This is what I’ve been eating for breakfast every morning for the past month. It’s total comfort food and makes me feel amazing, even after a night of little sleep. I don’t know about you, but when I find something that I love, I have to have it every. single. day. until I’m sick of it and then I’m onto the next thing for a while. It’s a good thing I have this blog or I’d probably eat the same 3 meals on rotation! This wouldn’t surprise my mom. As a child, I used to only want to wear one outfit over and over. My poor mom had the challenging task to convince me to put on a different outfit before school each day. I remember one of those outfits fondly – a neon pink and green spandex short and tank outfit. Probably with a snap bracelet. Who wouldn’t want to wear that every day? I knew what I was doing back in the 80’s, let me tell you!
Now that I have a newborn, I’ve found myself with short “window of opportunities” for personal tasks (shower! eat! get crap done!). I have to move more efficiently then ever and I’m doing most things in half the time. This probably explains why I left the house wearing 1 earring the other day (“new fashion trend?” is what the cashier asked me). After I feed Adriana in the morning, I’m ready to chew my own arm off (unless I have some of my favourite breakfast cookies on hand!). So, rather than raiding the fridge and digging into my dark chocolate macaroon torte at 8am (yup, that happened), I came up with this hot oatmeal that only requires a quick zap of heat. It’s virtually instant! And I’m not talking about those powdery instant oatmeal packets I used to eat in highschool and university. This is real deal oatmeal at a fraction of the time, but you’d never know it. And it’s been working so well for my new routine that I knew I had to share it, as simple as it is. Everyone can appreciate an almost-instant breakfast, right?
The magic of this breakfast starts with making vegan overnight oats before bed. I live off of vegan overnight oats (and smoothies) all summer long, but it’s cold and snowy outside and I want something piping hot! My solution? I started making my vegan overnight oats before bed as usual, but now in the morning I throw the soaked oat mixture into a pot and heat it up for a couple minutes. That’s all it takes! Since we’re already soaking the oats and chia seeds overnight, the work is done for you as you sleep. Now all we have to do is heat it up for a minute or two. Then I scoop it into a bowl and throw on some toppings. In 5 minutes flat, I have an incredibly satisfying, nourishing bowl of oatmeal ready to start my day. It looks like a fancy bowl of oatmeal fit for a crunchy breakfast cafe. And that makes me very happy.
My favourite toppings are…
soaked raw almonds
pepita seeds (you can soak those too)
dried cranberries or dried cherries
raw or toasted almond butter (just a drizzle so it doesn’t overpower)
cinnamon + ground ginger + allspice (lots of cinnamon and just a tiny sprinkle of the last two – try it!!)
toasted flaked coconut
Keep these toppings close by so you can just throw them on like nobody’s biz-nas. Oh and sometimes I will put a pat of coconut oil or vegan butter on top when I want to crank up the comfort another level. This is a breakfast that makes those wintry cold days just a bit more bearable.
Serve with tea or coffee and get COZY!
5-Minute Oatmeal Power Bowl
Yield
1 bowl
Soak time
overnight
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
My favourite bowl of hot oatmeal, ready in less than 5 minutes! Soaking the oatmeal mixture overnight cuts down the cook time the morning of—all you have to do is heat it on the stove for a minute or two. Don't forget to mix the ingredients the night before. For a fall twist, add a pinch of cinnamon, ground ginger, and allspice on top of each bowl. Total fall comfort food!
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana, mashed (the riper/spottier the better)
- 2 heaping tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/3 cup rolled oats (use certified gluten-free if necessary)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2/3 cup (160 mL) almond milk
- 1/3 cup (90 mL) water
- 1 tablespoon ground flax (optional, see note)
For Garnish:
- Soaked almonds
- Pepita seeds
- Hemp hearts
- Cinnamon
- Toasted coconut
- Nut butter
- Spices (cinnamon, ginger, allspice)
Directions
- The night before: Grab a medium bowl and mash the banana until smooth. Now stir in the chia, oats, cinnamon, milk, and water until combined. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning: Scoop the oat mixture into a medium pot. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat immediately to medium-low, and stir frequently until heated throughout and thickened. At the end of cooking, stir in flax, if using.
