A healthier version of bananas foster to serve on top of a warm bowl of oatmeal. Delicious, comforting and free of gluten, dairy, and refined sugar
Oatmeal is a breakfast staple in our house because it’s quick, filling, and comforting. However, we rarely eat it plain. Whether it’s topped with fruit and nuts or peanut butter and jelly, we like to keep this otherwise boring breakfast a little more exciting by trying new flavor combos.
My daughter loves to cook and made this new variation for breakfast one morning using caramelized bananas. Oh. em. gee, people. It was amazing. I’m a fan of caramelized anything, but bananas are one of my faves!
We use coconut sugar to make the caramel for these bananas and I add a bit of maple syrup or coconut milk to the sauce to make it more creamy and “saucy.” Otherwise the sugar gels to the bananas, and while it’s still delicious, doesn’t leave a lot of sauce to drizzle over the oatmeal.
I also don’t like to cook my bananas too much or they just fall apart. That’s why it’s important to let the sauce thicken up a bit first before adding the bananas. Feel free to try another fruit also! Change it up by using peaches, peeled apples, or pears. Most any fruit would be delicious in a caramel sauce, am I right?
Try this easy oatmeal variation the next time you have a few just ripe bananas in your fruit bowl. The bananas foster is also a wonderful topping for ice cream, pancakes, french toast, or crepes! Feel free to get creative and please let me know if you try this by leaving a comment below or tagging #wifemamafoodie on your Instagram photos. I love to see what you’re cooking up! Enjoy your weekend, friends!
- 1.5 cups milk (I use almond milk)
- 1.5 cups water
- 1.5 cups rolled/old-fashioned oats (Use Gluten Free Oats
, if needed)
- pinch of salt, optional
- 1.5 tablespoons butter (I've used both organic grass-fed and dairy-free butter)
- ¼ cup Coconut Sugar
(brown sugar can also be used)
- 1-2 tablespoons Pure Maple Syrup
or Coconut Milk
(Makes the sauce creamy. Can use ½-1 tablespoon almond milk instead)
- ½ teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
- pinch of cinnamon
- pinch of salt
- 2 large (or 3 medium) ripe, but firm, bananas cut into ½-inch slices
- ¼ cup lightly toasted Pecans
or Walnuts
, optional
- Combine the milk, water, oats, and pinch of salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a low boil over medium-high heat on the stove. Reduce the heat and continue to cook until the liquid is absorbed and oats are tender. This makes chunkier oatmeal, so add a bit more liquid if you want it to be less thick.
- Melt butter and coconut sugar in a large skillet over medium heat on the stove, stirring occasionally. Add the syrup or milk, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla extract and stir to combine. Cook for 30-60 seconds over medium heat until the sauce has slightly thickened and is bubbly. Add banana slices in a single layer across the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until bananas are cooked to your liking and caramel sauce has thickened. I've also placed my oven-safe skillet under the broiler for a minute or two to caramelize the bananas even more, but this is not necessary.
- Divide oatmeal into 2 bowls and top each with the bananas and syrup. Serve immediately.
You may also enjoy these delicious recipes:
Salted Caramel Banana Upside Down Cake
Berry Breakfast Crisp
Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats
This looks incredibly delish, Joscelyn. What a great idea! I love banana foster and love this fun twist of adding oatmeal. Beautiful share my friend! Have a great week ahead! 🙂
Yummy Cant wait to try it!
I love banana foster! What a great idea to use the same flavors in an oatmeal!
Oh WOW. I’ve never tried caramelizing fruit before, esp. bananas! Annnd I love your dark and stormy style pics 🙂 I’m still learning how to use my DSLR!
My hubby and daughter avoid eating oats, maybe because I make a simple version of oats.
I just loved the topping of banana and syrup in it, so I guess they too would love this recipe. Thanks for giving such wonderful idea of making the oats recipe more interesting. 🙂
I can never get Travis to eat oatmeal, and I love it for a quick breakfast, but I think this might do the trick! His favorite dessert is bananas Foster, so I know he’ll want to try it!
I can’t believe your daughter came up with this recipe, she’s a mini you!
Oh, and I meant to ask you. I picked up coconut sugar the other day, but I noticed when I got home that it said coconut palm sugar. Is it the same thing?
This recipe is the bomb!! Sooooo good!! Thanks for posting it! BTW all your recipes and photos are mouthwatering 🙂
Thank you! Your encouragement is much appreciated. I try to capture the taste with each picture. Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment 🙂
I have to say, this looks delicious — and I’m actually not a big fan of bananas in anything! I usually like my bananas just as their own snack. But your photos make this look GORGEOUS. Thanks for sharing this idea!
This looks absolutely delicious! Going to have to make this for breakfast VERY soon.
Aw, thanks, Isabel! Let me know how you like it!
Seriously, who wouldn’t want a banana oatmeal? Yum!
I know, right?! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Wowee, all your recipes look delicious. I love cozy oatmeal on cold mornings 🙂
Yeah me too, Dylan. I agree, I love oatmeal on chilly mornings. It’s a great comfort food. Thank you for your kind words!
Omg shut up! This looks so amazing!!!! I am going to the store lol. I really love oatmeal and bananas foster, but them together looks FAB! Your pics are stunning, great blog 🙂
Danielle | AccordingtoD.com
Hey thanks Danielle! I appreciate the encouragement. Please let me know if you got a chance to try it out!
Yummmm!
Aw, thanks, Jessica!
Yum! I love banana’s foster and I bet this is delicious!
Hi, Brittany! My family loved this, we ate it up! I hope you get a chance to try it out!
Oooookay trying this tomorrow. This looks too good! Caramelizing anything makes me happy, but I have yet to attempt bananas. This sounds like a perfect oatmeal topping!
Ahh! I’ve been looking for a recipe to perfect my caramelized banana game! This is perfect. Also, love finding out about your blog – love connecting with fellow foodies!
Lisa Favre
http://marblecrumbs.com
Thanks, Lisa! I enjoyed finding out about your blog as well! I hope you have a wonderful week!
This looks amazing!
Thank you, Allyson! We love our oats!! ❤️
It looks soooo delicious. We eat oatmeal lots too but never like this. Yum. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks, Kimberly! We love oats too, especially with yummy toppings 🙂 Hope you’re doing well my friend!
This looks so absolutely amazing! can;t wait to make it
Thank so much, Jenna! I hope you like it!
This looks fantastic!! Such a fun alternative to my usual cinnamon, brown sugar, and raisins. Also your photography is gorgeous. I’m definitely going to follow so I can keep up with your yummy posts 🙂
Thanks, Lauren! I appreciate your kind comments!
This looks so good! We love oatmeal at our house too. My daughter would especially love this!
Hi, Sheena! It sounds like our daughters would be good friends!
This looks amazing! I love anything with bananas! Now I’m going to have to check out more of your recipes!
Yes, my family loves anything with bananas in it! I hope you find some recipes you really enjoy!
This looks incredible! I feel like it would be perfect to make for my boyfriend’s birthday for a special weekend breakfast! Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you, Kiara! I hope you and your boyfriend really love this recipe as we have. Thanks for stopping by!