Every morning around 6am my alarm clock goes off. It starts quietly and gets progressively louder and more annoying if I try to fall back to sleep. I’m usually in the middle of some random dream and I think about it for a few minutes as I try to will myself back to sleep.
If my alarm clock fails to rise me, it has no choice but to resort to other methods: walking up the length of my body, kneading my stomach and chest with sharp nails (ow!), purring – inflected as if it’s a question, and shooting laser beams through my eyelids to will them open. No matter what, do not open your eyes. I repeat: Do not make eye contact with the alarm clock!!!
If you do, it’s over.
Meet my alarm clock – highly reliable with a 0.000001% fail rate.
[This is Sketchie’s “I’m HUNGRY and haven’t had breakfast yet AND I happen to hate you right now” face. I snapped this while we were away over the long weekend. Sketchie was particularly unhappy that we slept til about 7:30 that morning!! gasp]
After 5 or 10 minutes of playing dead, I give in and stumble downstairs ever so slowly as Sketchie rubs his head along the staircase railing. He has now morphed back into Happy Cat and he’s prancing along to his feeding spot.
After I feed him, he ditches me and goes back to sleep (how nice), leaving me alone until Eric gets up.
I notice the morning feels a bit chillier than usual and make my first batch of hot oatmeal in a long time. The weather is dreary and creamy peanut butter oats sound like the perfect solution!
To add a fun twist to this bowl, I partially caramelized a ripe banana in the pot before cooking the oats with a tiny bit of non-dairy butter. This was just to intensify the flavours a bit more. Then I swirled in half the peanut butter and cooked the oatmeal as normal for about 8-10 minutes.
The result is a creamy bowl of oats lightly sweetened with banana and highlighted with cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. It smells heavenly! On top, I added more peanut butter, a good dose of cinnamon, nuts, and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. It was just about perfect.
Early Morning Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
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1 year ago: Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto
Yield: 1 serving
Ingredients:
- 1 large very ripe banana, peeled and roughly chopped
- 1 tsp non-dairy butter or coconut oil
- 1/2 tbsp natural peanut butter
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2-1 tsp chia seed (or ground flax)
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/8-1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
- pinch of salt
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- toppings: heaping 1/2 tbsp peanut butter, nuts, cinnamon, pure maple syrup
1. In a medium-sized pot over medium heat, cook the banana and non-dairy butter or oil for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
2. Stir in 1/2 tbsp peanut butter, and add the oats, chia, milk, spices, and a pinch of salt. Whisk well until combined.
3. Bring to a low boil and then reduce heat to a simmer, stirring often for 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
4. Scoop into a bowl and top with peanut butter, nuts, cinnamon, and maple syrup.
I can’t talk about Sketchie waking me up in the morning without sharing this classic Simon’s Cat video!
You are a mind reader indeed! I almost never buy bananas, but I treated myself to bananas this week. I want to go to bed now (it’s only 4:35 pm) so that morning comes faster for me to try this recipe!
Peanut butter and banana is my favorite combination for oatmeal. Heck, it’s my favorite combination for just about anything.
All of your posts make me hungry…this one did not fail…maybe breakfast for supper???
My cat also likes to be an alarm clock. The rule in our house now is the last person to go to bed has to feed the cat. That way we might get an extra hour of sleep ;) Hope this helps…
haha love the “i hate you” face. My dog gets up in the morning and rests her chin on the bed. Without even being awake I can feel those eyes staring at me too. Usually it’s not for food tho and just some cuddles. Who can say no to cuddles??? Of course I cave and invite her up on the bed.
I had a craving for oatmeal for the first time in months the other day. The mornings here in Vancouver are getting chillier too. We’ve had some unexpected hot weather during the days lately so I’m saving my oatmeal mornings till later this month. Do you ever feel like oatmeal is too “heavy” in the mornings? I’ve found sometimes it’s gloopy and weighs me down instead of giving me energy. I like the overnight oats with the mashed banana – feels lighter.
-Michelle {LiveLoudly}
This looks so fabulous! Awesome idea!
My cat does the same exact thing, every single morning!!! Definitely don’t need an alarm clock when he’s around :)
This recipe looks amazing! I may have to make it tomorrow morning!
I love love LOVE nut butter in oatmeal. That’s my go-to breakfast in the colder months. I usually do 1 tablespoon of almond butter and a drizzle of agave, but this sounds fantastic. I’ve never thought of caramelizing a banana for oatmeal!
Oh wow, that post made me laugh.
