oats – Page 2 – The Pajama Chef

Cookies! But not just any cookies... these Soft Flourless Kitchen Sink Cookies are filled with oats, peanut butter, pretzels, butterscotch, and CHOCOLATE! Duh. They're absolutely irresistible and a great way to cap off #Choctoberfest!

Soft Flourless Kitchen Sink Cookies #Choctoberfest

October 20, 2017October 20, 2017 Sarah

Cookies! But not just any cookies… these Soft Flourless Kitchen Sink Cookies are filled with oats, peanut butter, pretzels, butterscotch, and CHOCOLATE! Duh. They’re absolutely irresistible and a great way to cap off #Choctoberfest!

Oh guys. I know we’re just chatting through the computer screen right now but I seriously wish I could share a plate of these cookies with you right now. If I had just one word to describe them it would be, without a doubt, irresistible. I mean, just look what happens when a mama lets them cool too close to the edge of the table.

*insert crying/laughing/LOL emoji right here, please*

The little guy doesn’t get too many sweets, but you better believe I just let him go to town on that cookie. He earned it–and it was SO freaking cute to see how excited he got with each chocolately bite. 🙂 🙂 🙂

These cookies are just ridiculously good. Since they’re flourless, they’re loaded with tons of oats, peanut butter, and mix-ins. All of the above makes them crazy chewy and soft. It’s pretty much impossible to walk past a cookie jar full of these babies and not grab one (or three). #provenfact #askmehowiknow

Everyone’s first thought when they see pretzels in baked goods (especially chocolatey ones like these cookies!) is that they’re suddenly a sweet ‘n salty treat. That’s true, but in these cookies, the pretzels almost play a different role… they give the cookies an extra depth of flavor. I would say it’s almost earthy, but who wants earthy cookies? So we’ll just call them good. Very, very, very good. Irresistible, even. Hope you enjoy!

Find more new chocolate recipes at the linky here today.

And don’t forget–there’s one more day to enter this amazing CHOCOLATE filled giveaway! Don’t delay! 🙂

one year ago: Salted Caramel Mocha Overnight Oats
three years ago: Pumpkin Bagels
four years ago: Peanut Butter Apple Oatmeal Cookies
five years ago: 30 Minute Chicken Tortilla Soup
six years ago: Pumpkin Brownies
seven years ago: Crispy Crunchy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Soft Flourless Kitchen Sink Cookies

Servings: 4 dozen
Time: 1 hour
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from Mama Gourmand

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup white sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
2 cups lightly crushed pretzels – save some to press on top if desired
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips/chunks – save some to press on top if desired
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips/chunks – save some to press on top if desired
1/2 cup butterscotch chips – save some to press on top if desired

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Using a mixer, cream together butter and peanut butter. Beat in brown sugar and white sugar, mixing for 2 minutes. Beat in eggs, baking soda, corn syrup, and vanilla. With mixer running on low, add oats–mix until fully combined. Using a wooden spoon, stir in pretzels, both kinds of chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips–save some to press on top of individual cookies if desired.

At this point, you can shape into 1 1/2-2 tablespoon sized balls and place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets OR you can chill the dough for 15-20 minutes if it’s too hard to work with. I preferred chilling it first. Press excess pretzels, chocolate chips, and butterscotch chips on top if desired.

Bake for 12-14 minutes, rotating pans halfway through. Don’t overbake! The edges of the cookies should be set and the middle should be slightly overdone. They continue to cook on the cookie sheet, so allow to cool on baking sheet for 5-10 minutes before transferring to wire rack to cool completely.

This post for #Choctoberfest is sponsored by Barlean's. I have received sample products for writing this post. All content and opinions are mine. These Double Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Bites are a healthy sweet treat... and they pretty much taste like a brownie, so there's that too.

Breakfast, Granola, Recipes

Double Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Bites #Choctoberfest

October 18, 2017October 20, 2017 Sarah

This post for #Choctoberfest is sponsored by Barlean’s. I have received sample products for writing this post. All content and opinions are mine. These Double Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Bites are a healthy sweet treat… and they pretty much taste like a brownie, so there’s that too.

