Guilty Pleasure

Ingredients that taste so good that I feel guilty when eating them

19 Healthy Oatmeal Toppings

When it comes to quick and healthy breakfast recipes, the ones that first come to mind are gluten free bagels, chia seed pudding, pancake bowls, eggs, and shakes.

But let’s not forget that simple bowl of oatmeal!

This healthy dish may look easy enough, but you’d be surprised how often people search for “the perfect” dish of oatmeal. They want the best recipe for making a creamy rich bowl of oatmeal.

If you’re looking for that ideal oatmeal recipe, then you’ve come to the right place. You’ll find how to prepare the perfect bowl and the perfect choice of topping.

Making oatmeal like a pro isn’t hard at all. It’s really easy to make and fast to cook. Try out some basic oatmeal, or go crazy and experiment with endless sweet and savor flavors.

This list of healthy breakfast ideas includes all kinds of delicious oatmeal flavors you’ve never tried before. Oats are packed with nutrients and fiber, so they’re sure to keep you feeling full for hours.

 

Oatmeal

Preparing the perfect oatmeal.

 

Here are some suggestions for you…

Cooking the Perfect Oatmeal

You don’t need any special equipment to cook up a delicious bowl of oatmeal. You probably have everything you need already in your kitchen.

All you need are three simple ingredients: oats, water, and salt.

Rolled Oats

You’ll be able to enjoy delicious oatmeal in just five to ten minute once you start using rolled oats. If you’re sensitive to gluten proteins, remember to buy certified gluten-­free oatmeal.

Water or Milk

You can choose from various liquids, including water, regular milk, almond milk or cashew milk. It’s up to you! To get the best creaminess, use half water and half milk.

Salt

Add a pinch of sea­ s­alt to a bland bowl of oatmeals for an extra flavor boost. This makes a huge difference.

Toppings

Oatmeal without toppings? It’s just plain You’ll enjoy experimenting with different ingredients such as berries, nuts, seeds, and even herbs and flowers!

Preparation

Combine ingredients:Add the half cup of oats to one cup of water (or milk). Sprinkle a dash of sea salt. Put into a pot and heat over medium/high heat.

Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat and cook for five to eight minutes Stir occasionally.

Serve: You can tell when the oatmeal is ready because the oats will have soaked up most of the liquid — and have a creamy appearance. Add toppings.

Just remember this ratio 1:2. For every portion of rolled oats, you need twice the amount of liquid. For each half cup of oats — you need one cup of liquid. Pretty simple!

 

19 Healthy Oatmeal Toppings

Many people will only eat oatmeal if it has a flavorful topping. Considering our extensive toppings list below, I can see why.

Our favorite oatmeal toppings fall into one of five categories: fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, seeds and nut butter.

These are our top 19 healthy breakfast ideas.

1. Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal

Cinnamon rolls have become a popular snack food over the years. But did you know that they can be used to make an easy breakfast? This recipe combines rolled oats with vanilla, raisins and walnuts. The result is a tasty breakfast that will satisfy any sweet tooth.

Cinnamon contains compounds called cinnamaldehyde and eugenol, both of which have antibacterial properties. In addition, cinnamon has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and lower cholesterol levels.

To make cinnamon roll oatmeal, first start with your favorite rolled oats. Then add in a little bit of brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, raisins, and walnuts. Mix everything together well until combined. Add milk to taste.

For those days where you’re not in the mood to eat as healthy, you can add a delicious frosting to the top of the oatmeal. For the frosting, combine butter, powdered sugar, and milk in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Mix well and spread over cooled oatmeal.

2. Banana Chocolate Chip Oatmeal

Bananas are an excellent source of potassium, which is essential for maintaining normal blood pressure levels. Bananas also contain vitamin B6, which helps your body metabolize carbohydrates.

Bananas contain potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin C. All these vitamins help maintain heart health, while also helping prevent diabetes. Bananas also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps reduce stress. Tryptophan helps promote sleep, which can lead to better overall health.

To make banana chocolate chip oatmeal, simply combine bananas, oats, and chocolate chips. Mix well and top with milk.

3. Blueberry Vanilla Oatmeal

Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants, including anthocyanin, ellagic acid, and quercetin. Anthocyanins may help protect against cancer by stopping free radicals from damaging cells. Quercetin is also an antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage.They also have anti-inflammatory properties, which can reduce pain in arthritis sufferers. Antioxidants also help keep your skin healthy by protecting it from sunburn and wrinkles.

To make blueberry vanilla oatmeal, combine 1 cup of old-fashioned rolled oats with 2 cups of water. Add in 1/2 cup of frozen blueberries, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of honey. Cook on medium heat for about 10 minutes. Serve hot topped with milk.

