Doin' Some Cookin'... Banana Almond Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are the perfect on the go breakfast option because there is no cooking involved and you make it ahead of time. Easy peasy.

Perfect for after a morning workout and keeps you full until lunchtime. I was not able to eat the entire portion and ended up finishing it up as part of my lunch.

Banana Almond Overnight Oats

Adapted From: Siggi's Dairy

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 packet cinnamon spice oatmeal
• 1/3 cup lowfat milk
• 1 (6 oz) container 2% peach Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp almonds

And Action:

In a glass jar, combine all ingredients and mix well. Let sit overnight in the fridge. Enjoy the next morning!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Coconut Overnight Oats

I gravitate to all things coconut. Tropical anything for that matter. I've had to ditch coconut fried shrimp though with trying to eat clean. Boo!

Cleaning eating means that I actually need to meal prep the night before and with trying to fit in workouts that means my bedtime has now been pushed anytime from 10pm to midnight. Because of that I struggle to get out of bed in the morning. My pre-coffee self scares me even. Eek! By the time I get lunches packed, Little Man off to school, and then make it to work I am hangry.

Having something that was prepped the night before that took maybe five minutes to put together and becomes a grab and go meal is perfect for my busy lifestyle. The prep also means that I'm setting myself up for one healthy choice after another... well... except for that first of the season Venti nonfat, no whip pumpkin spice latte with half the syrup from Starbucks that I had today.

... and we all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, or so they say. Why couldn't it be dessert? Hmmm.

Just so you know you can make a work week's worth of these overnight oats ahead of time and the best part is the millions of variations that can be found on the Internet for inspiration and to switch it up every day.

If you prefer something warm, especially with the colder days upon us, then zap it in the microwave before serving and topping with the fun stuff.

While this Coconut Overnight Oats recipe was delicious and a great variation to have in my playbook my favorite overnight oats recipe to date is this, Banana Bread Overnight Oats.

Coconut Overnight Oats

Adapted From: Katie Did What

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/3 cup light coconut milk
• 1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• ground cinnamon, to taste
• optional toppings: banana, nectarine, peaches, and coconut flakes

And Action:

Combine the oats, coconut milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a glass container. Mix well. Store in the fridge overnight. When ready to eat add toppings if desired. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

This Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is so delicious and simple to make. The sauteed apples are the best part. In fact, I plan on making just the apples again for a side or dessert. Love them!

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Adapted From: Lauren Duke

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 package cinnamon spice oatmeal
• 1 sweet red apple sliced and diced
• 1/2 tbsp coconut oil
• ground cinnamon, to taste

And Action:

In a small skillet heat coconut oil over medium high heat. Add the apples and cinnamon, tossing to coat and stirring on occasion until browned and softened. 

Cook oatmeal according to package directions. 

Top oatmeal with the sauteed apples. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Slow Cooker Apple Pie Steel-Cut Oatmeal

I'm slowly becoming a "not morning" person. I use to be an all-day person rising before the sun and now I terrify myself in the early morning hours, not because of the way I look, although, a couple more hours of beauty sleep may put me at super model status, but because of my desire for quiet and an extra two hours to acclimate to the day. Who am I becoming? My mother!!!... and I say that sincerely, love her lots!

This oatmeal is intended to be made the night before but if you are like me and prioritize movie marathons ahead of cooking, then make this right when you wake up, grab your coffee, lounge around all of Sunday morning, and have this for brunch instead.

This is sort of a two-fer, you get yummy breakfast and your place will be perfumed with the sweet scent of apples and cinnamon. Your kid will think you made apple pie and you get to crush that notion when they find out it's oatmeal. Sweet revenge, literally, for them talking your ear off about Pokemon which you know nothing about.

So... my internal body clock is off with my waking hours being outta whack and not conforming to society's norms regarding seasons as this recipe would be perfect for Fall and this is perfect for feeding the ghrelin monster in those first couple hours of waking. But, I've always been seasonally challenged and my waking hours are now closer to afternoon on the weekends... I also chop my hair off in the Winter and eat soup in the Summer. Rebel status.

No matter the season or time of day... make this!

Slow Cooker Apple Pie Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Adapted From: MyFitnessPal

Makes 5 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 4 cups vanilla almond milk
• 2 granny smith apples (or whatever you have on hand), chopped into bite sized pieces
• 1 tsp coconut oil
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• splash of lemon juice
• topping ideas, optional: peanut butter, chopped pecans, freshly chopped apples, brown sugar, spoonful of salted caramel sauce

And Action:

Add all of the ingredients into your slow cooker excluding the toppings, stir well. Cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Give it a good stir. Add toppings if desired. You can store the leftovers in the fridge for up to 1 week. To reheat, add a splash of almond milk and heat up in the microwave.

If you are pressed for time, throw the ingredients excluding the toppings in a pot over the stovetop for 7-10 minutes, stir, and add toppings if desired. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Banana Bread Overnight Oats

When you don't have time to make breakfast in the morning a grab and go breakfast you put together the night before is what you need. Oats are healthy, filling, and this takes less than 5 minutes to prepare when done in this method. You can even make enough servings to last the whole work week.

Let me tell you, this is hands down the best overnight oats recipe I have tried to date. Tastes just like banana bread and would be delicious heated up.

