oats

Nut, Seed & Apple Slices

Snack

Nut butter, seeds and fruit …. just a few of my favourite foods. Each on their own are pretty tasty but add them together and you get a whopper snack!

The idea for this recipe came actually through one of the blogs fans who sent me a picture inspired by my Banana & Nut Butter Crunchy Bites recipe.

So here’s the recipe for you to make at home, perfect as a snack at any time of the day.

If bringing these as a snack to work, school or on an outdoor adventure, sprinkle a little lemon juice over the apple slices first to stop them browning before the nut butter.

For lots of other tasty snacks, check out more of my favourites!!

Serves 1.

  • 1 apple
  • 2 tbsp nut butter
  • Toppings: granola, nuts and seeds of your choice
  1. Remove the apple core and slice the apple into even rounds.
  2. Slather the nut butter on one side of each apple slice.
  3. Sprinkle each apple slice with the nuts, seeds or granola until evenly covered.

5 Minute Granola

Breakfast, Snack

Granola is easily my favourite breakfast option. It’s such an easy meal, just top the granola with some fresh fruit and yoghurt and you are set for the day. Oats are a great option for the morning as they packed full of slow release energy.

This recipe for granola is perfect for someone who doesn’t have an oven or like when I was travelling around New Zealand and cooking on a portable gas stove as I lived out of my van. The even better thing about this granola recipe is that it literally takes 5 minutes and breakfast is sorted for at least a week.

I love how you can vary granola in lots of ways imaginable so your breakfast bowl is always packed of fresh flavours. Add any nuts, dried fruit, seeds or spices like cinnamon, turmeric or even ginger to your granola.

Why not try my other favourite granola recipe too.

5 Minute Granola, Delalicious

  • 2 tbsp coconut oil
  • 200g jumbo oats
  • 2 tbsp nuts (peanuts, pecans, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds)
  • 2 tbsp dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, coconut, apricots)
  1. Melt the coconut oil in a large frying pan or wok over a medium heat.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients and stir until coated in oil.
  3. Stir continuously to ensure no burning for 5 minutes until the oats are golden.Granola, oats, breakfast, brunch, Delalicious
  4. Remove from pan and allow to cool.
  5. Serve with some fresh fruit and yoghurt.

Coconut & Pineapple Overnight Oats

Breakfast

Oats is the preferred option for many to start their day. Oats are not only a great source of slow-release carbohydrate but also a really versatile ingredient to have in your kitchen cupboard. They don’t go off, are inexpensive and can be eaten as any meal of the day.

Meals that can be prepared in advance are great for time short people, find more meal prep tips here. Overnight oats are a great option for any busy person as all the work is done the night or even day before. A little bit of chopping and stirring is the only work required with eating taking the longest!

The options with overnight oats are endless and I have plenty more inspiration on the blog for you. My latest variation is inspired by my travels through South America and perfect for the summer season. Top with some more yoghurt, seeds, nuts or berries as you like.Overnight oats, Delalicious, breakfastServes 2.

  • 4 tbsp jumbo oats
  • 2 tbsp dessicated coconut
  • 1 cup fresh pineapple, chopped
  • 5 tbsp yoghurt, plain
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 passion fruit
  1. Using a clean resealable jar or tub. Place all the items into the tub.
  2. Mix thoroughly together and place in the fridge overnight.Overnight oats, breakfast, pineapple, coconut
  3. Remove from the fridge in the morning, stir again and serve with a sprinkle of coconut, pineapple pieces and passionfruit.

Baked Oat & Berry Pots

Breakfast, Snack

Is this recipe breakfast or dessert? How about both? Now that’s how every morning should start!

Oats are my favourite way to start the day. They are such a versatile ingredient that you never get tired of oats; start with some granola, porridge, overnight oats, add to a smoothie or try these baked oat and berry pots.

A cross between a souffle and porridge may be the best way to describe these without any of the stress. Use your favourite nuts and berries and you won’t go wrong.

For more Delalicious oat recipe inspiration click here.

Serves 2.