4. Apple Pie Oatmeal

Apple pie is a classic American dessert. The combination of apples and cinnamon makes this healthy breakfast idea taste just as good as any other apple pie.

To make apple pie oatmeal, simply combine rolled oats, cinnamon, and chopped apples. Add a dash of vanilla extract and mix well. Top with milk and serve warm.

5. Peanut Butter Cookie Dough Oatmeal

Peanut butter cookies are the perfect treat for kids, but they’re also great for adults who want something sweet without feeling guilty. They’re high in protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and selenium. Selenium is important because it helps fight off infections and prevents certain types of cancers.

To make peanut butter cookie dough oatmeal, combine rolled oats, peanut butter, eggs, flour, baking soda, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix well and bake at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy warm topped with milk.

6. Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

Pumpkin spice lattes are delicious, but they’ve got some serious health benefits. Pumpkin is rich in fiber, which helps keep you full longer. Fiber also lowers bad LDL cholesterol and increases good HDL cholesterol. It also reduces risk of cardiovascular disease.

To make pumpkin spice oatmeal, combine rolled oat flakes, pumpkin puree, egg whites, maple syrup, cinnamon, nut meg, ginger, and vanilla extract. Stir well and cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Top with milk and enjoy!

7. Strawberry Shortcake Oatmeal

Strawberries contain antioxidants that help prevent cancer and heart disease. Strawberries are also loaded with vitamin C, folate, potassium, and fiber. Potassium keeps your muscles relaxed and your heartbeat steady. Vitamin C boosts your immune system and fights infection. Folate improves brain function and protects against birth defects. And fiber fills you up and keeps you regular.

To make strawberry shortcake oatmeal , combine rolled flaked oats, strawberries, milk, honey, and vanilla extract. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes or until liquid has been absorbed. Serve warm topped with whipped cream.

8. Maple Walnut Oatmeal

Maple walnuts are one of my favorite snacks. They’re packed with nutrients like magnesium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, and omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3s improve brain function and help lower inflammation levels. Magnesium helps relax muscle tension and promotes sleep. Copper strengthens bones and teeth. Phosphorus helps build strong nails and hair.

To make maple walnut oatmeal, combine rolled rolled oats, milk, maple syrup, walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon. Cook on medium heat until liquid has been absorbed and top with granola.

9. Coconut Lime Oatmeal

Coconut lime oatmeal tastes so fresh and light. It’s made with coconut milk instead of heavy cream. Coconut milk contains lauric acid, an antibacterial agent that kills bacteria and fungi. Lauric acid also helps strengthen your immune system.

To make coconut lime oatmeal, combine rolled flakes, coconut milk, lime juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Cook for about 20 minutes or until liquid has evaporated. Add milk to desired consistency and serve warm.

10. Peach Mango Oatmeal

Peaches and mangoes are both bursting with vitamins A and B-complex. Vitamins A and B-complex boost immunity and protect against diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Both fruits are also high in fiber, which makes them filling and satisfying.

To make peach mango oatmeal, combine rolled grains, peaches, mango chunks, banana slices, milk, and vanilla extract. Simmer for 15 minutes or until fruit is soft. Top with yogurt and granola.

11. Caramelized Banana Oatmeal

Caramelized bananas are a great way to get more potassium into your diet. Potassium helps regulate blood pressure and maintain fluid balance in the body. Bananas are also a good source of dietary fiber, which helps reduce constipation.

To make caramelized banana oatmeal, combine rolled oats, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and sliced bananas. Cook on medium heat, stirring frequently , for about 30 minutes or until liquid has mostly evaporated. Top with chocolate chips and dried cherries.

12. Lemon Poppy Seed Oatmeal

Lemons contain citric acid, which can kill harmful bacteria. Citric acid also helps fight off viruses and prevents tooth decay. Lemons are also a great source of vitamin C, which helps keep your immune system healthy.

To make lemon poppy seed oatmeal, combine rolled oat flakes, milk, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Stir well and cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with poppy seeds before serving.

13. Orange Creamsicle Oatmeal

To make orange creamsicle oatmeal, combine rolled oat flakes, milk, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Mix well and cook on low heat for about 5 minutes or until liquid has almost completely evaporated. Stir occasionally. Top with frozen blueberries and drizzle with powdered sugar.

14. Yogurt Berry Oatmeal

To make yogurt berry oatmeal, combine rolled flaked oats, milk, berries, and honey. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes or until liquid has been absorbed. Serve topped with Greek yogurt and granola.

15. Cranberry Pistachio Oatmeal

Cranberries are high in antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which may be powerful anti-cancer agents. Cranberries also contain ellagic acid, which has strong antioxidant activity. Ellagic acid prevents the growth of tumors and inhibits tumor cell proliferation.

