Creamy Stovetop “Zoats”

Perhaps my favorite thing about oatmeal is the blank slate it provides for any and every flavor, topping and add-in you desire. And while I’m all for getting creative, I never before considered including vegetables into my oats. Not convinced? Hear me out.

I’ve recently seen bloggers all over Instagram adding veggies such as zucchini and cauliflower to their morning bowls, and they all rave about how delicious the results are! If you think about it, these particular vegetables don’t have much flavor themselves, and thus they’re perfect, nutritious additions to dishes we might consider “sweet”.

And while you can certainly skip the cinnamon and sweetener in this recipe to go for savory oatmeal (also one of my favorites — find the recipe here), these “zoats” are delicious topped with fruit, nut butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.

But you might be wondering why we should add vegetables to our oats in the first place? Well, plain and simple, they provide bulk and allow you to get even more veggies in throughout the day. Likewise, zucchini particularly provides additional health benefits, as it’s incredibly nutrient-dense. Its high level of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals aids digestion, promotes heart health, balances blood sugar and much more.

But, of course, the oats themselves also serve as a hearty and nutritious breakfast, boasting high amounts of biotin, magnesium, zinc and potassium. Plus, they also contain an abundance of antioxidants and polyphenols which increase blood flow and reduce inflammation. There’s obviously a reason they top my list of 12 Beauty Foods for Skin & Hair Health.

Specifically, as you’ve likely caught onto by now, my all-time favorite oat brand is The Soulfull Project, as I use their Hearty Grains & Seeds Blend in much of my baking and daily meals. This blend includes superfoods such as chia and flax seeds for additional goodness in every bite!

Not only do they make the best variety of hot cereals and on-the-go oatmeal cups, but they also give back to local communities. For every sale, a bag of oats is donated to a local food bank in your area.

You can check out their website to find where you can pick up a bag near you. Here in Texas, I’ve been stocking up at Central Market, Sprout’s and Natural Grocers.

Finally, another major perk of this cozy breakfast is just how easy it is to throw together. Simply add all of your ingredients to a saucepan, bring to a boil and allow to simmer until all of the liquid is absorbed and you have a bowl of thick and dreamy oats.

Trust me when I say that “zoats” are just as delicious (if not more) than the traditional oatmeal we all love. This hearty and delicious breakfast will start your day on off the right foot with a burst of nutrition to fuel you through whatever might lay ahead!