Banana Bread Oatmeal

I think I discovered something magical. I found a way to get LW to love oatmeal as much as I do. As in, he shovels it into his mouth....and I'm not loading it with brown sugar (which is how and why I love oatmeal so much...it's a vehicle for my dark brown sugar).

I'm calling this "Banana Bread Oatmeal" because that's really what it tastes like. And the way I do it is so easy, it's totally cheating.

First off, we buy a million bananas. And sometimes we just can't eat them all. So when they start to get brown I peel them, cut them in half and toss them in a bag in the freezer. This way, we have bananas ready to go if I feel like baking, want a smoothie, or now....if it's an oatmeal kind of morning!

I start with old-fashioned oats. The quick-cook kind just don't have the same texture, to me. Plus, I'm old-fashioned at heart. We should all know that by now.

Next, the secret to the whole recipe....half of a frozen banana.

As bananas freeze they tend to get sweeter and when they defrost, they're so soft that they basically melt. Pouring super-hot oatmeal on top of the frozen banana melts it pretty quickly (I will stab at it with a spoon to push the process along). Plus, the cold banana brings the oatmeal down to toddler-appropriate temperature very quickly!

A cute helper is required for this process:

I use fresh bananas for my own oatmeal and dark brown sugar. I added a tiny sprinkle of dark brown sugar to LW's bowl too but you definitely don't have to. The bananas are VERY sweet.

Once the banana has melted, I top with whatever I have on hand. This morning was strawberries, whole milk and crushed pecans. LW literally shoveled it into his mouth.

That's it! Super simple, easy to make with things on hand, sweet as can be and toddler approved without being loaded with artificial sugars. What more could you ask for?!

For more toddler meal ideas, follow @whatifeedmykid on Instagram!

Banana Bread Oatmeal
2C cooked old-fashioned oats 
1/2 frozen banana
sprinkle dark brown sugar (optional) 
1T whole milk 
3 cut strawberries (garnish)
1tsp chopped pecans (garnish)

Place frozen banana in bowl with sprinkle of brown sugar. Pour cooked oats over banana and sugar. Mash/stir until banana has melted completely and oatmeal is cool. 

Pour on cold whole milk to continue cooling oatmeal (looking for toddler-appropriate temperature). 

Top with favorite toppings. I used strawberries and pecans. 

Enjoy!