Banana Protein Oatmeal

This Banana Protein Oatmeal recipe is packed with all the stuff you love and none of the stuff you don’t. It’s naturally gluten-free and made with no added sugars, so you can enjoy a delicious, satisfying, and nutritious breakfast.

When it comes to breakfast recipes, I try to stick to meals that hit the trifecta: healthy, delicious, and quick. More often than not, this means oatmeal. I have made tons of oatmeal variations over the years and used my hungry family as taste testers.

From baked oatmeal and oatmeal smoothies to overnight oats and oatmeal muffins, I have yet to try an oatmeal recipe I didn’t like. There are so many ways to enjoy this healthy grain that it never gets boring.

If you love oatmeal as much as I do, I know you’ll love this ultra-satisfying Banana Protein Oatmeal. It’s quick, healthy, easy to make, and beyond delicious. Not to mention, it’s loaded with protein and nutrients to get your day off to a great start.

Add your favorite toppings like fresh fruit, chocolate chips, or nut butter, and enjoy!

Key Ingredients

To make this healthy breakfast recipe, you will need the following key ingredients:

• Rolled oats: Naturally gluten-free and packed with fiber, oats are one of the healthiest grains in the world. They are the ultimate breakfast staple! Quick-cooking rolled oats or quick-cooking steel-cut oats also work. 
• Banana: The riper the banana, the sweeter the oatmeal will be. I like to use my bananas when they’ve started to brown because I know they’ll be super sweet.
• Egg: This adds a protein boost and makes our oatmeal extra fluffy. Swap in just egg whites if you prefer.
• Almond milk: You can use any milk of your choice, but I typically opt for unsweetened almond milk for my oatmeal. Use a little more milk for creamier oats.
• Chia seeds: Chia seeds are loaded with fiber and beneficial nutrients, and they help absorb the liquid in the oatmeal, making it nice and thick.

Banana Protein Oatmeal Recipe Tips

Here are some of my top tips and tricks to help you make this recipe:

• For an extra boost of protein, try adding a dollop of nut butter or a scoop of vanilla protein powder. Remember that if you add protein powder, you may need to add more almond milk as well.
• Not a fan of almond milk? You can use any milk you like. Oat, cashew, soy, and regular dairy milk will all work great.
• For a vegan-friendly version, you can leave out the egg. Note that this will reduce the protein intake and slightly alter the texture of the oatmeal.
• Major chocolate lover? Try adding a teaspoon of cocoa powder or mixing a tablespoon of chocolate chips into the oatmeal while it’s hot.
• If you prefer your oatmeal on the sweeter side, add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup before serving it.

Best Oatmeal Topping Ideas

One of the best things about oats is how insanely versatile they are. You can use them to make oatmeal, muffins, granola bars, baked oats, and smoothies. You can also top them in about a million different ways, depending on what flavors you like and what you have at home.

I love a simple bowl of oatmeal with some fresh fruit and nut butter, but I also love getting creative occasionally. If you’re unsure of what to top oatmeal with, here are some of my favorite oatmeal topping ideas to choose from:

• Fresh fruit (bananas, berries, peaches, cherries, etc.)
• Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.)
• Chocolate chips
• Nut butter (peanut, almond, cashew)
• Seeds (chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds)
• Shredded coconut
• Dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots)
• Sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave)
• Spices (vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg)

How to Add Protein to Oatmeal

In this recipe, an egg provides a nice protein boost. If you’d like an even more intense protein blast, try adding some high-protein options.

• Nuts or nut butter
• Greek yogurt
• Protein powder
• Chia seeds
• Flax seeds
• Egg whites
• Cottage cheese
• Blended or silken tofu
• Protein-enriched milk
• Hemp hearts
• Dessert hummus 

How to Store Cooked Oatmeal

If you’re looking for a delicious and healthy meal prep recipe, this Banana Protein Oatmeal makes a fantastic choice. It’s super easy to make and can be stored in the fridge in jars to enjoy as an on-the-go breakfast throughout the week.

If possible, I recommend storing leftover oatmeal in glass jars, but any airtight storage containers will work. Once properly contained, you can store oatmeal in one of two ways:

• In the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
• In the freezer for up to 3-4 months.