Fast and easy paleo oatmeal - 1 bowl, 5 ingredients, 5 minutes. It's gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, and refined sugar-free. The perfect hot breakfast for busy weekdays!
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Do you remember instant oatmeal? I ate it a lot as a kid. Just open the package, add hot water, stir, and you have ready-to-eat oatmeal. It was a quick and easy hot breakfast, but it was full of grains and processed food chemicals (including artificial flavor, caramel color, and guar gum).
Is oatmeal paleo?
Of course packaged instant oatmeal is not paleo because it includes sugar and other additives. But what about old-fashioned oatmeal that doesn't contain anything but rolled oats? After all, a bowl of oatmeal is one of the most popular breakfast foods.
Because oats are a grain, oatmeal (and anything made from oats like overnight oats or oat flour) is not paleo. Even if they are just plain rolled oats with nothing else added. Grains are not allowed on a paleo diet.
Grain free oatmeal alternative
That's why I had to create a grain-free, oat-free version of oatmeal. I wanted it to be just as quick and easy as the instant oatmeal I ate as a kid. But made with only nutritious whole foods and no added sugar. A hot breakfast cereal that's paleo-friendly.
My paleo version of instant oatmeal keeps all the convenience but uses only paleo ingredients. I wanted something that I could stir together in one bowl - no blenders, food processors, or pans - and would take less than five minutes to make. And of course, it had to be gluten, grain, dairy, refined sugar, and additive-free.
Just like the original, you can make and eat this paleo oatmeal in the same bowl. Simply mash the banana in the bottom of a cereal bowl, stir in shredded coconut, almond flour, cashew milk, and cinnamon, and microwave until hot. Breakfast is done and you're out the door.
To save time and make it even easier, you can mix up the dry ingredients in advance. Once you have a jar of oatmeal mix ready to go, you only need to add the banana and non-dairy milk to make a fast bowl of paleo oatmeal for breakfast. Here's how to make a big batch of paleo oatmeal mix for the week. (I also show how to make oatmeal mix in the video below.)
You can top this paleo porridge with whatever you like. Maple was always my favorite flavor, so I like to drizzle it with (real) maple syrup and top it with blueberries and walnuts. But you can top it with whatever you like - pumpkin seeds, almond butter, coconut milk - the flavor combinations are endless.
Paleo "instant oatmeal" is my new go-to fast breakfast - 1 bowl, 5 ingredients, and less than 5 minutes. This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
How to make paleo oatmeal
Paleo "Instant Oatmeal" Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ banana
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons almond flour
- ⅓ - ½ cup cashew milk
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Mash banana in bottom of bowl. Add remaining ingredients and stir to combine.
- Microwave 1 - 2 minutes, until hot and starting to bubble. Stir and let stand a couple minutes. It will thicken slightly as it cools.
- Serve with your favorite toppings.
Kelly Smith says
What a simple and delicious option for breakfast! I can't wait to try it soon! 🙂
Lisa says
Thank you, Kelly! It's a great quick and easy hot breakfast. Perfect on days like today when it's too cold for a smoothie. Although I know you don't have that problem in California. 🙂
Beth @ Hooked on Health says
REALLY! Mashed banana and you call it oatmeal? I was super excited when I saw the title but the proposition is a huge disappointment. Plus, a lot of us do not eat nuts due to the high omega 6 content. Nuts make my joints hurt. You really need to call it something else.
takiyahnoble says
Try the all coconut based paleo recipe on empowered sustenance then.
I think I will try this one though... I'm all coconutted out.
Kim says
GOODness what a negative Nancy. Just click on a different recipe and move on! No need to be so mean because you disagree with the title, especially since you didn't even try it!
Ane says
I AGREE WITH YOU KIM!
Sam says
Beth you're being a stone cold meanie. Relax a little bit because you're harshing everyone's mellow.
Cece Leskova says
Yum!
Em says
Absolutely fantastic and delicious. Thank you. I really missed oats. This so hit the superb and bookmarked spot!
Renee says
This was delicious, I featured it on my Blog site: http://peacefulfoodie.com/are-you-rowing-upstream/
Laurie says
This cereal is just perfect for all kinds of "toppings". This is my 3rd morning making it and I can't wait until tomorrow morning! I don't get hungry again until mid afternoon. It's a great little recipe!! Thanks!!
Kim says
I never cared for oatmeal and bananas make me gag so I can't give any testament to the flavor or texture...HOWEVER, my six-year-old who really missed oatmeal gobbled it up, asked for more before she finished and wants it tomorrow for breakfast 🙂 The only adjustment I made was adding 1 tsp of maple syrup! THANKS! This was super easy and fast and she ate every bit...something she rarely did with a bowl of real oatmeal!
