Peanut Butter Oatmeal
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Published Sep 17, 2024
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This peanut butter oatmeal comes together in 10 minutes with simple ingredients for a quick and easy breakfast! It’s creamy, delicious and will keep you full all morning long.
I’ve been making this peanut butter oatmeal for over 7 years (which is crazy to think about!) and it’s still my favorite oatmeal recipe to date!
You just can’t beat the peanut butter and banana combo. It’s sooo good and probably my favorite flavor combination if you couldn’t tell from all my pb + banana recipes on the site like this peanut butter banana baked oatmeal, peanut butter banana bites, peanut butter banana pudding and chocolate peanut butter banana bark.
The trick to making this bowl of oatmeal so voluminous and filling is using double the amount of liquid typically recommended. Most old fashioned oatmeal packages recommend a 1:2 ratio so 1/2 cup oats and 1 cup of water, but when I make oatmeal I do 1/2 cup oats and 1 1/2 – 2 cups of water (or non-dairy milk). The oats take a little bit longer to cook, but they easily soak up all the liquid resulting in a much larger portion.
With this recipe, the banana and chia seeds help too. The banana slices add sweetness, but they also soften and expand making the oats extra voluminous while the chia seeds pack in a ton of nutrition and make the oats fluffy and thick.
And let’s not forget the peanut butter topping! It may not add a ton of volume but it gives the oats a delicious nutty flavor and a boost of healthy fat and protein, which will help keep you full through a busy morning!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Naturally Sweetened – No need for added sugar! The banana slices provide plenty of sweetness to these oats.
- Nutritious – Between the oats, chia seeds and peanut butter, this bowl is loaded with fiber, healthy fats and protein.
- Customizable – Whether you prefer almond butter or want to throw in some extra toppings like berries or coconut flakes, this recipe is easy to make your own.
- Quick and Easy – This bowl of oats is made with just a handful of ingredients you probably already have in your pantry, and it comes together in about 10 minutes. Perfect for busy mornings!
Ingredients Needed
- rolled oats – old fashioned rolled oats are best for this recipe. If you have steel cut oats, try my recipe for steel cut oatmeal.
- banana – the banana slices melt into the oats giving them a fluffy texture and a subtle sweetness.
- cinnamon – I love adding cinnamon to my oats for a touch of warmth and sweetness without any sugar.
- chia seeds – a great source of omega-3s and fiber, chia seeds help thicken the oatmeal while adding a nutritional boost.
- water and/or milk – I like using a combo of water and milk (like almond milk) for some added creaminess, but you can use just water or just milk.
- peanut butter – I love the banana + peanut butter combo, but any nut or seed butter will work.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
Recipe Notes
- Make it peanut-free: Skip the peanut butter and use almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter or tahini instead.
- Looking for a different oatmeal flavor? Try this blueberry oatmeal, apple cinnamon oatmeal, cinnamon raisin oatmeal or banana bread oatmeal instead.
How to Make Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Step 1: Add oats, banana slices, chia seeds, cinnamon and sea salt to a pot. Add water and/or milk and stir to combine.
Step 2: Heat over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. You’ll know the oatmeal is done when all the liquid is absorbed and the oats are thick and fluffy.
Brittany’s Tip!
Be sure to stir the oats several times while cooking to make sure the banana slices melt into the oats and the chia seeds don’t clump!
Oatmeal Toppings
The ingredients for this recipe are simple and all work so well together! But there are many other toppings I can think of that will take this peanut butter oatmeal a level up. Here are some ideas to try out:
- Fresh Fruit: Top your oatmeal with fresh slices of banana, berries (like blueberries or strawberries), or even diced apples.
- Chopped Nuts: Add some crunch with chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans.
- Granola: Adding granola to oatmeal is one of my favorites! Try my homemade granola for that perfect crunch.
- Sweetener: I enjoy the sweetness from the banana alone, but a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, a sprinkle of brown sugar or even some chopped-up dates would be excellent ideas for those who have a bit of a sweet tooth.
- Chocolate: Peanut butter and chocolate are the perfect pair! Add in some chocolate chips, a chopped chocolate bar or some cacao nibs.
