Vegan Raisin Cinnamon Roll Oats

It has been unbearably cold the past day or two here in New Jersey, and my room felt like it was -15 degrees when I woke up this morning. So oats were pretty much a necessity. They're the perfect, cozy breakfast and not sure if it's just me, but when it's cold, I want sweets. 

So I was going through flavors in my head and decided to go with cinnamon raisin, a winning combo, and for some reason it just reminds me of winter. But then I decided to add a cream cheese spread on top. I fed my sister a bowl, and her response was "this tastes like Cinnabon!" So basically she decided that these were raisin cinnamon roll oats. Great story, I know. But really, they taste pretty darn good.

Here's what you'll need:

-1 cup rolled oats
-2 cups and 1 tsp unsweetened almond milk, separated
-1 tbsp cinnamon
-2 tbsp and 1 tsp maple syrup
-2 tbsp raisins
-1 tbsp chia seeds
-Pinch of sea salt
-1 tbsp Kite Hill almond milk cream cheese style spread
-1 tsp slivered almonds
-Additional raisins and cinnamon as desired

Instructions:

1) Mix the rolled oats and almond milk together in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
2) Once boiling, reduce heat to low and begin stirring regularly.
3) Add in the tbsp cinnamon, 2 tbsp maple syrup, sea salt, and 2 tbsp raisins. Keep stirring until oats thicken.
4) Mix in the chia seeds and cook until oats reach desired consistency.
5) In a bowl, mix together the Kite Hill spread, 1 tsp almond milk, and 1 tsp maple syrup until smooth.
6) Split the oats between two bowls. Top each bowl with half of the Kite Hill mixture, slivered almonds, and additional raisins and cinnamon as desired.
7) Enjoy!

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

Cinnamon Apple Greek Yogurt Pancakes

I told you I was on a fall/apple kick, so here we are with another apple recipe. I find that I'm really craving cinnamon apples now when I get up in the morning, and there's a little chill in the air. Nothing seems more comforting then spiced apple pancakes. They'll warm you from the inside out.

Here's what you'll need:

-1 apple, chopped
-1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, split 1 tsp and 1/2 tsp
-1 tsp brown sugar
-1/4 tsp nutmeg
-1 tsp sunflower seeds
-5.3 oz of plain nonfat Greek yogurt
-1 egg
-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
-1/4 cup coconut flour
-1/2 tsp baking soda
-Cooking spray (Coconut oil)
-2 tbsp of maple syrup (or honey)
-pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1) Mix the chopped apple with 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp brown sugar.
2) In a bowl, mix together the egg and Greek yogurt.
3) Add in the coconut flour, baking soda, 1/2 of the apple mixture, the nutmeg, the remaining cinnamon (1/2 tsp), and sea salt.
4) Heat up a large pan and coat with cooking spray.
5) Scoop out 1/4 cup of pancake mix and form into pancakes in the pan. Heat for about 3-4 mins/per side, covering the pan with a lid while cooking.
6) In a separate pan, heat up the remaining apple tossed in cinnamon sugar for a few minutes until the apple softens.
7) Serve the pancakes, top with the cooked cinnamon sugar apple and sunflower seeds, and drizzle on maple syrup.
7) Enjoy!

I hope these pancakes give you the taste of fall you're looking for! Let me know what you think in the comments below, and feel free to sign up for e-mail updates!

Spiced Apple Overnight Oats

So it isn't technically fall yet, but it is after labor day, and that's good enough for me! I don't want to go full speed into fall mode and overdo it (which is actually impossible because there can never be too much fall), but I'm starting to ease into it. 

I had my first pumpkin coffee of the season, and I so badly want to throw on my over-sized sweaters. But then I go outside and it's 80 or 90 degrees, so that may have to wait. I want pumpkin everything, but I'm trying to hold off on going too crazy. So to ease my fall fever, I've been feeling apple happy - specifically cinnamon apple and apple cider.

I was thinking about breakfast the other day, and then it hit me. What better way to incorporate apples than into my overnight oats? It's the perfect mix of fall flavors to start off your day. Plus it's super easy to make, as all overnight oats are.

Here's what you'll need:

-1 cup rolled oats
-1 apple, cubed
-1 tbsp chia seeds
-1 tsp ground flax seed
-1 tsp cinnamon
-1/2 tsp vanilla extract
-1/2 tsp nutmeg
-1 tbsp maple syrup
-1 cup unsweetened almond milk
-1 tsp light brown pure cane sugar
-pinch of sea salt

Instructions:

1) In a tupperware container or bowl mix, together all of the ingredients. Refrigerate overnight.
2) Split the oats between two bowls or jars, serve, and enjoy!

Let me know what you think in the comments below, and get ready for some more apple-inspired recipes coming you way. Feel free to subscribe for e-mail updates, so you never miss a post!