Lisa says
That's awesome, Kim! I created this recipe for a friend who was missing oatmeal for breakfast. I'm so glad your six-year-old enjoyed it! 🙂
Danielle says
I got rid of my microwave a few years back. Is there another alternative to using a microwave?
Jennifer says
I've successfully made this on the stove multiple times, just use less liquid:)
Avril says
I always hated oatmeal but I just had to try this. Almond and coconut? What's not to like?
I can't get cashew milk so I used coconut milk. Topped with raspberries it is utterly scrumptious.
Since giving up toast, I usually just have a fruit breakfast but now this will be my staple.
Thankyou for such a great recipe.
Lisa says
You're welcome Avril! I'm happy you loved it!
Anastasia says
Hi, what an awesome recipe - thanks so much for sharing it! Im not a fan of oatmeal but my husband is/was before switching to paleo so he's missing it. It tastes like oatmeal, looks like oatmeal, and has a texture of oatmeal. Bananas provide the gueeness and natural sweetness, shredded coconut gives texture. It's very quick and easy and delicious. Thanks again 🙂
Lisa says
Yay! I'm so glad your husband liked it, Anastasia!
caraline says
How long will the recipe hold in the fridge?
Lisa says
Hi Caraline, I've kept the dry oatmeal mix in the fridge for a week or two. But I always add the banana and nut milk right before serving.
Sam says
I was skeptical about this one but I was so wrong! Such a delicious breakfast.
Lisa says
Thanks Sam! It's one of my favorites - so glad you enjoyed it!
Amanda says
This looks delish! I'm excited to give it a try as I've been craving oatmeal. One quick question - do you think I could sub ground flax seeds to make it nut free?
Holly says
This is so good! I didn't have the almond flour or the coconut, but thought I would just try it without to get an idea. So simple and so delicious! And to me it was totally like the instant oatmeal texture with the little chunks of soft, warm banana. I just started exploring Paleo and this goes right to the top of my favorites list. 🙂 Thank you!
Jennifer says
Attempting to swap out my children's favorite meals with paleo. This hit the nail on the head. The texture, gooey- flavor is great-warming just like real oats. It's a great alternative. It's pretty obvious to me that BETH did not even try to make this! Then again my be she is having a hard time adjusting to the grain free life style. I am so happy we found this. I am even going to prevent mix up a couple batches and store in the cabinet for busy mornings!
Lisa says
Thanks Jennifer! Glad you love it!
Kimberleigh says
Made this today and it's reeally good. It just might push me towards trying Paleo since I was dreading the thought of having eggs everyday.
Lisa says
Thanks - glad you like it Kimberleigh!
Lisa says
I'm allergic to bananas. Any recipe substitute?
Lisa says
Hi Lisa, some readers have written in that they like it with applesauce. That would be a great substitute to try.
Alisha says
This is a great paleo breakfast item! I was struggling to find things I could eat for breakfast on a restricted diet. I love that it is gluten, dairy and egg free! Thanks so much for sharing this!
Natalie says
Hi! I tried this and loved the taste! But how do i get that bump that you got in the picture? Mine came out flat. I used about 1/2 cup almond milk did you use 1/3? I wanted it to be thicker. Super yummy in flavor and texture though! I just want the appearance of yours 🙂
Talia says
I’m not a huge fan of the texture of coconut (love the flavor though) and I replaced it with hemp hearts and it worked great!! Thank you for the recipe- I’ve been looking for a warm breakfast on cold mornings.
anna says
Totally new to Paleo here. Just tried this and it's GREAT. Filling and didn't hurt my stomach, like oatmeal does. Bye bye oatmeal!
Nicole says
This is sooooo delicious! I've been craving oatmeal and this does the trick!!
Malin says
I had no banana at home, but some canned pumpkin (not pie filling). It worked great and it was not as sweet as using a banana. Great substitute!
Jacquelyn Denton says
So so Good!!! Really hit the spot after a 60 hour fast! Definitely a keeper! Thank you!
Lia says
Eating this heaven right now! Warms my heart so yummy! Thank you sooo much for this !my new breakfast😍 added raisons and one whole banana instead of half. I also put coconut milk instead of cashew. Really can t thank you enough. Been searching for paleo “oatmeal” recipes for so long. And this is the perfect one .
Kelly says
Tried this recipe - it was delicious! Definitely felt like I was enjoying some instant oats! Thank you!
Lisa says
So glad you love it, Kelly!
Sandra says
Excellent! I put some blueberries and walnuts on top with a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Impressive!
Mari Joseph says
Absolutely delicious. This satisfied my oatmeal craving. I topped with strawberries.Thanks for sharing!