Banana Protein Oatmeal {5 Minute High Protein Breakfast}

Some mornings, you just need a breakfast you can prepare in minutes and still feel good about it. This Banana Protein Oatmeal has become a “go-to” bowl in our house. It’s warm, smooth, naturally sweet from ripe bananas, and packed with enough protein to really keep you full.

I love that it feels like a treat, but is secretly made with ingredients I almost always have on hand: oats, speckled banana, eggs, almond milk, and chia seeds. Everything is mixed in a bowl, placed in the microwave, and breakfast is done before the coffee is finished brewing.

It’s also very easy to customize. Sometimes I add peanut butter and chocolate chips, sometimes I add berries and almonds. My kids love adding extra cinnamon and some mini chocolate chips on top. You can make it dairy-free, gluten-free (contains certified oats), and no added sugar required unless you want it a little sweeter!

If you like to start your day with something comforting that won’t weigh you down, this Banana Protein Oatmeal is an easy little recipe to keep in your back pocket.

before starting

Before making banana protein oatmeal, here are some quick things you need to know so you can get perfect results every time.

• Choose the right oats: Oatmeal works best for this recipe, giving you a delicious creamy texture. Quick-cooking oatmeal will also work, but regular steel-cut oats won’t soften well enough in the microwave.
• Use very ripe bananas: The riper the banana, the sweeter the oatmeal will be without added sugar. Bananas with brown spots are perfect here.
• Decide how you want your eggs: Whole eggs make oatmeal fluffier and add more protein. You can swap in the egg whites if you want, just mix them well so there are no streaks.
• Choose your milk: Unsweetened almond milk makes it lighter, but any milk you like will work. If you like your oats loose and creamy, add a little extra.
• Get a large, microwave-safe bowl: Use a larger cup or bowl than you think you’ll need so the oatmeal has room to bubble without overflowing. Lightly lubricating the bowl will help make cleaning easier.

How to Make Banana Protein Oatmeal

Here are the simple steps to make this protein-packed oatmeal in the microwave.

1. Mix bananas and eggs

Spray a large microwave-safe bowl or cup with cooking spray. Mash the bananas in the bottom of a bowl until mostly smooth, then add the eggs and stir until everything is completely combined.

2. Add oats, milk and seasonings

Add oatmeal, almond milk, chia seeds, and cinnamon. Mix well so there are no dry pockets of oats and the chia seeds are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

3. Stir in microwave until thickened

Heat the oatmeal in the microwave for short periods of time, stopping to stir in between so it cooks evenly and doesn’t bubble. Continue to microwave and stir until the oats are thickened and the eggs are cooked and the texture is creamy. Let it sit for a minute to finish thickening, then add your favorite toppings and enjoy.

Best oatmeal topping ideas

One of the best things about oats is that they are so versatile. You can use them to make oatmeal, muffins, granola, baked oats, and smoothies. You can also serve them in about a million different ways, depending on what flavors you like and what you have at home.

I love a simple bowl of oatmeal with some fresh fruit and nut butter, but I also like to get creative every once in a while. If you’re not sure what to top your oatmeal with, here are some of my favorite oatmeal topping ideas to choose from:

• Fresh fruit (bananas, berries, peaches, cherries, etc.)
• Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, etc.)
• chocolate chips
• Nut butters (peanuts, almonds, cashews)
• Seeds (chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds)
• shredded coconut
• Dried fruits (raisins, cranberries, apricots)
• Sweeteners (honey, maple syrup, agave)
• Spices (vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg)

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Here are the best pro tips for making your banana protein oatmeal come out perfect every time.

• Increase protein: For extra protein, add a scoop of nut butter, a scoop of vanilla protein powder, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or a splash of cottage cheese after cooking. If adding protein powder, add a small amount of milk to keep the oats creamy.
• Use flavor plugins: Add vanilla extract, cocoa powder, pumpkin pie spice, or a pinch of nutmeg to change the flavor. A teaspoon of cocoa and some chocolate chips can turn into a very nice bowl of chocolate for breakfast.
• Adjust sweetness naturally: This recipe relies on bananas for sweetness. If you like something sweeter, drizzle a little honey, maple syrup or agave at the end instead of mixing them into the base so you can control the portion size.
• Make it suitable for vegetarians: Skip the eggs and use your favorite plant-based milk. Chia seeds help thicken the oats, but the texture will be less fluffy and more like classic rolled oats.
• Adjust texture: If your oats are thicker than you like, add more milk after cooking until you reach the perfect consistency. If the chia seeds are thin, let sit for a few minutes so the chia seeds absorb more liquid.
• Turn it into a portable breakfast: Cook the oatmeal in a large bowl, let cool slightly and portion out into jars or containers. Add the ingredients, close the lid and you’re ready for a grab-and-go breakfast on busy mornings.

Store and reheat

Here are the best ways to store, reheat, and repurpose banana protein oatmeal.

• Store in the refrigerator: Let the oatmeal cool completely and then transfer it to an airtight container or jar. Store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days, keeping ingredients separated before serving.
• Store in the refrigerator: Divide the cooled oatmeal into freezable containers, leaving a little room at the top. Freeze for 3-4 months and label with the date so you remember what you stashed away.
• Reheat breakfast: Reheat in the microwave with a little milk or water, stirring halfway through so it’s evenly heated and fluffy. You can also reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat.