Growing up in a busy family with two brothers and a sister, weekday breakfasts were always about the quick and easy. Cereal or oatmeal was the go-to, and Strawberries n' Cream instant oatmeal packets were my favorite.
While I still enjoy creamy strawberry oatmeal, I now take a more nutritious approach that includes a balance of protein, natural sugars, and healthy fats. These vegan Strawberry Oatmeal Breakfast Bowls are just as quick and tasty -- but worlds healthier.
"Just add water" certainly has its place in the life of a bustling family, and that's exactly where this recipe can come into play. It really is as simple as just adding milk (coconut and almond milk, that is), but instead of an empty carb breakfast that leaves you hungry at 10 a.m., you get a well-rounded meal that guarantees hours of satisfaction. All it takes is a combination of fresh fruit, rolled oats, nuts, and seeds to start your day off on the right foot.
This complete meal includes fresh strawberries, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, slivered almonds, coconut milk, and almond milk. A little pure maple syrup is all you need for some natural sweetness. If you like to change up your breakfast now and then, you can modify the recipe to your taste by adding a dollop of nut butter, yogurt, and/or a mix of your favorite fruit and nuts. Another major plus: You can make this breakfast either hot or cold!
Because the weather is getting warmer, I have been making the overnight version -- one that's eaten cold -- instead of cooking the oats on the stove top. If you've never made overnight oats, it's easy! You simply soak the rolled oats in your choice of milk, along with sweetener and any other add-ins you like, such as vanilla or cinnamon, and plop it in the refrigerator overnight. That's all it takes for your breakfast to be ready for you in the morning.
Just add milk? Don't mind if I do!
This post was originally published on May 29, 2014.
📖 Recipe
Ingredients
For the oatmeal:
- 2 cups rolled oats, not the instant kind
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 14-ounce can lite coconut milk
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the bowls:
- Fresh ripe strawberries, quartered
- Slivered almonds
- Pepitas, pumpkin seeds
- Additional almond milk or coconut milk
Instructions
For the cold version (overnight oats):
- Add all oatmeal ingredients to a large container with an airtight lid and stir well. Seal and place in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 6 hours).
- Divide the oats between four bowls and pile each with strawberries, pepitas, and almonds. Add additional almond milk or coconut milk if desired.
For the hot version:
- Add the oats, chia seeds, coconut, maple syrup, coconut milk, and almond milk to a medium-sized pot. Bring to a full boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until oatmeal has thickened and the liquid has been absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Divide between four bowls and top with strawberries, almonds, and nuts, along with additional almond and/or coconut milk, if desired.
How to Philosophize with Cake says
Those look awesome. If I had that waiting in my fridge overnight, I wouldn't think twice about eating breakfast in the morning 🙂
Julia Mueller says
Absolutely! Mornings are always much easier when breakfast is already made 🙂
Emma says
Perfect! I've been going through punnets and punnets of smoothies lately and I'm not sick of them yet!
Looking forward to trying this recipe.
Julia Mueller says
Oh yes, these breakfast bowls are definitely a nice change-up from the regular breakfast routine. Plus you can add all sorts of variety in them. My next go-round will be with goji berries and walnuts - yum!
Anele @ Success Along the Weigh says
I'm going to show this to the Mr. This looks right up his alley!
Julia Mueller says
So glad to hear it! Let me know what the Mr. thinks of the breakfast bowls! 🙂
TastyRules says
It looks awesome! Actually, I am starating to wake up a little bit earlier to have enough time to eat a healhy and full breakfast. This can be a good option!
Thanks for sharing! 🙂
http://tastyrules.wordpress.com
Julia Mueller says
Absolutely! All it takes is 30 seconds the night before and badabing, badaboom! Breakfast! 😀
Ashley Parrish says
This is my kinda breakfast! I love a big bowl of oats in the morning, and am always looking for ways to dress them up. This looks fantastic! Thanks so much for sharing!
Julia Mueller says
You got it, Ashley! I love adding all sorts of goodies to oatmeal to keep it interesting. Happy oatmeal-ing! 🙂
Gwen @simplyhealthyfamily says
I'll bet I can get my kids to eat "boring oatmeal" if I add these flavors to it! Score!
Julia Mueller says
Oh yes, I bet the kids'll love it! I feel like you can't go wrong with creamy and fruity 😉
Vanessa says
Looks delish! Oatmeal is a fail-safe for me as well. Also, I totally forgot about the strawberries & cream or peaches & cream instant oatmeal packets from childhood haha. I never liked any of them very much but they always seemed to be around! 😉
Julia Mueller says
#OatmealForDays 😉 I'm happy to hear you'd choose the fresh and healthy version over the packaged kind! It's definitely a fun bowl of flavor 🙂
melissa @ my whole food life says
I was just on Facebook and this lovely recipe caught my eye. I just had to check it out! Pinning!
