Morning Glory Oatmeal Bake

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I hadn’t heard of Morning Glory oatmeal until recently, but thought that it was something new I could try and sneak in some zucchini from our frozen surplus of it. The recipe that I used was inspired by Cookie and Kate’s “Baked Oatmeal Recipe with Blueberries.” I obviously did some tweaking to that recipe, but the base of the baked oats are very similar. This recipe is great to meal prep for breakfasts, as you can quickly cut a slice, pop it in the microwave and enjoy without any work for your busy mornings.

Health Benefits:

  • Apples are a healthy source of carbohydrates, providing you with energy. They also provide fiber, vitamin C, potassium, polyphenols and more.
  • Zucchini is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants– similar to most squash.
  • Carrots are a good source of beta carotene, vitamin K1, potassium and antioxidants.
  • Along with apples, oats and flax seed both provide fiber. Oats are also a source of whole grains to provide you with energy.
  • Walnuts contain healthy fats and are full of antioxidants, omega-3’s and more.

Morning Glory Oatmeal Bake

  • Servings: 8 x 8 pan, 9 pieces
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This easy recipe is a great way to prep breakfast and is moist, full of fresh flavor and spices, and packed with nutrients!

Ingredients

  • 1 apple, chopped
  • 1/2 cup zucchini, shredded
  • 1/4 cup carrot, shredded
  • 1 1/2 cups oats
  • 1/2 cup walnuts
  • 1/4 cup raisins
  • 1 tablespoon flax seed
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 maple syrup
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F and grease an 8×8 baking pan.
  2. Finely chop apple and shred zucchini and carrots. Mix together and spread out evenly in greased pan.
  3. In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients (oats through ginger). Pour evenly over top of apples, zucchini and carrots.
  4. In a small bowl, whisk together wet ingredients (milk through vanilla). Pour this mixture evenly over oats in pan.
  5. Bake at 375°F for 45 minutes. Enjoy warm, or store up to one week and heat in the microwave before eating.

I also made a healthy “frosting” to drizzle on top for some added creaminess and sweetness. To make this you can mix together greek yogurt, milk, brown sugar, vanilla and a dash of cinnamon. I just added the ingredients one at time, little by little, until I found the desired consistency and flavor that I was looking for. I also think that this would be delicious with a cream cheese icing/ glaze on top. Unfortunately, I don’t have any cream cheese to try it out right now, but next time I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks for checking out this warm, fall recipe and as always, if you try it let me know what you think!

–Brit

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

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Another fall recipe with pumpkin and I’m not even sorry or waiting to post this because these are THAT good! I used my Triple Berry Overnight Oats recipe as a base and added in pumpkin and lots of spices. These are super easy to make, taste soo good and makes for the quickest and most convenient breakfast ever! Like I said with my first overnight oats recipe, I was a little skeptical of overnight oats at first because I was worried I wouldn’t like the texture, but these are perfect for me and I think it tastes great whether it’s straight out of the fridge or heated in the microwave.

Health Benefits:

  • Oats and flax seed are a good source of fiber, which is important for our digestive health.
  • Yogurt and milk both provide calcium and protein, essential for our skeletal and muscular systems. You can use whatever types work best for you, whether that’s dairy-free, lactose-free or regular!
  • Pumpkin puree is very high in vitamin A and is a good source of other antioxidants and minerals, as well.
  • Protein powder is an extra boost of protein, but a lot depends on the brand and type you use, so do your research.

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

  • Servings: 1 1/2 cups
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The perfect recipe for a healthy, easy and delicious breakfast or snack that can be prepped in advance and tastes like pumpkin pie!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/4 cup walnuts and/or pecans
  • 1 tablespoon flax seed
  • 1 scoop protein powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Directions

  1. In a mason jar or tupperware with a sealable lid, combine all ingredients. I like to add dry ingredients first, shake well, then add wet ingredients and shake or mix together.
  2. Seal lid and place in refrigerator for 4 or more hours (I recommend overnight).
  3. Enjoy cold or warm. Heat by simply microwaving in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals until heated through.

Whatever the season may be, I hope you find these oats to be a convenient and delicious breakfast or snack, whether you are pressed for time or not. Thanks for checking this post out, and if you try them, let me know what you thought in the comments!

–Brit

Healthier Apple Berry Crisp

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I have always loved this dessert and think that it is great during any season and is super easy to make and full lots of healthy fruit, however when I made it last time I realized that it has a lot more added sugar than it really needs. So, I challenged myself to make a healthier version of this recipe by limiting the added sugar, making some easy substitutes and adding in some healthy nuts for flavor, texture and nutrients!