To make cranberry pistachio oatmeal, combine rolled flaked oats, cranberries, milk, honey, and chopped pistachios. Cook on medium heat until liquid has been absorbed and nuts have softened.

16. Honey Nut Cheerios Oatmeal

When it comes to store bought cereals, Honey Nut Cheerios has been a childhood favorite. Combining with oatmeal make for a healthy and tasty treat.

To make Honey Nut Cheerios oatmeal, combine rolled flakes, milk, honey, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. Cook on medium heat. When ready, top with Honey Nut Cheerios cereal pieces.

17. Cinnamon Raisin Apple Oatmeal

Apple juice contains pectin, which aids digestion by thickening stools. Pectin also lowers cholesterol levels and reduces the risk of heart disease. Apples are also a good source for vitamins A and C, as well as folic acid, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.

To make cinnamon raisin apple oatmeal, combine rolled grains, milk, applesauce, cinnamon, raisins, and vanilla extract. Bring to boil, then simmer for 15 minutes or until liquid is absorbed. Top with walnuts and dried cranberries.

18. Blueberry Banana Oatmeal

Bananas are loaded with fiber, which keeps you full longer and promotes regularity. Bananas also contain potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. Potassium also helps maintain fluid balance in the body, which can help prevent constipation.

To make blueberry banana oatmeal, combine milk, rolled oats, bananas, blueberries, and vanilla extract. Heat on medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add more milk if necessary to achieve desired consistency. Top with sliced almonds and serve.

19. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oatmeal

Chocolate chip cookies are a childhood classic. But did you know that chocolate chips have more than just the taste? They’re also packed with protein, iron, zinc, and calcium. Protein builds lean muscle mass and helps maintain bone density. Iron supports healthy red blood cells and prevents anemia. Zinc strengthens your immune system and aids digestion. Calcium keeps your bones strong and your teeth cavity free.

To make peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal, combine rolled oats, milk, peanut butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract. Mix well and cook on low for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with chocolate chips before serving.

 

Types of Oats

When talking about oatmeal, it’s important to understand the differences between different types of oats (e.g., rolled vs. quick). There are several different types of oats available at the grocery store, but they’re all pretty similar nutritionally. However, there are some differences between them in terms of processing and cooking.

Steel Cut Oats

They’re the least processed kind of oatmeal. Oatmeal is made from rolled whole grain oats. To make them easier to eat, they’re often cut into smaller pieces called “oat groats.” Because they’re not as highly-processsed, they absorb more liquids and take longer to cook than regular pasta. For this kind of oat, the groat has been steamed and then flattened into flakes before rolling. It makes cooking faster. Rolled oats are my personal favorite because they’re so delicious and easy to prepare.

Quick or Instant Oats

They’re the most processed of all oats. They are dried, precooked, and rolled into flake form. They’re easier to prepare than rolled or quick-rolled oats, but they tend to get mushier during the cooking process.

Whole Grain Oats

Whole oats are simply unrefined oats. They still retain their bran and germ intact. This means that they’re higher in nutrients like fiber and vitamins A, B6, E, and K. Whole grain oats are usually ground finer than other kinds of oats, making them ideal for baking.

 

Does Oatmeal Have Glutens?

Oats do indeed contain gluten. The main difference between wheat and oats is that oats don’t contain any gluten proteins. That’s why people who are sensitive to gluten find oats to be safe. To avoid gluten, insist on certified gluten-free oats.

If you’re gluten sensitive or have celiac disease (like my daughter), you need to be very careful with the oats you get. What many people do not know is that oats may be processed at facilities that also handle grains such as wheat, rice, corn or barley. And that means there’s a significant chance that wheat “dust” containing gluten proteins could contaminate the oats.

Furthermore the different kinds of crops are sometimes harvested using the same tools and equipment. This can lead to cross contamination of the crops. It’s best to stick with certified gluten-free oat products to avoid any complications.

 

How Long Does Cooked Oatmeal Stay Good?

You can keep cooked oatmeal in the fridge up to three days. You can also freeze it in individual portions. Just wrap each portion individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag.

 

More Flavor Variations

Maple Brown Sugar

Mix one half tablespoon of maple syrups and one to two tablespoons of brown sugar and place on top of your oatmeal. You could then top off with some milk if you’d like (optional).

Berry Almond

On top of your oatmeal, add fresh berries, some sliced raw almonds and a few chocolate chips. You can also add fresh fruit to the oatmeal when it’s cooking — if you want.

Vanilla

Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to your cooked oatmeal. Quick and easy.

 

Here’s another great breakfast recipe to alternate between the days you have an oatmeal breakfast…

Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes

These pancakes are made with whole wheat flour instead of white flour, so they’re healthier than most traditional pancake recipes. Whole wheat flour contains more nutrients than refined flour, like iron, folic acid, and manganese. Manganese helps your body metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Iron helps build red blood cells, which carry oxygen throughout your body. Folic acid helps produce DNA and RNA, which are necessary for cell growth.

