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 love porridge and new ways to make it more interesting :)
This looks absolutely delicious! I am always looking for quick breakfast ideas on-the-go, thanks!
power bowl is definitely what i would call this! so delicious, beautiful and healthy!
Congrats on making it to the final round! Just voted. :) My friend and I made the chocolate pudding cake from your book last night – it was phenomenal!
I could have written every single word of this post (except, of course, for the spandex outfit!). It is just totally me! And I happen to eat this oatmeal (same recipe, same toppings) from the day the cold season arrived here in Paris, France (2 or 3 weeks ago, I would say). I love it so much (actually it is the reason why I get up every morning). So delicious, so good for me. It just makes the fall more bearable. Everyone should try it!
Love this recipe! I just love oats. Great idea about soaking the almonds to eat them. I learn so much from you!! By the way, I didn’t have cranberries, but had left over fresh cranberry relish from another recipe, it fit perfectly into this one. It adds a hint of orange!!
that sounds amazing!
Just had oatmeal for breakfast! Such a great way to start the day off!
I love overnight oats AND oatmeal.. but face the exact same issues with each! I usually add chia instead of flax to my overnight oats so they get that more pudding-ish texture :)
http://www.youtube.com/sparklesandsuch26
I never had oatmeal before I knew your blog. Its not that common in Germany. But i fell in love your carrot cake oatmeal and I’m trying to change it up every now and then. I make a big portion at once and then reheat it every morning or eat it cold. Amazing!
When i didn’t prepare anything i skip the soaking part and just mix the oats with water, a minute in the microwave and they are ready. I mix them with fresh fruits and everything else I can find.
Thanks for giving me my new workday breakfast! (I just need my buns and rye-bread on the weekends, thats my German heritage ;) )
I made this for my kiddos this morning. I didn’t have bananas so I used applesauce instead and followed the rest of recipe as written. Turned out amazingly!
I’m doing my longest bike ride yet for charity this Saturday (55 miles) and this looks like an awesome breakfast to eat before. I’m going to make this for sure Friday night!
L .
These cold winter mornings have had me craving bagels and toast like crazy! Your 5-minute oatmeal power bowl squashed the craving and kept me feeling full and energetic for hours! Yum!
Can you heat up the oatmeal in the microwave? My work doesn’t have a stove. I like to eat oatmeal at the end of the day before I head to the gym right after work. Or will the consistency be different?
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.
Looks incredible! Do you make your own almond milk for this recipe? I really want to make this oatmeal, but I hate the fake ingredients and added sugar in store bought almond milk. Do you always make yours? Or is there a store brand you use in a pinch? thank you!
Hi Kristin, I buy 365 Whole Foods brand and love it. I do make it from time to time as well, but not exclusively!
Awesome, thank you! Can’t wait to make this:)
I eat oatmeal every morning too! Just the regular kind though. I will have to try with the pepita seeds! Those look good!
I definitely add the flax seed meal along with a clove of garlic and a half teaspoon of freshly grated turmric and a tablespoon of chopped kale to make it more savory and inch up the superfood quotient. Great way to start a day.
love it! same situation with baby and nursing. quick
and grabs rule. best wishes and a thank you from switzerland!!
Yum! This look amazing! I can’t wait to try it!
We call it porridge on the other side of the Atlantic but it’s the same yummy goodness! Fab also with your Naked Apple Butter! Love your recipes
What are the benefits of soaking the almonds and pepitas? I soak almonds for your “tuna” recipe, seems to soften them up. Any purpose beyond that? Just wondering.
Thanks!
Hi Janna, Yes, soaking them in water helps your body digest them better :) I like to soak overnight. I’ll often put a half cup of almonds in a bowl, cover with water, and then drain and rinse in the morning. It’s a great snack. I keep them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Power bowl is right! This looks so good. I always love your recipes.
YUM! I’ve been getting back into having oatmeal and bowl for breakfast (even though I still love my smoothies!)
Anything thats speedy works for me, especially on those days when I am running late for work!
{Teffy’s Perks} X
What a perf fall oatmeal! I also can’t get sick of oatmeal. I’m going to try the banana and cranberries in mine next time!
Just what I need with a very busy schedule, thank you!
Eating it right now…DELISH!
I have been eating oat meal for years –but this last year I found a mix I just can’t live with out! It’s heaven — and I buy it ALL bulk so I can get just what I want I use 5 C rolled oats, 5 C. rolled Wheat or 5 grain cereal, 3/4C slivered almonds, 3/4 C dried cranberries, 3/4 C. pumpkin seed, 3/4C.sunflowers seeds, 1/2 C. flex seeds, 1C unsweetened coconut meat. I mix this all together and scope 1/2 C each morning into a microwave safe bowl ad a dash of salt and just enough water that you can see about half inch of water about your oats and nuke it for 3.5 min’s—I add honey and Almond milk—HEAVEN
Love this! I’ve been having overnight oats like crazy this past year in school, but I always enjoy oatmeal more when its warm. I’ve definitely done this before :)
So excited to try this recipe! Any tips for making in a crockpot? Thought I might try and make with some steelcut oats…they’re my fave! Just ordered your fab book and voted too! Good Luck!
This post has really convinced me that I need to get back on the oatmeal bandwagon! Thank you for the inspiration, Angela!
I had this for the first time today and it was real nice and kept me full for a long time throughout the day. I have just made tomorrow mornings.