- Pour oats into bowl. Garnish with your desired toppings. Get cozy!
Tip:
- The ground flax is optional because it creates a bit of a strange texture (almost like a flax egg) in this oatmeal. I don't mind it, but some people might. If you think you will, just leave it out or sprinkle some ground flax on top instead.
- I love topping my oats with spices—a pinch of cinnamon, ground ginger, and allspice create my perfectly spiced bowl.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
Happy breakfast-ing this fall!
You guys are awesome! I got word that The Oh She Glows Cookbook has made it into the FINAL round of voting in Good Reads Choice Awards! I would love your support (last time I have to ask, thank goodness!!). Thanks for helping us get this far. You can vote here.
I’ve been eating oatmeal for breakfast for almost two years now. There is just something so warm and comforting about it!
I also went through a phase in middle school where I wanted to wear the exact same outfit to school every day. Mom let me and after a month of wearing this Kermit the Frog posed as a Calvin Klein model shirt (so 90’s) I finally got over that phase.
I sympathize with the outfit ordeal, and most women only wear (they say) 10% of their wardrobe! But when you start talking about Trapper Keepers…..I know you’re stuck in the 80’s.
Oatmeal is so filling for breakfast, but I never thought to add toasted flaked coconut. Will try for a new spin on the old!!!
I had that shirt too! 7th grade! Lol
I just finished up my bowl of oatmeal! :-) I must admit, it didn’t look quite as dazzling as yours but yeah oatmeal is great especially on a snowy day like today!
Love the idea of adding mashed banana to my oatmeal. And flax seed. And all of it! You took something mediocre and made it amazing. Thanks!
Could you microwave instead of heat on stovetop ?
Hi Martha, I dont have a microwave but I assume that would work fine :) I would suggest only heating for 30 second intervals, stirring, heating 30 secs. more, etc.
I actually prefer using using the microwave for porridge. Cooking porridge on the stove produces a very runny mucuous affair and you have to stir it or it burns (I still remember my freshly ex-boyfriend sending me a bitter email about me leaving porridged pots in the sink. And it was him who left me!).
By contrast, you can cook your porridge straight in the bowl in the microwave and you can have in in any consistency you want. I like to use the jumbo oats and I don’t stir my porridge which produces lovely chewy oatbar-like yumness.
I also make 3 min cakes in a cup in my microwave, you should definately investigate this.
Yes. I mixed the ingredients together in a bowl last night, put the bowl in fridge. Took bowl out this morning, put it in the microwave for 90 seconds. Perfecto! Best morning meal in a long time.
Microwaving food not only destroys most of the nutrients but makes it toxic to the body in the process.
A study years ago showed that, when seeds were soaked in water that had been microwaved and then cooled, they would NOT sprout.
Do your body a favor and GET RID of your microwave – as I did years ago.
nuts or seeds don’t sprout once they have been heated (pasteurized).
In general i recommend always to be critical when reading anything, but especially studies. In this particular case i suggest to analyse the entire study (who funded it, what method was used, validity of the evidence and logic of theconclusion). The internet provides a great deal of information. It’s on us to decide whom and what to believe, but i’m sure it’s in everyones best interest to share the most ‘true’ information we can obtain.
Wishing everyone wonderful holidays and a great 2015 ;)
The microwave-destroys-nutrients-thing is mostly myth, and unfortunately it pops up rather often.
Microwave oven heating is often a better way to heat things than to cook them, because all the water is inside the food, so nutrients don’t leak out into the boiling water, and the food is cooked for shorter amounts of time, thus preserving more nutrients.
In order for things to get hot, they need to be affected by some form of radiated energy. Having it come from a microwave doesn’t make it dangerous or less nutritious in any way, rather being a gentler process of heating. Plus it’s quicker and saves on the washing up since you dont need as many pots and pans.
http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/Microwave-cooking-and-nutrition.shtml
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/17/health/17real.html?_r=0
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3894486
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/21/health/upwave-microwaving-food/
Whoaa! Folks!
