Rethink your breakfast with this creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal drizzled with warm peanut butter and topped with banana slices.
We eat a lot of oatmeal, especially during the cold winter months, and so I love coming up with new ways to keep the flavors interesting. Some of my most popular oatmeal recipes include Apple Banana Nut Oatmeal, The Ultimate 90-Second Microwave Oatmeal, and Quick Banana Oatmeal with Flax.
Whole grains like oats are an important tool to help prevent heart disease, maintain a healthy weight, and stable blood sugar. The protein in the peanut butter and milk help keep you full making this breakfast a quick but super nutritious option.
Of course, smart nutrition only makes sense it if tastes delicious which is why I know you’re going to love this creamy, chocolatey bowl of oatmeal drizzled with melted peanut butter.
If you typically cook your oats with water and top it with raisins and brown sugar, you might want to re-think your morning routine. While tasty, you’re essentially starting your day with a bowl of carbs. (Hello vending machine at 10am!)
To give these oats more staying power, I cook them in protein-rich milk then top it with creamy peanut butter for a healthy dose of omega-3 rich fats. This powerful combination of protein, fiber, and fat is the key to long-lasting energy that will keep your blood sugar stable all morning long.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal:
My oatmeal recipe is super quick and easily adaptable to whatever flavors and ingredients you’re craving.
First, you’ll need to whisk the milk and water together with the salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and cocoa, and bring it to a low boil.
Next, add your oats. You can easily adjust this recipe by serving size using the handy tool within the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Last, microwave the peanut butter while the oatmeal is cooking and drizzle it on top before serving. Feel free to add fruit on top like bananas or strawberries.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I make oatmeal with milk or water?
You can make oatmeal with either, but I recommend milk because it adds extra protein, healthy fats, and calcium to keep you full.
What can I replace peanut butter with if I’m allergic?
Any kind of nut butter would do just fine like almond or cashew. There are also a lot of tree nut alternatives like seed butters such as sunflower butter, soy butter or pea butter.
Are oats healthy?
Yes. They’re gluten-free and whole grain. Oats are also a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants helpful for weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease.
Your spoon is waiting.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 2 cups milk (2% reduced fat)
- 2 cups water
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup creamy natural peanut butter
- slices banana (for topping)
Instructions
- Whisk together milk, water, cocoa powder, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a sauce pot over medium heat. When bubbles begin to form around the edges, add oats and stir.
- Bring oats to a low boil then reduce heat to low. Cook until liquid is absorbed and oats are chewy, 5-6 minutes.
- While oatmeal is cooking, heat the peanut butter in the microwave until smooth, about 30 seconds.
- Pour oatmeal into four bowls and drizzle each bowl with a tablespoon of melted peanut butter. Top with banana slices to serve.
Hello…can you keep the remaining oatmeal in the fridge?
Looks really good!
Cheers!
Yes absolutely! it reheats well!
This looks delicious. I am curious how it tastes without any sweetener in it though… I’m not a fan of adding any sweetener but fruit to my breaky, but I find cocoa needs something. Has anyone out there tried the recipe?
I don’t use any sweeteners other than ripe fruit. The ripe banana and peanut butter add just the right amount of sweetness!
Now this is just heaven in a bowl of oatmeal! Chocolate and peanut butter are my breakfast dreams come true.
this looks like one DELICIOUS bowl of oatmeal, what a great flavor combo.
Thank you Diane!
Who could resist this for breakfast, Liz?! My favorite flavor combo in a healthy start to the day; I’m in heaven!
I wish I could make you a bowl Toni!
Great recipe Liz! Looks delicious!
Thanks Gaby!
Drooling over this oatmeal! I love the PB and chocolate combo :D
I can’t get enough PB and chocolate on anything!!
You had me drooling at just the title…Bananas are my absolute favorite to add to my oats. Add the peanut butter and it is a delicious, healthy, and comforting meal to jump start your day!
Mine too – I just love them in oats!!
I love cooking banana directly into the oats! It gives it this really nice creamy consistency. This oatmeal looks fabulous, though!!
It’s funny I almost always do the same too!!
I “discovered” oatmeal almost two years ago after never having eaten it my entire life except for in a cookie & in an attempt to give up sugar have become totally addicted to it! My friends have nicknamed me “Oats” & I even threw a National Oatmeal Day party last October! Thanks so much for this recipe – I will be adding this to my current plethora of oats selections! Love your blog btw!
hahah I love that nickname!!! I wish my friends called me Oats! Thank you so much :)
Hey that looks good!! You are very creative!!
Thank you so much Shawnna!
You are so right on about adding protein just by cooking oats in milk. I have thought about switching it up on the kids, they would never know and it would taste even better really!! Really though..you had me at chocolate, peanut butter and banana… :) This looks incredible.
Yes I do this a lot with the boys. Rich eats his cereal dry so I love making oatmeal because then he gets a nice boost of calcium and protein from the milk. :) xo
This looks so yummy!
This is just like my usual breakfast! Except no chocolate, and why have I never heated up peanut butter?! That looks heavenly.
The great thing about microwaving the peanut butter is that you don’t need to add as much to really flavor the dish!
I sort of forgot to scroll down after seeing your first photo… The PB is so mesmerizing and makes your oatmeal look incredible! I’d definitely be happy starting my day with a bowl of this! :) And thank you for mentioning my oatmeal cookies too — you’re so sweet Liz! Pinned!
Why is PB so dang mesmerizing?? xo
I remember seeing a picture of this on Instagram (?) and thinking, I must have this! This is one delicious bowl of oats. Pinned.
haha YES!! I hope you make it!!
My favorite way to eat oatmeal is with banana and peanut butter. Adding the chocolate–why Thank YOU!!!
I hope you love it Kristen!!
You just created my new favorite way to eat oatmeal, haha. LOVE this recipe!
I’m so glad Liz!!