Gina Speed
Time to get back into comfort food. Our favorite oats recipes can be enjoyed year round but they are extra nourishing in the cooler months. Oats contain a powerful soluble fiber that improves your blood flow and increases the growth of good bacteria in your digestive tract. They are a warm and yummy way to keep your body rich in antioxidants while lowering your blood sugar levels.
Oats Recipes Power Your Mornings
We’re firm believers in breakfast being the most important meal. Add a few of these oats recipes to your morning and power through the rest of the day. Use gluten-free oats and millet flakes and top with your favorite fruits and berries. Some of these ingredients might seem strange at first but once you experience the health benefits they offer, you may find yourself with a new pantry staple.
Ingredients:
2 large eggs
1/2 banana
2 tbsp gluten-free rolled oats
2 tbsp millet flakes
1 tsp psyllium husk powder
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp ceylon cinnamon
Pinch of salt
1/3 cup plant milk
1 tbsp coconut oil
berries, fruit, dried mulberries and coconut cream for serving
Click here for full recipe and instructions. Like any good grain, millet flakes are a good source of fiber and offer protection against heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Psyllium husk powder supports healthy digestion and can be added to smoothies and other baked goods. Keep your system clean and your energy levels high with this yummy pancake.
Good morning mood music to round out your November.
Try it With Tahini
You may already know how much we love oats from our previous No Bake Chocolate Cookie recipe. Add this healthy alternative to our oats recipes and dial it up a notch with tahini. These chewy bars are perfect for days when you need cookies but don’t want to turn on the oven. (Everyday?)
Ingredients:
Oat Layer
1.5 (155g) cups oats – use gluten-free oats if allergic/intolerant to gluten
1 cup (110g) oat flour – rolled oats blended into a flour in the food processor. Use gluten-free oats if allergic/intolerant to gluten
1/2 tsp green cardamom powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup (120ml) coconut oil
1-2 tbsp date syrup or any liquid sweetener. I used 1 tbsp, but you may need a little more depending on the texture of the oats/oat flour
Filling
140g dark chocolate – I used 70%
1/2 cup (120ml) Tahini
2 tbsp date syrup – or any other liquid sweetener
Click here for full recipe and instructions. This recipe has very few ingredients and is a fun one to make with children. Save some for afternoon tea and invite a neighbor over for a chat.
Steel Cut Oats
Steel cut oats are less processed than rolled oats and keep you full longer. We enjoy oats recipes because they tend to be high in iron and a good source of protein. This oatmeal is good on a sick day or during the weekend because it takes a little longer to prepare. Remember, starve a fever and feed a cold! Recipes made with chia seeds or hemp seeds give you an extra dose of healthy fiber.
Ingredients:
Oatmeal
1 1/2 cups water
1/2 cup steel cut oats (gluten-free if needed)
1/4 cup almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Fried Bananas
One large banana (cut into quarters)
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp maple syrup
pinch of salt
Toppings
1 tbsp almond butter
1 tbsp chopped hazelnuts
2 tsp hemp seeds
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp maple syrup
Click here for the full recipe and instructions. The addition of almond milk and the alternative nut butter of your choice adds to the protein-quotient of this breakfast. You may also substitute hemp seeds with chia seeds. All of the sugar in this yummy bowl comes from the banana and maple syrup. Score!
Leverage Instant Oatmeal
If you need a quick breakfast you don’t need to wait 30 minutes for your oats to cook. Work instant oatmeal into your oats recipes and doctor them up with fruits and power seeds. Infuse your milk of choice with an earl grey tea for an extra boost and head out the door. That’s like a two-in-one that is tasty and warm.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup milk
1 earl grey tea bag
1 packet Pure Growth Organic Original Oatmeal
1/4 cup fresh blueberries, plus more for serving
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of flaky sea salt, to taste
sliced banana, honey, and hemp seeds, for serving
Click here for full recipe and instructions. Blueberries just work with oatmeal so well. They provide extra antioxidants that help keep your immune system strong. You can stay low-glycemic and stick with honey or maple as an ideal sweeter as well.
Vegan Varieties
Vegan oat bars can be as chewy or crunchy as you like. Dates and bananas keep oats recipes sweet and chewy while nuts give them an added crunch. You can mix in different ingredients to suit your taste and this is an easy recipe to experiment with.
Ingredients:
Dry Ingredients
One cup rolled oats (90g)
One cup oat flour (120g)
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
2 ripe bananas, chopped or mashed
½ cup soy milk (can swap for other plant-based milk)
1-2 tbsp maple syrup
Optional add-ons
⅓ cup walnuts, chopped (40g)
5 dates, chopped
¼ cup coconut flakes (20g)
2 tbsp chia seeds
Click here for full recipe and instructions. These bars are quite easy to make and are a perfect mid-day snack. Dates are in season the 2nd half of the year and are also high in dietary fiber. They also contain tannins, which are anti-inflammatory and anti-infective.
Overnight Oats
If you’ve got to have your old-fashioned oats, but don’t have time in the morning, take a cue from our article on meal prep. Overnight oats recipes take just a few minutes to prepare and the rest of the work happens while you sleep. You can even make these in a large jar and grab it on your way out the door spill-free.
Ingredients:
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1½ cups milk of your choice (I like canned coconut milk)
2 very ripe bananas, mashed; plus sliced banana for topping
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 Tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted
2 Tbsp. honey, plus more for serving
1 Tbsp. chia seeds
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon flaky sea salt
½ cup pecans, toasted
blood oranges, peeled and sliced, for serving (optional)
strawberries, halved, for serving (optional)
Click here for full recipe and instructions. Use winter fruits and nuts, like pecans and blood oranges to get in the seasonal mood. If you’re super lazy, you can also find overnight oats in the deli section of Trader Joe’s. They are soaked in almond milk and have a dash of cinnamon to boot. You have no excuse not to eat oatmeal!