Banana Steel Cut Oats (gluten-free, sugar-free, vegan)

Super creamy and naturally sweet, these Banana Steel Cut Oats are a tasty powerhouse breakfast that’ll keep you full and fulfill your cravings for sweets in the AM!

Do you like to eat something sweet for breakfast?

Oh good, I just knew we would be friends! 😉

I love sweet breakfasts. It can be a fruity sweet or chocolate sweet, however it’s sweet doesn’t really matter, I just love a sweet breakfast.

I like savory breakfast too… but as a “breakfast for dinner” type of meal (a huge favorite in our house!).

BUT, of course it’s the age-old “I wanna eat healthy but I love sweets for breakfast” type of deal here. Which, is a big reason why I love baking for myself. I can make recipes healthier but still keep them sweet.

These Banana Steel Cut Oats are a perfect example of that. Steel Cut Oats are a super healthy breakfast, but you know how you make them better?

You make them sweet, of course! I love my Chocolate Steel Cut Oats, but these Banana Steel Cut Oats are even better I think. Which, I really can’t believe I’m typing that.

Super creamy, naturally sweet, with good-for-you steel cut oats and mashed banana, this high fiber and protein filled healthy breakfast is one to make over and over again.

So, how do you make steel cut oats?

I actually recommend following the directions on the back of your package of oats, for plain steel cut oats made on your stovetop. Typically you’ll bring your water (3 cups) to a boil, add your steel cut oats (1 cup), and then simmer them on a low-medium heat for about 15-20 minutes (stirring occasionally).

But, to jack them up a bit and make them extra creamy, you’ll want to cook your oats in water AND milk, and in this particular recipe add in mashed banana too!

So you’ll bring your water and milk to a boil and add in your steel cut oats and mashed banana. Reduce your heat to medium low and cook the oats for 20-25 minutes (stirring occasionally), or till they’re cooked through, nice and creamy, and the liquids have reduced.

When you first add all your ingredients together in your pan the oats might look overwhelmed by the liquids and mashed banana. Fear not, keep cooking, and you’ll get them to just the right consistency!

There are a few things to make note of here…

Be sure to use certified gluten-free steel cut oats, if you need them to be gluten-free. Either way, for this recipe to work you MUST use steel cut oats, not quick or rolled oats.

I love this recipe because not only is it gluten-free but it’s also dairy-free, vegan, and naturally sweetened with banana (sugar-free!). If you prefer, you can add a little maple syrup into your oats after they cook (a few tablespoons). But, I think the banana gives them enough sweetness themselves.

But that’s IF you use super ripe bananas. Be sure to wait till they’re nice and dark yellow with big brown spots. The more ripe the bananas, the sweeter your oats will be.

Oh, and how do these reheat? Are they a good make ahead breakfast? Absolutely. They make a great breakfast meal prep! But – the morning after you make these you’ll take them out of your fridge and see a weird block of steel cut oats and think I’m crazy.

So what’s the best way to reheat them? Scoop out your desired amount and lightly microwave them, just enough to get them warm (15-20 seconds). Add in a big splash of milk and stir the milk into the oats to get them to the right consistency again. Then microwave them again till they’re hot enough.

And DO NOT forget toppings! The options are seriously endless.

My personal favorites: chopped walnuts, a scoop of peanut butter (or any other nut butter), dark chocolate chips, and/or shredded coconut.

However you top them, I hope you enjoy these super Banana Steel Cut Oats and fall in love with how easy this healthy breakfast is to make!

Other healthy breakfasts I think you should check out: gluten-free Carrot Coconut Oat Muffins, Peanut Butter Steel Cut Oats, and Chocolate Banana Breakfast Cookies.