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!
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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!
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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 :)