Adding one ripe banana to plain porridge makes it naturally sweeter and creamier, eliminating the need for sugar or honey. Sophie Harris, Senior Audience Writer at Spare Time, found that mashing a ripe banana into oats transformed the breakfast dish.
Why banana works
Porridge is a favourite breakfast for Harris when she wants something warm and filling. While oats are naturally plain, she experimented with different ingredients and discovered that a single ripe banana made a significant difference to the flavour.
The riper the banana, the sweeter the porridge becomes. The fruit also gives the oats a creamy texture and makes the dish more substantial.
How to make it
The recipe uses 40g of plain porridge oats, 200ml of milk of your choice, and one ripe banana. Optional extras include a pinch of cinnamon, a handful of berries, and a small spoonful of peanut butter.
Harris started by adding the oats and milk to a saucepan over medium heat. She mashed the banana thoroughly with a fork until almost smooth, then stirred it into the oats and milk to ensure it was evenly distributed.
Natural sweetness throughout
As the mixture heats, the banana naturally sweetens the whole bowl. She cooked the porridge gently for about five minutes, stirring regularly until the oats softened and the mixture thickened and became creamy.
Because the banana is mashed into the breakfast rather than sliced on top, the sweetness is present in every mouthful. Harris described the method as the easiest way to make porridge more exciting without adding sugar or honey, noting it is cheap, simple, and filling all morning.
