Cinnamon Bun Oatmeal Recipe

We’ve got one sweet guest post for you today! It’s an unbelievably yummy breakfast recipe from Nealy Fischer, The Flexible Chef, who you might remember from Ep 111 of The Fit Bottomed Girls Podcast. Her cookbook, Food You Want for the Life You Crave offers 100 flexible recipes — but that’s not all. She also includes tips to transform those recipes into 1,000 different dishes.

Her success strategies — labeled as “Nail This” — make it easy for even the newest cooks to whip up a dish with confidence, and her “Flip It” sections enable those with dietary restrictions or preferences to adjust each recipe without having to do a ton of research.

As if all that wasn’t enough, well, this is an oatmeal recipe inspired by cinnamon buns. I mean, are you in, or are you in?

Cinnamon Bun Oatmeal

From Food You Want for the Life You Crave by Nealy Fischer, The Flexible Chef

Confession: I love big, bread-y cinnamon buns drenched in sugary icing. They’re deliciously ooey gooey and bursting with flavor. In fact, just thinking about them makes my mouth water. My actual buns on the other hand (you know, the ones in my jeans)? Well, let’s just say they would prefer I stay away from the drooly sweet. So, instead, I got inspired to create a better-for-you version that tastes just as good. Enter: An oatmeal makeover like never before. I can honestly say I’m tempted by a bowl as I write this. You’re welcome!

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1½ cups oats
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup almond milk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3 tablespoons hemp seeds
• 2 tablespoons flax meal
• ½ cup your favorite granola

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan, brown the butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Let bubble until you start smelling the most exquisite brown buttered aroma of awesomeness.
2. Add oats and toss for a few minutes to coat. This will help infuse the oats with flavor and even toast them slightly (for more flavor).
3. Add water, milk, vanilla, hemp, flax. It will be runny. Simmer to evaporate liquid.
4. Add granola and mix for a few minutes until blended. Add a splash of milk, if desired, before serving

Nail This

The secret to this oatmeal’s success is taking the time to brown the butter, sugar, and cinnamon, and then topping the whole thing off with a crunchy granola to add texture and oomph.

If you make this in advance the mixture will thicken — dilute with milk to serve.

Flip It

Make with any hot cereal. Try with quinoa for a protein-packed power breakfast! While I use almond milk, any milk will work.

Substitute the butter for coconut oil for a healthier bite.

Leftovers? Turn them into next-day pancakes by simply adding an egg and an extra splash of milk. Once you have a thick batter, spoon your mixture onto a skillet and cook like you would any other pancake!

Well, I know what I’m having for breakfast tomorrow … —Kristen