COZY CHAI-SPICED STEEL CUT OATS

Cozy Chai-Spiced Steel Cut Oats topped with diced apple, berries, coconut chips, raw cashew butter (melted with a touch of coconut oil), and a sprinkling of “Chai Sugar” (chai spice mixed with Lakanto Classic sugar-free monk fruit sweetener),

I love these steel cut oats. They’re creamy and nourishing with those cozy warming spices we know and love. Bonus is, they’re absolutely loaded with fibre, healthy fats, and plant-based protein, too!

Steel cut oats are a great source of vitamins and minerals including thiamine, iron, and zinc, as well as disease-fighting antioxidants.  Each serving (1/4 cup dry oats) contains 7 grams of plant-based protein and 5 grams of fibre.  The powerful soluble fibre in oats known as beta-glucan can help to reduce blood cholesterol, improve blood sugar control, promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut, and increase feelings of satiety.

When making steel cut oats in the Instant Pot, it’s not necessary to soak them overnight.  However, you certainly can pre-soak them if preferred for better digestion.  It also makes the oats super creamy!

Ingredients for 4 servings:

• 1 cup steel cut oats (gluten-free if needed)

• 1/4 cup Nuzest Clean Lean Smooth Vanilla protein powder and/or Further Food Vanilla Collagen (both used here)

• 1/4 cup Lakanto Golden sugar-free monk fruit sweetener (optional, or substitute coconut or brown sugar)

• 2 Tbsp chia seeds

• 2 tsp maca powder (optional)

• 2 tsp chai spice mix (store-bought or homemade, recipe below)

• 1/4 tsp salt

• 1 1/2 to 2 cups unsweetened almond or nut-free milk (see note below*)

• 1 cup canned coconut milk (light coconut milk used here)

• 2 Tbsp cashew butter (optional, omit or substitute tahini for nut-free)

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 

• optional toppings: diced apple, berries, blood orange, coconut chips, granola, diced dark chocolate pieces, raw cashew butter (melted with a touch of coconut oil), a sprinkling of “Chai Sugar” (chai spice mixed with Lakanto Classic sugar-free monk fruit sweetener), or toppings of choice

Note: If the oats have been pre-soaked, reduce almond milk to 1 1/2 cups.

Directions:

1. Grease the Instant Pot with cooking oil (I like to use coconut oil or spray avocado oil).

2. Put oats, protein powder, collagen, sweetener, chia seeds, maca, chai spice, and salt in the Instant Pot and stir to combine.

3. Add almond milk, coconut milk, cashew butter, and vanilla, and whisk until well mixed.

4. Secure the lid and set to pressure cook on high for 5 to 10 minutes, followed by a natural pressure release (see note below*).

5. Remove lid carefully and stir well. The oats will seem slightly soupy when the lid is first removed but will thicken as they cool. Serve with your choice of toppings.

*Notes: Adjust cooking time to the desired consistency.  Pre-soaked oats will be creamy after 5 to 6 minutes, although I like them best after 9.  Oats that haven’t been pre-soaked will be slightly chewy after 5 minutes and soft and creamy after 10 minutes.

Cozy Chai-Spiced Steel Cut Oats can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.  Reheat on the stove over medium heat, adding additional almond or coconut milk as needed.

Cozy Chai-Spiced Steel Cut Oats made with tahini in place of cashew butter and topped with diced blood orange, golden berries, a few frozen cranberries, granola, coconut chips (Pumpkin Maple Pie flavour here), diced sugar-free dark chocolate pieces, and a sprinkling of “Chai Sugar” (chai spice mixed with Lakanto Classic sugar-free monk fruit sweetener).

Homemade Chai Spice Mix

This makes just under 3 Tbsp of chai spice. Two teaspoons are needed for the oats and the rest can be reserved for future use (granola, smoothies, chia pudding, etc.).

Mix together:

• 4 tsp ground cinnamon

• 2 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp ground cardamom

• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

• 1/2 tsp cloves

• 1/2 tsp allspice