
Double Chocolate Oatmeal
If you want to continue enjoying the pancake load I thrust on you earlier this week, do so. I have it in good faith (aka Mama Pea), that this week is Pancake Week. So forget about Tuesday being Pancake Day. Let’s just do it the whole darn week, shall we?
However, if you’re in the mood for your usual delicious breakfast oats…well, look no further. I just dialled up the deliciousness factor on these by about 100 or so…
Can you imagine anything better than a breakfast that is sinfully chocolatey but completely good for you?
Me neither.
When I feel the need to really indulge, I simply cook up this breakfast, which isn’t really indulging at all. But it sure makes you feel like you have!
Did you know how good plain, unsweetened cocoa powder is for you? Its stats are crazy…half a cup has more than 8g of protein, for a start. I discovered this when making my Better-than-Starbucks’ Double Chocolate Brownies, which were protein-rich not only because of the secret ingredient (chickpeas, ssh!) but also because of the amount of cocoa powder I made them with!
Other nutritional benefits of cocoa powder?
- Half a cup packs nearly 15g of fibre
- Half a cup has 33% of your daily iron requirements
- Research has also been conducted that revealed that ingesting cocoa powder lowered blood pressure in those suffering from hypertension
- there are more flavanoids in cocoa powder than in the equivalent serving of red wine or green tea, both drinks highly touted for their antioxidant benefits
Just make sure you buy dark, unsweetened cocoa powder that is unprocessed.
Now that I’ve convinced you on the benefits of eating chocolatey items (was that persuasive paragraph just completely redundant or what? Haha. I don’t know anyone who needs persuading to eat chocolate…but now at least we can all feel a little better about it!) here’s your recipe…
Double Chocolate Oatmeal
INGREDIENTS (serves 1):
1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup milk of choice (I used Almond Breeze Unsweetened Almond Milk)
1 tbsp unprocessed dark cocoa powder
1 tsp agave nectar (I don’t like things too sweet, so you might need to increase this)
2 tsp 70% chocolate chunks for topping
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat oats and milk in a small saucepan over a low heat. Stir in cocoa powder.
2. Bring to a low boil, then reduce heat and simmer until oats thicken up. Add agave nectar to taste.
3. I remove the oats from the heat and leave them a few minutes to cool – usually it thickens a little more in this time, and I like my oats thick. If you like them runnier, eat right away.
4. Top with chocolate chunks (while the oatmeal is still quite warm so they melt into it) and enjoy!
Nutritional information for double chocolate oatmeal per serving (serves 1) if using almond milk:
February 24, 2012
paulinechandler
But I’m on a diet! And I’m a sugar addict! Can I make it with Bournville? It will have to be dinner tonight! xx
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Ooh you can DEFINITELY make it with Bourneville – is that to eliminate needing sweetener? Because using chocolate will increase the calories/fat over using cocoa powder. BUT if you’re using dark chocolate and you like the flavour of dark chocolate then yes, you won’t need any sweetener so that’s a bonus. It would be decadent with Bourneville!
February 24, 2012
paulinechandler
You irrepressible temptress! Love you! xxx
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Haha! I love you too AP! x
February 24, 2012
Sara @my less serious life
oh my god. first off i didn’t know all these facts about cocoa powder. i love this. and i am reading this while eating my usual bowl of cereal (which i do love), but am thinking i may fix myself a bowl of this tomorrow morning yum!
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Haha I was so happy when I found out those stats about cocoa powder! I was calculating my chickpea brownies a few weeks ago and my eyes just popped when the cocoa powder nutrition label came up. HOW did I not know it had this much protein, fibre and iron (magic words to a vegetarian haha!). Yay!
February 24, 2012
Katie
This looks so good!!! Anything with chocolate is ok in my book! Love it!
Happy Weekend girl! <3
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Anything with chocolate is pretty darn awesome over here in my book too. Thanks Katie! You too!
February 24, 2012
jessi
OH sweeet lord! That is the definition of chocolatey goodness.
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Haha thank you Jessi!
February 24, 2012
Annie @ Naturally Sweet Recipes
OH yes! What an amazing breakfast, this looks like dessert. Fabulous idea!
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Right?? But without the overkill on sweetness. Love the idea of chocolatey goodness for breakfast!
February 24, 2012
Kristine @ Busy But Healthy
Mmm, looks fabulous! I originally though you used more than 1 Tbsp cocoa as it looked so chocolatey! Which brand of cocoa do you use? I usually get the big container of Rodelle from Costco.
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Just the 1 tbsp! You can definitely use more but because cocoa powder is fairly bitter you of course then have to increase the sweetener and I just wanted to try to keep it healthy. If you’re using stevia, of course, you could add as much as you want. I just find stevia a bit sweet to have in the mornings.
I use Cocoa Camino USUALLY, but they were out of stock this time so this was made with Fry’s! It’s delicious actually, I’m really impressed with how rich it is :).
February 24, 2012
Kristine @ Busy But Healthy
Oh cool, never tried the Cocoa Camino, but I always have some Fry’s in the cupboard and its good too!
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Perfect! Cocoa Camino tastes very similar in my opinion; it just has the added benefit of being organic/fair trade (and thus a couple of dollars more too, of course).
February 24, 2012
Stellina
OK I am definitely bookmarking this! I had NO idea that cocoa powder had all these benefits?!?! Thanks for sharing 🙂
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Aw thanks Stellina! I’m honoured to be bookmarked! And yes, now I want to make everything with cocoa powder lol!