Another day, another #Choctoberfest recipe! This one slightly healthier than the delectable cake from Monday. 🙂 Energy bites, granola bites, energy balls… whatever you call them… are SO tasty and SO fun to make. Just mix, roll, and chill, pretty much. They’re great to have on hand for a healthy yet filling snack option or even a quick breakfast on the go for busy mornings. Most recipes use nut butter as the base, so I was excited to find a version that used PUMPKIN as the binder. I always gotta do something different, haha.

Since we’re smack-dab in the midst of #Choctoberfest, I decided to try to make an uber chocolately energy bite recipe. Thanks to a healthy dose of dark chocolate cocoa powder AND dark chocolate chips, these Double Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Bites pretty much taste like a brownie. I’ve been keeping some in the fridge at work, and they are perfect for a mid-afternoon snack. Healthy, yet satisfying.

I’m so thankful that Barlean’s is a sponsor again this year for #Choctoberfest! They sent me a great package filled with Chocolate Silk Greens (think chocolate protein powder, but powdered greens instead–this stuff is great for smoothies!), Essential Women Omega-Swirl Chocolate Mint (mint-chocolate syrup that just so happens to be full of Omega-3s), and Butter-Flavored Coconut Oil, which I used in this recipe. It’s the perfect butter substitute with all the health benefits of coconut oil. I don’t use coconut oil for everything but I really like it in granola bars/energy bites. You can find out more about Barlean’s by following them on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or YouTube.

One of the best parts about these Double Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Bites (besides how chocolately they are!) is that it only uses 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree. Sooo it’s a perfect recipe to have on hand to when you have a little pumpkin puree to use up! Waste not, want not. And how could you not want these yummy chocolate energy bites??! Enjoy!

Find more chocolate recipes here today at the #Chocotoberfest linky! And don’t forget to enter this great giveaway before Saturday!

one year ago: Pumpkin & Sausage Pizza
three years ago: Banana Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins
four years ago: Funfetti Cookies
five years ago: Chicken Enchiladas with Green Chili Sour Cream Sauce
six years ago: Roasted Vegetable Soup
seven years ago: Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins

Double Chocolate Pumpkin Energy Bites

Servings: 32 bites
Time: 2 hours, including chilling
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slightly adapted from A Kitchen Addiction

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder
1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
3/4 cup honey
2 tablespoons maple syrup
3 tablespoons pumpkin puree
2 tablespoons Barlean’s Butter Flavored Organic Coconut Oil
generous 1/4 cup pepitas
generous 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips

Directions:

In a large bowl, stir together oats, flaxseed, cocoa, and pumpkin pie spice. In a small saucepan set over medium heat, whisk together honey, maple syrup, pumpkin puree, and coconut oil. Bring to a boil, and allow to boil for 4 minutes. Stir constantly so it doesn’t burn! Remove from heat.

Pour honey mixture over oats and stir until combined. At this point, you can stir in the pepitas and chocolate chips so the chocolate melts and gets all gooey OR you can wait for 5 minutes before stirring in the mixins. I stirred everything together right away.

Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for mixture to cool and chocolate to harden, then remove and roll into 1 1/2 inch balls. Place on a baking sheet and refrigerate for at least an hour before transferring to an air-tight container. Store in the refrigerator or freezer. Enjoy!

Disclosure: Though I received products for free as part of my participation in #Choctoberfest, I was not compensated in any other way and was not asked to provide positive feedback.

Easy banana berry oat muffins, sweetened with honey, are a great breakfast or snack. Little ones love these and so do big people too! #fantasticalfoodfight #honey #healthy #toddlerrecipes

Breakfast, Muffins, Recipes

Honey Sweetened Banana Berry Oat Muffins

September 20, 2017October 17, 2017 Sarah

Easy banana berry oat muffins, sweetened with honey, are a great breakfast or snack. Little ones love these and so do big people too!

