Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal is a quick, easy, and hearty breakfast recipe made with quick oats, cinnamon, raisins, ripe bananas, and maple syrup. It's creamy, warm, comforting, and ready in minutes. You can even make it ahead of time, and it is perfect for busy mornings.
I am sharing how to make a Banana Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal recipe with quick-cooking rolled oats on the stovetop.
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email below and I'll send it to your inbox! Plus you’ll get delicious new recipes from me!
If you still use instant oatmeal packets, it's time to switch to homemade! Try this Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal. It is quick, easy, and perfect for a wholesome start to your day!
Loaded with banana, cinnamon, and raisins, this oatmeal is nutritious, filling, and delicious. It tastes like oatmeal raisin cookies and my family loves it for breakfast! I am sure it will be part of your meal plan once you try it!
If you love oats, you can also try banana blueberry oatmeal with rolled oats and Eggless WholeWheat Banana Oatmeal Muffins.
Jump to:
About Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal
Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal is a warm, comforting, and nutritious breakfast dish made with oats, cinnamon, ripe bananas, and sweet raisins. It's a classic recipe that feels like a hug in a bowl, perfect for starting your day on a delicious note.
This wholesome dish combines the rich, earthy flavor of cinnamon, the chewy sweetness of raisins, and the creamy texture of oats, creating a hearty and satisfying meal.
I make this oatmeal using quick-cooking rolled oats, but you can also use instant, old-fashioned oats, or steel-cut oats, depending on your preferred texture.
I use equal parts milk and water for that creamy texture and sweeten it with maple syrup, but you can easily adapt it to dairy and dairy-free diets.
A good bowl of oatmeal is a perfect breakfast for chilly mornings, meal prep, or a quick, energizing start to your day. Whether you top it with nuts, extra fruit, or a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, this cinnamon raisin oatmeal is a simple yet delicious way to enjoy a comforting, homemade breakfast!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Quick and Easy: Ready in 5 minutes, using pantry staple ingredients, making it perfect for busy mornings.
- Nutritious and Satisfying: Packed with fiber, natural sweetness, and wholesome ingredients to keep you full longer.
- Warm and Comforting: Banana, cinnamon, raisins, and creamy oats create a cozy breakfast that tastes just like an oatmeal raisin cookie!
- Customizable: Enjoy it as-is or dress it up with toppings, such as fresh fruit, nuts, or maple syrup. You can easily adjust the sweetness or swap ingredients.
- It's excellent for Meal Prep: You can make it ahead and reheat it for a stress-free, homemade breakfast all week.
Recipe Ingredients
Oats: I have used quick-cooking rolled oats, also known as quick oats, since they are fast and convenient and can be cooked in under 5 minutes on the stove. You can also use old-fashioned oats for a heartier texture or steel-cut oats for extra chew (increase cooking time accordingly).
Milk or Water: I have used equal parts water and milk (whole milk) for a creamier texture. You can use just water, too, but milk makes the oatmeal richer. You can also swap milk for non-dairy, such as unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
Cinnamon: I love to flavor my oatmeal with cinnamon. It is warm and cozy and ties the dish together. Try pumpkin spice, cardamom, or nutmeg for a slightly different flavor profile.
Raisins: They are sweet and plump and add natural sweetness and chewiness. You can also use golden raisins or swap with dried cranberries, chopped dates, or currants for variety.
Banana: I love to add a banana while cooking oats. It adds natural sweetness and creaminess, so I highly recommend it. You can skip it if you're not a banana lover.
Sweetener: I use maple syrup to sweeten the oatmeal. You can skip it or use honey, brown sugar, coconut sugar, or agave syrup.
Sea Salt: Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and enhance the flavors.
Chopped Nuts (Optional): I like to add walnuts or pecans for crunch. You can also use almonds, cashews, or pistachios. Leave them out for a nut-free version, or use seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds instead. Alternatively, you can also use your favorite nut butter.
Please refer to the recipe card for exact ingredient measurements.
How To Make Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal (Stepwise Photos)
1 - In a medium saucepan, bring milk and water to a gentle boil over medium heat.
2 to 4 - Stir in the oats, raisins, sliced banana, and cinnamon until well combined.
5 - Lower the heat and cook the oatmeal, stirring occasionally. Mash the banana while stirring so the banana slices melt into the oats.
