When the holiday season hits, it can be easy to forget that old saying: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” You’re crazy-busy, shopping, wrapping, decorating, and gathering with friends/family/co-workers. You start to feel overwhelmed, stressed, and run down.
Well I hate to break it to you, but that saying isn’t a myth. Breakfast really is the most important! Especially at times like this, when you’re go-go-going all day long, you need to start your day with fuel. You wouldn’t start a road trip with an empty gas tank, would you?!
Luckily, I’ve got a recipe for you that will not only give you that boost you need to get through the holidays, but it tastes like dessert AND it’ll give you leftovers for a couple of days (cha-ching! I just found you extra time every morning – you’re welcome!).
The Dreaded C-Word
This recipe is made with oats, which are…yes, carbs (they’re not the enemy, babe, I promise!), which contain soluble fiber. This may help to prevent spikes in blood glucose by delaying the absorption of glucose in the blood.
The oats (and the walnuts, to a lesser extent) provide lots of protein for your day, which helps to power your muscles and give you energy. The whole recipe contains 9.4g of protein per serving, which is about 1/4 of your recommended daily requirements.
HelloooOmega
The walnuts in this recipe also do double-duty for your body, since they contain Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. In fact, they’re one of the best foods to eat for these supplements! Omegas help to power your brain, reduce inflammation, and give you energy. Definitely all things you could use on a long mall-shop!
Change It Up
Once you love this breakfast (which will be after the first bite), you’ll want to eat it every day! To stave off boredom, which leads to bad breakfast habits like sugary cereals or a donut from the drive-thru), just change up the fruit. This can be made with berries or peaches, too. Try using blueberries tossed in a little orange juice…delicious!
Maple-Cinnamon Apple & Pear Baked Oatmeal
- 2 cups almond milk (unsweetened)
- 2 medium apples (peeled, diced)
- 1/2 cup applesauce (unsweetened)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tbsp unpacked brown or coconut sugar
- 2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ginger (ground)
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg (ground or freshly grated)
- 1 medium pear (peeled, diced)
- 2 1/4 cups rolled oats (gluten-free)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt (fine)
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup walnuts (chopped, optional)
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Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
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Lightly grease a 2L casserole dish.
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In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, ginger, salt, and nutmeg. Mix well.
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In a separate bowl, combine the almond milk, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla, and stir well to combine.
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Pour the liquid mixture over the oat mixture and stir until combined. The mixture will have a soapy consistency. Fold in the chopped apples and pear.
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Spoon the oatmeal mixture into the prepared casserole dish and smooth out the top. Sprinkle the walnuts (if using) on top and gently press them down into the oatmeal with your hands.
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Bake, uncovered for 35-45 minutes, or until the oatmeal is bubbly around the corners and the apples are fork-tender.
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Cool the oatmeal for 5-10 minutes before serving. Enjoy with some almond milk and a drizzle of maple syrup if desired. Will keep for 5-6 days in fridge.
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I love baked oatmeal – has to be one of my favourite make ahead breakfast! WIll be trying your recipe 🙂