cozy Holiday vibes + Flahavan’s Oatmeal

Is there anything more comforting than a warm bowl of oatmeal on a cold winter morning? Nope, didn’t think so!

I recently collaborated with Flahavan’s and thought this would be a great opportunity to share one of my all-time favorite breakfasts: overnight oats! Nothing groundbreaking here, I know – many of you are probably familiar with this popular oat recipe! There are so many different versions on Pinterest, which is usually where I go when I need some help, or inspiration in the kitchen.

If you are not familiar with oats, however, they make the perfect snack or breakfast for kids and adults alike. They are an excellent source of fiber, iron, protein, B vitamins, phosphorus, zinc, and other essential vitamins and minerals! They also provide slow-release energy for lasting nourishment!

The overnight oat recipe I’ve perfected is loaded with superfoods, fiber, and extra protein, and I am pretty sure you’ll love it as much as we do!

Any camping-loving peeps here? When my husband, our friends, and I go camping we always prep a few mason jars for easy breakfasts. The trick is to add ingredients in layers and to load up the jars with all of the good stuff (like nuts, seeds, fruit, and nut butters!) This recipe is super filling, very nutritious, and kid-friendly, too – perfect before school, to prep for a good hike, or to fuel up after an intense HIIT workout. Basically, the perfect healthy breakfast!

First, here’s a little bit about my oats of choice: Flahavan’s!

We always choose this high quality brand for many reasons. First, the oats are naturally creamy because they are cooked with the outer shell on. Makes such a difference! When you buy Flahavan’s, you choose quality: their oats are 100% whole grain, non-GMO project verified, minimally processed, naturally gluten-free, vegan, and free from added sugar. Finally, Flahavan’s is a 7-generation family-owned and operated company from Ireland, which we love!

When I am feeling motivated, I’ll prep a couple overnight oat mason jars for the week. I find that my mornings go a lot more smoothly when I can just grab my mason jar after morning workouts! No work, no cleanup, just quick, easy nutrition. When we aren’t rushing in the mornings, I love making the boys their favorite: Flahavan’s oatmeal with finely diced apple, cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey! I sneak in a few bites, too!

Okay… RECIPE TIME! Like I said before, the trick is to prep the oats in a large bowl, and layer in fruit (like banana, apples strawberries, or even dates for extra energy!) in between scoops of the oat mixture. I always make sure to include the following ingredients: plant-based milk (we do flax, almond, or oat!), fruit, flax seeds, chia seeds, nuts (pecans or walnuts are our favorites!), PB FIT (or any other nut butter works, too), chocolate chips, cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey. The great thing about overnight oats is that you can add pretty much any of your favorite toppings and it’ll come out amazing!

  • 1/2 cup Flahavan’s Irish Rolled Oats
  • 1 teaspoon whole flax seeds
  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • Vanilla extract (optional)
  • 1/2 cup milk (almond, oat, or flax)
  • 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • 1-2 tablespoons PB FIT (or any nut butter!)
  • 1 whole banana sliced (I like to layer in the banana, and top with the remaining chunks!)
  • A handful of roughly chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts are our favorites!)
  • Chocolate chips (to taste!)
  • Sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or dates (optional!)

The deets: Mix all of the ingredients together except for the fresh fruit in a large mixing bowl. Scoop the mixture into your mason jar, layer in half the fruit, then scoop the rest of the oat mixture. Top with remaining fruit or other toppings! I like to add a little cinnamon to top as well! Seal your mason jar and stick it in the fridge overnight… et voila! Expect deliciousness in the morning 🙂

What are your family’s favorite oatmeal recipes? Let me know in the comments below! xoxo

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Johanna Riehm teaches in the department of Communication and Media at Manhattanville College and in the department of English at Mercy College. She teaches courses in the history of communication, public speaking, and social media, as well as creative and technical writing workshops. Johanna’s work has been featured in Graffiti Literary Magazine, The Write Place at the Write Time, The Bangalore Review, Cactus Heart Press, and the LaMothe Review. She is working on her first longer work, a creative nonfiction novel called We Carved Our Names in Tamarind Trees.

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