Re-think your morning bowl of oats with this creamy, chocolatey oatmeal drizzled with warm peanut butter and topped with banana slices.
We eat a lot of oatmeal, especially during the cold winter months, so I was excited to get busy in the kitchen when Milk Means More asked me to help celebrate “We Heart Oats” month this February.
Whole grains like oats are also an important tool to help prevent heart disease so it’s only fitting that I’m sharing this Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal recipe during American Heart Month.
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 and banana slices.
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.
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
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 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.
Cilleriania
April 22, 2015 at 6:44 pmThis 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?
Liz DellaCroce
April 23, 2015 at 12:45 pmI don’t use any sweeteners other than ripe fruit. The ripe banana and peanut butter add just the right amount of sweetness!
Joanne
March 4, 2015 at 8:03 pmNow this is just heaven in a bowl of oatmeal! Chocolate and peanut butter are my breakfast dreams come true.
Diane (Created by Diane)
February 25, 2015 at 8:08 pmthis looks like one DELICIOUS bowl of oatmeal, what a great flavor combo.
Liz DellaCroce
February 27, 2015 at 8:51 amThank you Diane!
Toni | BoulderLocavore
February 25, 2015 at 2:01 pmWho could resist this for breakfast, Liz?! My favorite flavor combo in a healthy start to the day; I’m in heaven!
Liz DellaCroce
February 27, 2015 at 8:50 amI wish I could make you a bowl Toni!
Gaby
February 25, 2015 at 11:51 amGreat recipe Liz! Looks delicious!
Liz DellaCroce
February 25, 2015 at 1:14 pmThanks Gaby!
Jenny Flake
February 25, 2015 at 10:41 amDrooling over this oatmeal! I love the PB and chocolate combo :D
Liz DellaCroce
February 25, 2015 at 1:14 pmI can’t get enough PB and chocolate on anything!!
She Rocks Fitness
February 25, 2015 at 10:25 amYou 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!
Liz DellaCroce
February 25, 2015 at 1:14 pmMine too – I just love them in oats!!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape
February 25, 2015 at 8:56 amI love cooking banana directly into the oats! It gives it this really nice creamy consistency. This oatmeal looks fabulous, though!!
Liz DellaCroce
February 25, 2015 at 1:14 pmIt’s funny I almost always do the same too!!
Cathy crandall
February 25, 2015 at 7:22 amI “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!
Liz DellaCroce
February 25, 2015 at 1:13 pmhahah I love that nickname!!! I wish my friends called me Oats! Thank you so much :)
Shawnna
February 25, 2015 at 6:40 amHey that looks good!! You are very creative!!
Liz DellaCroce
February 25, 2015 at 1:14 pmThank you so much Shawnna!
Aggie
February 25, 2015 at 6:29 amYou 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.
Liz DellaCroce
February 25, 2015 at 1:14 pmYes 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
Amanda
February 24, 2015 at 5:30 pmThis looks so yummy!
[email protected]
February 24, 2015 at 4:25 pmThis is just like my usual breakfast! Except no chocolate, and why have I never heated up peanut butter?! That looks heavenly.
Liz DellaCroce
February 24, 2015 at 5:39 pmThe great thing about microwaving the peanut butter is that you don’t need to add as much to really flavor the dish!
Amy @ Amy's Healthy Baking
February 24, 2015 at 3:10 pmI 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!
Liz DellaCroce
February 24, 2015 at 5:42 pmWhy is PB so dang mesmerizing?? xo
Jennie @themessybakerblog
February 24, 2015 at 10:06 amI remember seeing a picture of this on Instagram (?) and thinking, I must have this! This is one delicious bowl of oats. Pinned.
Liz DellaCroce
February 24, 2015 at 5:41 pmhaha YES!! I hope you make it!!
Kristen @ A Mind Full Mom
February 24, 2015 at 7:55 amMy favorite way to eat oatmeal is with banana and peanut butter. Adding the chocolate–why Thank YOU!!!
Liz DellaCroce
February 24, 2015 at 5:41 pmI hope you love it Kristen!!
Liz S.
February 24, 2015 at 5:51 amYou just created my new favorite way to eat oatmeal, haha. LOVE this recipe!
Liz DellaCroce
February 24, 2015 at 7:42 amI’m so glad Liz!!