A hearty and satisfying bowl of steel cut oats are sweetened naturally with juicy strawberries and ripe bananas.
Steel cut oats remind me of my childhood. My mommy made them for us regularly and I always loved the chewy texture and nutty flavor that you simply don’t get from old fashioned oats. Don’t get me wrong, I love my old fashioned oats but every now and again I crave a hearty, satisfying bowl of chewy steel cut oats.
One note: steel cut oats are not nutritionally superior to old fashioned or quick cooking oats. They are simply less processed because they are not rolled flat (into rolled oats) and they are not chopped into smaller, faster cooking pieces like quick-cooking oats. An oat is an oat is an oat.
Have you jumped on the chia seed bandwagon yet?
Here are a few reasons why you should eat chia seeds:
- Protein Packed: 20% of the calories from chia seeds are from protein – a much higher amount than most grains such as wheat and rice. Protein takes longer to digest which keeps you fuller longer and gives you lasting energy.
- Boost Brain Function: Chia seeds contain a good dose of EFA’s (essential fatty acids) which have been shown to boost memory and improve concentration.
- Energy Boosting: The word “chia” means strength in the Mayan language which makes sense because the natural combination of protein, fiber and carbohydrates found in chia seeds will give you the fuel you’ll need all day long. This is the reason chia seeds are so popular in the running community.
- Rich in Omega-3’s: We all know that fatty fish like salmon is an excellent source of omega-3’s but what if you’re not a fan? Chia is an excellent alternative and in fact, is the highest plant-based source of omega-3 fatty acids!
Your spoon is waiting.
Strawberry Banana Steel Cut Oats with Chia Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 4 cups water
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 cup flax seed meal
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
- 1/4 cup walnuts chopped
- 2 bananas sliced
- 2 cups strawberries sliced
Instructions
- Bring water, salt and cinnamon to a boil then stir in steel cut oats. Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 15 minutes.
- Five minutes prior to the end of cooking time, stir in flax seed meal, chia seeds, chopped walnuts, banana and strawberry slices.
- Cook until liquid is absorbed then divide evenly between four bowls to serve.
Notes
Nutrition Information:
Crystal
April 14, 2013 at 4:14 pmThis looks awesome!
Liz DellaCroce
April 15, 2013 at 8:35 amThanks Crystal – I hope you get to try it!
Hannah
April 8, 2013 at 11:30 pmI love every bite of this, Liz! I’ve become such a fan of chia seeds and oatmeal is my go-to breakfast. Now that strawberries have appeared I can’t wait to make your lovely version!
Liz DellaCroce
April 9, 2013 at 8:24 amIsn’t strawberry season the best?!?!
Sunithi
April 4, 2013 at 2:11 pmYumm. Love Steel Cut Oats and this version looks great. Never tried it with chia seeds ! Now am gonna :)
Liz DellaCroce
April 5, 2013 at 9:05 amYou will love the added crunch!
Reem | Simply Reem
April 3, 2013 at 12:17 pmYou know as a child I use to hate chia seeds, in summer my grandmom use to soak them and then make very cooling drink … Trust me I use to run away.
But Now I love them. This looks fabulous….. Totally right up my alley.
Liz DellaCroce
April 3, 2013 at 5:24 pmNo way!! That’s too funny. I’m glad you will try them again. :)
Kelly Senyei | Just a Taste
April 3, 2013 at 10:41 amThis looks incredible! I’m always on the hunt for new ways to work chia seeds into a meal. Thanks for the inspiration!
Liz DellaCroce
April 3, 2013 at 11:15 amThank you Kelly!! This one was a winner. :)
Nutmeg Nanny
April 2, 2013 at 10:08 pmI love steel cut oats, and chia seeds too! This dish looks so satisfying :)
Liz DellaCroce
April 3, 2013 at 7:08 amSatisfying is the perfect word!! I love adding a million things to my oats. :)
Elizabeth
April 2, 2013 at 8:58 pmConfession: I have not yet jumped on the chia seed bandwagon. But I really should, because they sound great, especially here in this tasty-looking oatmeal. What a fantastic way to kick of the day!
Liz DellaCroce
April 3, 2013 at 7:08 amIt’s never too late to start!! They always make me feel fuller when I add them in!
Julia
April 2, 2013 at 4:10 pmGreat oatmeal recipe! I love steel cut oats. I also LOVE strawberries and am sick of paying so much for them and them not tasting great…can’t wait for strawberry season, or berry season for that matter!
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 4:58 pmOh man I am so ready too!!! We just bought a huge vat of them from Costco.
