Let’s talk breakfast.
If you are a regular F&F reader, you know that one of my go-to weekday breakfasts is cottage cheese topped with blueberries, slivered almonds, and a dash of cinnamon. I’ve been eating this breakfast for years, and somehow I’m not sick of it. However, I do like to spice it up every now and then, and I wanted to give you guys some new breakfast inspiration today:
My Favorite Breakfast Items
- Toast (multi-grain, quinoa flax, or Ezekial bread) or sandwich thin with nut butter, sliced bananas, and sometimes a sprnkle of chia seeds
- Bowl of old-fashioned oatmeal. The fix-ins always differ, but some of my go to items include berries, bananas, raisins, chia seeds, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, unsalted nuts, nut or pumpkin butter, shredded coconut, or plain Greek yogurt for extra creaminess. Sometimes everything, but the calories in a loaded bowl of oatmeal can definitely creep up, so I try to be mindful.
- Plain Greek yogurt with berries or banana slices and a sprinkle of wheat germ.
- Scrambled eggs. My favorite is mixing them with salsa for a punch of flavor! This is usually a weekend or telecommuting choice because I don’t have time to eat breakfast at home on weekdays.
- Protein pancakes. This is another weekend choice. There’s a bazillion ways to make protein pancakes, but some that I’ve posted on F&F before include apple cinnamon protein pancakes, banana cinnamon protein pancakes, strawberry banana protein pancakes, and whole wheat chia seed pancakes.
Recently as part of my Sunday night food prep, I’ve taken to cooking a breakfast item that stays for the week. Something that can also be enjoyed as a healthy grab and go snack for busy schedules. Last week I made my co-worker Dawn’s banana bread muffins, the week before I tried out The Lean Green Bean‘s sweet potato banana bites, and the week before I threw together an oatmeal casserole. I’m definitely loving having a bigger breakfast/snack item on hand, and it does switch things up from my usual cottage cheese!
When I posted the banana pecan coconut oatmeal casserole picture on my F&F Facebook page and on Instagram couple of weeks ago, I got tons of requests for the recipe. Honestly I don’t remember where I got this recipe, but I switched things around a bit anyways. Enjoy!
Banana Pecan Coconut Oatmeal Casserole
Serves 6-8
Ingredients
- 3 cups old-fashioned or rolled oats
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
- 2 cups almond or coconut milk
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 3/4 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup shredded coconut
Directions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Stir together oats, baking powder, salt and spices in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, combine the almond milk, egg, applesauce, and yogurt. Then add to the oat mixture and stir until combined.
- Stir in banana, pecans, and coconut.
- Spread into an 8×8 casserole dish sprayed with cooking spray, and bake uncovered for 20 minutes.
- Remove from the oven, stir the mixture, and bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes. The dish will be done once lightly browned.
I love this dish because there are no added refined sugars! A lot of the baked oatmeal recipes out there use a lot of added sugars or oils. This recipe is definitely more nutritious and still tastes great. It’s even boyfriend approved and takes barely any time to throw together, which makes it perfect for a busy week. I like to eat it with plain Greek yogurt and extra fruit or chia seeds sprinkled on top. Enjoy!
Let’s chat! What are you current favorite breakfast items?
Athena – thank you for the breakfast ideas. I’ve been buying cottage cheese like it’s going out of style and making a “breakfast bowl” out of it! Another addition I like is to add about 1/2 tsp unsweetened coconut. Love.
Athena – thank you for the breakfast ideas. I’ve been buying cottage cheese like it’s going out of style and making a “breakfast bowl” out of it! Another addition I like is to add about 1/2 tsp unsweetened coconut. Love.
Great breakfasts! I like a lot of the same things. I also eat a lot of boiled eggs since they are just easier to take to work and etc.
YUM! and I recognize that plate!! ;o)
Looks great! During the week I usually eat a small bowl or cereal with berries while a piece of my dads homemade bread is toasting- he puts nuts and dried berries in it- so good!! I eat the toast with Pb while I walk to the bys stop!