complicated for me to make in a hurry during the week. This is simple and looks delicious!
You turned me on to old fashioned oats a couple years ago and I’ve never looked back. In fact, I probably have a couple boxes of instant oats gathering dust in the back of the pantry somewhere. Banana blueberry is one of my favorite combos!
I’ve had the burnt tongue problem more times than I care to admit, once from hint of lime Tostitos. SHAME!
this is how I cook my oatmeal and love it! instead of the walnuts, I add almonds and pretty much lick my bowl clean :)
Your pictures are so pretty! Blueberry banana oatmeal is my favorite. I like to stir in half of a mashed banana and then top it with slices after it’s cooked. It’s also very yummy with spoonful of nutbutter!
Love this! I’ve been adding unsweetened coconut flakes and a sprinkle of cinnamon to replace the sugar in my daily bowl of oatmeal. Such a filling and healthy start to the day!
But I must admit, it doesn’t look as pretty ask your beautiful pictures :)
The oatmeal looks amazing, I can’t wait to try it!! If it makes you feel better, I burnt my tongue by eating an ENTIRE pineapple over the course of 12 hours. I’ve also been on a sour patch kids kick, as well! #preggoproblems
I used to eat a very similar version to this every morning my freshman year of college, but instead of brown sugar I used honey (had to use what was offered in the dining hall) I have not had oatmeal for a while and I think that you just inspired me to start the habit up again.
i’m pretty sure sour patch kids and salt & vinegar chips are my two favorite food groups.
I am nuts for oatmeal!! It’s been my breakfast of choice for the last 2 years. I basically make your blueberry banana version, but I fill mason jars on Sunday with the ingredients, store them in the frig, and heat for 2 minutes each morning before work. So tasty!!
I too love how hot blueberries burst in your mouth! :)
Love this! Thanks for the tip!
I love a nice comforting bowl of oatmeal but man, it’s been awhile since I enjoyed a bowl. I’m all about a little peanut butter to sweeten instead of added sugar. :)
I’m sorry about your tongue! This oatmeal looks amazing. I especially like how some of the banana cooks with the oats. I’ll have to try this soon!
I actually do the same thing with sour patch kids or my beloved sour watermelon/sour cherries. I love them dearly but they don’t show their love for me!
Btw, I love this recipe. I might even add a little cinnamon sugar on top. :)