Does the thought of oatmeal make you go “bleh” and see visions of a grey lumpy mess? Try these delicious, flavor packed and filling twists on oatmeal that will have you loving oatmeal again!

Chef Kat Marris, Fresh and Balanced, says all of these recipes are perfect for fall meal prep when you want a delicious breakfast on the go.

Say hello to “zoats,” aka Zucchini Oats!

Zucchini Bread
Oats

Makes 6
servings

Ingredients

3 cups water

3 cups
unsweetened coconut milk

1 teaspoon
pumpkin pie spice

1 1/2 cups dry
quick-cooking steel cut oats

1 large zucchini, shredded

1 can (14.5oz)
pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

Toppings:

6 tablespoons roasted
pecans

6 tablespoons
hemp seeds (optional)

6 tablespoons
cashew butter

6 bananas

Instructions

In a medium sized pot, add water, coconut milk and pumpkin pie spice. Bring to a boil and add oats and zucchini. Whisk or stir well to combine. Reduce heat to a simmer and stir occasionally for five minutes until oats are tender and have thickened. Stir in pumpkin. Oats will still look runny and that’s ok! Oatmeal will thicken as it sits. Portion oatmeal between serving bowls. Add toppings to each bowl.

Millet Bowl
with Caramelized Apples

Makes 4
servings

Millet
Porridge Ingredients:  

1 cup millet

1 cup steel cut
oats 

2 cups
water 

2 cups milk or
nut milk

2 teaspoons
vanilla extract 

1 teaspoon ground
cinnamon 

2 tablespoons
cashew butter 

Caramelized
Apples:

2 tablespoons
butter 

2 apples, cored
and diced 

1/2 teaspoon
pumpkin pie spice 

2 tablespoons
maple syrup 

Instructions 

Mix all the millet
porridge ingredients, except cashew butter, in a medium pot. Bring to a boil
then reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, for 15-25 minutes or until
oats and millet are soft. Stir in the cashew butter.

Meanwhile, heat butter in a large high sided skillet on medium heat. Add apples and pumpkin pie spice and cook for a few minutes until apples are lightly caramelized and soft. Add syrup and toss with the apple, then turn off the heat. To serve, divide millet porridge between bowls and top with apples.

Savory Cheddar
Oatmeal

Makes 4
servings

Ingredients

3/4
cup dry quick-cooking steel cut oats

2 1/4 cup water

6 tablespoons
shredded cheddar cheese (add more if you like)

3
teaspoons olive oil, divided

3/4
cup diced red pepper

6 tablespoons finely
chopped onions

4 large eggs

Salt and pepper
to taste

Toppings

4 tablespoons
walnuts, chopped

4 tablespoons green
onions, sliced thin

Instructions

Bring water to a
boil. Add oatmeal and reduce heat to a simmer. Stir occasionally and simmer for
about 3-5 minutes, until all liquid is absorbed. Turn off heat and stir in
cheese. Evenly divide between four serving bowls. 

Bring a nonstick medium sized skillet to a medium-high heat. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Add red pepper and onion and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until onion begins to soften. Spoon vegetables over cooked oats. Reduce heat to medium. Add remaining oil and fry eggs. Cook until the whites are no longer translucent, but the yolk is still runny and serve over oatmeal. Add toppings if desired.

About Chef Kat: I am chef on a meal prep and healthy cooking mission! I run an online meal prep program designed to take the stress out of meal prepping and healthy eating. I teach meal prep cooking lessons and corporate wellness presentations. I am also a food blogger and write about meal prep topics and provide healthy recipes on my blog, Fresh and Balanced. My goal is to help you eat healthier and feel better one meal at a time.

To learn more, visit:

Instagram: @katmarris

Website: freshandbalanced.com and www.mealprepcoachprogram.com

Facebook: Fresh and Balanced