To make banana chocolaty pancakes, whisk together 3 large eggs, 1/2 cup of skim milk, 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1/3 cup of sugar, 1/4 cup of melted coconut oil, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Combine all ingredients except bananas into a bowl and stir well. Fold in sliced bananas and pour batter onto a heated griddle. Cook for 4 to 6 minutes per side or until cooked through. Top with powdered sugar and eat immediately.

Easy and Healthy Apple Cake without Refined Sugars

Apples are loaded with vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Apples offer great health advantages, especially for lowering your risk of various chronic diseases.

If you’re feeling hungry late at night and want some dessert but don’t want to eat cake, then you might be tempted by something else. This healthy apple cake is the solution!

Apple cake recipes made from scratch are a must for me. They’re so delicious, nutritious, and easy to prepare. Plus they taste so much better than boxed cakes and sugary cakes.

 

Simple Ingredients and a Few Minutes of Your Time

You’ll just need 10 ingredients and 15 minutes of your time to prepare this delicious cake. However, you’ll need to wait another 50 mins (40 mins baking time plus 10 mins of cooling time) before you can eat this wholesome dessert.

This easy-to-prepare apple cake is a low-calorie and low-fat dessert that requires no special equipment and takes just minutes to prepare. You don’t need any eggs, dairy or butter for this recipe. However, you would never know because it’s so moist, fluffy and tender on the outside.

There’s No Wheat Flour or Refined Sugar

This easy apple pie recipe uses rice flour instead of wheat flour, so it’s naturally free from any kind of allergens associated with wheat. By simply replacing the regular flour with rice flour, it makes this gluten free.

You may find this cake to be naturally sweeter than most apple cakes because it contains apples and chopped medjool date pieces. To top it off, I usually add a tablespoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg for a warming and spicier taste.

It’s not just delicious, but it’s also inexpensive.

Something our readers mentioned is that when you have made this apple cake, it’s very moist due to the apple chunks. Hint: a little vanilla ice cream (or ice cream substitute — even greek yogurt) can taste great with it!

It keeps well and fresh for up to four days if stored in an air-tight container. You can also freeze it: Wrap the whole thing in plastic wrap and then put it in an air-tight container. Freeze it for up to 1 month.

It’s my favorite! If you are interested in the full recipe keep reading…

Simply Tasty

You might have noticed that most of my recipes are very easy and healthy. They’re perfect for busy people who don’t have much time to cook — and who want to have more healthy choices. And this apple cake is no different. Combine the dry ingredients, then combine the wet ingredients and finally add the filling.

These are the steps I follow when making most of my cake recipes.

Apple cake

Apple Cake

There are 3 simple sets of Ingredients

1. Dry Ingredients

  • 2 cups (200 gram) rice flour
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • 1 tsp nutmeg
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

2. Wet Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cup of oat milk (or 1 1/2 cups of unsweetened almond milk)
  • 1 tbsp rapeseed oil (or 1 tablespoon of melted coconut oil)
  • 1 tbsp apple vinegar

3. Filling

  • 4 pitted medjool dates
  • 2 chopped apples
  • 1/3 cup chopped walnuts

 

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a baking sheet with rapeseed oil, or the coconut oil or line with greaseproof paper.
  • Mix the (1) dry ingredients together in a large bowl.
  • Combine the (2) wet mixture together in a blender and blend until it’s well mixed.
  • Add the (2) wet ingredients into the (1) dry ingredients and stir until they’re well combined. Then add the chopped apples and walnuts and dates.
  • Put this dough into the cake pan and place it in the oven to cook for 40 minutes. It’s done when golden brown. Remove from the oven and let the filled pan cool down. After the cake has cooled down for 10 minutes, remove it from the baking pan.

 

This healthy cake is best served freshly baked. After cooling in the baking pan, transfer it to a serving platter and serve immediately — or put it on a wire rack and let it cool completely before serving.

Supplies Needed:

blender
cake pan or form

Want more healthy cake recipe ideas?

If you looking for more wholesome cake ideas check out my other variations like this no bake raspberry cheesecake.  Or when you are looking for a fruity strawberry jam check out this recipe — and if you like something more chocolaty check out this smoothie with black beans. It may sound weird to you to add black beans to your smoothie,  but I challenge you to try. You will not notice the bean taste but instead you’ll receive an extra portion of the nutritious legume.

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies

When I go to the gym or am about to get hungry, I really enjoy eating these vegan peanut butter cookies with bananas and raisin. They’re filled with nutrients and give you lots of energy for the rest of the day.

