I remember the first time I ate steel-cut oats. I was at a breakfast restaurant in Boston and they charged me $8.50 for a plain old bowl of oats. $8.50!! Needless to say, I don’t order oatmeal at restaurants anymore. But lucky for me they are super cheap and easy to make at home. These Banana Steel Cut Oats are my go-to when the first signs of winter hit and all I want to do is snuggle up with a warming bowl each morning.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
Warming winter breakfast option.A great way to use up that ripe banana sitting on the bench.Reheats well so perfect for making on weekends for a take to work breakfast option.Can easily double or triple the recipe if needed.
What’s the difference between steel-cut oats, rolled oats and instant oats?
I once had a debate with my husband over whether steel-cut oats were called that because they were cut with steel. I said no 😂 Spoiler alert - they get their name because they are cut in a steel mill! The main difference between the three types of oats is in how much the original oat groat is processed. Steel-Cut Oats are processed by chopping the whole oat groat into several pieces with a steel blade. They take the longest to cook (it’s worth it), and generally have a nuttier flavour and are chewier than the other varieties. Rolled Oats are processed by first steaming the whole oat groat then flattening or rolling it to give it it’s round oval shape. This makes them quicker to cook, and rolled oats also tend to hold their shape when cooked. Instant Oats are the most processed. They are partially cooked and dried, then rolled and pressed thinner than rolled oats to allow them to cook faster. I’m not here to play favourites between oats (although Instant Oats are at the bottom of my list) BUT steel-cut oats are perfect for when you want a bit more texture and flavour. They also have some great health benefits, like being high in fibre and protein. They’re a good source of iron and they have a low glycemic index. Steel-Cut Oats do take the longest to cook though, so if you’re wanting a quicker oats option - try my Easy Stovetop Banana Oatmeal that’s made with rolled oats.
INGREDIENTS
If you already make steel-cut oats at home I bet you’ll already have most if not all of these ingredients on hand! Here’s what you’ll need (measurements listed in the full recipe at the bottom of this page)…
Steel Cut OatsBananaMaple SyrupMilkCinnamon
INSTRUCTIONS
Add water to saucepan and bring to boil on high heat. Add steel cut oats and lower to a simmer for 20 minutes, or until most of the water is absorbed (photos 1-2). Add mashed banana, maple syrup, milk and cinnamon and stir to combine (photo 3). Simmer for a further 15-20 minutes, until most of the liquid has absorbed and steel cut oats are cooked completely. Serve with your choice of optional toppings (photo 4).
What to top your oats with?
I can’t be the only one who’s all about the toppings when it comes to eating oatmeal. The options are endless! But here’s a few ideas to pick and choose from…
MilkBanana SlicesCoconut FlakesChopped Almonds, Walnuts or PecansCacoa NibsCinnamonMaple SyrupPeanut Butter
How to store your oats?
This recipe makes three decent serves. If you have any left over, store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
MORE TASTY BREAKFAST RECIPE INSPIRATION
Healthy Overnight OatsHealthy Banana PancakesApple Cinnamon OatmealBanana PorridgeEasy Scrambled Eggs with VeggiesHoney Almond GranolaOR see all Breakfast Recipes
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STORING:
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
UPDATES:
First published May 2, 2017. Updated May 10, 2019 with photos & tips - no changes to the recipe.
NUTRITION:
Nutrition information is from a nutrition calculator and is based on one serve.