I love your recipes. Thankyou
Hey Angela, this looks awesome! I’ve been wanting to make overnight oats (never tried) but it’s the coldness of it that always puts me off, so now I’m super hyped and this will likely turn into my staple breakfast :P there are so many variations that could be done!!!
One question though, how can I substitute the banana? applesauce? re-hydrated/mashed dates? nut creams? Help!
Bananas disagree with my stomach and make me puke :( so I need to avoid them, but I do want to try this asap! Any help on subbing the banana is greatly appreciated :D thanks!
I would try pear – puree it first. would be so seasonal right now too!
Thanks! I’ve been making them with some variations to get them spongy without the banana (added apple juice and some dried fruit to the overnight process, which gets all re-hydrated during the night :D), it’s working but a bit too thick, I have to add more milk when I heat them up to compensate… but all in all I’m loving to have discovered this recipe, thank you!!! I’ll give the pear puree idea a go :)
I also have allergic from banana, please suggest any sub…
Delicious! Eaten this every day since your post. Granted the first day no soak overnight. A few gojo berries added this am. Happy belly over here:)
How long should I soak the almonds for?
just voted for you! love your book and your blog. Keep on rockin’ in the vegan world, mama! :)
Made this for breakie the other day – absolutely gorgeous!!
I had oatmeal too. I love the energy I get from it in the mornings. Definitely worth all the effort! -SnackingSquirrel
Great recipe, I ate oatmeal every single day while breastfeeding (they say it helps with milk production but I didnt notice that effect though). For some reason I have a problem combining cinnamon with bananas, I just don’t like how they taste together – tried it so many times in muffins, oatmeal like this, smoothies, bars etc. but nope, I still hate the combination…Go figure…
I’m the same – colder weather equals warm oatmeal. I still feel the need to start every morning with fresh fruit. But each day the time for having something warmer creeps closer. It used to be midday now by 10 or 11am I am looking around for that hot bowl of porridge. The pictures are pretty. Thank you. Happy early baby days. :)
I just tried this recipe. It’s delicious!! I left out the banana because mine weren’t ripe yet, but it’s so good. Will keep making this through the cold, snowy season. Thanks so much!!!
Double Dark Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Tart for breakfast?? I’m happy to know I’m not the only one. OOOHHHH MMMMYYYY GGGGOOOSSHHH. It is to die for. I don’t even bother with the crust anymore–just mix that yummy goodness and HOPE it lasts in the fridge for a few days. It’s AMAZING!
This oatmeal will be on my breakfast table this week for sure. Once again, Angela, you provide my sustenance every day! So thankful for YOU.
This is my breakfast on so many mornings! I keep all of my “fixings” together, whether it’s my stash of nuts, chia seeds, hemp hearts, goji berries, pumpkin seeds, etc. I try not to put ALL of them on every time. Congrats on getting your book on Goodreads! I’m definitely voting!
Hi there! How is this possibly my first ever visit to Oh She Glows?? Well, I must say, that I too, stick to the same tried and true food items for a while, then switch it up. I’m a big overnight oats eater, and I’ve never thought to heat them in a pot to make them warm. This is a great recipe. Thanks for sharing. Hope you have a lovely weekend, and I’ll be back again!
Welcome! :) Hope you enjoy the oatmeal.
I found the chia seeds kind of overwhelmed it. In your picture I don’t see chia seeds but when I made it you really did see them. I think I might try it again without the chia and add hemp seeds at the end.
Hi Angela! I loooove your recipes!!! They have made it so much more fun and easy way to eat right and feel great about it! I have read how you mentioned you like a challenge when it comes to recipes and coming up with new stuff. Idk if you already have a recipe for it, but do you have any recipes using a green superfood powder? I have vitamineral green and I wish I could take it more often but I don’t feel like drinking it by itself. I know you can put it into smoothies but I’d like to try it with something different, I just don;t know what. If you do have something, is it a good amount? not to where its just a teaspoon in a recipe. you know what I mean? where it;s the main ingrediant.
I made this yesterday and, along with most other recipes tried from this site, it is now among my favorites.
Thanks for the work you do. This is the only site (and cookbook) I use anymore.
OMG! This oatmeal is amazing! I am can’t get enough of how warm, gooey and flavorful it is! This is definitely going to be my go-to breakfast for winter!
This is delicious! I always seem to have overripe bananas. I have been making it with Familia Swiss Muesli, pecans, pumpkin seeds, a bit of dried fruit and some unsweetened coconut yogurt. The possibilities are endless!
Thank you so much for sharing this quick morning meal, Angela! I love a bowl of hot, homemade oatmeal in the morning but struggle with waking up in time to go through the lengthly process of making it. This seems like the perfect recipe to quicken things up a bit as well as add some extra flavor! What is your reason behind adding 2/3 cup almond milk and 1/3 water instead of just all of one?
Wow, literally just devoured this bowl of deliciousness. I added some cacao and mmm it was so yummy! I topped it with fresh raspberries and blueberries alongside dried cranberries and pumpkin seeds. It’s filled me up and hopefully I won’t be hungry in 10 minutes like usual (anorexia recovery problems). Hope you’re doing well and thank for for these amazing recipes that keep me motivated x
I think I have a new addiction. Tried it the morning after your post and can’t stop eating it. I love topping mine with pomegrante seeds and honey. Thanks for sharing.