To make this healthy cookie recipe, simply combine the dry ingredients: oats, coconut blossom sugar (or brown sugar), baking powder, and a pinch of salt into one bowl. After combining the wet ingredients (bananas and peanut butter) in a food processor, blend them together until they’re smooth. Mix the wet mixture with the dry mixture by adding a handful of raisins and stirring until they’re well combined. Make 12 oatmeal cookies and put them in the oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Interested in the full recipe of these oatmeal cookies? Scroll down!

 

Peanutbutter Oatmeal Cookies

Peanutbutter Oatmeal Cookies

Prep Time 10 mins + Cook Time 25 mins = Total Time 35 mins

 

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 1 cup (200 gram) oatmeal, rolled
  • 2 tbsp coconut blossom sugar, or more if you like to have them sweet
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • a pinch of salt

Wet Ingredients

  • 3 bananas, overripe
  • 4 tbsp peanut butter

Add-on

  • 1/2 cup (100 gram) raisins

 

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven at 180ºC and leave the raisins in lukewarm water for 10 minutes.
  • Add all dry ingredients to a food processor and run into a fine meal.
  • Remove the meal from the food processor and add all wet ingredients, run into a smooth and lump free mixture.
  • Add the dry ingredients to the smooth mixture and run the food processor again to fully combine to two mixtures
  • Drain the raisins and stir into the mixture with a tablespoon.
  • Cover a baking tray with parchment paper and scoop with a tablespoon the mixture as dollops on the tray. Flatten the dollops into cookies and transfer to the oven. Bake the cookies in 25 minutes golden brown and ready. Enjoy!

 

 

Equipment Needed:

food-processor
baking tray

 

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my healthy snack recipes. If you liked this recipe, please share it with your friends.

Banana Pancakes with just 2-ingredients

These delicious banana pancakes are literally just bananas and eggs. Whisk these two ingredients and bake them on a frying pan on the stove. Delicious and quick to make.

 

 

Banana pancakes

Banana pancakes

Banana Pancakes of 2-ingredients

This recipe works perfectly for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It’s a great snack if you’re on the run. Just grab some fruit and a piece of bread and you’re good to go.

You will need:

• 4 large ripe bananas

• 2 eggs

• A small frying pan

• Some oil

• Salt & pepper

• Bread (optional)

 

How To Make Banana Pancakes

Step 1. Peel the bananas and mash them.

Step 2. Separate the egg whites and yolks.

Step 3. Combine both parts of the egg.

Step 4. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5. Add the mashed bananas to the egg mix.

Step 6. Fold the egg mix into the banana mix.

Step 7. Heat up a frying pan over medium heat.

Step 8. Pour some oil onto the pan.

Step 9. Spread the batter evenly across the pan.

Step 10. Bake until golden brown.

Step 11. Remove from the oven and let cool down before eating.

 

Serve warm with butter and honey.

Enjoy!

 

If you enjoyed this please let us know.

 

 

Berry Chia Jam

Wanting something fresh, naturally sweetened and very delicious to add to your breakfast bowl, toast or your favorite pancake? Try this berry chia seed jam. It takes less than five minutes to prepare, and includes chia seeds, which contain omega 3 fatty acids. You don’t need a stove for cooking.

Prep Time: 5 mins + Cooking Time: 0 mins = Total Time: 5 mins

 

Chia berry jam

Ingredients

2 1/2 cup or 250 gr mixed berries
3 tablespoons chia seeds
halve a lemon, juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup, optional

 

Recipe

1. Clean and puree the berries.

2. Mix in the chia seeds, the lemon juice and maple syrup.

3. Transfer the mixture to a jar and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours.

4. Add the jam to your breakfast bowl, slice of bread or anything you like and enjoy!

 

Conclusion

I hope you liked this recipe and that it helped you. Please share it with your friends, family and social media. Have fun experimenting with recipes and be creative!

My Favorite Banana Granola

If you’ve followed me for some time, then you probably already know that I’m addicted to homemade granola. Granola is one of my favorite foods. It goes well with so many things: as breakfast, pre workout snack or dessert.
My previous granola recipe was made using different kinds of unrefined sugar but I never thought of including three bananas into the mix. Also, there are many good reasons why homemade granola is so much better than the store bought varieties. Most of the granola you find in the supermarket is loaded with refined sugar, bad fats, salt and along with using refined grains and the unwanted additives.
On the other hand, by making your own granola, you can control all of this and leave out the unwanted ingredients. Besides all of this — it’s so much more tasty!