When I first read, this I genuinely thought you were talking about a regular alarm clock, but then I read ‘purring’ and I took a second guess!
Ohh, that porridge/oatmeal sounds divine…mmm
I’ll use almond butter instead and I do want to try and perfect caramelised bananas!
thanks for this recipe, yum
This sounds soooo delicious! Unfortunately, it’s still hot in Italy, so I will still stick to cold oats. Can’t wait till the weather is a bit more chilly, I love autumn.
I need a Sketchie too! Morning is a struggle with a mobile alarm, all those snooze options… *sigh*
Peanut butter and banana makes an amazing sandwich (my favourite in fact!) definitely need to try this though, I think I will for breakfast tomorrow as I have everything I need already :D Love the extra cat details too :)
My cat used to do the exact same thing when she was young (and skinny) except that she’d also attack my feet. Now she’s too chubby and can’t jump unto my bed :( PB and banana oatmeal is the best!!!
At least you’ve got a very adorable alarm clock! I don’t think that pets understand the “its the weekend, let me sleep” thing. My dog faithfully wakes me up at 6:30 every morning for food….then promptly sleeps the day away. And I can’t wait to try the oatmeal! Perfect for fall days!
I have never been so excited to try a new version of pb banana oats. I’m going to make this tomorrow morning with coconut oil and sunflower butter (food allergies). Can’t wait! Thank goodness for the dreary English weather, haha. Thank you Angela!
Breakfast used to be just a bowl of cereal and soy milk for me … until I started reading blogs like yours. I can’t wait to give this recipe a try!
OMG..I just had to make this. Right. Away. Which I did. Since I was getting a bit tired of my same overnight oats routine.
You know it’s amazing as I am singeing my mouth to eat it straight from the boiling pot.
Anyhow, I cannot wait until the morning to eat it all up! (Yes i made it ahead) TGIF indeed.
Thanks again for this recipe :)
I’m not typically the biggest oatmeal fan, but you’ve managed to make this PB banana oatmeal look realllllly enticing! Sketchy is so cute, by the way :)
My cat Edgar does the same thing! He starts to nip at my hand, I try to ignore him, it doesn’t work. Then I get myself out of bed to feed him. 20 minutes later he is passed out snoozing and I am wide awake. :)
Sketchie is the cutest! And I totally get the wake up call. You are a lucky cat-mom if he does this after 6. Lou makes every afford to wake me up round about 3/4 am – than I have to throw her out of the bedroom and close the door, or I won’t sleep for another minute.
btw – this looks like the MOST delicious bowl of oats and is a perfect fit for all those cold mornings ahead of us.
Wow! I just made it this morning, and god was it delicious! I think I could eat this oatmeal all day long… Thank goodness you came up with this recipe Angela, you just made my morning! :)
Oh gosh I love Sketchies expression so much! He looks like a classic grumpy garfield hehe. As for the oats, they look delicious!! I made a simpler version this morning with banana, chia seeds, maple syrup and peanut butter that melted and made it perfect :)
Looks delicious!
Banana and peanuts are such great friends- this looks divine. We’ve still got a smidge of sun left in London, but I fear it’s not for long.
Ha that’s a cat for ya…..they are definitely the best managers. I really like the idea of caramelizing the banana first – and I’ll add oats more as it gets a bit cooler. It’s still in the 90’s down here in Florida!
I love cooking banana in oatmeal!! Your photos look gorgeous!!
This post made me want two things. 1. Caramelized bananas (never tried those before, sounds perfect!) and 2. a cat. I haven’t had a cat in two years since my 18yr old Kringle passed away. I think it might be time for a new family member. I’ve been wanting to wake up earlier in the mornings.
That’s hilarious! Our cat (Sarabi) has been been particularly morning-noisy lately (and late evening too). Funny, her and Sketchie look a lot alike… hmmm, are they up to something. ;)
Food looks dynamite as always… enjoy your day Angela!
Ha! My dog won’t let me sleep in either! She likes breakfast at the same time every day!
Your breakfast looks amazing :) can’t wait to make it!
Thankfully I read this last night, it was cool this morning and I had all ingredients on the house. It was meant to be. and WOW it did not disappoint. The caramelized bananas were amazing! Thank you this will be a regular in my house this fall!
x Steph
That is too funny! Our little girl kitty does that too, but she only wakes up my husband! It never fails, about 6:30am every morning, she is by his side “chirping” like a quail (she does that instead of meows. It’s the cutest thing on the planet). If he doesn’t wake up right away, she will take one tiny needle claw and pop his fingers, if that doesn’t work she will straight up and ever so lightly bit the bridge of his nose. It is hysterical and so friggin’ adorable and absolutely annoying for him! He is always the main target, but she actually did it to me the other day. She also does the same thing as Sketchie…as soon as she has him out of bed and fresh food in her bowl, she goes off to take a nap. Brat :) Oh, and this recipe looks fab! Love the caramalized banana!
