Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Banana Baked Oatmeal

"Crazy" has been the word of the week in our house. Not that our lives are typically slow-moving, relaxing or boring. But, recent days have been particularly busy and a bit chaotic. Zayne ended wrestling season this week with a team party and a youth wrestling tournament at which the high school boys worked at all day today. He, also, had a first date. {Dying.} Allanah had her final Snowball Dance this weekend. Our van was stolen from my husband's workplace {and thankfully, recovered a few days later}. All three kids are in the same play production, which means practices galore these days. And, I must mention that the kiddos and I have all been battling some type of flu for the past few weeks at varying times.

Having grab-and-go meals and snacks are a must for me these days. Since we are a huge oatmeal-loving family, baked oatmeal is a great option for us. It reheats pretty well and provides major fuel to power us through our day.

The combo of chocolate, peanut butter and banana here is pretty awesome. All three are incorporated into the oatmeal itself, then it gets topped with fresh bananas, chocolate chips and a peanut butter/honey dollop at time of service. I do have a couple of kids who prefer this without the toppings, however. They like a slice of this as-is to throw on a napkin on their way out the door.

Think of this as a cross between a bowl of traditional oatmeal AND oatmeal cookies ... just maybe not quite as sweet as normal cookies. Plan to adjust how you serve and top this based upon your family's preferences. My youngest asked to drizzle her slice with caramel sauce. {Quite the treat.} It is pretty moist when it is first baked. But, we actually prefer it cooled, the pieces individually wrapped up, stored in the fridge and reheated in the oven the next day. It becomes a little drier and more bar-like.

Serves 6 - 8.

Slow Cooker Overnight Apple Crisp Oatmeal

We are an oatmeal-cooked-overnight-in-the-slow-cooker kind of family. It's sorta become an obsession over the past few years. We love waking up to a hearty breakfast awaiting us - especially on busy mornings. I've shared with you several variations on my basic recipe like, my carrot cake version (my personal favorite). I wanted to incorporate apples and warm, fall-inspired spices in my newest version of cooking steel cut oats in the slow cooker. But, I, also, wanted there to be a twist. My mind went to apple crisp, a dessert that I make often for my family.

The premise of this recipe is to start with steel cut oats (I really don't recommend cooking any other type of oats overnight in the slow cooker ... unless you want totally mushy oatmeal). Then, a few basic ingredients like, milk, water, brown sugar and butter get stirred in. Warm, fragrant spices like, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg are stirred in. Chunks of crisp apple are then added before lidding the slow cooker as you head off to bed.

I do top this at the time of service with an apple crisp-style topping that I make a bit prior to starting the oatmeal in the evening. (The crisp topping takes about 40 minutes to bake, but only a few minutes to prep.) It is totally optional, but therein lies the "crisp" part of the recipe. Alternatively, some store-bought basic granola could be sprinkled on top if you don't wish to make the topping from scratch.

NOTE: I cook this oatmeal in a metal bread pan that fits perfectly down into my oval slow cooker. I loosely crumple up a piece of foil, place it on the bottom of the slow cooker insert, pour in about four cups of hot water and place the bread loaf pan atop the foil. A steam effect is created. Following this method ensures that the oatmeal does not burn and clean-up is a lot easier. This, also, ensures that the oatmeal stays moist and very creamy.

Yields 4 - 6 servings.

Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal with Peaches

I adore recipes that allow me to assemble the ingredients well in advance so that there is little work at meal-time. This baked oatmeal is one of those fabulous recipes. A hearty, healthful breakfast is just a few simple steps away. Assemble the oatmeal at night prior to heading to bed. Toss some fresh fruit into the mix in the morning. Pop the dish into the oven. Brew up some coffee. And, grab some spoons!

 

Using steel cut oats is key here (they are easily found in the cereal/oats section of most supermarkets these days). They hold up well in the fridge overnight amidst the creamy, perfectly-spiced liquid and have such an awesome texture once baked up in this sensational breakfast dish.

Fresh peaches are used here, but this baked oatmeal works great with any fruit that I've tried (blueberries are another favorite add-in for us in this recipe). And, frankly, I think this recipe would work even if you didn't add any fruit into the mixture.

I bring together a little shredded coconut, chopped nuts, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and maple syrup to really enhance the oats. I, also, mix a little quinoa in with the steel cut oats, but it can be omitted if you're not a fan or don't have it on hand. (Just replace the quinoa with additional oats.)

To serve, scoop some of the baked oatmeal into a bowl, top with a sprinkling of brown sugar (or a drizzle of honey) and pour on a little milk or cream right before digging in.

Serves 4 - 6.

20+ Scrumptious Breakfast Recipes from Joyously Domestic

 

Whether you're looking for something to feed the kiddos as they're heading out the door on a busy school morning or you're wanting something special for a weekend brunch, this collection of breakfast recipes is sure to bring some pizzazz to your morning meals. From overnight slow cooker oatmeal to an all-in-one breakfast casserole, you're sure to find some breakfast inspiration here.

Slow Cooker Overnight Morning Glory Steel Cut Oatmeal

Yes, I'm posting yet another overnight oatmeal recipe. I can't help it. I'm addicted. Steel cut oats are truly one of my favorite breakfast ingredients. Making them in the slow cooker is a no-brainer for me. I get them going right before heading to bed and then we wake up to a hot, hearty breakfast. There's no fuss, no hassle and no work when I'm still half-asleep, but needing breakfast ready for the family around six in the morning. I just keep the oatmeal on warm and it's ready as everyone trickles in to grab a bowl before heading out for the day.