Banana Granola

Prep Time 10 mins + Cook Time 35 mins = Total Time 45 mins

Prepares 12 servings

 

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) water
  • 2 1/2 cup (250 gr) rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup (80 gr) almonds, / chopped
  • 1/2 cup (80 gr) pumpkin seeds
  • 1/4 cup (40 gr) sunflower seeds
  • a pinch of sea salt
  • 3 bananas, / ripe
  • 3 tbsp rapeseed oil

Spices to select from…

  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tbsp ground anise
  • 1/2 tsp ground vanilla
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves

Optional to taste…

  • 3/4 cup (180 ml) almond milk
  • half a banana or banana slices

 

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven at 325ºF (160ºC) and cover the baking tray with parchment paper.
  • Combine the chia seeds and the water and let them soak for at least 20 minutes.
  • Mix all the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl (including the spices).
  • Combine the bananas and the oil and puree those into a smooth mixture.
  • Add the wet mixtures (the banana and chia seeds) to the dry mixture and mix thoroughly.
  • Spread the granola over the baking tray and bake for 15 minutes in a preheated oven.
  • Remove the tray from the oven, stir the granola with a wooden spoon and place back in for an additional 20 minutes. Note: check on this throughout to avoid burning.
  • Let the granola cool down and serve with the almond milk and the sliced banana. Enjoy!

 

 

Equipment Needed:

baking tray, mixing bowls

 

Ingredient Substitution and the Result

refined sugars => bananas, V + C
milk => almond milk, P
“bad” fats => rapeseed oil, V + S
too much salt => a pinch of sea salt
processed grains => rolled oats, nuts and seeds, F + V

 

Result of the Substition:

F = increase in fiber
V = increase in vitamins
C = cut in calories
P = plant-based swap
S = less saturated fat

 

Conclusion

The result was delicious and I am very happy with it. It is not only good for my health but also for the environment because it does not require any packaging. The best part is that it tastes great too. I hope you enjoyed reading about this recipe as much as I did writing it. Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas by leaving a comment below. Thanks for reading!

Sweet Potato Mac & Cheese

This recipe is dedicated to all the vegan cheese lovers! Yes, you read it right, this mac & cheese recipe contains no diary products. Where traditionally, cheese is a dairy product there are actually a number of plant-based replacement options, which even the most devoted cheese lover would satisfy.

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese

Prep Time 15 mins + Cook Time 20 mins = Total Time 35 mins

Serves 4 people

 

Ingredients

Macaroni

  • 2 1/2 cup (250 gr) dried whole grain macaroni
  • 2 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil, either USDA approved or non-GMO project approved

The “Cheese” Sauce

  • 3 boiled sweet potatoes
  • 1 chopped onion
  • 4 minced garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp rapeseed oil to fry
  • 1/2 cup (100 ml) coconut milk
  • 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • half a lemon to be squeezed
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Vegan Parmesan

  • 1/2 cup (80 gr) unsalted cashew nuts
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder

Instructions

Macaroni

  • Cook the pasta according to the instructions on the box and then add two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil.

The “Cheese” Sauce

  • Cut the sweet potatoes into equal sized cubes. Put a pot of water on the stove so it covers the sweet potatoes. Add the sweet potatoes to boiling water. Cook the sweet potato for 15 minutes until tender. Turn off the heat and remove the pot from the stove. Drain the water.

  • Chop the onions and mince the garlic. Put a skillet on medium heat with 1 tablespoon of rapeseed oil and cook the minced garlic and chopped onions for two minutes until they turn golden brown.

  • Put all the sauce ingredients into a food processor and blend them together until they form a smooth mixture.

Vegan Parmesan

  • Toast the cashews until they’re golden brown in a nonstick skillet without any oil.

  • Put all ingredients into a food processor and blend them together until they’re roughly chopped. To add an extra crunchy texture, I prefer to chop them into smaller pieces.

  • Add the pasta to the sauce, stir well, then top with vegan parmesan and serve.

Equipment Needed:

pot, skillet, food-processor

Ingredient Substitution

The cheese in the recipe is formed from the cashew nuts, nutritional yeast and the sweet potato for the creaminess. Nutritional yeast has a strong nutty and cheesy flavor and can be used to substitute for cheese. In addition, you get nutrients like protein, vitamin B and zinc — all good things your body needs.

The combination of the cashew nuts and sweet potato will yield a creamy sauce, rich in flavor and yet it’s still plant based. The taste is good enough that you might even surprise your non-vegan friends.

If you don’t have access to raw cashews, you can use roasted almonds instead. You can also substitute other vegetables like carrots, peas, etc.

Conclusion

I hope this recipe is helpful! Let me know if you try it out and what your thoughts are about it.

Keto Friendly No-Bake Raspberry Cheesecake

It’s grain-free, gluten-free and egg-free… and it’s Keto!

Raspberries and cheesecake? Need I say more? This Low-Carb Raspberry Cheesecake is extra special because it’s so yummy and grain-free, gluten-free, egg-free, and sugar-free along with gut-friendly bacteria! Perfect for the keto dieter.