When my son turned one, I celebrated. Obviously partially because we survived the first year… but also because fiiiinally he could have honey! I love honey! Whether I’m adding a bit to my bowl of oatmeal in the morning, or baking with it… I love it! It feels healthier than regular ‘ole white sugar, and it has a distinct and delicious taste. Even though honey isn’t technically “healthier,” it does have some advantages over sugar, especially in terms of a sweeter taste (so you can use less), antioxidants, and the like… If you can find local, raw honey, it’s even better!

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you may know that I LOVE muffins. I haven’t baked muffins as often in the past year because I haven’t had as much free time (babies take time, did ya know?), but lately I’ve been getting back into my baking ways. My son is only sixteen months old but he eats SO. MUCH. FOOD. He’s always hanging on my leg begging for “mum” (yum), and it’s fun to make homemade treats for him to enjoy.

These muffins have been part of my son’s breakfast and snack rotation for a solid three months. I’ve made several batches and he just doesn’t tire of them! Since they’re healthy–packed full of oats, banana, and berries–I honestly really don’t mind. I usually pack one up for breakfast at daycare each morning. Really, I should say second breakfast, since the little guy nurses and eats some of my breakfast most mornings as well. Ha. Growing boys need to eat, I suppose. But it’s great to have a healthy, go-to, sure to please breakfast option that I can pull from the freezer to send to daycare. It makes drop-off smoother if I can distract him with food. #truth

Recently when I made a batch of these muffins, I took the time to take photos BEFORE I froze them all so I could share the recipe with you! Whether you want to make these muffins for your kiddos or just for you, I’m sure you’ll enjoy them. They really are very lightly sweetened but I love that… you can taste everything in these muffins, not just a bunch of sugar. Bananas, berries, nutty oats, and honey… it’s all there, it’s all good (and good FOR you)! Hope you enjoy!

Looking for more recipes with honey? Well, you’re in the right place–honey is the theme of today’s Fantastical Food Fight so check out the link below for more honey recipes. 🙂

one year ago: Creamy Pesto Pasta with Broccoli and Chicken
two years ago: Red Cabbage, Raisin, and Apple Slaw
three years ago: Healthy Crumb Topped Zucchini Bread
four years ago: Pumpkin Coconut Soup
five years ago: Chocolate Mousse
six years ago: Pumpkin Granola
seven years ago: Pizza Sauce

Honey Sweetened Banana Berry Oat Muffins

Servings: 12
Time: 30 minutes
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from Bowl of Delicious

Ingredients:

1/2 cup coconut oil
1/4 cup honey
2 large eggs
1/2 cup Greek yogurt or sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ripe bananas, mashed
1 1/2 cups white whole wheat flour (I’ve also used 3/4 cup whole wheat flour and 3/4 cup all purpose flour, and the original recipe calls for 1 1/2 cups whole wheat pastry flour… so you have options!)
1 cup old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
pinch of nutmeg
1 1/2 cups blueberries (or other berries)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a 12 cup muffin tin with paper or silicone liners, or grease well.

In a large bowl, whisk together coconut oil, honey, yogurt, and vanilla until well combined. Fold in mashed banana.

In a separate bowl, stir together flour, oats, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly add dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and gently mix together. Do not overmix! Fold in blueberries.

Divide batter between muffin wells, then bake for 18-25 minutes or until just golden brown on the top. Mine are usually done in about 19-20 minutes. After cooling for a few minutes in the tin, invert on a cooling rack to cool completely.

Notes:

Original recipe can be prepared using a stand mixer as well.

I make these muffins using silicone liners and they usually make about 24, instead of the 12 this recipe says it yields. I think they’re a bit smaller though.

Store in an airtight container or ziptop bag on the counter for up to 3 days. These muffins freeze beautifully too.