I based this version on the ingredients in my Morning Glory Muffins recipe. The muffins are a favorite of mine from my childhood. They are chocked full of apples, oats, dried fruit, nuts {if desired}, carrots, zucchini and lots of fabulous spices. They have so many great things going for them ...  lots of healthful ingredients and tons of flavor.

I strongly urge you to give steel cut oats in the slow cooker a try. Your life will never {ever} be the same. And, one of the great things about making oatmeal this way is that it can be reheated easily throughout the week on other busy mornings if you have leftovers.

NOTE: This may look like a long list of ingredients. However, most of them, I believe, are items many of us keep on hand.

Yields 3 - 4 hearty servings.

No-Bake Energy Bites

These have become a go-to staple in our household. I make a big batch of these amazing little balls on a regular basis. (They freeze wonderfully.) They are so handy for a quick breakfast-on-the-go option, after-school snacks and to toss into lunchboxes. They are wholesome, healthful and a huge hit with our entire family ... one of my kids' favorite homemade treats.

 

The flavor and texture of these remind me of a cross between no-bake cookies and chewy peanut butter power bars.  It takes only a matter of minutes to mix up the ingredients. Then, after thirty minutes of chilling the "dough" in the fridge, you roll the mixture into balls and you're done! Keep a batch of these in the fridge/freezer and you'll have a quick energy-booster to grab on the fly. I double or triple the recipe most of the time because they are so well-loved in the JD house. I think you'll love them, too, and I'd adore hearing from you once you try them.

Yields 2 - 2 1/2  dozen "bites" (balls). 

Overnight Steel Cut Oats - Slow Cooker

 

I recently posted a recipe for Overnight Slow Cooker Oatmeal, which I made twice last week.  My husband and I were totally diggin' that recipe ... that is, until I switched things up today and used steel cut oats (instead of old-fashioned oats).  Instant oats are terrible overnight in the slow cooker (way too mushy).  Old-fashioned oats worked pretty good (not quite total mush, but not super hearty and well-textured either).  But, steel cut oats ... oh my goodness!  I am in love!

 

If you have never heard of steel cut oats or have never looked for them in the store, let me give ya a little info on them and what to look for.

They are a tad pricier than your everyday, run-of-the-mill oats, but not by much.  I paid $3.59 for my 24 oz. package at Kroger in the health food/organic section.  I purchased Bob's Red Mill brand.  Another well-known brand that is usually easily available is McCann's (my Wal-Mart has it in the actual oatmeal section), but it is a little more expensive compared to Bob's.  I've, also, seen steel cut oats in bulk at places like Whole Foods and health food stores.

The difference between rolled and steel cut oats is that while both contain whole grain oats, they are processed differently. Rolled oats are steamed, rolled, steamed again and toasted.  They end up as thin flakes. Steel cut oats are made from oat kernels that have been chopped into thick pieces.

Using steel cut oats produces a chewier, heartier texture that is somewhat nutty.  And, they hold up wonderfully to the long process of overnight slow cooker cooking.

The recipe I used is very similar to the one I posted recently using old-fashioned oats.  I use a loaf pan placed into my slow cooker insert and create a water bath.  This prevents dried-on oats and is much easier clean-up wise.

I adore that I spend just 10 minutes at night throwing this together ... and we wake up to a ready-made breakfast and a house that smells divine!  What could be better?

Slow Cooker Overnight Oatmeal (Water Bath Technique)

I've made oatmeal overnight in the slow cooker before.  And, although it was good, clean-up was a bit of a bear because the oatmeal cemented onto the sides of the slow cooker (even though I had thoroughly greased the inside walls).  We could eat from the middle of the oatmeal, but I had to soak the dang slow cooker for hours, then, literally "chisel" away at the parts that were terribly dried on.

But, I loved waking up to the smell of the oats, apples and cinnamon ... and to having breakfast ready to go!  So, I came up with the concept of using a pan inside of the slow cooker and creating a water bath to help with the crusty, almost-burnt edges. 

It worked like a charm!  I was sooooo thrilled!

Oatmeal Crinkle Cookies

My dear mother, Dawn, bakes dozens of cookies each week.  Chocolate chip. Molasses. Peanut butter. Snickerdoodles. Oatmeal. {You get the idea.} There is rarely a time when speaking to her on the phone that she isn't pausing to pull a tray of cookies out from the oven or starting another batch. All of the grandkids know to expect cookies upon visits to her house. {And, truth be told ... so do I.}

 

 

She has a cute sign hanging on the wall of her kitchen.  It reads, "A Balanced Diet is Having a Cookie in Each Hand." Boy, does she love that sign.

This recipe is one of her most-requested {aside from her Banana Chocolate Chip ones.} She's been making these for as long as I can remember. They are as magnificent and sinful as they look! As I type, my shirt is dusted with powdered sugar ... remnants of the two {okay, three} that I just devoured.

These cookies are slightly chewy in the center and have a wonderful texture from the oats. A good roll in powdered sugar prior to baking results in a beautiful, crackled, crinkle exterior that makes these oatmeal cookies next-level for sure.

Yields:  4 Dozen

Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cake

 

My mother, Dawn, is the baker of our family. She makes amazing cookies and cakes! I envy her at times ... she does it magically, effortlessly and extraordinarily! This is her recipe. When she makes this cake, it disappears in minutes! It is fabulous served warm right out of the oven, but is perfectly wonderful cooled, as well. It is super simple to throw together and you don't even have to make a frosting!