Dessert for Breakfast – Hidden Gem!

There is a food that comes up frequently when we are talking to others…

…it’s oatmeal.

We frequently either hear “I don’t like oatmeal” or “I’m just not an oatmeal person, it is boring and too soft.”

Please hear us out on this one…let’s dive in and talk about oatmeal.

For a lot of people, oatmeal falls into one of two categories:

1. Something they eat because the should…or
2. Something they avoid because they’re convinced they don’t like it.

If you’re like me, you may have grown up eating the instant packets of maple and brown sugar oatmeal.  You know, the one that is a little mushy and is sweet but really doesn’t have a lot of flavor – not something you really crave or look forward to eating.

But REAL oatmeal with the right flavor and texture combination is a completely different experience.

That’s why this month’s Hidden Gem is our Almond Joy Inspired Baked Oatmeal – a recipe that has converted many “I don’t like oatmeal” people, including my father-in-law just a few weeks ago.

See how easy it is to make in this video:

Dessert for Breakfast (That’s Actually Good for You)

This baked oatmeal has all of the flavors you love in an Almond Joy candy bar:

• Chocolate
• Coconut
• Almonds

But instead of a highly processed candy bar, it’s built on a base of whole grain oats and REAL ingredients that provide lasting energy and nourishment.  Oats are one of the most underrated REAL foods you can have in your kitchen.  They’re loaded with:

• Fiber and slow-digesting carbs that keep you full longer and help stabilize blood sugars
• Cholesterol sponges, helping lower your LDL and reducing your risk of clogged arteries and heart disease
• Important minerals like magnesium and iron
• Plant-based protein

Plus, oats are inexpensive!  When you combine oats with ingredients like nuts, eggs, coconut, and a touch of natural sweetness, you get something that feels indulgent – but actually fuels your body.  That’s the magic of this recipe.  It tastes like a sweet treat, but it’s actually good for you!

Baking Changes Everything

If you think you don’t like oatmeal, there’s a good chance you’ve never had baked oatmeal.  Instead of being soft and somewhat mushy like traditional oatmeal, baked oatmeal has a texture that’s closer to a breakfast casserole, a sliced granola bar, or even a breakfast cake.  It’s hearty and satisfying and incredibly versatile.  And the flavors make it feel like something special instead of something you’re forcing yourself to eat.

Perfect for Make-Ahead Mornings

One of the reasons this recipe is such a hidden gem is how easy it can make your mornings.  No complicated techniques.  No special equipment.  Just mix the ingredients together, pour into a baking dish, and bake.  That’s it.

You can bake one pan and enjoy breakfast for days.  Here’s what many of our members love to do:

• Bake once, eat all week.  After baking, let it cool and store in the fridge (in individual portions if desired).  Then in the morning you can warm it up in the microwave or oven and add milk, yogurt, or fresh fruit on top if desired.  Breakfast is ready in seconds!
• It freezes beautifully.  You can portion up individual pieces if desired.  Pull it out the day before and let it thaw, and then you’re ready to reheat it for a quick breakfast that will keep you full all morning.

Endless Variations

Once you start making baked oatmeals, you’ll start realizing they are incredibly customizable.

The Almond Joy version is just the beginning.  You can easily change the flavors depending on what you’re craving or what you have in your kitchen.  Some ideas to try include:

• Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
• Baked Pineapple Oatmeal
• Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal
• Black Forest Baked Oatmeal
• Baked Blueberry Oats

That flexibility is another reason it’s such a great staple for a REAL-food lifestyle.

The Hidden Gem Challenge

If you’re someone who thinks you don’t like oatmeal, we want to challenge you.

Try one of the baked oatmeal recipes.  You might discover that it’s not oatmeal you dislike – just the versions you’ve had before.  REAL food has a way of surprising us like that.  And sometimes the foods we think we don’t like end up becoming some of our favorites.

Do you have a hidden gem on the website you want to highlight? 

Please share with us!