Baked oats are one of my favorite breakfast or lunch meals because they are filling, balanced, and so yummy! I love making baked oats specifically because it almost feels like you are eating cake for breakfast, but it's healthy! To me, baked oats are a fall breakfast staple and nothing screams fall more than pumpkin. Typically, pumpkin spice recipes never really hit the mark for me. I am always expecting more of a pumpkin flavor but instead, I just get a whole lot of cinnamon & nutmeg. This is why one of the main ingredients in my pumpkin baked oats is actual pumpkin! But of course, we have to add some pumpkin spice in there because it wouldn’t be complete without it. Not only do these baked oats bleed fall flavors, they are also an incredibly healthy option to a lot of the other fall treats that are out there. Now I believe in balance, so of course enjoy your fall treats as you wish. But here is a healthier alternative to a fall breakfast so you can start your day off with a well-balanced & protein-packed meal. Now let’s get to the recipe!

What you need:

• Small casserole dish or two large ramekins

• Blender

• Cooking spray

• Protein powder (I use the vanilla legion whey protein powder)

• Pumpkin puree

• Rolled Oats

• Flaxseed meal

• Toppings of choice* (I use honey, nonfat greek yogurt, and hemp seeds)

*Some other yummy toppings are maple syrup, chocolate chips, granola, whip cream, peanut butter, &  pumpkin butter

RECIPE
Protein Pumpkin Baked Oats

10 minutes prep; 30 minutes bake | Servings: 2 | 225 calories 

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup (80g) rolled oats

• 1 scoop (27g) vanilla protein powder

• 2/3 cup (80g) pumpkin puree

• 1 tsp vanilla

• 1 1/4 tsp (3g) flaxseed meal

• 1/2 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• 1/2 cup water

TOPPINGS

• 1/3 cup (56g non-fat greek yogurt)

• 1 tsp (7g) honey

• sprinkle of hemp seeds

• cinnamon

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 350* and coat a small casserole dish with cooking spray or butter.

2. Place all ingredients in a blender & blend until smooth.

3. Pour the mixture into the casserole dish and place in the oven to bake for 20-30 minutes, until a toothpick is inserted into the center & comes out clean.

4. Let cool for 10 minutes and then slice into four squares. Serve warm with greek yogurt, honey, and hemp seeds or your toppings of choice. Enjoy!

NUTRITION FACTS: Without toppings: 225 calories | 4g fat | .5g saturated fat | 35g carbs | 5g dietary fiber | 3g sugar | 0g added sugar | 17g protein

NUTRITION FACTS: With toppings: 285 calories | 4.5g fat | .5g saturated fat | 42g carbs | 5g dietary fiber | 10g sugar | 23g protein