Here’s a simple five-ingredient recipe for a delicious raspberry cheesecake. It’s made of vanilla custard (a mixture of eggs, milk, sugar, and cream), agar-agar (an edible seaweed). To make a vegan version of this dessert, substitute the gelatin for agar-agar.

Agar-agar is a red algae whereas gelatin is made from animal bones. Both are very healthy for the body.

The crust is made by rolled oats, medjool dates and a pinch of sea salt.

 

 

 

No Bake Cheesecake Recipe

This vanilla cheesecake is one example of many different variations of this cake. Sometimes, especially in the summer months, I’ve made this dish using different kinds of yogurt, fruits and topping options.

You can also experiment with the crust by adding different ingredients. For instance, replace the dates with raisins, add some raw cacau to the mixture, or an even healthier alternative would be using your favorite cookies instead of oatmeal.

Have fun!

 

Easy Raspberry Cheesecake

Here’s a simple recipe for a delicious and nutritious cheesecake with just five ingredients!

Equipment Needed

  • sauce pan 2x
  • spring-form

 

Ingredients

Crust

  • 2 cups (200 gram) rolled oats
  • 12 medjool dates, pitted

Filling

  • 2 tsp (4 gram) agar-agar
  • 4 cups (1 liter) vanilla custard, or vanilla yogurt
  • 1 cup (150 gram) raspberries, cleaned

 

Instructions

  • Add the crust ingredients plus a pinch of sea salt into a food-processor and run until everything is finely chopped.
  • Leave the food-processor running and add tablespoons of water until the mixture starts to stick together.
  • Grease a spring-from and equally press the mixture into the bottom of the spring-form.
  • Mix the agar-agar with a cup of water in a pot and bring to boil. Leave boiling for 5 minutes.
  • Heat the custard just a little in another pan on the stove but avoid boiling.
  • When the agar-agar mixture is ready stir into the custard.
  • Pour the filling into the spring-form and finish with the raspberries.
  • Transfer the cheesecake to the fridge to set for about 1 hour and enjoy!

 

Need some more sweet inspiration…

For more healthy cake recipes, check out my other variants, including this sweet bread with poppyseeds, bananas and oranges. If you’re looking for a fruity, sweet, nectarine banana cake, then check out this recipe. But if you want something more chocolatey, check out this brownie with black bean frosting. Adding black beans to your brownies sounds strange at first but I challenge you to give them a go. You won’t notice the bean flavor when eating them, but you’ll eat an extra portion because they’re so healthy.

Because there is no such thing as too many raspberries in raspberry cheesecake, you can place as much raspberries into the cheesecake.

Share your Raspberry Cheesecake!

If you do make the healthy cheesecake recipe, feel free to leave a comment below. By doing this together, we can both learn from each other and inspire one another!

 

 

Oatmeal Bowl with Beets

Beet Breakfast Bowls

I’ve been adding more oats to my diet lately . I make sure they’re certified gluten free so that I can tolerate them. They are a great source of fiber and protein, which is always good for me!

I usually don’t eat a fancy breakfast, at least not on weekday mornings. Who’s got the time? But I miss something comforting in the mornings – foods like those I used to eat before starting a real food diet.

How Beets Help

Beet oatmeal can help with weight loss because it contains high levels of nitrates, which increase metabolism. It also has lots of antioxidants, including betalains, which have anti-inflammatory properties.

Beets also have probiotics that can help with digestion and support gut health.

That’s what I like about an oatmeal bowl with beets. It’s good for you and your circulation — and it’s quick to fix.

Beet Breakfast Bowls come together in under 10 mins and make a healthy and easy gluten free and vegetarian breakfast – great for meal prep or on-the-go!

 

 

 

 

Beet Oatmeal

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 large spoonful vegan collagen powder (optional)

2 tbsp beet powder

1 tbsp chia or flax seeds

1/8 tsp cardamom powder

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1 cup almond milk

 

Instructions:

Heat the stove and cook to a desired consistency. Once cooked, you can top it with sliced banana, grain-free granola, strawberry chia jam (just add chia seeds to organic strawberry jam and let it soak for at least twenty minutes), and an optional topping of maple syrup mixed with extra beet powder!

Storage:1 week in fridge. If pureed, you can store it for up to 2 months in the freezer

 

Conclusion

If you need a quick easy breakfast fix, try the beet breakfast bowl. It will fill you up and you might even get a natural energy boost to get through your day.

How To Make A Tasty Pancake Bowl

The technique of making pancakes is surprisingly simple, even if you have never done it before. In this post, we will share with you what you need to know to make a pancake bowl within the comfort of your home.