Oat & Berry Pots, Delalicious

  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tbsp nut butter
  • 6 walnut halves, chopped
  • 4 tbsp jumbo oats
  • 2 tbsp regular oats
  • 8 tbsp milk
  • 2 tbsp frozen or fresh berries, raspberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, blueberries
  • 1 tbsp water
  • 2 tbsp yoghurt
  1. Whisk the eggs and nut butter together in a large bowl.
  2. Add the walnuts, oats and milk and continue to whisk until well combined.
  3. Pour the mixture into two ovenproof ramekin dishes.
  4. Bake in the oven at 180C for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer comes out cleanly. You can also cook in a microwave on high for 3 minutes.
  5. For the berry coulis: stir the berries and water together in a small bowl. Place in microwave for 1 minute on high or simmer in a saucepan over a low heat for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
  6. To serve: spoon the yoghurt and berry coulis over the cooked oat pots.

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Dark Chocolate & Apricot Oat Balls

Snack

Oat balls are perfect for a healthy snack on the go, they are made for outdoor adventures or lunchbox treats.

These balls are a no bake version so you never have to worry about them falling apart or sticking to the baking tray, so a real winner in my eyes.

Dark chocolate gives you an antioxidant boost whilst the dried apricot adds an all important sugar kick. I have used almond butter in this recipe but your nut butter of preference would be perfect.

I love to have these as a snack on the way to training and matches or as a sweet treat in the late evenings.

The inspiration came for these from one of my favourite food bloggers Gina Matsoukas who blogs at Running To The Kitchen so be sure to check out her site.

Makes 12.IMG_7451 (1)-01.jpeg

  • 30g dried apricots
  • 20g raisins
  • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
  • zest of 1/2 small orange
  • 2 tbsp coconut chips
  • 3 tbsp milled linseed
  • 100g jumbo oats
  • 50g dark chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 75g almond butter
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp vanilla essence

Method:

  1. Roughly chop the apricots and place in a bowl with the raisins, orange juice and zest. Mix together and allow the apricots soak up the juice.
  2. Place all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl and add the apricots and raisins.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond butter, honey and vanilla essence until smooth.
  4. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry either with your hands or a fork until well coated.
  5. Dampen your hands and roll 1 tablespoon at a time of the mixture into ball shapes. Place on a tray lined with parchment. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
  6. Place the tray flat in a freezer for at least 20 minutes to set. Once set, you can transfer to a resealable box or bag and store in your freezer or fridge.
  7. When eating them from your freezer, allow them to defrost for 5 minutes before eating.

Who Doesn’t Love Pancakes!!

Uncategorized

I love, love, love pancakes!! They are made for any meal of the day and are great as a sweet or savoury option. You can have them thin, thick, dripping in melted chocolate or my favourite filled with natural yoghurt and berries!!

Here are a few of my favourite recipes:

  • Banana Pancakes – great for pre/post exercise or as a lazy brunch option.
  • Buckwheat Pancakes – made for savoury options. Layer with mashed avocado, smoked salmon and a drizzle of creme fraiche.
  • Zesty Banana & Oat Pancakes: I recently made shared the recipe for these on my Instagram story and they were a real hit!! Great for anyone who isn’t the biggest fan of banana too as the orange zest helps to disguise the taste.
    Serves 1.
  • 1 egg
  • 1 banana
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 3 tbsp oat flour or milled linseed
  • zest of half an orange
  • coconut oil
  • Toppings: natural yoghurt, orange segments, nuts, seeds
  1. In a bowl or measuring jug, whisk the egg and banana together.
  2. Add the milk and oat flour and whisk again.
  3. Grate in the orange zest and whisk once more.
  4. Ideally allow to sit in the fridge for as long as you can wait to allow the mix firm a little.
  5. Place a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and melt 1/2 teaspoon of coconut oil.
  6. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the mixture on the pan and swirl around to create an even layer.
  7. Allow to cook for 1 minute on one side and flip over.
  8. Allow to cook through on the opposite side and remove from pan.
  9. Complete with remaining mixture, you should make 3 pancakes.
  10. To serve: stack them up with yoghurt and orange segments. Sprinkle some nuts and seeds of your preference over the top.

Banana & Nut Overnight Oats

Breakfast, Snack

Recovery is an essential part of exercising, to increase muscle size or power there must be breakdown in muscle fibres to result in regeneration and development. Without adequate recovery, muscle development will be inadequate or not occur at all. Recovery combines many facets including rest, rehydration and refueling. The refueling gold standard combines a mix of protein and carbohydrate and is consumed within 30 minutes of ceasing exercise.

