Black Forest PB and J Oatmeal

The frustrating part about moving is having such limited groceries. I'm trying not to purchase any excess food before moving day, which means I'm stuck making oatmeal solely from pantry items. Luckily for you AND me, this gave me a reason to finally share a recipe I've been hoarding recently.

It's easy for me to say that this oatmeal can be whipped up without making an extra trip to the store, but it would be delusional of me to think that everyone keeps chocolate nut butter and cherry jam on hand at all times. I do. ^_^ Thus, when I had no fresh fruit this morning, this was the perfect oatmeal to make.

Thanksgiving PB and J Oatmeal (with Pecan Butter and Cranberry Sauce)

You may have thought that I had already used every possible PB&J combo. Well, you were wrong. I got fancy.

What is Thanksgiving PB&J? Thanksgiving PB&J uses pecan butter instead of peanut butter. Thanksgiving PB&J uses cranberry sauce instead of grape/strawberry jelly. Thanksgiving PB&J will blow yo' mindz.

Peanut Butter and Grape Baked Oatmeal

Yeah, I finally made another baked oatmeal recipe. What can I say? The stove has my heart!

However, grapes in oatmeal fascinate me, and I've also been interested in what happens to grapes when they're baked. If you couldn't guess, this oatmeal is inspired by PB&J; the grapes take the place of grape jelly. (I grew up eating grape jelly, and it wasn't until last year that I finally accepted strawberry as another option. Still, grape is the best.)

Oatmeal Recipes to Celebrate Nat'l PB&J Day!

Mark your calendars, fellow oatmeal lovers! Tomorrow, April 2, is National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. If you're reading this after April 2, don't worry. It's never too late to celebrate with some rich and creamy nut buttery goodness and sweet fruity jam!

I am ashamed to admit it, but j'adore pb&j so much that I actually order them when I see them on menus. Yes, despite (happily) eating a pb&j sandwich almost every day for lunch, I also (happily) pay $7 for one when I go out to restaurants. It's a serious flaw in my logic.

Well, it seems at least one other person agrees with me because April 2 is declared Peanut Butter and Jelly Day. Let's pay homage to its greatness! Here are three PB&J recipes to help you celebrate!

Top 5 Peanut Butter Recipes!

Last week, I happily binged on some peanut butter, licking it off a spoon to my heart's desire. Earlier this week, I did it again. Why is peanut butter so GOOD? Creamy or crunchy - I do not care. I'll even take the flavored varieties from Peanut Butter & Co. (Cinnamon Raisin, anyone?)

As frequently as I create and post recipes on here that include peanut butter, it should be no surprise that it's my favorite ingredient to use in oatmeal. Here is a round-up of my favorite recipes that feature PEANUT BUTTER!

5. PB&J Baked Oatmeal

I'm tired of defending my love for PB&J sandwiches. I have no patience for those
who don't understand the brilliance of this combination.

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4. Zucchini-Nut Bread Oatmeal

It has the earthy spice of zucchini bread with a tantalizing smear of peanut butter in every bite. Mmhmm.

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3. Anything involving banana + pb + chocolate.

Is this one a cop-out? Well, it's my blog, so I make the rules. ;)

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2. Nutty 'Nana Berry Oatmeal

It's kind of like PB&J, but it gets its sweetness from real berries, not sugary jam.

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1. Peanut Butter Cookie Baked Oatmeal

I don't have to say anything; just read the comments. :) I think it's my most commented recipe!

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**You can also find hundreds of other oatmeal recipes (as well as tons of other meatless recipes) on my Pinterest account!  You can also like The Oatmeal Artist on Facebook. Thanks!

Baked Banana Oatmeal & Variations

If I wanted to, I could create ten billion recipes of just baked oatmeal based on bananas. So many possibilities!

I liked that idea at first:  more posts, right? However, I didn't want to look like a cheater. Is it fair to share a recipe for baked banana oatmeal, and two days later, post a recipe for baked chai-spiced banana oatmeal?? Nope. So to be fair, I'm going to consolidate it all into one fantastic post packed with fun ideas!

PB&J Baked Oatmeal

I love peanut butter and jelly so much, it hurts. [/cliche]

During the first week of school last week, I ended up filling out a couple different get-to-know-you surveys that asked for my favorite food. I first wrote down "oatmeal," but then I scratched it out and wrote "grilled PB&J sandwich." As it turns out, that's a foreign concept to a lot of people. What a shame.

This is one of those recipes that immediately made me consider my Top 10 list. This HAD to be on it. It's so good. As much as I prefer stove-top oatmeal, I'm starting to realize that peanut butter just works better in baked form.

Please try this soon. :)

PB&J Baked Oatmeal

by The Oatmeal Artist

Prep Time: 5 min

Cook Time: 25 min

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Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1/2 cup rolled oats (I use Country Choice Organic)
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 a very ripe banana
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/3 cup almond milk
• 1-2 tbsp peanut butter
• 2-3 tsp jelly/jam

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a single-serving ramekin with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a small bowl, mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
3. In a medium-sized bowl, mash up a ripe banana. Add almond milk, vanilla extract, and peanut butter. Stir.
4. Add dry ingredients to mix ingredients and stir until combined.
5. If you'd like to add any extra ingredients (coconut oil, dried fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds), do so now.
6. Pour into the prepared ramekin. Then, take the jelly/jam and carefully swirl it into the oatmeal. (You could simply stir it in during the 3rd or 4th step, but it's much more aesthetically pleasing this way!)
7. Bake for 18-22 minutes.

