This recent oatmeal journey all started with a little inspiration from a YouTube video I saw from Pick Up Limes. Sadia created a beautiful blueberry oatmeal dish I thought would be fun to try. Plus, I made a copycat of Clinton Street Baking Company’s famous blueberry pancakes, using Wyman’s frozen Maine wild blueberries. I couldn’t stop imagining what those amazing blueberries could do for a humble bowl of oats. Thus, Wild Blueberry Banana Oatmeal was born!

FANTASTIC!

That was my reaction to this final recipe, and I absolutely had to share it. Here’s what I mean by fantastic:

#1. The frozen blueberries mix with the oats to give it a beautiful purple color.

#2. Blueberries, banana, and maple syrup combine to add just the right amount of sweetness.

#3. Fresh fruit counter the hot oatmeal with cool, bursts of flavor.

#4. The banana and oatmeal combine for a creamy texture.

#5. Slivered almonds accent the rest of the dish by providing that pleasant crunch.

#6. A little zest from a lemon peel finishes off this bowl with the perfect hint of sour citrus.

Ingredients for Wild Blueberry Banana Oatmeal

OATS – Old Fashioned or Rolled Oats. But Steel-cut would work great too. They just take longer to cook. Oats are super easy to cook either on the stove top or in a microwave.

HOT WATER (or milk) – It’s recommended to use twice as much water as oats to fully saturate the grain without making them too soggy. Using hot water will reduce the amount of time it takes to boil. But if you’re using cold water or milk, that’s perfectly fine. Just give yourself a few extra minutes to prepare your meal.

BANANA – This versatile fruit adds much needed bulk, bite, creaminess, and sweetness to oatmeal. I picked up this hack from Sadia of Pick Up Limes, and now I use it in every bowl. They also look so beautiful as a garnish. Remember, the more ripe, the more sweet. This is a great recipe to add those ugly, spotted bananas.

FROZEN WILD BLUEBERRIES – I use Wyman’s Maine Wild Blueberries for their flavor punch. Like most frozen fruit and vegetables, they are preserved at their peak ripeness. I first learned about them from Neil Kleinberg, famous for his blueberry pancakes at NYC’s Clinton Street Baking Company. Neil swears by these blueberries, and so do his lines of customers.

Fortunately for me, Wyman’s blueberries are available in my local grocery stores. But, if that’s not the case for you, look for any frozen WILD blueberries you can find. You could also, of course, use fresh blueberries.

FRESH BLUEBERRIES – I love using these for garnish because they look beautiful. Even more so, their cool, juicy flavor adds so much to this hot breakfast dish. These can be used in lieu of frozen if needed or preferred.

ALMONDS – Whether you prefer whole, chopped, or slivered almonds, these are a crunchy, nutritious addition to your breakfast bowl. The flavors also go so well with the wild blueberries and banana. But if you’re not a fan, or have other nuts such as walnuts, pine nuts, or pecans instead, go for it!

MAPLE SYRUP – I prefer maple syrup for oatmeal because it’s an easy way to add some additional sweetness. But of course, granulated or brown sugar would work well too. I use 2 tablespoons of maple syrup in this recipe. That may be too much for you, or not enough! Be sure to taste your oatmeal before adding sweeteners.

SALT – I use kosher salt for my recipes. A little goes a long way. Before adding any salt, taste your oats when they are close to done. If the flavor of the oats and blueberries seem like they are under performing, add a 1/4 teaspoon, stir, then taste again. If you like it, serve it. I like 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt because I find it elevates the flavors and better balances the sweetness of the banana, blueberries, and maple syrup.

LEMON ZEST – Believe it or not, the peel of a lemon has some pretty intense flavor. Shaving just a little over your bowl can add hints of sour citrus that complement the blueberry flavor. I love lemon zest because it also adds a beautiful color contrast to the final dish.

How to Make Wild Blueberry Banana Oatmeal

To a medium saucepan, add 1 cup of old fashioned oats or rolled oats, plus 2 cups of milk or hot water. Turn the burner up to high. Once it starts to bubble, turn the heat down to medium-low for about 5 minutes, or until the oats look thick, creamy and taste fully cooked.

While waiting for the oats to come up to a brief boil, start adding ingredients. Stir in the frozen wild blueberries and watch the oats turn a marvelous purple. Add banana slices so they can start to breakdown and add lots of creaminess.

Once the oats are just about fully cooked, it’s time to add some sweetness and saltiness. Everyone has their own preference, so start by tasting the oatmeal. Add the syrup and salt as you see fit. I find that 2 tablespoons of maple syrup give oatmeal just the right sweetness. Half a teaspoon of kosher salt gives the dish just the right balance and brings out the full flavor of the ingredients.

Pour about half the oats into a cereal bowl. Add as many additional banana slices, fresh blueberries and almonds as you would like for garnish. And if you really want it fancy, shave some lemon zest onto the bowl like confetti.

FAQ for Wild Blueberry Banana Oatmeal

What is the ratio of water to oats for oatmeal?

It’s recommended for oatmeal to use a 2 to 1 ratio of water to oats. I use this ratio in my recipes and it works every time! It provides just the right amount of moisture to make the oats creamy and cook quickly. I’ve found that using much more and my oats are swimming in a soup. When using less, my oats are still grainy and don’t fully cook.

Can I use milk instead of water?

Of course! Any milk will do. Whole, 2%, skim, plant milks all make for creamy, delicious oatmeal. They also bring with them their own flavors. So keep that in mind. I opted for water because I can make it hot right out of the tap, and it’s zero calories.

Do I have to use frozen wild blueberries?

Fresh blueberries, as long as they don’t taste sour, can certainly make your oatmeal taste delicious. Frozen wild blueberries do seem to have a more intense blueberry flavor, plus they are smaller so you’re more likely to get a few in every bite.

Did you make this recipe? Share your experience in the comments below and your pics on Instagram @theflavorfanatic1.

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