Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal with Walnuts and Chia recipe

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Looking for a nutritious and delicious way to start your day? This Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal with Walnuts and Chia recipe is a great option! Packed with fiber, protein, and healthy fats, this hearty breakfast will keep you feeling full and satisfied all morning. 

This recipe starts off with Almond milk. The combination of cinnamon and maple syrup adds a delicious warmth and sweetness to the creamy oats, while the chia seeds and walnuts provide a satisfying crunch and pack a protein boost.

Oatmeal is a great source of whole grains. Plus, it’s easy to make and can be customized to suit your preferences – so why not give it a try?

Quick Breakfast Ideas

If you are on a mission to find a healthy, quick breakfast idea, this recipe fits the bill. This Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe is such an easy breakfast recipe that you will be making it at least once a week if not more. 

This recipe is for busy people who are always on the go. The ones that have busy mornings. If you fit that category then you will love this recipe. 

We use simple ingredients in this recipe and utilizing quick cooking oats allows this recipe to be cooked in under 5 minutes. Not only is it an easy recipe that is quick to cook but this recipe is the perfect breakfast that has many health benefits for you.

Speaking of quick breakfast ideas, when I make this oatmeal dish, I love to make these Crispy Air Fryer Hash Browns as a side dish to go along with it. The two pair so well together.

Health Benefits

The combination of creamy oatmeal, walnuts, cinnamon, and chia seeds has many health benefits. Now let me first say that I am not a dietician so make sure to do your own research on food.

This dish really doesn’t even feel like a healthy dish because it tastes so good. However doing research over the years, I have come across many articles mentioning the facts about the ingredients used in this recipe that we have put together. 

Let’s list some of the benefits and various articles that we have found online.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal comes from the grain portion of the Oat grass plant. It is the seed that grows on top of the stem. In this recipe, we are using whole grain Oats but we are using quick oats, so they cook faster.

Quick oats are simply oat seeds that have been steamed and then rolled flat. This process allows the oats to cook quickly when making this recipe. 

One of the biggest advantages of eating Oatmeal is the added fiber you get in your diet. According to Harvard University, Most Americans get less than half the suggested amounts of daily fiber.”

This is why eating a breakfast full of healthy fiber is important. Fiber helps regulate the body’s blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels. It also helps to keep you feeling full longer throughout the day. 

According to WebMD, “Oatmeal is nutritionally rich. It has more protein than most grains and also contains numerous vitamins and minerals.

It contains antioxidants and a soluble fiber called Beta-glucan, which aids several systems of the body.” So it is not hard to see that Oatmeal ranks high on the health benefits scale when we take all this information into consideration. 

Walnuts

 According to Harvard University, “Diets enriched with walnuts led to lower total and LDL cholesterol compared to other diets.” Walnuts contain healthy fats as well as protein and some fiber. So as we can see, walnuts, when eaten in moderation, can pack a healthy punch. 

Chia Seeds

You may or may not know what chia seeds are. If you remember back to the early 90’s there was a popular item that was always advertised on tv called Chia Pet.

It had a popular theme song that I can still hear ringing in my head today. The chia pet was a clay pot that was shaped into different animals, people, etc. You spread chia seeds on it and watered it and the seeds grew. 

Well, the seeds you were spreading onto the clay pot were what we use in this recipe. Who knew then that the seeds were a superfood packed with all sorts of health benefits?

According to Eatright, “Chia seeds come from the desert plant Salvia Hispanica, a member of the mint family.” 

What makes Chia seeds so unique is all the nutrition but also the gelling or thickening action they have when you put them into anything with moisture such as almond milk or even water.

Chia seeds have tons of dietary fiber at 10 grams per ounce and have protein and minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc.  

This thickening or gelling action is also good for gut health. This helps pull in moisture into the intestines and helps you go to the bathroom easier, such as a laxative. 

Pure Maple Syrup

Pure maple syrup is made from sap that is harvested from wild maple trees. The benefits are numerous versus what they call syrup in the store which is actually Corn Syrup. Pure Maple Syrup contains lots of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It also ranks lower on the glycemic index scale as well.

If you do not like maple syrup, I highly recommend using date syrup as a replacement.

Now, let’s go over the list of ingredients that we need for this awesome recipe.

The Ingredients

1 cup of Unsweetened Almond milk

For this recipe, we are using almond milk. Other choices include whole milk, oat milk, or soy milk. You can choose any type of milk you prefer as it doesn’t make much difference in this recipe. 

