Protein Oats

I think I have hit the jackpot with this recipe! I have been looking for a quick and easy breakfast idea that fills me up and gives me a complex carb to eat when I am on the go! I have tried making oatmeal in the morning but it is just not time efficient when you are running out of the door. Also, I have tried overnight oats but they are too runny for me and I have never enjoyed eating them. This recipe mixes steal cut oats with protein to allow for a great quick meal you can prep ahead of time for the week!

The best part of all, there are only five ingredients! Steel cut oats, water, protein, nutmeg, and cinnamon. I have been using this recipe weekly now and never getting tired of it. Sometimes I eat them in the evening if I still need to get all my carbs for the day in.

Another fun way to dress up the oats if you want more to it than just a scoop of the oats (which is just fine for me) is adding banana, blueberries, or even greek yogurt on top. The options are endless and you can customize it to what you like and what you have time for!

Let's Get Started

So first things first, you are going to need a crockpot, measuring cup, and a whisk or spoon. Next, add 2 1/2 cups of steel cut oats to the crockpot and 5 cups of water. Then place the lid on top and turn the crockpot on low heat for two hours.

At the two hour point you then add 4 scoops of protein.

I have only tried this with vanilla flavored protein but I may venture out and try it with chocolate next time. Or maybe a half and half mixture? You let me know if you try any specific flavors and they turn out amazing! After adding the protein I then add another 1-2 cups of water. The reason I don't say specifically is because I add a little at at time and whisk the protein powder to mix it in.

Then I make sure it looks runny again because the oats will absorb the water and if you don't add any at this point you will have dried out oats. After that I add my spices, give it one last stir and place the lid on top and set for another hour and a half.

You don't have to, but I tend to check on my oats after about another hour and give them a stir. At the hour and a half timer I give them one last stir and turn my crockpot off. If they happen to be a little too runny for you at this point add another thirty minutes. Usually mine are done at that point but it won't hurt it if you need a little more time for it to be the consistency you like. This will make 6 servings. I usually put it in a Tupperware container and set it on the counter to cool. Once cooled I store it in my fridge for up to a week. I usually just portion out my oats and warm then up with a little almond milk but that's not necessary. I have eaten then straight out of the container and they also tasted just fine! Another great option would be to put your portions in small Tupperware if you have early mornings and then you could warm it up on the go!

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups steel cut oats

5 cups water

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp nutmeg

4 scoops vanilla protein

I have added this to my fitness pal and the macros come out as C 31 F 3.5 P 20.5 if divided into 6 servings! Hope you enjoy!