Banana Nut Oatmeal – Just like instant!

The other day I went grocery shopping, which to be quite honest is not an eventful excursion. While I was strolling through the aisles I saw packaged instant oatmeal. Instant oatmeal used to be a staple breakfast food for me both as a child and as a student, but I haven’t had it in ages. So for nostalgia’s sake I decided I would pick up a box.

Now of course adult me had to chime in. I said no to the sugary version of packaged oatmeal. No cookies and cream, no maple brown sugar, and no sugar sprinkles. Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast option if you let it be, so I opted for a flavour I had never tried: Banana Nut Oatmeal.

It seemed so good in theory. The oatmeal base that I love, freeze dried bananas, mixed nuts, and a little cinnamon all in one convenient package. Add water and done. But when I made it, my nostalgia faded…

The oatmeal did not expand.

At first I thought it might have been a mistaken memory. Maybe oatmeal doesn’t actually expand and it was just over watered by my parents to make it seem like more. But after a quick search I realized quick oatmeal and rolled oats ARE supposed to expand to roughly double the initial amount (hey parents, you are in the clear).

Now when I poured out this oatmeal package and added water the first time, it became soup. Not enjoyable. The second time I took my time adding the water to give it time to expand. Still nothing, thicker this time but the oats did not expand at all and I was left with far less food to start my busy day than expected.

So what do I do? I start experimenting.

If pre-packaged oatmeal is not acting the way I want it to, then I will just have to recreate the flavour AND the expanding oats I remember. And so I compared the ingredient list to what I would expect in a Banana Nut Oatmeal and ended up with a delicious (and still instant!) oatmeal recipe.

And of course as a blogger I need to share the recipe with you so here it is!

Banana Nut Oatmeal

1 ½ cups oats
1/3 cups roughly chopped walnuts
4 tsp brown sugar
3 tsp Omega Crunch Roasted Maple Flax Seeds
2 tsp cinnamon
½ banana chopped OR ½ cup freeze dried bananas

• Simply mix together all dry ingredients in advance. Note the Omega Crunch flax seeds are optional but these are great additions to your food and work wonderfully in this recipe for some added flavour and texture.
• For one serving use 1/3 cup of the dry mix plus an equal amount of water. Adjust the water to achieve a thicker or thinner porridge.
• If using freeze dried bananas, they can be added to the dry mix. If using fresh banana, add after the water to ensure the oats have sufficient time to soak up the water first.

And that’s it! Instant banana nut oatmeal ready to go when you are.

P.S. I learned a little tip for fresh bananas while working on this recipe. Since you only need to use half the banana, save the other half for later. Simply cut the banana in half while the peel is still on, then place the unused half in a plastic sealed bag (like a zipper lock bag).The skin will brown but the banana will be fine though I do suggest chopping of a sliver of the exposed side before using.

Note: This post is NOT sponsored by Omega Crunch in any way. I came across their products at the National Women’s Show and fell in love with the taste and benefits. I honestly use their products and am glad to share a recipe I use them in regularly.