I’ve shared a lot of recipes on this blog, and many of them are not healthy. Well, today I have a healthy breakfast recipe to share, my honey and peanut butter oatmeal! Today, you will learn how to make oatmeal taste good.
Ingredients:
- oats
- peanut butter
- honey
- nuts (optional)
- fruit (optional)
How to Cook Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a very simple dish to cook. It generally takes 2 parts water or milk to 1 part oatmeal. For breakfast, I typically use a 1/4 cup of oatmeal and a 1/2 cup of water. To start, get your water boiling. I like to add a pinch of salt for seasoning once it starts boiling.
Once the water has come to a boil, add your oats. Gently stir them until they are all submerged. Lower the heat to medium-low on the stove. Next, add about a tablespoon of peanut butter. Continuously stir to incorporate the peanut butter into the oats. If you are using instant oatmeal, the oats should be done by the time the peanut butter is incorporated.
When the peanut butter is thoroughly mixed in and the oats are cooked to your desired doneness, transfer the dish to a bowl. Drizzle honey on top, and your breakfast is complete!
Best Oats to Buy
There are tons of options when it comes to which oats you use for oatmeal. Steel-cut oats are the top-quality pick for most. The downside is they take longer to cook, approximately 15 to 30 minutes, and cost a bit more. But if quality is your top concern, non-instant steel-cut oats are the way to go.
For me, convenience takes priority for breakfast. I’m willing to sacrifice a bit of quality in order to cut cook time down to 5 minutes. For that reason, I go with plain instant oatmeal such as the Quaker 1-minute oats. I feel the peanut butter and honey make up for any drop in oat quality.
Optional Oatmeal Ingredients
While I typically stick with just peanut butter and honey in my oatmeal, I do occasionally like to mix things up. Dried raisins and cranberries are excellent toppings. Blueberries are another good choice with a ton of health benefits. Bananas pair well with oatmeal, as do strawberries.
Aside from fruit, nuts make a great addition. They add both flavor and texture to the dish. Dark chocolate chips can be added for a chocolaty punch; just make sure to avoid chocolate with too much added sugar. Something I have not tried yet, but is on my hit list, is shredded coconut.
You can change the flavor profile with various seasonings as well. Cinnamon is a delicious choice that also comes with health benefits. Nutmeg and pumpkin spice are fantastic ideas, especially around the winter holidays.
Health Benefits of Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the healthier breakfast options you can find when done right. It is a good source of fiber, helps lower LDL cholesterol, and helps stabilize blood sugar levels. The peanut butter brings plant-based protein to the table, along with monounsaturated fats, which are good for your heart.
Honey has antioxidants that help reduce inflammation. It also helps promote good gut health. Combined with the fiber in the oats and peanut butter, you have an amazing breakfast for your digestive system.