Bars, Desserts, Recipes

Flourless Monster Cookie Bars (Gluten Free)

May 31, 2017May 30, 2017 Sarah

These monster cookie bars are an easy, chewy dessert that you’ll enjoy all summer long! They’re also a great gluten-free dessert when made with gluten-free oats so everyone will enjoy them!

These monster cookie bars are an easy, chewy dessert that you'll enjoy all summer long! They're also a great gluten-free dessert when made with gluten-free oats so everyone will enjoy them!

I LOVE cookie bars. I love cookies too, but making them can be a huge pain. So I usually choose to make cookie bars. This recipe intrigued me because they looked ooey gooey (especially the center pieces!) AND they’re baked in a half size sheet pan so the recipe makes a ton! They’re perfect for every social event of the summer, from cookouts to pool parties and everything in between. Of course, they can also be made year-round. 🙂

These monster cookie bars are an easy, chewy dessert that you'll enjoy all summer long! They're also a great gluten-free dessert when made with gluten-free oats so everyone will enjoy them!

As with any other Monster Cookie, these bars are full of oats, peanut butter deliciousness, M&Ms, and mini chocolate chips. As the recipe is written, it calls for both old-fashioned and quick oats. It’s a texture thing I guess, and I’ve always followed the recipe in that way everytime I’ve made them. I usually just pulse some old-fashioned oats in the food processor to achieve a finer texture. If you only have one kind of oats or the other, that’s fine too… the recipe should turn out.

These monster cookie bars are an easy, chewy dessert that you'll enjoy all summer long! They're also a great gluten-free dessert when made with gluten-free oats so everyone will enjoy them!

One reason I was excited to make these cookie bars (aside from their simplicity and fabulous, addictive taste) is that they are so easy to make gluten free! Our family isn’t gluten free (and I’m not an expert) BUT I do have some friends who are, so I like to have some tried and true recipes on hand that they can enjoy as well. For this recipe, you just need to make sure to use gluten free oats. In my experience, most of the other ingredients should be gluten free naturally–but check labels if this is an issue for you, particularly for the peanut butter, vanilla, and M&Ms. If you are gluten free and I missed anything, please feel free to share in the comments! I hope you love these bars as much as we do!

These monster cookie bars are an easy, chewy dessert that you'll enjoy all summer long! They're also a great gluten-free dessert when made with gluten-free oats so everyone will enjoy them!

P.S. They free wonderfully and taste great at room temperature or heated up in the microwave for 10-15 seconds–so don’t be afraid of the large batch… I’m sure you’ll find a use for them. 🙂

one year ago: Honey Banana Muffins
two years ago: Ricotta Pancakes
three years ago: Italian Tortilla Rollups
four years ago: Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese
five years ago: Cinnamon Carrot Muffins
six years ago: Sweet Potato Waffles

Flourless Monster Cookie Bars (Gluten Free)

Servings: 45 small bars
Time: 30 minutes
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from Together as Family

Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter (I use regular/not natural peanut butter for baking)
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cups gluten-free quick oats (I usually just pulse old-fashioned oats a couple times in the food processor to break them down a bit)
3 cups gluten-free old-fashioned oats
1-2 cups mini M&Ms (pssst: at my grocery story, mini M&Ms found in the candy aisle are cheaper than the “baking bits” M&Ms found in the baking aisle and seem to be the same)
1 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 13×18 inch rimmed baking sheet (half size sheet pan) with parchment or a silpat.

With a stand mixer, beat together brown sugar, sugar, peanut butter, and butter until light and fluffy. Mix in eggs and vanilla, and beat until combined. Mix in baking soda.

Add oats and beat on low to just combine, then use a wooden spoon to mix in most of the M&Ms and mini chocolate chips until well incorporated. You can save a little of each to press on top of the bars if desired.

Turn out dough onto prepared baking sheet. Spread the dough out–it is a little tricky, but i found that greasing my hands or a spatula were the best ways to spread out the dough. Top with reserved M&Ms and mini chocolate chips, pressing them in gently.

