Banana Porridge is fuss free breakfast comfort food at its finest. Creamy porridge with mashed up bananas in it and then extra on top for banana lovers. Just 5 ingredients (and extra topping options) and you have yourself a tasty and filling breakfast that the whole family will love.
We have to admit, the easiest way to get us out of bed in the morning is with something sweet. The natural sweetness of the banana, and a little extra from honey (optional) make this a super sweet and comforting breakfast that will help you get out of bed on a cold morning. This is a healthy and hearty breakfast that is easy to adapt.
If you are looking for some other oat recipes, then why not try our Easy Baked Oats, Microwave Porridge, Banana Oat Muffins or Porridge Fingers.
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Ingredients needed
- Oats - We used rolled oats as we find that they are the best for porridge and for the quickest cooking time. If you use other oats, then cooking times will vary.
- Banana - The key to this being the best and sweetest porridge is to use a ripe banana. We don't mean a black banana (although you could), but one that is starting to get spots on it. This will add lots of extra sweetness that you won't get from an under ripe banana.
- Milk - This is a controversial one (more on that below), as a lot of people make porridge with just water. But we love ours with milk to get it super creamy. We have used semi-skimmed milk, but you could use skimmed or full fat, or even swap it for almond milk or oat milk.
- Almonds - We add some ground almonds in to it for a nutritional boost and to also thicken it a little. You could swap these for chia or flax seeds.
- Honey - If you use a really ripe banana, then you will have a naturally sweet porridge. But we like to add a little extra with some honey. This is totally optional though.
A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
How to make banana porridge - Step by step
One: Put the oats, mashed banana, almonds and milk in a saucepan and stir.
Two: Bring to the boil and then simmer for 4-5 minutes, being careful not to burn it, and stirring regularly.
Three: Divide between 2 bowls and drizzle with honey and the extra banana slices and option toppings.
Why should you try it?
- So easy to make - It's as simple as mixing everything together in a saucepan and heating through.
- Ready in under 10 minutes - A quick and easy breakfast.
- Creamy comforting breakfast - It doesn't get much more comforting than porridge.
- Kids love it - Kids tend to love anything with bananas in, so this will go down well.
Health benefits of porridge
When we want a healthy and filling breakfast, porridge is always our go to. Porridge is a great way to start the day because oats are a complex carbohydrate, which provide slow-releasing energy throughout the morning and keep you going until lunch.
Porridge made with milk is a good mix of carbohydrates, protein and fibre. If you are making it with milk, then this will lower the fat and sugar, but also lower the protein.
Oats contain a type of soluble fibre called beta-glucan, which studies have shown can help to lower your cholesterol. They also contain iron, zinc, magnesium and B vitamins. If you are making this porridge with milk like we have, then the vitamin and mineral content increases, as does the calcium content.
The key to keeping porridge as a healthy breakfast option, is being mindful of what you mix in to it and what you top it with. Try to stick to fruit, nuts and seeds as things like chocolate spread can really bump up the calories and sugar.
Porridge toppings
Once you have the creamy base for the porridge, it really is all about the toppings. We like some extra fruit and then some crunch which is why we went with more banana, some sunflower seeds and then a little honey and a sprinkling of cinnamon for flavour.
But there are so many options when it comes to porridge toppings. Here are some of our favourites:
- Pecans or almonds
- Homemade Nutella
- Berries
- Chia seeds
- Homemade Almond Butter
- Grated apples
- Homemade Peanut Butter
- Dried fruit
- Strawberry Puree
- Chocolate chips
Frequently Asked Questions
Well, yes and no. When it comes to this recipe, yes it is the same thing. Oatmeal is a type of porridge, but porridge isn't always made of oats. It can be made of a variety of grains or legumes.
This really is a personal preference. Technically, traditional porridge is made with just water and it is still creamy. But, we like ours super creamy and that's why we use milk.
To make a vegan version of this banana porridge, swap the semi-skimmed milk for a plant based milk like almond or cashew (or coconut milk to make it extra creamy) and swap the honey for maple syrup.
If you follow this recipe, then you should have enough for 2 portions. However, if you do find yourself with leftover porridge then did you know that you can use it to make pancakes? If you had 80g of porridge, you can add 80g of self raising flour to it, along with an egg, 1 teaspoon baking powder and 50ml of milk and whisk it up to make pancake mixture.
No, you don't have to. But, adding some at the beginning of cooking can help add a nice nutty flavour. Don't add it at the end, otherwise it will just taste salty. You only need a tiny pinch.
Banana porridge is great for baby led weaning. Just make sure you leave the honey out, as it isn't recommended before 1 years old.
Yes, this can be made in the microwave if you would prefer. You won't need as much milk and it will only take 3 minutes, stirring half way through.
More breakfast recipes
If you’ve tried this banana porridge recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
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Recipe
Easy Banana Porridge
Ingredients
- 100 g rolled oats
- 700 ml semi-skimmed milk
- 2 bananas - one mashed and one sliced
- 2 tablespoon ground almonds
- 2 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Put the oats, mashed banana, almonds and milk in a saucepan and stir.
- Bring to the boil and then simmer for 4-5 minutes, being careful not to burn it, and stirring regularly.
- Divide between 2 bowls and drizzle with honey and the extra banana slices and option toppings.
Notes
- Make sure you use a really ripe banana (one with spots on the peel) as it will give the porridge lots of natural sweetness.
- We added almonds to thicken it and give it a nutrition boost, but you could swap it for chia or flax seeds.
- You can use any milk to make this porridge, or even swap it for water.
- The cooking time for this recipe is for using rolled oats. If you use steel cut oats, then the cooking time will vary.
Ali - We Made This Vegan
I love making porridge for breakfast for the whole family but I have been looking for some variations to stop it getting boring and this sounds healthy and delicious, I'm sure my children will love it too.
Louise Cayzer
So cozy but healthy! Perfect breakfast for this time of year!
Tavo
I had this porridge today for breakfast and loved it. Easy-peasy!
Michele
This was easy, delicious and filling. I have made it many times for an enjoyable breakfast.
Bintu | Budget Delicious
Such a delicious and fulfilling breakfast! I love how easy this is to make.
Lindsay
I have some perfectly ripe bananas on my counter right now - Will be making this for breakfast tomorrow! It looks amazing and pretty healthy too.
Rika
This looks so good and healthy. I think I can eat this every day and will not get tired of it.
Jessie
This was a perfect start to my day. Keeping this one handy and ready to go.
Saif
This porridge looks delicious. Definitely going to make this coming breakfast
Biana
Yum! What a delicious and simple breakfast recipe.