February 24, 2012
Laura
This looks fantastic! I would add a shot of expresso, or some coffee to make mocha oats 🙂
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
That’s a great idea! I’m not a coffee fan (the caffeine has me bouncing off walls!) but I totally see how that would appeal to the coffee lovers in the world! My mom actually hates oatmeal but inhales chocolate and coffee so I might try making her your mocha version and seeing if it converts her lol!
February 24, 2012
Jessica
This looks like an amazing thing to wake up to! Can’t wait to try this chocolatey goodness one of these morning!
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
I had it this morning for breakfast again and sat reading everyone’s comments as I ate it – the best morning ever! When everyone else appreciates your breakfast it makes it taste even better lol!
February 24, 2012
Shira
This looks incredible. Okay, this the 2nd oatmeal and chocolate post I have seen this week. I am IN! Looks amazing!!
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Aw really? Bummer, I thought I was being so original haha. No, I think there has pretty much been every variety of oatmeal posted out there in the world! But when it comes to oatmeal I never do recipes; just play around until I like the taste! Easy to experiment with seeing as I eat it practically every day lol!
February 24, 2012
Shira
You are too cute! I imagine it would be like my fave chocolate oatmeal cookie but just a little better for me?! I am the same with oatmeal – there are just so many ways to make it awesome….thanks for the inspiration! Love your photos too 🙂
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Oh yes a ton better for you as there’s no sugar or fat! But I don’t like things super sweet in the morning so you may need to increase the agave nectar past 1 tsp. Or you could use stevia or any other sweetener of choice – for this dish it doesn’t matter if it’s a dry or liquid sweetener. Thank you Shira!! xx
February 24, 2012
Brittany @ Itty Bits of Balance
Okay, WHAT!? I had no clue that cocoa powder had so many benefits, besides the fact that it’s already chocolatey and amazing! Thanks for the info!
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
I know I was so pumped when I found that out too! Haha you’re welcome Brittany!
February 24, 2012
Lisa@Healthy Diaries
This is the second choc oatmeal recipe i’ve seen this week.
Yours looks REALLY good!!
I haven’t made oatmeal in forever!!
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
OK where is this other chocolate oatmeal recipe because I have to see it?? Haha! Oatmeal is just my favourite breakfast ever – and this chocolate version just proves that every time I eat it!
February 24, 2012
Anna @ Food Fitness Frolicking
WOAH!!!! This recipe is ah-mazing. I swear, the whole blog world is hooked on chocolate right now-but I must say..this recipe is definitely one of my favorites! And your photos are gorgeous!!
Ok, but I won’t lie..I’m tempted to make this tomorrow and top it with….a dollop of nutella 🙂 Is that awful?
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Um…no! That actually sounds pretty darn awesome. I think you just gave me inspiration for a new oatmeal recipe – Nutella-Flavoured Oatmeal (I’ll of course have to find a way to healthify it knowing me!).
Of course, topping it with a dollop of Nutella is not awful at all – what harm can a dollop do, right???
February 24, 2012
thehealthyfitdiva
Chocolate for breakfast…I’m in! Looks absolutely delicious anna. Have you ever tried oats with carob? it has a natural sweetness from the powder so you don’t have to add any sweetener!
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
I haven’t tried carob powder – I’ve had carob items before and not quite got with the flavour, but perhaps the carob powder would be different; I’ll put it on my list of things to try for sure! Thanks for the suggestion :)!
February 24, 2012
steph@ lungesandlunch
Trying to get me to lick the screen, eh? :p
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Hahaha that is DEFINITELY my goal!
February 24, 2012
Tessa at Amazing Asset
Ahhh deal lawdddd does this look amazing! Your pictures are just truly stunning 🙂
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Thank you Tessa! That means so much to me as I’ve been having fun trying out my new camera 🙂
February 24, 2012
Kris
Girl….this could be my flippin dessert…how AMAZING was this to dive into?? I need grains back in my life so I can eat this for a week straight. YUM!
xxoo
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Thanks girl! It’s a pretty yummy indulgence 😉
February 24, 2012
Emily
Oh my goodness.
I’m drooling right now just looking at the pictures of this oatmeal. Mmm….I definitely know what I’m making for breakfast tomorrow. (:
February 24, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Yay! Make it! Can’t wait to hear how you like it 🙂
February 25, 2012
Laura
Love this post! Not only did you have me at the initial photo of your bowl of chocolatey oats, but I loved reading all the nutrition stats too! I also am really excited about that brownie recipe you linked… 🙂
February 25, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Aw thanks Laura! The brownies are sooooo good…. I am craving one right now but that means baking a whole batch and my willpower this weekend is just not that strong haha.
February 25, 2012
Ali @ whatalididnext
Good grief Anna, how could this be so healthy! I often feel like I dont have time in the morning to make oatmeal, but this is definately worth getting up earlier for! And I am convinced I could get the kids to eat this one!
February 26, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Haha – it’s pretty quick to make, you can also microwave it! I never microwave my oats so I’m not 100% sure on timing but it’s all over the blog world I’m sure. Another trick is to just be more careless with your cooking on the stovetop – I put the heat on high while I add the ingredients to the saucepan, then turn it to mid-heat and go and do my thing. When I hear it come to a boil, I take it off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes or so to cool and thicken. Then I eat. Haha. So not the proper way to cook it but it allows me to still multitask in my mornings!
February 26, 2012
mistransformation
This is what I’m having today:-)
February 26, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Aw yay! I hope you love it!
February 26, 2012
Faith Fitness and Laughter
Oh my goodness these look amazing! 🙂
February 26, 2012
Anna @ The Guiltless Life
Thank you!
February 26, 2012
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