Bake for about 17-20 minutes–do not overbake! The edges should be just browned and the middle will look underdone but it will finish baking as it cools. Cool for at least an hour so the bars can set.

Once cool, slice and enjoy! These bars also freeze well.

Note: I am not an expert, but I THINK if you use gluten free oats, this would be a great gluten free dessert recipe. From what I’ve read, most M&Ms (including mini M&Ms) are gluten free. You may need to check labels of other ingredients like the vanilla and peanut butter–the brands I use at home are gluten free but all are not. If you’re gluten free and I’ve overlooked anything, please chime in!

Breakfast, Oatmeal, Recipes

S’mores Oatmeal

April 26, 2017April 25, 2017 Sarah

Creamy oats topped with your favorite campfire dessert… S’mores! What could be a better way to wake up?

Creamy oats topped with your favorite campfire dessert... S'mores! What could be a better way to wake up?

I looove oatmeal for breakfast. No matter the weather, I could eat oatmeal almost everyday (and sometimes I do!). Sometimes I like them cold (yay overnight oats!), and sometimes I like them hot (made with milk and topped with berries and almonds)… and sometimes I like them baked (but not in the pot nine days old #thankyouverymuch).

Creamy oats topped with your favorite campfire dessert... S'mores! What could be a better way to wake up?

Flahavan’s recently sent me a fun little oat-licious care package that included a box of their famed Irish Oatmeal and some packets of quick-cooking steel cut oats. Both were DELICIOUS! There’s something to be said about enjoying oats from Ireland made by a family who has been in the oat business for over 200 years. I think these people know oats! And what Flahavan’s is known for is their flaked oats that cook up fast (only three minutes on the stovetop!) and creamy as can be. Thank you, Flahavan’s, for letting me try your amazing oatmeal! Now I know what all the hype with Irish oats is… and I’ll be seeking them out. If you’re curious, you can find out where to buy them yourself here.

Creamy oats topped with your favorite campfire dessert... S'mores! What could be a better way to wake up?

Naturally, I had to fancy up my first bowl of Flahavan’s oats. Since Ben was out when I made my morning oatmeal, I decided to top my oats with a combo that only I would enjoy… S’MORES! Ben does like s’mores, but s’morifying other recipes isn’t really his jam… oh well, more for me! So I wasn’t basically eating dessert for breakfast, I chose to be intentional about the amounts of marshmallows and chocolate chips I added to my oatmeal. That way I didn’t go overboard! Is this is a bowl of oatmeal I’d eat everyday? No, probably not. But it’s a fun treat! The best part is that these oats cook up in just a few minutes and are the absolute creamiest oats I’ve ever tasted! I think some of that is the marshmallows stirred into the hot oats, but it is also the Irish oats doing their thing. 🙂 Hope you enjoy!!

one year ago: Bacon, Potato, and Egg Casserole
two years ago: Cheesy Taco Muffins
three years ago: Coconut Curry Popcorn
four years ago: Guacamole Salsa
five years ago: Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls with Maple Icing
six years ago: Sausage Egg Apple Strata

S'mores Oatmeal

Servings: 1 but can be easily scaled up
Time: 7 minutes
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Ingredients:

1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup Flahavan’s Irish Oatmeal (or other old-fashioned oatmeal)
dash of cinnamon
dash of vanilla
15 mini marshmallows, divided
1 tablespoon graham cracker crumbs, divided
1 tablespoon sliced, toasted almonds
1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Combine milk, water, Flahavan’s Oats, and cinnamon in a small saucepan set over medium-high heat. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and cook until liquid has absorbed, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla and half of the marshmallows and half of the graham cracker crumbs. Stir until melted, then transfer to a serving bowl. Top with remaining marshmallows, graham cracker crumbs, almonds, and chocolate chips. Enjoy immediately!

Disclosure: I received samples of Flahavan’s Irish Oatmeal to try. However, I was not required to blog about them or provide positive feedback. I was not compensated in any other way. The thoughts expressed above are entirely my own. Thanks to Flahavan’s for some great oats!