Description
This Cozy Peanut Butter Oatmeal recipe offers a warm, comforting breakfast option featuring toasted rolled oats simmered with cinnamon and kosher salt, enhanced with creamy peanut butter and optional sweet mashed bananas. It’s customizable with various milk choices and toppings to suit your taste and dietary preferences.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 tablespoon butter or coconut oil
- 2 cups Old Fashioned rolled oats (do not use instant oats or steel cut oats)
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk, oat milk, or almond milk (or additional water)
Sweet Variation
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed (optional)
Toppings
- 2 to 3 tablespoons peanut butter
- Optional toppings: small drizzle of honey or maple syrup, berry jam, fresh fruit, etc.
Instructions
- Melt the Fat: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter or coconut oil until fully melted and slightly bubbling to provide a flavorful fat base for toasting the oats.
- Toast the Oats: Add the rolled oats to the saucepan and toast them for about 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until they become fragrant and slightly golden; this step enhances their flavor and texture.
- Add Spices: Sprinkle in the kosher salt and cinnamon, stirring to combine, allowing the spices to toast briefly with the oats for an enhanced aroma.
- Add Liquids & Banana: Reduce the heat to low and carefully pour in the water and your choice of milk (or additional water if dairy-free), stirring as you pour. If you prefer a sweeter oatmeal, stir in the mashed ripe bananas at this stage.
- Cook the Oatmeal: Cover the saucepan and let the oats simmer on low heat for about 5 minutes until tender but still chewy; the mixture should thicken without becoming soggy.
- Adjust Texture: Remove the saucepan from heat. For creamier oatmeal, stir in an additional 1/2 cup of milk until fully incorporated; otherwise, leave as is for chunkier oatmeal.
- Add Toppings & Serve: Spoon the oatmeal into bowls and top each serving with 2 to 3 tablespoons of peanut butter along with any additional desired toppings such as honey, maple syrup, berry jam, or fresh fruit. Serve immediately and enjoy your cozy breakfast!
Notes
- Do not use instant oats or steel cut oats to maintain the desired texture and cooking time.
- To make the recipe dairy-free, substitute milk with oat milk, almond milk, or additional water.
- Adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of mashed bananas or adding a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
- To enhance nuttiness, toast the oats gently but avoid burning them.
- For a creamier consistency, add extra milk after cooking as suggested.
- Customize toppings according to seasonal fruits or personal preference.
