Easy Oatmeal Breakfast with Chia, Flax and Fresh Berries

Looking for an easy oatmeal breakfast that is both delicious and heart healthy? Then check out this 7 ingredient recipe. The most effort you’ll have to make is slicing the strawberries, it’s that easy! 

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As many of you would agree, breakfast is one of those meals you just can’t skip. I’m always stunned when I hear someone say they never eat breakfast. What! How is that possible?

Why skip breakfast when you could have this delicious bowl of yumminess? This oatmeal breakfast is easy to prepare and will keep you fueled for hours.

By starting your morning with this satisfying oatmeal, it will be easier to say ‘no!’ to those other morning temptations. Say goodbye to that frosted donut or jumbo-sized muffin.

I have to admit, my breakfast wasn’t always the healthiest. I’m definitely guilty of years of eating sugary cereals and cream cheese loaded bagels. And of course, I can’t forget the additional sugar spike from a glass of orange juice. All before 8am, yikes.

One day I decided to make a change. No more cereal or bagels for breakfast. Goodbye cream cheese and hello oats!

This Easy Oatmeal Breakfast with Chia, Flax and Fresh Berries recipe is now one of my staple routine breakfasts. Oatmeal is a highly nutritious, whole-grain breakfast with endless flavor possibilities.

Berry Love

If you love berries like me, you’ll be delighted by how they liven up healthy oatmeal. I have to admit that I am slightly obsessed with strawberries and blueberries.

I try to keep berries on hand since they are highly versatile, from oatmeal, smoothies, salads to dessert. Or simply enjoy them alone!

Most importantly, berries can keep your digestive system healthy with their antioxidant powers and fiber content. They are also known to maintain mental sharpness, so load up on berries!

Types of Oats

With a variety of choices, which type of oat should you choose to make your breakfast oatmeal?

Here’s a brief Oat 101 to help you decide based on oat texture and approximate cooking times.

Oat Groats 

• A whole, hull-less oat
• Least processed oat but cooks the slowest
• Cook 50 minutes to 1 hour on cooktop
• Very hearty texture

Steel Cut Oats

• A whole oat groat cut into smaller pieces
• Cook 10 minutes in microwave
• Cook 30 minutes on cooktop
• Very chewy texture

Rolled Oats (Old-Fashioned or Regular)

• A steamed oat groat that’s then rolled out, steamed again and pressed
• Cook 3-5 minutes in microwave (use a large microwave safe bowl!)
• Cook 10-20 minutes on cooktop
• Chewier texture than quick oats

Quick Oats (or Instant)

• Precooked rolled oats, rolled again and pressed very thin
• Most processed oat but cooks the fastest
• Cook 1-2 minutes in microwave
• Cook 2 minutes or less on cooktop
• Least textured oat

Quick or Instant Oats are usually available in individual packets. Although convenient, these little pouches of oats are often loaded with additional sugar. Be sure to check the label to determine if that Cinnamon Apple flavor is really worth it.

With that said, you should ultimately select an oat that works best with your lifestyle.

In the beginning, quick oats were my go-to oat but we recently transitioned to rolled oats. What a difference in taste and texture!

How to Make Oatmeal 

Although you can make oatmeal with water, I prefer almond milk instead. The milk creates a more flavorful bowl of oatmeal. Pair unsweetened almond milk (or your milk of choice) with old-fashion rolled oats for a tasty and hearty base.

For all the oat varieties, feel free to alter the consistency of the oatmeal by adjusting the milk to oat ratio. For a thicker oatmeal, use less milk and for a thinner oatmeal, use more milk. I enjoy my oatmeal slightly chunkier so I use less milk to obtain this chewier texture.

I’ve also experimented with a plant-based milk made from peas which turned out equally delicious. I did find that the oats were less absorptive of this type though, resulting in a more runny porridge-like bowl. If that isn’t for you, just adjust the milk to oat ratio to compensate for this absorption difference.

As mentioned above in Types of Oats, the total cooking time depends on the oat type as well as the cooking method. Follow the instructions on the oat packaging as the cook time may vary per brand.

Load up that fibrous bowl of oatmeal with even more goodness with fresh berries. Together strawberries and blueberries strike a well-balanced act of sweetness and mellow tartness. Fresh berries always add a delicious pop of sweet flavor to any oatmeal breakfast.

If you find the blueberries are too tart, scale back on the amount and substitute with a ripe banana. Or feel free to add the banana anyways! I almost always do.

Oatmeal Toppings

Now onto some of my favorite toppings, a couple tablespoons of a ground chia and flax seed blend and a sprinkle of raw walnut halves or pieces. 

You may be tempted to pass on the seed blend if the strong nutty flavor of golden flaxseeds has turned you off in the past. But I assure you, you’ll want to reconsider and try a flavored blend as most of them hide that nutty taste.

Besides, you don’t want to miss out on the important heart healthy benefits of chia and flax such as protein, fiber and plant Omega-3s.

Just be sure to check the nutritional label for sugar content or any other ingredients you may be trying to avoid.

A ground chia and flax seed blend is generally categorized as a health supplement at most health food grocery stores. Look for it near other supplements, protein powders, vitamins or in the natural foods section. You can also find this product online.

Can’t find a blend? Then grind your own seeds! Keep things simple by adding whole chia seeds and ground flaxseeds to your cooked oatmeal. Consuming ground flaxseed offers the most nutritional benefits when compared to leaving the flaxseeds in their whole state.

Grind whole flaxseeds into a fine blend with a spice/coffee grinder or a high-powdered blender. Feel free to also grind the whole chia seeds, although not necessary.

Don’t forget to refrigerate your ingredients. Store ground seed blends, whole chia seeds or whole flaxseeds in airtight containers and keep refrigerated. This will maximize freshness and prevent the seeds from going rancid.

Serve with your favorite morning drink and fuel up for your day!

Let me know if you made this recipe!

Leave a comment below or tag your Instagram post with #findingveggiejoy, I’d love to see what you made!

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