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover peanut butter oatmeal, you can easily store it in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Just transfer the cooled oatmeal into an airtight container.
When you’re ready to enjoy it again, simply reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of milk or water to bring back its creamy consistency. Give it a good stir, and it’ll be just as delicious as when you first made it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Definitely! Quick oats will work just fine, but keep in mind they cook faster and will have a softer texture compared to old-fashioned rolled oats. If using quick oats, reduce the cooking time to about 3-5 minutes.
Stir, stir, stir. Make sure you stir the oatmeal regularly while it’s cooking. The chia seeds start to absorb the liquid and stick more often to the sides so stirring often helps prevent this. If you find the oats are sticking, lower the heat slightly and add a bit more liquid to keep things moving smoothly.
Yes! To turn this recipe into overnight oats just use all the same ingredients but reduce the non-diary milk to 2 cups instead of 3 cups. Mix everything together, let the mixture sit in the fridge overnight and enjoy the next morning with your favorite toppings.
Popular Oatmeal Recipes
- Protein Oatmeal
- Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Easy Baked Oatmeal
- Maple Pecan Baked Oatmeal
- Banana Bread Oatmeal
- Easy Basic Overnight Oats
Be sure to check out all of the oatmeal recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 banana, sliced
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch sea salt
- 3 cups water, non-dairy milk or a blend of both
- 2 Tablespoons peanut butter
Instructions
- Add oats, banana slices, chia seeds, cinnamon and sea salt to a pot. Add water and/or milk and stir to combine.
- Heat over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Be sure to stir the oats several times while cooking to make sure the banana slices melt into the oats and the chia seeds don’t clump. You’ll know the oatmeal is done when all the liquid is absorbed and the oats are thick and fluffy.
- Portion oats into two bowls and serve with peanut butter, banana slices, and a sprinkle of chia seeds. Add a splash of non-dairy milk and/or maple syrup on top before serving, if desired.
Video
Notes
- Make it peanut-free: Skip the peanut butter and use almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter or tahini instead.
- Meal prep: I like making two servings so I can save one for the next day, but if you don’t like eating leftover oats and are only cooking for yourself, simply cut all ingredients in half. For reheating you can use the stovetop or microwave. Just add the portion you’re going to eat and a splash of water or milk and heat until warm. In the microwave it shouldn’t take more than 30 – 60 secs.
- Overnight oats: Turn this recipe into overnight oats by using all the same ingredients but reducing the non-diary milk to 2 cups instead of 3 cups. Mix everything together, let the mixture sit in the fridge overnight and enjoy the next morning with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Could you use PB2 instead of regular PB if watching calories?
Hi Claire – Yes, I think PB2 would work just fine as a substitute for regular peanut butter!
will quick oats work?
Hi Kelly! Regular rolled oats will work best for this recipe. Hope you enjoy!
Delicious! I used 1/3 cup of oats and 1 cup of skim milk and toasted the oats in the dry saucepan before adding all the other ingredients for more flavour. Don’t skip the salt! I added about an 1/8 of a tsp and it’s definitely the difference between bland and flavourful oatmeal. Love how the bananas melt into the oats and impart a lovely natural sweetness. Would love to try adding an egg white next time for a fluffier texture and a little more protein. Thank you for the recipe!
YUM! This sounds delicious, Aisha. I am so glad you gave this recipe a try and it turned out great for you. Thank you for taking the time to share your review + star rating, I appreciate it!
So i never eat oatmeal, i normally really dont like it and have always had bad experiences with it. Naturally ima grits gal, but this recipe is actually so good! I made it this morning for breakfast and i have to say this is the best i’ve had so far. Very good!
WOO! This makes me so happy to hear, Katelyn. I am so glad you gave this recipe a try and it turned out great for you. Thank you for your review + star rating, I really appreciate it!
This sounds great except for the banana. I do not like pb and banana. You make a lot of substitution suggestions for everything except that. Usually I sub oats for banana, but what should be used in place for this?
Hi Joseph – This recipe was created to be paired with banana and pb, but you could try to replace the banana with apple sauce or just omit the banana and top with some maple syrup for sweetness at the end. Let me know how it turns out for you.