Sometimes the most simple efforts can make all the difference. That is the case with this steel-cut oatmeal with caramelized bananas. With just a couple extra steps, you can take a bowl of humble steel-cut oats to the next level with banana slices caramelized in butter and brown sugar, a spoonful of chopped walnuts, and a dash of orange zest. With just a few extra minutes, these simple steps elevate a bowl of oatmeal from basic to delicious and delicately decadent. The flavor of the warm bananas softened in melted butter and brown sugar blends beautifully with the mild oats and crunchy walnuts, and the orange zest brightens it all.
I have become such a fan of steel-cut oats. They do take longer to make than rolled oats, but if you make a big batch on a morning when you have the time, then you can store the leftovers in the refrigerator and quickly warm up a serving at a time on more rushed mornings. To me, a warm bowl of steel-cut oats is so very comforting and satisfying, and it helps me start my day with vigor, especially as these winter mornings are so dark and cold!
We woke up this morning to lots of snow. So much snow that all the schools in the area are closed. It has been snowing all morning, and it is still snowing as I write this! I hope that those who have to drive today (including my husband) will have safe travels. As for my kids and myself, we are staying put.
I love snowy mornings with nowhere to go, with a cup of strong coffee and a bowl of steaming oatmeal (with caramelized bananas 🙂 ). I got up early and got started on this post. It was still dark outside, yet I could feel the quiet that snow brings. When I finish this, we will bundle up and walk down the road and then down the path through the woods to the frozen lake, where there undoubtedly will be ice fishing shanties dotting the ice. Hopefully we will encounter our neighbors out and about, because in addition to the hushed silence that snow brings, it also brings people together.
The Olympics have started, and my family loves watching them. Being snowed in with good food and the Olympics opening ceremony on TV–sounds good to me! I hope you all stay safe and warm this weekend! This recipe will be shared over at Angie’s Fiesta Friday, co-hosted this week by Laurena @ Life Diet Health and Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook. I’ll close with this quote by Pablo Neruda: “I am a book of snow, a spacious hand, an open meadow, a circle that waits, I belong to the earth and its winter.” 
Oatmeal With Caramelized Bananas
Ingredients:
- 3 cups of water
- 1 cup of steel-cut oats
- 4 bananas, sliced
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 2 tablespoons of brown sugar
- a handful of chopped walnuts
- about a tablespoon of orange zest
- a bit of milk
Directions:
Cook the steel-cut oats according to your package directions. I use three cups of water and a quarter teaspoon of salt per one cup of oats, and let them simmer gently, uncovered, for about 30 minutes. When the oats are done, set them aside. In a skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the banana slices and the brown sugar. Stir gently to blend. After a couple of minutes, when one side of the bananas is lightly browned, flip them and allow the other side to lightly brown and soften. Spoon oatmeal into bowls and top with the caramelized bananas, chopped walnuts, and a sprinkling of orange zest. Add more brown sugar if desired, and a splash of milk. Serve warm. Enjoy!
Nice! I love steel cut oats! I never thought of adding zest but that’s brilliant. And the caramelized bananas, swoon. I’m trying to experiment with savory oatmeal, but my loaded fruit ones are so good that I keep saying “next time”. Look at all that beautiful snow. And yes Re the olympics!! It’s so much fun to watch! Enjoy ! Stay cozy!
Thank you, Amanda! I came across a savory recipe with steel-cut oats the other day, and hope to try it soon. But I agree–they are so good with all kinds of different fruit toppings. The opening ceremony will be starting soon! Hope you are staying cozy this evening too! 🙂
Just lovely…the zest must add a nice flavor and the the caramelized bananas sound incredible!
Thank you, Zeba! The zest does add such a bright zing to the milder flavors of the other ingredients. It’s definitely a way to treat oneself in a healthy way. 🙂
Definitely going to try this. We too are experiencing the snow and enjoying it.
Thank you, Hilda! I hope you enjoy it! It is a great breakfast for a snowy morning. I don’t think it has stopped snowing all day or evening!
I love the idea of the caramelized bananas!! I haven’t used steel cut oats and always use the quick cooking one. This sounds fab to start your day with! Thanks for sharing at FF party! x
Thank you Jhuls! I often eat the quick cooking ones, but if I have time, I really prefer the steel-cut oats.
That looks like my back yard with all that lovely snow! I’ve been trying to “like” oatmeal. I know the health benefits and realized I need to doctor it up a bit. Caramelized bananas sounds wonderful Jenny…
Thanks, Judi! Yes, the caramelized bananas do make it taste more special and more like a treat. Sounds like we might lose lots of our snow in the next couple days! I’ve been enjoying how beautiful everything looks this past few days!
Jenny I always cook a banana in my porridge but I never thought to caramelise them and add them after… what a great idea! Thanks for linking and sharing at Fiesta.
Thank you, Laurena! Yes, caramelizing the bananas makes them very sweet and almost like a dessert. Thank you for co-hosting FF this week!
Sounds gorgeous! Pinned:)
Thank you, Monika! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Your caramelized banana topped oatmeal really sounds like a tasty way to start the day.
Thank you, Karen! It is very yummy!