Creamy Steel Cut Oatmeal with Pecans and Dried Fruit

… A Hearty But Fast Breakfast for Those Busy Back-to-School Mornings!

Want to start the kids’ school day, or your work day, off right with a filling and nutritious breakfast but don’t have time in the morning to cook a full meal? Help get everyone’s brain going strong and keep the hunger pangs away until lunchtime arrives with this no-fuss, overnight recipe for creamy gluten free, dairy free oatmeal. By making the oatmeal in your crockpot, breakfast will be ready for anyone’s busy morning schedule. And because it can stay ready-to-eat for hours, offering a hot breakfast is a snap. Even young kids can be take responsibility for serving up their own breakfast (which can also help them build a sense of pride with their independence).

We enjoy our creamy gluten free oatmeal naturally sweetened with dried blueberries and cherries (but you can garnish with your favorite dried fruit) and fortified with protein-packed toasted pecans. Add a splash of unsweetened vanilla almond milk and a drizzle of agave or honey, if desired, and you’ve got a delicious and healthful, home-cooked breakfast to fit anyone’s morning “rush hour”. It’s a staple at Daily Forage.

Prep time: less than 5 minutes

Cook time: about 8 hours but will hold for another 2 hours or so

Makes: about 2 large or about 4 small servings

Ingredients:

3/4 cup gluten free steel cut oats – I prefer Bob’s Red Mill

1/4 teaspoon salt 

3 1/2 – 4 cups water, depending on how creamy you like your oatmeal

1/2 cup dried blueberries

1/2 cup dried cherries

1/2 cup dates, pitted and chopped

1/2 cup roasted pecans, coarsely chopped

agave or honey, if desired

unsweetened vanilla almond milk, to your liking – I prefer Blue Diamond Almonds Almond Breeze

Directions:

Place oats, salt, and water in a crock pot, cover with lid, and heat on low setting. Cook overnight. Oatmeal will be fully cooked when you awake in the morning. Stir before serving. If the oatmeal is thicker than you prefer, stir in a little extra water or almond milk to thin. If the oatmeal is too thin, increase temp to high and continue to cook with lid on for a few more minutes. Oatmeal can stay warm in crockpot, on low setting or turned off but still covered with lid, until breakfast time is over.

To serve: 

 Place a serving of oatmeal in a bowl, add dried blueberries, dried cherries, dates, and pecans. Drizzle with agave or honey, if desired. Pour almond milk over hot oatmeal for an extra creamy breakfast cereal. Yum!

Other Serving Suggestions: Eliminate the dried fruit and agave or honey, and try adding these substitutions:

• Stir in a little canned pumpkin, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Oh my, autumn in a bowl! … 😀
• Stir in a little unsweetened applesauce, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a scant teaspoon of brown sugar.
• Add the zest of half an orange, drizzle with agave or honey, and sprinkle with pecans. Pour a bit of almond milk over the top. Mmmm!
• Add a tablespoonful of peanut butter or nut butter and a drizzle of agave or honey.
• For a nutritious nighttime snack, rewarm some leftover oatmeal, then try adding just a couple of Enjoy Life Semi-sweet mini chocolate chips and stir in melt.

Safe food is a journey … Thrive!™

What’s your favorite way to enjoy oatmeal? Be sure share your ideas in our Comments below. We love to hear from you!