Michele E
April 2, 2013 at 1:22 pmYAY! Here’s a recipe where I have all of the ingredients in the house! I am a big fan of steel cut oats, and this looks like a winner. Thanks!
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 4:57 pmI love when that happens!! Enjoy!
Mackenzie {SusieFreakingHomemaker}
April 2, 2013 at 12:59 pmOK, I think I can actually do this! I’ve always been nervous to ever try steel cut oats!!
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 4:57 pmYou can so do this!!! They honestly take less time to cook than you would think! And add whatever fruit you have – we also love apples, pears, pumpkin, anything really!
[email protected]
April 2, 2013 at 12:09 pmLiz,
This looks so pretty, and I love the flavor combo of strawberries and bananas.
What a yummy breakfast–thanks!
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 12:18 pmMe too!! Such a classic flavor combo. :)
Kristen
April 2, 2013 at 10:03 amOh wow – I am always looking for tasty things to do with Steel Cut Oats. Love this recipe!
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 12:18 pmThank you friend! A little peanut butter and banana never hurts either… ;)
Aggie
April 2, 2013 at 9:32 amI love steel cut oats! Over the last couple years I’ve been eating them more because I started buying a huge bag of Coach’s Oats from Costco & you can easily cook in microwave. Chia seeds rock!
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 12:18 pmI need to start making in the microwave more often!!!
Lisa | With Style and Grace
April 2, 2013 at 9:25 amI can’t believe it, but I’ve yet to jump on the chia seed bandwagon. I had a bad experience a few years back I haven’t tried it since. Maybe I should give that AND your oatmeal a try. I’m sure I can’t go wrong there.
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 12:19 pmOh no a bad experience?? Well I vote give them another shot!! Such a great source of protein for a busy mama like you!
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers
April 2, 2013 at 8:44 amYum! I love this combination and I love how healthy it is!
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 8:52 amThank you Jennifer!! Huge fan of your blog. :-)
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
April 1, 2013 at 9:58 pmI love, love, love steel cut oats! But I have yet to try chia seeds, thanks for the great idea to test them out!
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 8:04 amThey are crunchy and addictive – perfect to add into anything! I hope you love them as much as we do.
ashley - baker by nature
April 1, 2013 at 7:47 pmI have a major ingredient crush on Chia seeds! I would go gaga for a bowl of this right now ;)
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 8:05 amHA!! So do I!!!
Ali | Gimme Some Oven
April 1, 2013 at 7:19 pmLove all of those chia seeds! And a big cheers to the return of strawberry season!! :)
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 8:05 amI stole these beauties from Florida but the season has to start somewhere right?? :)
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
April 1, 2013 at 6:31 pmSteel cut oats!!! They make me smile and remind me of Bob :)
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 8:05 amAwww Bob. I heart him.
EA-The Spicy RD
April 1, 2013 at 4:23 pmLoving this super easy recipe to start the day off right! And, of course I have jumped on the chia seed bandwagon :-)
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 8:06 amOf course you have!!!! They are the best. :)
Alyssa (Everyday Maven)
April 1, 2013 at 2:47 pmYum, what a great breakfast – I bet your son devoured this!
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 8:06 amOf course he did. ;-) How did you know?
addie | culicurious
April 1, 2013 at 11:04 amoh this looks yummy, Liz :) I love steel cut oats. I’ll have to try something like this!
Liz DellaCroce
April 2, 2013 at 8:06 amI do too – they are so good and chewy!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
April 1, 2013 at 9:41 amI just bought chia seeds for the very first time the other day — now I know what to do with them! YUM.
Liz DellaCroce
April 1, 2013 at 10:52 amOooo good! You’ll love them. I sprinkle on everything – oatmeal, cold cereal, smoothies, etc. Great crunch factor.
Sheila
April 1, 2013 at 9:02 amThis is my kind of breakfast!
Liz DellaCroce
April 1, 2013 at 10:52 amMe too sista!!!
Tieghan
April 1, 2013 at 8:51 amI can not wait for strawberry season! This oatmeal is almost to pretty to eat! Almost.
Liz DellaCroce
April 1, 2013 at 10:51 amMe too!!!! We are a few months away so I had to borrow these from Florida. ;-)
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
April 1, 2013 at 8:32 amWe love steel oats at our house! These look amazing with the strawberries (another fave) and bananas!!! Must try with the chia seeds too! xoxo
Liz DellaCroce
April 1, 2013 at 10:52 amThank you so much!! I’m addicted to the crunch of the chia!!