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For a big batch! (4 servings)

Ingredients

• 2 cups regular rolled oats
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup peanut butter
• 2 very ripe banana
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2/3 cup almond milk
• 2/3 cup water (or more almond milk)
• 1-2 tbsp jelly/jam

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8x8 pan with nonstick cooking spray.
2. In a bowl, mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until combined.
3. In another bowl, mash up bananas. Add almond milk, vanilla extract, and peanut butter. Stir.
4. Add dry ingredients to mix ingredients and stir until combined.
5. If you'd like to add any extra ingredients (coconut oil, dried fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds), do so now.
6. Pour into the prepared pan. Then, take the jelly/jam and carefully swirl it into the oatmeal. (You could simply stir it in during the 3rd or 4th step, but it's much more aesthetically pleasing this way!)
7. Bake for 26-30 minutes.

Variation: If you want the banana to play a more prominent role ("PB&J and Banana Baked Oatmeal"), consider leaving some chunks/slices instead of mashing all of it. You could also use an entire banana, and slice the second half.

**You can also find hundreds of other oatmeal recipes (as well as tons of other meatless recipes) on my Pinterest account!  You can also like The Oatmeal Artist on Facebook. Thanks!

Loaded PB&J Oatmeal

Perhaps I've been so successful as a vegetarian because my favorite sandwich is PB&J. In fact, one of my favorite restaurants/coffee shops in town offers this divine, gourmet PB&J. It uses natural peanut butter, homemade mixed berry jam, sliced bananas, and homemade granola, all between locally made bakery bread...and then it's grilled.

DROOOOOOL. When people ask how I can be a vegetarian, I think of sandwiches like that: so simple and obvious and perfect. I don't need faux meats and Boca burgers. Often, it's the simplest ingredients that satisfy me!

In addition to eating PB&J sandwiches like it's my job, I also use it in my oatmeal frequently. This version, loaded with toppings that remind me of this gourmet panini, may have just become one of my top ten favorite porridges. :)

Loaded PB&J Oatmeal

by The Oatmeal Artist

Prep Time: 2 min

Cook Time: 5 min

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Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1 cup milk of choice, or water
• 1/2 cup rolled oats (I use Country Choice Organic)
• 1 ripe banana
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tbsp jam or fruit spread
• 1 tbsp peanut butter (increase if you want)
• pinch of salt
• 5 or so fresh strawberries (or another berry)
• handful of granola
• handful of nuts of choice

Instructions

1. Bring milk (I use an equal mixture of almond milk and water) to a boil, add oats, and reduce heat to medium.
2. Mash up a ripe banana and add to the oatmeal. Or, you can do what I did: mash 1/2 the banana and add to the oatmeal, and slice the rest later on top.
3. Once more of the liquid has absorbed, add vanilla extract, a tiny pinch of salt, cinnamon, and jelly. Stir.
4. When you're pleased with the consistency of the oatmeal, transfer to a bowl. Drop globs on peanut butter on top and swirl it in. Add sliced strawberries (and bananas), granola, and peanuts. Add a splash of milk and dig in!

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**You can also find hundreds of other oatmeal recipes (as well as tons of other meatless recipes) on my Pinterest account!  You can also like The Oatmeal Artist on Facebook. Thanks!

Loaded Banana Oatmeal

Do you ever have trouble deciding which kind of oatmeal to make in the morning because you kind of just want everything??

If so, this one's for YOU. It's like an Everything Bagel, without the garlic.

Normally, when we hear the word "loaded," we think of heart attacks like loaded chili or loaded baked potatoes, which usually feature bacon, sour cream, and junk food like "Funyuns." No, thanks.

THIS loaded concoction can be as healthy (or unhealthy) as you like. For a healthier route, look for toppings like fresh fruit, dried fruit, peanut butter, puffed rice, any type of yogurt, nuts, raw chia or hemp seed, banana butter, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, shredded coconut, granola, or more sliced banana. You could also add maple syrup or honey on top.

Variations on PB Oatmeal

Considering my love for peanut butter, it's no surprise that it frequently finds its way into my oatmeal! I was editing my 3 Basic Oatmeal Recipes post this morning, and I was baffled at how to display all the possibilities for peanut butter oatmeal without it being cluttered and confusing. Finally, I realized it deserved its own page. Think of all the variations I've created!

Here is a list of possible variations for my basic peanut butter oatmeal:

PB&J & Apple Oatmeal

I have another oatmeal recipe for you. It's basically the combination of several of my favorite oatmeal recipes. I woke up Monday morning craving peanut butter, but I needed to use up half an apple I had in the fridge, so I just kind of threw it all together. Naturally, it was delightful (I think I've made less than three "bad" bowls of oatmeal in my life. It's hard to screw up!).

Basic Oatmeal How-To (3 Simple Recipes)

I really love oatmeal. It's not just something I eat in the winter time, and it's not something I eat once a month. I have it at least four times a week, all year round.

I had oatmeal for the first time two years ago, during my sophomore year of college. I knew I needed more soluble fiber in my diet to get my digestion issues under control, but I also wanted a low-cal option to help me lose my freshmen you-don't-even-want-to-know-how-much.