
I’m always learning new things from friends and readers on Facebook. This idea for Banana Pecan Oatmeal Brûlée came from a quick breakfast exchange with my friend Renee:
Nicole: It’s chilly and rainy and I haven’t eaten breakfast yet. I think it’s time for some oatmeal!
Renee: Oatmeal Brulée! Oatmeal on the bottom of an oven-safe dish (ramekin), layer of sliced bananas, layer of chopped pecans, a little brown sugar and into the broiler ’till the sugar caramelizes. VOILA! Heaven.
It sounded so good to me that I went into the kitchen and did exactly what she suggested. It was a perfect rainy day breakfast and so delicious that I just had to share it with the rest of you!
Banana Pecan Oatmeal Brûlée
4 cups water
1 cup steel cut oats
pinch of salt
1/4 cup milk
1 – 2 tablespoons butter
1 large banana, sliced
2 – 3 tablespoons brown sugar
1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans
1. Bring water to boil in a medium saucepan (or large saucepan if making several servings at once). Stir in oats and salt, if using, and immediately reduce heat to low. Watch carefully, because the water might foam up and boil over. (If using an electric stove, and the water foams up before the burner cools down enough, briefly lift the pan off the heat and the foam will subside.) Simmer uncovered over low heat, stirring occasionally, for 25-30 minutes or until oats are of desired texture.
2. Remove oatmeal from heat and stir in milk and butter. Pour oatmeal into a small casserole dish (about 1 1/2 quarts) and arrange banana slices over the top. Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the top of the bananas. Put casserole under a preheated broiler until sugar starts to melt (watch carefully, it happens pretty fast). Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped pecans.* Serve warm.
Serves 4.
Recipe Notes: *When I made this the first time, I put the pecans on before broiling it and found that they started burning before the sugar was melted. From now on, I’ll just sprinkle it with toasted pecans after it comes out of the oven. You don’t have to use steel cut oatmeal, that’s just what I prefer. Feel free to start with four servings of any type of oatmeal.

- Are you new to using Steel Cut Oats? Check out my earlier post on Steel Cut Oatmeal.
- Want to chat with me about what you like to eat for breakfast? Follow Pinch My Salt on Facebook.
- Want to thank Renee for an amazing breakfast idea? Find her on Twitter. (I’m there, too.)






I’m not a huge fan of either bananas or oatmeal, but this looks AMAZING. Seriously. Making this for breakfast tomorrow. Yum!
12:26 pm Mar 4th, 2011This looks very tasty!
12:38 pm Mar 4th, 2011This looks AMAZING!!! Seriously I wish so much that I could have milk! Maybe I will try and make this with almond milk!
12:58 pm Mar 4th, 2011What a comforting breakfast. I was a huge oatmeal fan as a kid… so this is right up my alley. Great post!
1:56 pm Mar 4th, 2011You’re blowing my mind. Seriously.
2:44 pm Mar 4th, 2011Nicole – Lovely! Will try tomorrow. Where did you get the great ramekins?
3:00 pm Mar 4th, 2011Yumm! My honey loves oatmeal and bananas! He would love this!
4:50 pm Mar 4th, 2011Looks lovely!
5:40 pm Mar 4th, 2011I was disappointed when you shared pictures of this on FB without a link to the recipe. So, I’m VERY happy that you decided to share the recipe finally! <3
6:11 pm Mar 4th, 2011My bff loves brulee, and I’m pretty sure she would love this too.
8:17 pm Mar 4th, 2011I would never thought of using cut oats in a brûlée, looks so delicious!
11:03 pm Mar 4th, 2011I’m pretty sure you just changed my life with this recipe. Just so you know.
7:25 am Mar 5th, 2011There are some folks who would just die and go to Heaven if they ate this for breakfast. Or lunch. Or dinner!
9:12 am Mar 5th, 2011What a great idea for oatmeal! I love oatmeal but sometimes grow tired of its sameness.
5:44 pm Mar 5th, 2011Made this yesterday morning! It was very tasty. Only had quick cook steel cut oats, so next time I’d like to try the real deal. Kind of reminded me of bananas foster a bit
9:05 am Mar 6th, 2011I love steel cut oats and cannot wait to try this twist!
4:44 pm Mar 6th, 2011Wow what a grownup version of breakfast oatmeal. But I bet kids would love it,too.
11:50 am Mar 7th, 2011Oh my gosh, that first photo is gorgeous. This sounds delicious and looks beautiful. I’d never have thought of brulee-ing my breakfast, but I love it!
12:25 pm Mar 7th, 2011LOVE the combo of oatmeal and bananas. Pecans just add icing to the top! I usually cook my oats in vanilla soy milk and cinnamon, which my kids and I love. This morning we had it topped with fresh sliced strawberries-not bad either…
10:33 am Mar 8th, 2011Sounds delish and looks amazing!
11:23 am Mar 8th, 2011This sounds AWESOME. I can’t cook with real sugar for another two months (have gestational diabetes), but I think this may work with brown sugar splenda. And I’m so gonna rock it out with real sugar come two months from now. Thanks for the inspiration!
4:00 pm Mar 18th, 2011Toasty pecans, warm banana and brown sugar…such a great combination! This oatmeal brulee is inspiring.
10:09 am Mar 19th, 2011This is wonderful!!!
11:58 am Mar 24th, 2011Great sounding recipe.
9:24 am Apr 18th, 2011I don’t have steel cut, just regular old fashioned oatmeal. Is it still 4 cups water to 1 cup oats? It seems like a large ratio and I don’t want the dish to be soupy. Can you recommend?
4:21 pm May 6th, 2011Melissa: Just follow the directions on your package of oatmeal and make enough for four servings. Regular oatmeal should work just fine!
6:29 pm May 6th, 2011I used regular oats and added a half a cup of all natural peanut butter melted to the oats. So delicious!
2:22 am May 15th, 2011