A standard hotcake combines a standard batter of eggs, milk, and flour. After that, the finished product will be cooked on a heated skillet or griddle. Aside from these ingredients, baking powder is essential for a fluffy and light pancake.

However, the new and more modern way of cooking your favorite griddle cake is through a microwave. Did you know you can prepare a griddle cake in a microwave within a few minutes? Take a look at this recipe.

 

Can You Use Microwave To Make a Pancake Bowl?

A microwave is one of the most flexible cooking equipment you can have in your kitchen. However, many of you are still asking if it can be used to make a hotcake. The answer is yes. This is perfect for making a hotcake for breakfast, especially if you have a hectic schedule.

Making a standard griddle cake would take you about 15 minutes. But, making this recipe and using your microwave to its optimum potential will give you an easy-peasy breakfast you can prepare in less than five minutes,

All you have to do is pour a mixture of ingredients into a bowl, throw it into the microwave, and wait for two minutes and see a large dish full of airy and fluffy griddle cakes.

 

Ingredients For Making a Pancake Bowl

Now that your microwave is ready, here are some essential ingredients to make a tasty and easy griddle cake. Take note that the measurement for these ingredients can create hotcake bowls good for two to three individuals.

 

Two cups of shredded cheddar cheese

One shot of whiskey

Parsley

Salt and pepper

Tabasco

One cup of bacon

� pounds of freshly peeled potatoes

1 1/2 cup of milk

Two tablespoons of vegetable oil

1/3 cup of sugar

Two teaspoons of baking powder

Two cups of flour

 

How to Make a Pancake Bowl – A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you have your ingredients on hand, let us dive into our step-by-step guide to making a hotcake bowl. Don’t worry; we only have four easy steps that even an amateur in cooking can follow.

 

Step 1

The first step is to put the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. These include sugar, salt, and baking powder. Whisk them all to combine. Next, whisk in two eggs and half of the milk before adding them to the bowl. Mix well the dry and wet ingredients.

After that, it is time to add the remaining milk to the batter after it thickens. Put everything in a bowl and set it aside.

 

Step 2

Dice bacon and potatoes into tiny pieces. Bacon should be cooked until it is crispy enough. It would be better to put thicker slices of potato in a medium-high pan for approximately eight minutes on each side. Mix a pinch of tabasco with whisky in a shot glass. Make sure to light it on fire for a few minutes before pouring over the bacon.

Fry the bacon for a few minutes until it turns golden brown. Keep it for later. After that, put the potatoes into the pan and fry them until golden brown. Do not forget to add salt and pepper while it is still hot. Take the fried potatoes from the pan and add half of the bacon and shredded cheddar cheese. Keep it on the side.

 

Step 3

Prepare the microwave by preheating it for at least two minutes. While waiting, combine the batter with the fried bacon and potato in a large bowl. If you have diced fruits or chocolate chips on hand, you can also add them to the mixture. Put the bowl into the microwave, and set it on high for at least two minutes.

 

Step 4

Remove your htcake bowl from the microwave. You can either eat it as it is or put some toppings of your desired choice. It tastes better if you add a few drops of vanilla or honey on top with freshly diced fruits, such as bananas, blueberries, and even apples!

 

Are Pancake Bowls Healthy For You?

 

Pancake bowls are the best choice if you search for something tasty, fluffy, and light. Even though many see pancakes as an unhealthy dish, the minerals it contains may be helpful for your health.

However, you should make whole-grain hotcake bowls and choose fruits as toppings instead of sugary products, such as maple syrup. Here are some health benefits of eating at least one pancake bowl daily.

Strong Bones – You may be surprised to learn that pancakes contain calcium. Hotcake bowls made with whole wheat flour may provide about a quarter of the calcium you need daily. On the other hand, buttermilk pancake bowls can provide a third of the calcium for bones.

Source of Iron – Is it possible for a pancake bowl as a source of iron? Of course! Did you know that you can get nearly two milligrams of iron in a single serving of buttermilk pancake bowl? Beyond that, a whole-wheat pancake bowl can give you at least three milligrams of iron. However, it is worth noting that the recommended iron consumption of your body will vary depending on your gender and age.

Carbohydrates for Energy – When it comes to carbohydrates, pancake bowls are one of the breakfast recipes that is hard to beat. What is it about pancakes that make many people crave them so much? Your body relies heavily on carbs, which pancakes can provide. Pancake bowls made with whole wheat have 30 grams of carbs while 38 grams for buttermilk pancakes.

 

Final Thoughts

Pancake bowls have stood the test of time as the favorite morning food by many. Almost everyone loves it because of its simple cooking instructions and delicious taste. However, not all have enough time to prepare a traditional pancake with pans or skillet. Fortunately, you can make a pancake in a bowl using a microwave. Follow the instructions above, and you can make this easy-peasy breakfast recipe.