Microwaving does destroy nutrients and cause foods that are cooked in it to become toxic. I have had clients that I helped with my DNA testing that specifically showed the negative effects of microwaving foods. Some of these
effects include sleep disorders, fatigue, chronic fatigue, nightmares, fibromyalgia, hormonal disorders, and ADD. These machines can also leak radiation if the seal around the door is not secure. Exposure to this type of radiation can damaging.
I prefer to trust to scientific evidence and properly carried out research when discussing subjects such as whether microwaving food is dangerous. I know, how ridiculous when there are so many people who don’t know what they are talking about who are willing to share their opinions with me.
http://ehealthmd.com/content/microwaved-food-dangerous-myths-and-facts#axzz3YbpRmj6u
Great reply, very balanced. Thank you!
I love that you just brought vegan overnight oats to a whole new comfort level with warming them up in the morning! This sounds like the perfect, comforting breakfast! Nothing beats oats in the morning for me :) And I love that spoon – it’s so rustic and adorable!!
I love that spoon too! I’d love to know you got a hold of it (if you don’t mind disclosing)?
I get on the same kicks too! I tend to eat the same three breakfasts, and rotate them every few weeks. I make a similar oatmeal recipe, but I’ve never thought to add a little ginger! Trying that in the morning! :)
Can totally see why you’ve been eating this every day! Yum!
As a new mom I can completely relate on the lack if time. Going to the bathroom can be a task! I can’t wait to give this a whirl!
I’m exactly the same with breakfast! Once I find something I like, there is zero touching it for months (sometimes years!) until I am too sick of it to even contemplate it. ;) But I will definitely have to try this out for dinner! Hah – looks delicious!
Me too. A couple of years ago, I had a banana-smoothie phase. I drank one every single morning for half a year… and after that not single one for half a year. Haha, I thought it was just me :) Now, I´m into oatmeal, so this recipe is a perfect timesaver.
This is such a good idea!! I tend to make baked oatmeal when its cold but there’s only so many days a week I can get organized in time to do that before I leave for work. Will be trying this tomorrow :)
Absolutely amazing about your book on Good Reads! I just voted! What a lineup of authors to be next to. Congrats, girl!! xo
Thanks lady! :)
I love the idea of heating up overnight oats for a quick breakfast! Sometimes I want oatmeal but don’t have time to make it in the morning, this is definitely the perfect solution :).
Beautiful photography, as usual…
Do you think the overnight soaking would reduce the cooking time for some of your other recipes that I love, like carrot-cake oatmeal or sweet-potato/chocolate oatmeal?
I can’t see why not – great idea. Let me know if you try any out!
I love anything make ahead, especially since most mornings I am OMG hungry by the time I get to eating breakfast! Hope your little girl is doing well Angela : )
I have been on a LaraBar kick lately that with some water seems to keep me going till lunch in the mornings!
I love oatmeal though, unfortunately I haven’t tried the overnight oats yet, just the pre-packaged ones. I will have to stop by Whole Foods tonight :).
Haha… Eating it now! I didn’t soak overnight because I just read the recipe and little old, impulsive me wanted it now! My daughter got me started on apple pie oatmeal last week so on my day off I made a double batch that lasted me for 3 breakfasts last week. I was just thinking… I can double this and keep it in the fridge for those cold mornings after the 6 am dog walk before I’m off to work. It’s a keeper!
Ps just voted! Love the cookbook and have bought 3 so far!
Wow that was fast…nice work! So happy you enjoyed it. Good call on doubling it. I tried that once and ended up eating it all the same day…hahah. Thanks for your vote by the way!
I do the same thing with routine. Once I find something I like, I eat it all the time until I get sick of it (which could take a months or a year) and then I am done with it. That oatmeal looks great…maybe itll be my new routine haha.
I love your leaf spoon!! Where did you buy it!?
Thanks :) It was purchased from West Elm a couple years ago!
I am in love with bowls of oatmeal right now too! It is total comfort!
Once the weather gets cool, I love getting back into my oatmeal! I’m def going to have to try your method of preparing it. I don’t like my oats super goopey, so I haven’t really loved overnight oats that much, but I think I’ll give this a go!
This is the perfect autumn breakfast! I love your topping ideas. Pumpkin seeds and cranberries sound like an amazing addition to cinnamon flavored oats. I’ll have to make this soon!