Overnight oats combines both carbohydrates (oats) and protein (milk) and is a great option to have ready in the fridge for a recovery meal at any time of day. I have posted a number of previous flavours but this recipe came about with the presence of a bunch of very overripe bananas.

My other favourites are: Spring Bircher Muesli, Apple & Cinnamon Bircher Muesli . Quinoa is another great option as it’s bursting with protein Stewed Apple & Poached Plum Quinoa Porridge. Or when you are really short on time, my Berry & Oat Recharger is the one for you. 

Serves 1.

  • 3 tbsp oats
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp nut butter/tahini
  • 1 overripe banana
  • 100ml milk
  1. Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl or jar.
  2. Chop in the banana.
  3. Mix all the ingredients together with the nut butter and milk until well combined.
  4. Store overnight or for at least 5 hours in the fridge.
  5. Serve with some chopped banana, nuts/berries, a drizzle of nut butter and a dollop of Greek yoghurt.

Berry & Oat Recharger

Breakfast, Juice, Snack

Recovery after tough exercise is vital for our muscles to repair and develop. A simple mix of both protein and carbohydrates within 30 minutes is backed by evidence to provide the necessary nutrients to our bodies. This smoothie is light and easy to digest whilst being super quick to prepare. If I’m traveling some distance to training, I will blend up the fruit and oats with a little water at home and simply buy some milk after training to mix through so that the milk doesn’t sour in my gear bag. I’ve used blackcurrants here but any berry combination would be perfect!

Serves 1, makes 500mls.

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  • 3 tbsp oats
  • 2 tbsp blackcurrants/blackberries/blueberries
  • 1/2 medium apple
  • 300ml milk
  1. Place all the ingredients in a blender or tall jar if using a handheld blender.
  2. Blend until smooth, add some more milk or water if you find the consistency too thick.

 

Spring Bircher Muesli

Breakfast

Personally I just love Bircher muesli, it is made in minutes and is a simple answer to a delicious breakfast as the oats soak up all the goodness the night before to fill you up come morning time with minimal effort and maximum reward. The orange zest and juice give a really nice lift to these oats to remind us of the sun filled days to come!

Serves 2.

  • 110g oats
  • 2 tbsp milled linseed
  • 1 tbsp hemp or chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp flaked almonds
  • 1 tbsp raisins/dried cranberries/apricot
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Zest of 1/2 small orange
  • 1/2 juice of a fresh small orange
  • 150ml milk (use whatever variety you like natural/nut/rice/oat/soya)
  • 50ml water
  1. Place all the dry ingredients in a bowl or Kilner jar. 
  2. Add the orange juice along with the milk & water.
  3. Stir well together & store in the fridge overnight (if you think the mix looks a little dry or you like a more gooey texture just add more milk/water). 
  4. Come morning, stir again to ensure well combined & serve with orange segments & a dollop of natural/Greek yoghurt.

Berry & Oat Muffins

Treats

These muffins are made for a satisfying meal on the go! Jam-packed with slow release carbs, berry goodness, only two tbsp honey & essential magnesium makes them ideal for a quick breakfast or gear bag friendly post-training snack. Use whatever berries you like or add some chopped nuts or chunks of dark chocolate, the possibilities are endless! They will stay fresh for at least four days in an air-tight container or else you could freeze them if any last that long.

  Makes 12 muffins.

  • 7oz oats
  • 1oz desiccated coconut
  • 1.5 tsp baking powder
  • pinch of salt
  • 4oz butter
  • 2 tbsp honey
  • 1 egg
  • 2 over-ripe bananas
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla essence
  • 4 tbsp natural yoghurt
  • 4 fistfuls berries (blueberries & raspberries are my favourite)
  • coconut flakes
  1. Preheat an oven to 180°C and line a muffin tray with cases.
  2. Place the oats in a blender or food processor and blitz until they form a coarse flour. Mix the oat flour with the desiccated coconut & baking powder in one bowl. 
  3. In a separate large mixing bowl, using a handheld beater, cream the butter & honey together until light & fluffy. 
  4. Beat through the egg (the mix might look a bit curdled, you haven’t gone wrong I promise!).
  5. Mash the bananas & vanilla essence together before adding to the butter mix. Stir through the flour until well combined.
  6. Finally add the yoghurt & berries to the mix & combine. 
  7. Spoon the mix evenly amongst the muffin cases, top with some fresh oats and coconut flakes before placing in the oven for 15-20 mins until golden brown or a skewer comes out clean.