Holiday Oatmeal is filled with fresh apples, dried fruits, nuts, creamy oats, and brown sugar to create a deliciously filling hot breakfast. Less than 15 minutes from start to finish and a piping hot, warm, and creamy breakfast can be on your table.
This breakfast is a great way to start a fun day of cooking and eating during the holidays or any other day of the year. Thanksgiving or Christmas, holiday morning or not, it’s a delicious way to start the day year-round.
This oatmeal requires minimal fuss and it will keep the family full until the main eating event of the day. Over the years, this has become a tradition for our Thanksgiving breakfast.
Oatmeal with Fruit
We’ve been making our oatmeal recipes with fruit for about as long as I can remember and we’ve been making this particular fruit-filled oatmeal for over 10 years now. Holiday Oatmeal is a huge favorite with both the adults and the kids in our home.
Every guest we’ve ever served this to has requested the recipe. With plenty of fresh apples, sliced bananas, dried fruits, and nuts, cooked into creamy oats with a bit of brown sugar, this is a memorable oatmeal for everyone.
You can make this (and most other oatmeal recipes) with milk or with water and the oatmeal turns out great both ways. When I make oatmeal with water, I top each bowl with a pat of butter when I’m serving it.
Whenever we have an abundance of fruit in the kitchen, it’s a sure bet that some of it will make its way into our oatmeal in the morning. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is solid proof of that and my boys love that one too.
My own favorite quick breakfast year-round is Blueberries and Cream, but classic Peach Oatmeal and Peach Baked Oatmeal trump that when peaches are in season.
Kitchen Tip: I use this saucepan to make this recipe.
Holiday Oatmeal
You’ll need the following ingredients for this recipe:
- old fashioned oats
- milk or water
- apples
- dried cranberries
- chopped pecans
- kosher salt
- sliced bananas
- light brown sugar
To make the oatmeal, combine the oats, milk, apples, cranberries, pecans, and salt in a medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer.
Cook, stirring frequently until the oatmeal has thickened. This should take about 10-12 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the bananas. Scoop into bowls and top with a tablespoon or so of brown sugar.
Check out all of our Oatmeal Recipes! This time of year, Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal is another favorite, as are Slow Cooker Cranberry Almond Oatmeal, and
For more great ways to start the day, these Microwave Egg and Vegetable Sandwiches and these Rise and Shine Breakfast Burritos are both terrific on-the-go options.
Brunch Eggs are a great way to feed a crowd and make sure everyone has some protein on their plate too.
Holiday Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 3 cups rolled oats
- 5½ cups milk or water
- 2 apples diced small, about 2 cups
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pecans chopped
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 medium bananas sliced
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
Instructions
- In a medium size saucepan over medium heat, combine the oats, milk, apples, cranberries, pecans and salt.
- Cook, stirring frequently, until the oatmeal has thickened. This should take about 10-12 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the bananas. Scoop into bowls and top with a tablespoon or so of brown sugar.
Nutrition
{originally published 11/20/12 – recipe notes and photos updated 10/28/24}
Cathy @ Noble Pig says
I think it’s perfect for year-round eating! Yum.
Traci says
Can you use almond milk?if you Use water instead of milk is it creamy still?
Mary says
This will work fine with almond milk. Enjoy!
Annie Behan says
Can I get a nutritional breakdown, please?
Pammy Jeanne Schneider says
This oatmeal looks amazing ♡I can’t wait to try it.this year♡
JO Gardegree says
Nutritional info on holiday oatmeal?
Connie says
I made it!! I added a little maple syrup and cinnamon before eating and it was very good.
Barbara says
Ummm……great, hearty, healthy, comfort meal!
Millie Koolwick says
nutritional info please or carb count for diabetics
Kathy Piepenbrink says
At least 3 people have asked for the nutritional values. Please answer!
Mary says
Hi Kathy, if you’ll look at the recipe card the calories are listed. There are 425 calories per serving. Enjoy!
Alexis says
This is amazing! I have made this several times.
Audrey says
Made it twice now….absolutely yummy
Lisa says
So delicious! My favorite oatmeal.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy that you love it, Lisa.
Janet Miller says
Which type of oatmeal is best used: instant, quick, Regular, or steel cut?
Mary Younkin says
I use regular old-fashioned oats for most of my oatmeal recipes, Janet.
Madeline Gaggi says
Can this be made in a crockpot?
Mary Younkin says
Yes, you can make this in a crockpot. You’ll want to follow the directions here: https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/slow-cooked-strawberry-banana-pecan/ Enjoy!
Erin says
Really good.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you like the oatmeal!