Health Benefits:

  • Apples are a healthy source of carbohydrates, providing you with energy. They also provide fiber, vitamin C, potassium, polyphenols and more.
  • Mixed berries are packed with antioxidants, which can help protect your cells, and also contain fiber, vitamin C, manganese, vitamin K and are anti-inflammatory in nature.
  • Whole wheat flour contains the bran (providing fiber, minerals and antioxidants), endosperm (mostly carbohydrates) and the germ (containing vitamins, minerals, protein and more). Refined grains like white flour only has the endosperm, so does not provide near as many health benefits as whole wheat flour does.
  • Nuts are a great source of a variety of nutrients and are considered a healthy fat. Healthy fats are important in maintaining a proper hormone balance and they also help to absorb nutrients and are a source of energy.

Remember that not all desserts that you make or eat have to be “healthier” versions. It’s ok to eat normal cookies, brownies, cakes, etc and trust me, I eat them too without guilt. However, when you have a sweet tooth and love baking (like me) it is nice to be able to create desserts that taste delicious, give you some added nutrients and don’t make you feel sick from too much sugar.

Healthier Apple Berry Crisp

  • Servings: 6-8 pieces (may vary on dishes used and serving size)
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This recipe is full of delicious fruit and topped with crispy, crumbly topping that is made healthier by using less sugar, swapping a few simple ingredients and adding nuts for healthy fats and nutrients!

Ingredients

  • 3 apples, thinly sliced
  • 2 cups frozen berries
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
  • 1/8 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3/4 cups oats
  • 1/2 cup, walnuts and/or pecans
  • 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1/4 cup butter, cold and diced
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
  2. Lightly toss apples and berries with lemon juice and maple syrup. Add in flour and cinnamon and toss together again. Pour into an 8 x 8 or similar sized pan or dish.
  3. Add remaining ingredients to a medium bowl and cut in the butter using a pastry cutter or fork until mixture is crumbly. Pour topping onto fruit mixture and spread evenly.
  4. Bake for 45 minutes at 350° F. Let cool slightly, as fruit will be very hot, then serve warm and enjoy!

This is a recipe I’ve been wanting to make and post for a while now, so I hope that you enjoy it if you choose to make it or it inspires you to get creative in the kitchen as well! Thanks for checking this out!!

-Brit

Triple Berry Overnight Oats

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Not gonna lie, it took me a while to give overnight oats a chance because I was worried about the consistency and usually have time in the mornings to make breakfast. However, I finally gave them a try and honestly I regret not making them sooner! These oats are creamy, fruity, flavorful and most importantly they have a great texture!! Plus, they’re soo easy to make and taste good hot or cold!

This recipe can serve as a great overnight oats base, letting you get as creative with it as you want. Listed below are examples of other add-ins and possible substitutions. For example, I used lactose free milk and a dairy free yogurt alternative because that’s what works best for me, but you should use the products that are available and work best for YOU. Get creative with your meals and remember to mix it up so that you don’t get bored of eating your breakfast! Remember, food is fuel for our bodies, but it is also a creative outlet, something to be enjoyed, is comforting and can bring us together.

Easy Substitutions & Additions:

  • Maple syrup can easily be replaced by honey.
  • Flax seed can be left out altogether or replaced by chia seeds.
  • Milk can be dairy, lactose free, almond, oat, soy– it’s up to you.
  • Yogurt can also be dairy or an alternative of your choice.
  • Spices can be added, like cinnamon, to add flavor and creativity.
  • Bananas and other fruits can also be added or used to replace any berries you don’t have or want.
  • Nut butters are another great addition for both flavor, protein and healthy fats.

Health Benefits:

  • Oats and flax seed are a good source of fiber, which is important for our digestive health.
  • Yogurt and milk both provide calcium and protein, essential for our skeletal and muscular systems.
  • Mixed berries are high in antioxidants, vitamin C and even fiber (most Americans don’t eat enough fruits and veggies or fiber).
  • Protein powder is an extra boost of protein, but a lot depends on the brand and type you use, so do your research.

Triple Berry Overnight Oats

These creamy, flavorful overnight oats have a great texture and are so easy to prep for breakfast or snacks!

Ingredients

  • 1/2 to 1 cup mixed berries, fresh or frozen
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup yogurt
  • 1/4 milk
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 tablespoon flax seed
  • 1 tablespoon or 1 scoop protein powder 
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

  1. Add all ingredients into a mason jar or glass tupperware and shake well or stir until combined.
  2. Refrigerate overnight and eat cold (my summer preference) or heat in the microwave and enjoy warm!

I hope these yummy overnight oats make your breakfasts or snacks both easy and delicious! Thanks for being here and making it this far!!

–Brit