1/2 Cup of Quick Oats

We are using quick oats in this recipe. Quick oats are whole grain but the process they go through allows them to cook quicker. If you prefer, you can use Old fashioned oats or Steel cut oats. 

Additionally, both Old-Fashioned oats and Steel-cut oats take longer to cook and can change the texture of the recipe. Just allow extra time to cook those if you choose to go that route.

I would avoid instant oats such as the instant oatmeal packets as they can contain preservatives and added sugar.

1/2 Teaspoon of Cinnamon

Cinnamon gives this dish a nice warm flavor. It really pairs well with the maple syrup and the walnuts or pecans. 

1/4 Cups of Shelled Walnuts

Walnuts are our preferred choice for this recipe but shelled pecans are also a nice choice. You could also add in some almond slivers if you choose. 

1 Tablespoon of Pure Maple Syrup

Maple Syrup is used to sweeten this recipe. This is the only sweetener this recipe calls for but if you prefer it to be slightly sweeter, you can use brown sugar as well. 

Another alternative to Pure Maple Syrup is Date Syrup. I highly recommend it if you can get it. If not, honey works great as well.

I use either one depending on what I have available. Both are great natural sweeteners to use. The use of honey will change the taste of the dish, but only slightly. 

​Optional Toppings

I love to top this dish with fresh fruit that is in season. A couple of my favorites are blueberries, strawberries, and bananas. 

Additional toppings include chocolate chips, raisins, almond butter, or even peanut butter.

Preparation:

Now that we know what our ingredients are, let’s go over the tools that we need to make this delicious recipe. It only requires minimum tools to make this recipe. 

However, we will cover a few of them here, just in case. 

​Tools needed to make this recipe:​

• Medium saucepan
• Whisk or wooden spoon
• Measuring cups
• Measuring Spoons

Step by Step directions for making Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal with Walnuts and Chia Recipe:

• The first step in making this recipe is to grab a medium saucepan or small saucepan and put it on the stove. 

• ​Add in the milk, then turn the burner on to low heat. I like to use low heat so as to not scorch the milk.

 

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• The next step is to add the oatmeal, chia seeds, and cinnamon. Stir the mixture using a whisk or a wooden spoon to incorporate the ingredients. 

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• Allow the dish to simmer until it has thickened, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. 

• Turn the burner off, add in the maple syrup, and give it a good stir. 

• ​Next, pour the dish into a small bowl for serving. 

• ​Top with walnuts and fresh fruit. 

Sides to serve with Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal:

• Crispy Air Fryer Hash Browns
• Biscuits and Gravy
• Fresh fruit
• Scrambled Eggs
• Omelet
• Roasted Sweet Potato Hash

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal with walnuts and chia recipe offers a delightful and nutritious way to start your day. The combination of warm cinnamon, sweet maple syrup, crunchy walnuts, and nutritious chia seeds creates a flavorful and satisfying bowl of oatmeal.

Preparing this recipe is simple and can be customized to suit your taste preferences. Serve the Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal with walnuts and chia in bowls, and feel free to add your favorite toppings, such as sliced bananas or berries, for an extra burst of flavor.

Whether you enjoy it as a hearty breakfast or a wholesome snack, this recipe will leave you satisfied and nourished. It’s a delicious way to fuel your body and start your day on a nutritious note, it is hard to beat homemade oatmeal!

FAQ’s

Can I use regular oats?

Yes, you can use regular oats (Old Fashioned Oats) but they do require a longer cooking time. Make sure to factor that into your cooking. 

What can I do with leftover oatmeal?

If you have leftover oatmeal, you can store it in an airtight container and place it into the refrigerator to eat at a later time. It will be good for up to 3 to 4 days. 

​How do I reheat leftover oatmeal?

In order to reheat leftover oatmeal, place the oatmeal in a microwave-safe bowl and add a little water or a little milk (almond, soy, oat, or dairy) to reconstitute it. Then place in the microwave for 30 seconds then stir. Check the temperature and if it is still not warm, place it back in the microwave for 30 seconds more.

Do you recommend any other toppings for this recipe?

Yes, you could top chocolate chips, almond butter, or even peanut butter. 

Can I adjust the sweetness level to this recipe?

​Yes, you can adjust the sweetness in this recipe. One suggestion is to add in a little brown sugar or more maple syrup. You could also add coconut sugar as well. 

​Thanks for stopping by Southern Food Junkie. It is our hope that you enjoy this recipe sharing it with friends, family, and coworkers. Make sure to take time to give thanks to the creator, God, by which all blessings flow.
John 6:35

-Ronnie | Let’s Get Food Junked