Name: Chocolate Banana Steel Cut Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: American

Project Meal Plan Verified

March 4, 2026

Super creamy steel cut oats naturally sweetened with maple syrup and turned ultra chocolatey with a couple tablespoons of cocoa powder! These Chocolate Banana Steel Cut Oats are the perfect breakfast treat if you’re craving something chocolatey! Directions included for both stove top and Instant Pot.

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Chocolate Banana Steel Cut Oats

Project Meal Plan Verified

Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

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Stovetop

Combine almond milk, water, cinnamon and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, add oats, and then reduce heat to low.

Let simmer over low heat covered, stirring occasionally, for approximately 20 minutes (cook for another 5 minutes for a more tender texture). Remove from heat and let stand for 4-5 minutes.

Add maple syrup, cocoa powder, and bananas to the oatmeal and stir until well mixed.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days! Portion into individual containers if you want.

Instant Pot

Combine water, almond milk, oats, cinnamon and salt in the Instant Pot insert. Stir briefly and make sure all oatmeal is submerged.

Place the IP lid on, and make sure the steam release valve is sealed. Set the IP to Manual or Pressure Cook for 4 minutes. When it’s done pressure cooking, let the steam naturally release for 10 minutes. The oatmeal will continue to cook during this time.

Hit the quick release to release all remaining pressure. After the float valve has gone down, remove the lid and very carefully stir to fully combine liquid and oatmeal. It will continue to thicken as it cools. Feel free to add more liquid if it’s too thick for you.

Add maple syrup, cocoa powder, and bananas to the oatmeal and stir until well mixed.

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days! Portion into individual containers if you want.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Toast Your Steel Cut Oats First 🔥
Dry-toast the steel cut oats in your pot for 1-2 minutes before adding liquid to enhance their nutty flavor and create a deeper, more complex base for the chocolate profile.
Bloom Your Cocoa Powder 🍫
Whisk the cocoa powder with a small amount of warm almond milk first to create a smooth paste and eliminate lumps, ensuring silky chocolate distribution throughout your oats.
Layer Bananas Strategically 🍌
Reserve fresh banana slices for topping instead of cooking them in; add them just before serving to maintain their texture and bright flavor that contrasts beautifully with creamy oats.
Use Instant Pot for Texture Control ⏱️
For creamier oats with intact grains, use high pressure for 10 minutes followed by natural release; this creates a luxurious texture superior to stovetop cooking without mushiness.
Temper with Maple Syrup Last 🍯
Stir in maple syrup during the final minute of cooking rather than at the beginning to preserve its complex flavor notes and prevent the oats from becoming overly thick and gummy.

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About the Cook

Project Meal Plan

Hi, I’m Danielle! My passion for meal planning came from a desire to save money and reduce food waste, and I want to share it with you! Besides cooking and photography, I absolutely love my cats & chicken (yes, just one!), growing food in my yard, and hot sandwiches!