Banana Bread Overnight Oats

Adapted From: MyFitnessPal

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1 banana, divided
• 1/3 cup steel cut oats
• 1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
• 1/2 cup vanilla almond milk
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp chopped pecans
• maple syrup or honey, optional

And Action:

Mash half of the banana in a glass bowl. Add the oats, yogurt, almond milk, chia seeds, and cinnamon, stir well to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with pecans and the remaining banana, sliced. Drizzle with maple syrup or honey if desired. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Blueberry Almond Oatmeal Parfait

My stomach was growling and I needed an afternoon pick me up to get me through my hair appointment and shopping for items to put together a Texas themed gift basket for one of my best friend's arrival into Houston tomorrow.

This oatmeal parfait is layered with vanilla honey yogurt and almond butter on top a bed of cinnamon steel cut oats and couldn't be easier to put together. This recipe is so versatile as you can swap out any nut (or nut butter) and switching up the fruit. I'm partial to almonds though and think any fruit and almonds were made for each other.

Say goodbye to boring oatmeal and hello tummy stuffed full of goodness. I could not finish a full serving size and saved the rest of breakfast the next day, yes, it's fantastic chilled too.

Blueberry Almond Oatmeal Parfait

Adapted From: Hello Healthy from MyFitnessPal

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 3/4 cup steel cut oats
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 3/4 cup vanilla yogurt
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 4 tbsp almond butter

And Action:

In a small saucepan combine the oats, water, vanilla, and cinnamon. Simmer on medium-low heat for 7-8 minutes. Let the oatmeal cool for a few minutes before layering into the parfait.

Mix the yogurt and honey together. 

To build the parfaits, spoon the oatmeal in the bottom of each glass, then layer on a spoonful of yogurt, then blueberries, then almond butter. Repeat the layers until you have used up all of the ingredients between the two glasses. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cookin'... Triple Berry Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl with Almonds and Chia Seeds

I think I may have found my new favorite way to eat oatmeal. Maybe it has something to do with the raspberries (my favorite fruit at the moment) and almonds I toasted myself (crave worthy!!!). With the weather as cold as it's been a hot breakfast is just what I needed.

This oatmeal will keep you full until well after lunchtime and is the perfect way to start your day with protein, fiber, and antioxidants. An oatmeal smoothie bowl is the love child of two breakfast classics.

You can adapt this recipe to suit your tastes switching it up with different fruit, nuts, and yogurt flavors.

Triple Berry Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl with Almonds and Chia Seeds

Adapted From: Jeanette's Healthy Living

Makes 1 Serving

Stars of the Show:

• 1/4 cup uncooked regular oats
• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup raspberries
• 1/4 cup blackberries
• 1 tbsp toasted slivered almonds
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 1 container nonfat vanilla yogurt

And Action:

Combine the oats, almonds, and chia seeds in a bowl adding 1/2 cup of water. Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes. Top with the berries and a couple dollops of yogurt, stirring to combine. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cooking... Blueberry & Pomegranate Chia Oats Breakfast Parfait

We've all been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day but most days I think sleep trumps that notion. I'm generally rushing through my morning getting lunches packed, putting on my face (hello! foundation and mascara), convincing Little Man that I let him sleep until the last possible minute and that we really only have 5 minutes before we have to leave, and then before we make it out the door realizing that breakfast was an afterthought and I end up at work with a grumbly tummy. Every. Damn. Day.

Worse than skipping breakfast is having something to eat that is just... meh! 

With a little planning you can give your body what it needs to start the day.

These Blueberry & Pomegranate Chia Oats Breakfast Parfaits are made with all natural ingredients, packed full of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, magnesium, manganese, calcium, with lots of protein and prepared in an untraditional way. 

Oats and chia seeds are soaked which means more of the nutritious benefits stick around rather than breaking down when they're cooked on the stovetop. 

Although, with the weather cooling off here in Texas a cold breakfast isn't comforting like a big bowl of piping hot oatmeal. This is definitely a recipe to keep in the arsenal for those Summer mornings. Nonetheless, it's definitely worth a try no matter what the thermometer reads and the soaked oats are just a blank canvas for you to get creative with fruit toppings of your choice. 

Blueberry & Pomegranate Chia Oats Breakfast Parfait

Adapted From: Pure Ella

Makes 2 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 1/2 cup steel cut oats
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 cup light coconut milk
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1/4 cup pomegranate arils
• 1/4 cup blueberries

And Action:

The night before, in a mason jar or air tight container, mix in oats, chia seeds, and coconut milk. Seal the jar and place in the refrigerator overnight.

In the morning layer a container with the oat mix and fresh fruit. Enjoy!

Doin' Some Cooking... Almond Butter Oatmeal

Belly-stuffing-baked-oatmeal. Yes, baked oatmeal.  Two of my coworkers had never heard of baking oatmeal. I'd like to pretend that I knew about this method before this point but I didn't. This oatmeal is baked with eggs, almond butter, and soy milk. Protein-packed to keep you satisfied until lunch and best part of all, it's similar to a casserole so that means plenty of leftovers and very little thought needed when packing breakfast for work.

Almond Butter Oatmeal

Adapted From: Women's Health

Makes 6 Servings

Stars of the Show:

• 2 cups steel cut oats
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 eggs, beat
• 2 cups light vanilla soy milk
• 1 cup water
• 4 tbsp almond butter - I used Kolat's Cherry Vanilla Almond Butter, found at Whole Foods.
• 2 tbsp agave nectar

And Action:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coat an 8 x 8 inch baking dish with cooking spray. In the baking dish, mix steel cut oats, cinnamon, eggs, soy milk, water, and almond butter together. Bake for 20 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed. Drizzle with the agave nectar.