There’s something about the start of September that can get you feeling some serious fall vibes. And there’s no better way for your child to begin his schoolday than with a healthy oatmeal breakfast. Oatmeal is one of those superfoods that boasts a ton of benefits, from being rich in antioxidants, contains heart-healthy fiber, can lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and leave your child’s tummy feeling full. The four recipes below go beyond a basic bowl of oatmeal and elevate the grain to the next level—and will be something that your kids will surely eat!
IRISH OATMEAL BRULEE
Dr. Janet Brill, author of Blood Pressure Down: The 10-Step Program to Lower Your Blood Pressure in 4 Weeks—Without Prescription Drugs, offers this delicious Irish Oatmeal Brulee recipe that’s fancy enough for adults, but kid-friendly, too.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup Irish Steel Cut Oatmeal
4 cup milk, soy
1 pinch salt, kosher
2 oranges, zested
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup chopped bananas
2 tbsp toasted almonds
6 tbsp flaxseed, ground
4 tbsp sugar, raw granulated
DIRECTIONS:
1. Cook oatmeal in soymilk with salt and ground flaxseed over medium heat for about 30 minutes with orange zest, and cinnamon stick.
2. Meanwhile toast almonds either in oven or over medium heat in a skillet and set aside.
3. When desired texture is achieved, remove cinnamon stick, fold in the bananas and divide the mixture into 4 heatproof ramekins.
4. Sprinkle each ramekin with sugar and torch to melt the sugar for a brittle burnt sugar crust.
5. Add in fresh fruits, like berries, bananas, or apples, or nuts.
Banana Apple Oatmeal Blondies
“These delicious Banana Apple Oatmeal Blondies are the perfect treat to get kids to eat oatmeal. Plus, they’re full of fruit!” says Katie Moseman, of Recipe for Perfection.
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
8 tablespoons of unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 egg
1 cup of oats, divided (3/4 cup for the batter, 1/4 cup for the topping)
1/3 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
1/3 cup crushed apple chips
1 medium banana
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350 F and prepare a 8 inch pan by lining it with foil or parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk together until well combined.
In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar together until fluffy. Add the egg and beat on low speed until combined. Add the dry ingredient mixture a little at a time, beating on low speed, until just combined.
Stir in the 3/4 cup of oats, crushed apple chips, and nuts (if used). Scrape half of the batter into the pan and smooth it out to completely cover the bottom of the pan.
Peel the banana, then cut thin round slices from the banana and place them over the first layer of batter until it is mostly covered. Don’t overlap the slices.
Spoon the remaining batter over the top of the banana slices and smooth it out until the banana slices are no longer visible. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of oats over the top and press in the oats gently with your fingertips.
Bake for 30 minutes, or until top is lightly browned all over and a toothpick inserted in the middle doesn’t come out with batter on it.
PB&J AND APPLE OATMEAL
Quaker Oats is synonymous with yummy oatmeal. Quaker’s Creative Oatmeal Officer, Samantha Stephens, sent us two good-for-you oatmeal recipes: PB&J and Apple Oatmeal, and Banana Split Oatmeal Parfait. Both recipes can be made with either quick or old-fashioned oats, or Quaker’s latest product, the Quick 3-Minute Steel Cut Oatmeal. Quick 3-Minute delivers the same hearty and nutty texture that has made steel cut oats popular, but with a convenient consumer desired cook time. The new offering cuts the traditional cooking time of 30 minutes to three.
INGREDIENTS:
· ½ cup Quaker Oats (Quick or Old Fashioned)*
· ½ cup fresh apple, diced
· 1 Tbsp peanut butter (or almond butter)
· 1 Tbsp strawberry jelly
*Or try 1/4 Cup(s) Quaker Quick 3-Minute Steel Cut Oats
DIRECTIONS:
Prepare oatmeal as usual, add toppings and enjoy! For additional topping ideas, try adding fresh strawberries, honey, or dry roasted peanuts.
“Banana Split” Oatmeal Parfait
INGREDIENTS:
½ cup Quaker Oats (Quick or Old Fashioned)*
½ banana, peeled and sliced horizontally in half
1/3 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
¼ cup blueberries
¼ cup strawberries, diced
1 Tbsp almonds
1 tsp seeds (chia or flax)
1 Tbsp honey, agave or maple syrup
*Or try 1/4 Cup(s) Quaker Quick 3-Minute Steel Cut Oats
DIRECTIONS:
Prepare oatmeal as usual and place in a sundae or parfait bowl. Place both banana segments on either side of the bowl. Spoon Greek yogurt in the center. Top with strawberries, blueberries, and almonds. Add chia or flax seeds as “sprinkles” and drizzle with your choice of honey, agave, or maple syrup.