Just made this now! Super tasty. I could eat this every morning!
Yummy!! That reminds me, you had said that your sister had made a fabulous PB oatmeal banana smoothie that sounded devine, but you didn’t exactly put in the recipe. Would you mind doing that on the blog at some point, it sounds so good and I trust that you/your sister’s recipe will be delish!
That first picture of the oatmeal is drool-inducing…for realz. Want to try this when the weather gets a little cooler!
Hehe. Kitties are pretty good alarm clocks. I have one of those at my house too. ;)
This is how you start the day out right!
Had this for breakfast – it was like heaven in a bowl on a cool fall morning. Kept me fueled for hours and thru my am workout. I love the blog and have gotten several of my friends hooked – and we’re not even vegan!
I’m going to make this this morning, looks incredible!
I can totally relate to the living alarm clock. Meg does the same thing to me in the morning, she wakes me up obnoxiously early, I feed her then she goes back to sleep. Gee, thanks! Does Sketchie love the sound of his own voice also? Meg just LOVES to talk to her friends that none of us can see, all the time. That “Simon’s Cat” video cracks me up every time!
You make all your photos look sooo delicious! Do you have a special camera?
I just made this for my sick 3 yr old. He devoured it!
Just made this this morning and it was fantastic, perfect autumn/winter breakfast. Loved the partially caramelized bananas! I subbed in hemp milk and almond butter, and it was delicious!
The recipe sounds great. But what caught my eye was Sketchie, he is gorgeous!!! What breed is he?
Dear Angela
I found your website a few weeks ago when I was looking for interesting recipes to spice up my anti candida diet. Vegan minus sugar. I have to say I have totally fallen in love with your blog and your wonderful wonderful recipes are oh so inspiring. I am having so much fun creating with your creations. Food is such a divine source of love laughter and happiness.
Thank you, you have lightened my life.
Lynne.
Hey Lynne, Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m so happy to hear you enjoy the blog & recipes so much. Thanks for making MY day!
Holy moly, Lynne! Vegan minus sugar. You’re a trooper and a real healthy diet inspiration. This blog has made our household transition to vegan nearly simple… but I can’t deny that I’m totally hooked on sugar. I stick to whole foods mostly, but I just have a sweet tooth. If you don’t mind me asking, why are you doing anti candida and what other resources do you recommend for learning how to cut down sugar in an already restrictive diet?
Thanks!
This looks so yummy and nutritious! Can’t wait to give it a try for breakfast:) I live te fact that you added chai seeds to it…I’m always adding these seeds to anything I can to make it extra healthy. Thanks for sharing! Xo
This morning was the first morning it was too cold to stand barefoot on the sidewalk as I let the dogs do their business… So I got back inside and made this. GOOD LORD. Definitely the best oats I’ve EVER had. Caramelizing the banana? Genius!
I just made this with Cinnamon Raisin peanut butter and it was absolutely delicious. Ooof I am stuffed.
I just tried this recipe this morning and oh my soooooo gooooooddddd!!!! Just perfect!!
This was absolutely the best oatmeal I have ever eaten! However when I made the recipe the first time, I was viewing it on my iPad and for some reason addd 1/2 cup peanut butter instead of the called for 1/2 tablespoon! Big mistake! I remade it ( correctly) and its delicious! Any idea of the nutrition information for your recipes?
hah well I can imagine how good it would be with 1/2 cup! Some mistakes arent that bad afterall…heh.
I don’t regularly post nutritional info, but I do occasionally. Nutrition data or Calorie Count are two free services if you want to try them out.
This is the best oatmeal I’ve ever made/tasted. Thanks for this delicious and healthy recipe! :)
I am so happy I stumbled upon your take on oatmeal. I just finished my first bowl and I can’t wait to make it again. It is so easy and the spices and vanilla really complete it. I’m excited about hot oatmeal again! Such a perfect fall breakfast. Thank you!
I’ve made this recipe the past 2 weekends and it is amazing! Thanks for sharing!
alongcamesomechatter.blogspot.com
This looks yummy and perfect for colder weather. Sketchie is beautiful. I love cats and there faces and attitudes!