6 - Cook until the oats have thickened and are tender, about 3-5 minutes. You'll know the oatmeal is done when all the liquid has been absorbed and the oats are thick.
7 - Turn off the heat and stir in sea salt and maple syrup. Adjust sweetness to taste.
8 - Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal is ready to serve!
Serving Suggestion
Portion oats into a bowl and serve warm, topped with sliced banana, more raisins, walnuts, chia seeds, maple syrup, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. I sometimes add ground flaxseed, too. If needed, add a splash of milk or cream and serve immediately!
This oatmeal makes a delicious base, so feel free to add toppings of your choice. Add chopped nuts, shredded coconut, nut butter, or fresh fruit like apples or berries for extra flavor and crunch.
My husband adds a scoop of protein powder or nut butter to his oatmeal for added protein.
Storing and Reheating Oatmeal
Leftover oatmeal can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for three days. Let the oatmeal cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container.
To reheat leftovers on the stovetop: transfer the cold oatmeal to the saucepan with a splash of milk and water. Warm over medium-low heat until heated through and creamy.
To reheat in the microwave: Transfer oatmeal to a microwave-safe bowl with a splash of milk and water. Microwave it in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until hot.
Recipe Tips
- Oats to Liquid Ratio: Typically, the ratio for oats to liquid is 1:2, so for 1 cup of oats, you add 2 cups of liquid (water, milk, or a mix of both). We prefer a 1:3 ratio. You can adjust the liquid for desired consistency: less for thicker oatmeal and more for thinner oatmeal.
- Cook on medium-low heat: Avoid cooking on high heat to prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.
- Texture: For creamier oatmeal, use milk instead of water and cook longer. For a chewier texture, cook for less time.
- Customize Sweetness: Add maple syrup, brown sugar, or sweetener to your taste. If your bananas are ripe and sweet, skip the sweetener.
- To make it heartier and healthier: stir in chia seeds, flaxseeds, nut butter, or a scoop of protein powder for added fiber and protein.
- Vegan and Dairy-Free oatmeal: Use plant-based milk (e.g., almond, oat, or soy) and sweeten with maple syrup.
- Meal-prep friendly: Double or triple the recipe to meal-prep for the week! Store in the fridge and reheat with a splash of milk or water. The oatmeal thickens over time by absorbing the liquid, so adjust the consistency before serving.
- Enhance Flavor: Add a pinch of nutmeg, cardamom, and cinnamon for a spiced twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
I like using equal parts water and milk for my oatmeal, as it makes it nice and creamy, but using all water or all milk will work, too.
Oatmeal is naturally gluten-free, but if you are intolerant, check that your oats are GF certified, as they are often processed in the same factories as wheat.
Yes! Swap raisins for chopped dates, dried cranberries, or fresh fruit like apples or berries.
More Breakfast Recipes with Oats
I hope you enjoy this Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal Recipe as much as we do!! If you try it, please rate it by clicking stars ⭐️ on the recipe card. Thank you ❤️! You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what's cooking in my kitchen!!
Recipe Card
Banana Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick cooking rolled oats
- 1 to 1.5 cups water see notes
- 1 to 1.5 cups milk of choice see notes
- 1 banana sliced
- 1 tablespoon raisins plus more for topping
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon plus more for topping
- pinch sea salt
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar optional
- For serving: walnuts or nuts of choice, chia seeds, additional sweetener
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email below and I'll send it to your inbox! Plus you'll get delicious new recipes from me!
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring milk and water to a gentle boil over medium heat.
- Stir in the quick oats, raisins, half of the sliced banana and cinnamon until well combined.
- Lower the heat, simmer, and cook the oatmeal, stirring occasionally. Mash the banana while stirring so the banana slices melt into the oats.
- Cook until the oats have thickened and are tender about 3-5 minutes.
- Turn off the heat and mix in sea salt and maple syrup. Adjust sweetness to taste.
- Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal is ready to serve!
- Portion oats into two bowls and serve warm topped with remaining half sliced banana, chia seeds, walnuts, additional raisins, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. If needed, add a splash of milk or cream and maple syrup and serve immediately! Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Update Notes: This post was originally published on January 2, 2015, but it was republished in March 2025 with step-by-step instructions, new photos, tips, and a video.
Julie says
Filling breakfast.. I do add raisins when preparing oatmeal but haven't tried adding bananas,will try sometime !