This fluffy, creamy Zucchini Bread Oatmeal is a great way to increase the protein content of your oatmeal, while adding more veggies into your day!
There’s just something so comforting about a big bowl of warm oats, especially on a cold or rainy day when all you want to do is cozy up with a good book. If it happens to taste like zucchini bread in a bowl, even better!
This oatmeal has all the delicious flavours of zucchini bread – cinnamon, nutmeg and shredded zucchini. It also has an ingredient that you may not be used to adding to your oats – egg.
Okay, I get that this might sounds strange, but trust me on this one! If you find your morning bowl of oats just isn’t doing the trick when it comes to keeping you full until lunch, it’s likely because you’re missing key macronutrients – protein and fat. When you eat carbohydrates without adding these, it can cause your blood sugar to quickly spike and then crash, leaving you tired, hungry and irritable. Adding a healthy source of protein and fat helps to slow digestion and delay the absorption of glucose into the blood. This helps prevent spikes in your blood sugar after eating so you stay full for longer, feel more energized throughout the day and have better focus.
Adding an egg is an easy way to add some protein to your oatmeal, helping to slow down digestion so that your blood sugar doesn’t rise as much. Plus, whole eggs are packed with tons of nutrients like vitamin A, D, choline, lutein and zeaxanthin. If you’re worried about your oatmeal tasting like an omelette, I can assure you that prepared properly, you won’t even taste it! Instead it turns your oatmeal extra creamy, fluffy, and super delicious. It’s honestly the only way I eat my oatmeal now!
As far as protein goes, your favourite protein powder, nut/seed butter or greek yogurt are some other ways you can up the protein. When it comes to your toppings, this is a great place to add some healthy fats to to your oatmeal. Try a scoop of nut/seed butter, coconut yogurt, walnuts, pecans etc. I’ll also often add some ground flaxseeds and shredded zucchini or cauliflower rice for some extra fibre and to help add a little more volume to my oatmeal.
Zucchini Bread Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk or water
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (preferably organic and sprouted)
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1/4 cup packed grated zucchini
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch of ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- Toppings of choice: raw honey, almond butter, yogurt, a handful of berries (fresh or frozen), coconut flakes, cacao nibs, etc.
Instructions
- Bring milk to a gentle boil in a small saucepan.
- Add the oats, ground flaxseed, zucchini, cinnamon and nutmeg. Reduce to medium and cook for 7-9 minutes or until the liquid is almost absorbed, stirring occasionally. Add more milk for a thinner consistency.
- Remove from the heat, add the vanilla and egg and stir constantly for 1-2 minutes or until the oats are fluffy. Cover with a lid and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Top with honey, nut butter, fruit, etc and enjoy!