Julia Mueller says
Glad you like it! Thanks for sharing, Melissa!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl says
I love adding all sorts of goodies to my oats...love this!
Julia Mueller says
Gotta love them goodies! They're what make a bowl of oats fun and interesting. Thanks, Liz!
lisacng @ expandng.com says
I have strawberries and almonds at home. Sounds like a great idea! Plus someone said overnight oats is even better than stove-top. Am I wrong?
Julia Mueller says
I think it just depends on whether you want to eat the oats cold or hot. I personally feel like there's a place in life for both versions and it's always a matter of what I'm in the mood for. The benefit of overnight oats is they take seconds to make versus having to monitor the stove for 15 minutes 🙂 Glad you like the idea!
Staci says
Cold Oatmeal is a big deal at my house. My husband leaves really early for work each day, so I pack him breakfast as well as lunch. His favorite is soaked oatmeal. The variety is endless, and it is so nice and refreshing in the summer, although he is just as happy to eat it in the winter.
Thank you for this fun version--I haven't put chia seeds or pepitas in it before, so this will be something new and fun!
Julia Mueller says
Thanks, Staci! I'm so happy to hear your household is on Team Overnight Oats! Honestly, I'm pretty new to them, but ever since my first batch, I've been hooked. Hope you and your husband enjoy the recipe!
ami@naivecookcooks says
This looks delish!!
Julia Mueller says
Thank ya! Let us know if you try the breakfast bowls!
olivia says
Looks delish. Looking forward to trying this recipe.
Julia Mueller says
Awesome, thanks Olivia! Let us know when you give them a go!
Courtney @ The Fig Tree says
We just finally started eating overnight oats at our place. Don't know what took us so long! We've been doing blueberry coconut overnight oats, but I'm really looking forward to trying something new flavour-wise. Strawberries and cream sound perfect! 🙂
Julia Mueller says
Ah yes, I bet fresh blueberries are wonderful too! I've noticed the berries at my grocery store have been amazing this year - and on sale! I'll have to pick up some blueberries and whip another batch for breakfast this week 😀
Samina | The Cupcake Confession says
In this scorching summer heat, staying in the kitchen for more than 5 minutes makes me very very restless and cranky! This breakfast idea is just the perfect solution and oh so healthy! I love the overnight method! I haven't tried it yet but I'm getting too tempted after this post!
Julia Mueller says
Oh yeah, heat-induced crankiness definitely calls for overnight oats. You get a nice cold, filling meal without lifting a finger and it brings comfort to settle the restlessness. In essence, these breakfast bowls solve all problems 😉
Katie (The Muffin Myth) says
I've been on an overnight oats kick bordering on obsessive lately! I love the idea of using coconut and maple syrup, I'll have to pick up some coconut milk and give this version a try asap. Thanks for the recipe!
Julia Mueller says
You got it, Katie! I'm glad to hear you're all up on the overnight oat. Let me know what you think about the coconut milk and maple version!! xoxo
Mille l Add A Little says
This looks amazing! I bet the coconut milk gives it amazing flavour!
Julia Mueller says
Thanks, Mille! The coconut milk definitely does wonders for flavor and texture. Plus, I always feel like I add less maple syrup/honey when I add coconut milk because it's so naturally sweet and creamy. Hope you enjoy!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
Beautiful bowls, breakfast should always look this good!
Julia Mueller says
My sentiments exactly, Laura!
mjskit says
I love the cold version! Finally, a oatmeal I can eat during the heat of the summer!
Julia Mueller says
Yup, gone are the days of sweating bullets while eating breakfast 😉 Glad you like!
Joanne says
Just add milk is going to turn into a new breakfast motto around here! Or, an order. Depending on how you look at it. 🙂
Julia Mueller says
Haha! The joys of having someone to boss around. I'm looking forward to the day I can wake up, roll over and in my snarkiest voice say, "Just add milk!"
Alex says
Yum!!! What a cool idea - overnight oats! One question- can I use steel cut oats??thanks!
Julia Mueller says
Hi Alex! Thrilled to know you're excited about the overnight oats. You can certainly soak steel cut oats overnight, but I don't think they will become soft enough to eat - you'd likely have to cook them for 10 minutes or so. Maybe it's worth a shot, though? Let us know if you try!
Ana @ Ana's Rocket Ship says
I had overnight oats for breakfast this morning- and just add milk really is the way forward!
Alexandra says
How do you think the overnight version would go in the microwave the next morning? It's getting cold in Aus and this recipe looks and sounds amazing, but I eat my breakfast at work!
Kamaile says
Looks delicious! I will make this Sunday night for quick and easy breakfast before work. Unfortunately I'm the only one that likes oatmeal in my house (their loss:)). Can I make this batch and eat it throughout the week? Or does it need to be eaten in one day?
Janee Moore says
Can this be soaked overnight and the heated up for a warm breakfast in the morning?