SomethingSwanky is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.
Seriously delicious grain free (Whole 30) “oatmeal.” You’ll want to try this healthy bowl whether you’re avoiding grains or not!
**Originally posted in December 2014
This recipe probably seems horribly out of place smack dab in the middle of the holidays amid the recipes for fudge, truffles, and Christmas cookies! Have no fear– plenty of those are around the corner, I promise.
But after a weekend of serious Thanksgiving feasting and junk food snacking (at least that’s how it was for me), I thought we could possibly all use a quick little detour to something more on the healthy side. Although don’t be fooled by its wholesome appearance– this bowl of goodness lacks nothing in the taste department!
In fact, it’s so good that I make this recipe frequently for my own meals and snacks, despite the fact that I have no problem with eating actual oatmeal (the grain kind ;). I’m not on any special kind of diet at all, as a matter of fact– grain-free or otherwise. But this “oatmeal” is so delicious that I can’t remember the last time I’ve eaten regular oatmeal over this version! It’s sweet and a little crunchy, and it’s full of wonderful, wholesome foods that are great for your body.
I got this recipe from my friend Shanna (she posts healthy eating tips on her Instagram feed @realistically_nutritious), who was doing Whole 30 at the time. So for those of you who are doing Whole 30 or have similar eating styles, this is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while staying compliant!
I also love that it’s so easy to make. Simply place most of the ingredients into the food processor (an apple, a date, coconut, almonds, and chia seeds), and pulse the mixture until it looks…. well, like oatmeal! Add add a dollop (or a drizzle 😉 of almond butter, annnnnnnnnd……….
…a splash of milk! I’ve used almond milk in the past, and it works just fine. But lately I’ve been really into Silk Cashew Milk. It’s extra creamy, which is perfect in this recipe! After you mix together the “oats” and the almond butter, the mixture sort of absorbs the milk, and it becomes soft and oatmeal-like (except for the bits of almond, which stay deliciously crunchy).
And as an added bonus– besides making the “oatmeal” lusciously creamy, I love that the Silk Cashew Milk also keeps the calorie count down… so I can pile on the almond butter without too much guilt. YUM!
Whether you’re on a special diet or not, I hope you give this crunchy, creamy, sweet, NUTRITIOUS recipe a try! I promise, you’re going to love it. Like, love it love it.
Grain-free "Oatmeal"
Yield: 1 serving
Seriously delicious grain free oatmeal. You'll want to try this healthy bowl whether your avoiding grains or not!
Ingredients
1/2 medium apple or 1 small apple
1 date
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp unsweetened coconut
1 heaping tbsp slivered almonds
almond butter for topping
splash of Silk Cashew Milk
Instructions
Cut the apple and the date into small pieces* (they don't need to be teeny-tiny, just a quick chop will do), and place them in a small food processor. Add the chia seeds, coconut, and almonds.
Pulse mixture until grainy and oatmeal-like.
Spoon the mixture into a bowl and top with almond butter and milk. Stir together and eat!
Notes
*You don't HAVE to do this, since you'll be putting the ingredients into a food processor after all. But I have a weird thing with certain textures, and I can't STAND having large chunks of dates in this recipe. Giving the date a quick, rough chop before the food processor allows the date to be finely chopped in processing without over-processing the rest of the ingredients.
Note: a serving of this recipe may not look like a big enough portion at first glanced, but I'm surprised each and every time I make it by how filling and satisfying one, small portion is!
Be sure to sign up at silk.com/signup to get the Silk eNewsletter with latest news and an instant coupon! And be sure to stop by the Silk Facebook page to let them know what you think about their brand new Cashew Milk!
This includes wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, millet, bulgur, sorghum, sprouted grains, and all gluten-free pseudo-cereals like quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat. This also includes all the ways we add wheat, corn, and rice into our foods in the form of bran, germ, starch, and so on.
Nuts and seeds can be a great grain-free substitute for oatmeal if you're following a paleo diet. In addition to being rich in heart-healthy fats, fiber, and protein, foods like almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and pecans are all high in plenty of essential vitamins and minerals ( 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ).
Enjoy the goodness of 100% whole grains of Quaker® Instant Oatmeal. With at least 27 grams of whole grains, no artificial preservatives or flavors and 2-4 grams of fiber, there's no better way to start your day than by waking up to this delicious breakfast choice.
Just like rolled oats and steel cut oats, instant oatmeal is a nutrient-dense whole grain with many health benefits. Instant oats are a good source of carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.
Quinoa is a great oatmeal alternative as it has rich protein and fiber contents, which help keep you satiated and slow the rise of your blood sugar post-meal. One cup of cooked quinoa packs about 40 grams of carbs, 8 grams of protein, 5 grams of dietary fiber and 3 grams of healthy fats.
A grain-free diet eliminates all grains, including wheat, spelt, barley, rye, dried corn, millet, rice, and oats, as well as foods — and sometimes even ingredients — that are made from them.
Specialty gluten-free oats are grown, harvested and processed in a way that keeps them away from other grains and the high risk of gluten contact, and are widely accepted as safe for those with celiac disease.
Almond butter is the most popular alternative to peanut butter when completing the Whole30 diet. It is a delicious, high-calorie, high-fat food that helps prevent oxidative damage, has magnesium that helps the nervous system, and contains iron that helps your blood deliver oxygen.
The Whole30 diet plan requires you to strictly avoid eating any source of added sugars, including real and artificial sugar. Thus, maple syrup, coconut sugar, agave nectar, honey, Nutrasweet, stevia, Splenda, xylitol, and other sources of sugar must be eliminated.
While you can't add sugar in any format, you can make your coffee extra creamy-dreamy with a compatible Whole30 Approved creamer. One community favorite is nutpods, with unsweetened flavors ranging from French Vanilla to Toasted Marshmallow.
Which is better for cholesterol, oatmeal or Cheerios? "Oatmeal is better than Cheerios for lowering cholesterol because it contains more soluble fiber, called beta-glucans, per serving that could help decrease LDL cholesterol and increase HDL cholesterol.
Despite the rising popularity of ancient grains like quinoa, you can't beat a classic like brown rice. You may think it's a strange substitute for oatmeal, but the mild flavor makes brown rice a great breakfast substitute.
Yes, you can eat potatoes of all colors under the new Whole30 guidelines, white varieties included. Mash 'em up, roast them, or throw them in the skillet to enjoy. Just don't eat them commercially deep-fried or in packaged chip form to stay Whole30-compliant.
Whole foods include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains (such as oats, brown rice and barley), nuts, beans, fish, shellfish and eggs. Minimally processed foods are foods that are a little processed, such as frozen produce or whole wheat flour.
It's got only four ingredients: water, organic almonds, organic acacia gum, and sea salt. You've seen this in literally every grocery store, and now you know: Yes, you can drink it while doing Whole30. Silk's unsweetened vanilla carton is fair game, too.
Well, the Whole30 diet requires you to eliminate many common foods in order to maintain a healthier diet. It eliminates grains, dairy, wheat, rice, oats, and corn. Soy, beans, and peanuts are eliminated, too. No alcohol, sugar, or other sweeteners are allowed.
Introduction: My name is Fr. Dewey Fisher, I am a powerful, open, faithful, combative, spotless, faithful, fair person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
