Start mornings right with this wonderfully simple banana grits recipe. These creamy and sweet grits are loaded with ripe banana, honey, and cinnamon for a delicious breakfast dish that is guaranteed to satisfy!

Corn grits have long been a staple for both savory and sweet dishes. It's a versatile food that has a rather mild taste, making it great to load with whatever flavors you like. This sweet and hearty banana grits recipe is my favorite for breakfast!

We use instant (or quick) grits for a recipe that is fast and easy, but still has that cozy home cooking feeling you crave in a satisfying breakfast. They cook to creamy perfection in mere minutes on the stovetop - with only one pot! (So hooray, you can actually enjoy that early morning time instead of tackling a mountain of dishes.)

Mashed ripe bananas and a generous drizzle of honey gives the cereal just the right amount of sweetness without bordering on dessert. Then stir in a dash of cinnamon for extra delicious flavor, plus a pat of butter to take the banana grits to the next level of irresistible creaminess.

In less than 10 minutes you have a warm, tummy-filling, good and good for you breakfast (or brunch or snack!) to fuel you all day long.

Recipe ingredients

Quick grits. Instant grits are ground fine for a cereal that cooks faster than medium grind "regular" grits.

Water. Follow the package instructions for exact amount of water to use.

Banana. Ripe bananas that are lightly brown are the sweetest. Avoid super brown or black fruits that are likely to be severely bruised.

Honey. Perfect to pair with cinnamon and banana.

Cinnamon. Earthy, slightly sweet and smoky classic baking spice. This flavor is iconic with bananas and honey.

Butter. Makes the grits super creamy and delicious with just a bit of richness.

How to make this banana grits recipe

Start by checking the quick grits package to determine the water amount. In a pot, bring the water to a boil and add a pinch of salt. Reduce the heat, and slowly add the grits, stirring to prevent lumps.

Let them cook for about 5-7 minutes on low heat, stirring occasionally to keep them smooth. Once done, take them off the heat. Mix in your mashed banana (or you can mash banana separately in a bowl and add grits there), followed by honey, cinnamon, and butter.

Give it a good stir. If you want a sweeter flavor, just add a bit more honey. Enjoy your warm banana grits! More interesting variations ideas are below.

Variations

• Use milk instead of water when cooking for richer and creamier southern-style grits.
• Swap honey with maple syrup if you like. This is a fantastic version for fall and winter!
• Add extra honey or maple syrup for an even sweeter dish that is yummy for dessert.
• Change up the flavors a bit by using pumpkin pie spice instead of only cinnamon.
• Substitute traditional butter with your favorite dairy-free plant butter.
• For a completely vegan banana grits recipe use maple syrup instead of honey and your preferred dairy-free butter.
• Add other goodies to the mix! Try chopped walnuts, dried fruits like cranberries or raisins, coconut flakes, or mini chocolate chips for an extra sweet breakfast or dessert treat.

Frequently asked questions

Expert tips

1. Consistent Stirring: Use a wooden spoon or a whisk to stir your grits. Consistent stirring helps achieve a creamy texture and prevents lumps from forming.
2. Milk for Creaminess: For an even creamier texture, consider using a mixture of half water and half milk when preparing the grits.
3. Consistency Adjustments: If your grits become too thick, you can always add a splash of milk or water to adjust the consistency when reheating.
4. Banana Ripeness: If you want a more intense banana flavor, consider using overripe bananas. Their natural sugars are more concentrated, providing a deeper sweetness and richer taste.
5. Texture Test: Everyone has a preference for grits consistency. Some prefer them more runny while others like them thicker. It's always best to make them slightly thinner initially, as they will continue to thicken upon standing.

Storage instructions

Store leftover banana grits in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to reheat, gently warm them in a saucepan over low-medium heat, adding a splash of milk or water to maintain creaminess. Stir occasionally until heated through, and serve immediately.

More breakfast recipes

• M&M pancakes
• Air fryer pancake bites
• Cookie butter pancakes
• Vanilla pudding pumpkin bread
• Pancakes with evaporated milk
• Pumpkin soda bread
• Butterscotch pudding pumpkin bread
• Eggplant pancakes
• Plantain waffles

Hope you will like this banana grits recipe as much as we do. Please rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.