Creamy Chocolate Oatmeal

Why This Recipe Works

Creamy and sweet - The combination of chocolate and caramelized bananas yields such creamy and decadent oatmeal it feels like you're eating dessert for breakfast. The bananas are sweetened with maple syrup which gives them a great flavor and doesn't make them overly sweet.

Vegan and gluten-free - Oats are naturally gluten-free but be sure to always check the packaging to make sure there isn't any cross contamination. The oatmeal is made with almond milk so it's also dairy-free. If dairy isn't an issue for you, you can use any milk you would normally use.

Easy and simple - Oatmeal is one of my favorite breakfasts to make because it doesn't require any prep and you can easily whip it up in just 10 minutes!

Ingredients

• Rolled oats - You can use any kind of oats you like here but I like using rolled oats. They're creamy when cooked but still retain some texture. Quick-cooking oats will be creamy and super quick to cook. Steel-cut oats will need much more liquid and will take about 20-25 minutes to cook.
• Almond milk - You can use any milk you prefer, I usually like using almond or hazelnut milk for this oatmeal.
• Cacao powder - Both cacao or cocoa powder can be used. Cacao is the raw unroasted version of cocoa. They have slightly different flavors, I prefer cacao but you can use either. Cacao has lots of antioxidants and minerals.
• Sweetener - This is optional if you're topping the oatmeal with caramelized banana but you can also add a little bit of sweetener to the oatmeal. I like using maple syrup but any sweetener works.
• Flavorings - Vanilla extract and cinnamon are classics. You can also use ground ginger or gingerbread spice if you're making this in the winter.

Variations and Substitutions

Caramelized peaches - If you're making this in the summer, peaches are a great topping to use! Try them in this Peach Oatmeal.

Caramelized apples - You can caramelize diced apples the same way you would bananas or peaches for a fall-flavored topping.

Overnight oats - Add everything to a jar and refrigerate overnight. The oats will soak everything up and your breakfast will already be ready for you when you wake up! You can eat it cold or warm it up on the stove.

Protein - If you want to make the oatmeal even more filling, add a scoop of your favorite protein at the end of the cooking. I like adding chocolate or vanilla protein.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Chocolate Oatmeal

1. Add almond milk and rolled oats to a small saucepan and bring to a boil.
2. Lower the heat and simmer stirring often for 5-7 minutes or until creamy. Add more milk or water if needed.
3. I recommend stirring the oatmeal often because the oats like to stick to the bottom a lot as the oatmeal gets thicker.

4. Stir in cacao powder, vanilla extract, and cinnamon. Set aside until ready to serve.

While the oatmeal is cooking, make the caramelized bananas. If you need to let the oatmeal sit for more than just a few minutes, it might thicken up too much. Simply add more milk or water to loosen it up and make it creamy and smooth again.

Caramelized Bananas

1. While the oatmeal is cooking, heat a medium pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add butter to the pan and allow it to melt.
3. Add maple syrup, banana slices, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Arrange the bananas in a single layer and cook for 2-3 minutes.
4. Gently flip the banana slices and cook for a couple of minutes on the other side until soft but not mushy. Lower the heat if it bubbles too vigorously.
5. Plate the oatmeal and top with caramelized bananas, berries, or any other toppings. Enjoy!

Serving and Storing

Any stovetop oatmeal is best served right away. The longer it sits, the more it thickens up. You can serve it with just caramelized bananas or with toppings like berries, hemp seeds, chocolate squares, almond butter, yogurt, or anything else you usually put on your oatmeal.

If you do need to store any leftovers, keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. You can eat the oatmeal cold or reheat it on the stove with a splash of milk or water.

Similar Oatmeal Recipes

Oatmeal is a breakfast classic and there are endless flavor combinations you can try. Below are four oatmeal recipes similar to this one (the mocha one is especially my favorite). To see all the latest ones, head over to the Oatmeal Recipes category!

• Mocha Oatmeal with Caramelized Banana
• Peach Oatmeal with Caramelized Peaches
• Chocolate Gingerbread Oatmeal
• Gingerbread Quinoa Porridge with Toasted Coconut