Maple Pecan Pie Oatmeal
This Maple Pecan Pie Oatmeal is loaded with warming Fall flavors!
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Do you guys ever sit back and reminisce about past vacations? Of course you do! Nothing cheers up a dull Monday morning or Tuesday afternoon like thinking back about awesome vacation memories! If you catch me daydreaming, then chances are I’m somewhere in either an Italian vineyard or the Scottish highlands.
My wife and I went to Scotland several years ago, and it was hands-down one of our favorite vacations! In order to truly see the Scottish countryside, we decided to rent a car. But here’s the thing. Those crazy Scots drive on the wrong side of the road. (Well, wrong is relative here. But it was still wrong to me!) And the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car. In this case, two wrongs most definitely do not make a right. Nope. Two wrongs just make you more confused than ever.
With my wife as co-pilot reminding me which way to look at intersections, we managed to get around Scotland quite well. Well, there was that time that we ended up driving right smack through the middle of Edinburgh…but that’s a story for another time. Nothing tests your mettle behind the wheel like driving some hairpin turns on very narrow 2-lane roads in the Scottish highlands. (Did I mention that the oncoming traffic often includes very large tour buses? Yeah…)
Don’t let me scare you here, though! If When we go back to Scotland, we will totally rent a car again. It’s the best way to get out of the cities and up into the beautiful towns that make Scotland so awesome. I recently heard about the World Porridge Making Championship hosted every year in Carrbridge, Scotland. As if I needed yet another reason to go back to Scotland…
My wife is a huge fan of hotel breakfasts. Yes, hotel breakfasts. Why is that, you ask? Well, it’s solely because hotel breakfasts often include real oatmeal. (No offense to you, little packet of instant oatmeal…but you just aren’t slow-cooked oatmeal.) Slow-cooked oatmeal gets such a bad rap because it takes a bit longer to make. Sure, it takes longer than 45 seconds in the microwave…but the increased flavor more than makes up for the time!
Speaking of time, here’s the thing about that slow-cooked oatmeal. It only takes about 30 minutes to make, and it reheats incredibly well. You can make a big pot of it at the beginning of the week, and then just reheat it with a splash of milk for easy breakfasts all week long. My wife and I have been waking up to a bowl of this Maple Pecan Pie Oatmeal for the past week…and it’s been awesome! I actually look forward to getting out of bed to grab my bowl of oatmeal and a cup of hot coffee.
Remember that World Porridge Making Championship I mentioned? Well, the team from Bob’s Red Mill went over there a couple of years ago…and they won the whole thing. In fact, they were the first team from outside of Scotland to win. That’s legit! Bob’s Red Mill claimed the title for World’s Best Oatmeal. And unlike Buddy’s discovery of “World’s Best Coffee” in Elf, this actually is the World’s Best Oatmeal.
Starting with Steel Cut Oats from Bob’s Red Mill, I set out to create a hearty Fall-inspired oatmeal. I knew pecans needed to be involved, and I also wanted to use a bit of maple syrup. That’s when it hit me. Maple Pecan Pie Oatmeal. This delicious oatmeal features all of the warming Fall flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg, and it’s sweetened with a bit of maple syrup, brown sugar and dried cranberries. Oh, and did I mention that it reheats in about the same time that it takes to make one of those packets of instant oats?
Have you ever been to Scotland?
Want to go with me to the next World Porridge Making Championship?
Did you make this Maple Pecan Pie Oatmeal at home? Leave a comment. Or snap a photo and tag me on Instagram (@Spicedblog)! Cheers!
Looking for more tasty breakfast ideas? Check out these other favorite recipes:
Cranberry Oat Muffins
Bacon & Egg Breakfast Casserole
Pineapple Peach Oatmeal Smoothie
3-Cheese Breakfast Grilled Cheese
Oat Bran Muffins
Maple Pecan Pie Oatmeal
Ingredients
For the Oatmeal
- 2 cups milk
- 1½ cups water
- 1 cup steel-cut oats
- 2 Tbsp dark brown sugar
- 3 Tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
Toppings
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- 1 Tbsp ground flaxseed optional
Instructions
For the Oatmeal
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Using a large sauce pan, add the milk and water; bring to a boil.
- Add the oats, brown sugar and maple syrup; reduce heat to low.
- Simmer uncovered on low heat for 20-25 minutes, stirring every 5-6 minutes. Make sure to scrape the bottom of the pan each time you stir.
- Meanwhile, place the chopped pecans on a baking sheet. Toast pecans in 350°F oven for 4-5 minutes. (Tip: Keep a close eye on the pecans as they can burn quickly.) Set toasted pecans aside.
- Cook until oats are tender and creamy. (Note: If the oatmeal becomes too thick as it cooks, just stir in a splash of milk.)
- Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Divide oatmeal into bowls and top with toasted pecans, dried cranberries and flaxseed (optional).
Notes
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Bob’s Red Mill.
The opinions and recipe are all my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Spiced!
Oh wow – guess I shouldn’t be too surprised that Bob’s Red Mill won the World Porridge Making Championships!!! They do seem to know a tad bit about the ingredients involved 🙂 YES – Lil Shashi and I will go with you and your brood to the next World Porridge Making Championships – heck – we should try and get a job as taste testers – you in?
I am always up for dessert in oatmeal form – and this recipe does the humble oat justice!
Woohoo! Let’s make it a big field trip over to Scotland! But you get to drive this time! 😉 And yes, I am ALWAYS up for oatmeal…especially when the weather starts to get cold!
I’m ALWAYS reminiscing about past vacations, most of the time it makes me happy, but sometimes it’s just sad! Ha! I’m a BIG oatmeal girl in the mornings, probably four days out of the week it’s what I have, so I’m kind of in love with this!
I hear ya, Nicole! Those vacation memories are the best…until you realize you’re sitting at your desk daydreaming instead of exploring the Scottish Highlands or wandering around the Roman Forum. Oops. But delicious oatmeal (esp on cold mornings) helps bring me out of the rut! 🙂
I’m a convert to oatmeal after hating it for most of my childhood. Just wasn’t adding the right mix-ins! I’m with your wife I LOVE hotel breakfasts, specifically European hotel breakfasts so many options!
This sounds perfect for these brisk autumn mornings 🙂
Oh my gosh, don’t even get me started on European hotel breakfasts. Our last trip to Europe involved a stay in Brussels, and the breakfast there was seriously one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten! Not lying! Thanks, Lauren! 🙂
World Porridge Making Championship?! Take me please, David – I’ll beat you in this competition! Wait…if you make this delicious oatmeal bowl, I won’t have any chance. Indeed, I would vote for you. Well, do you think I have any chance with lavender oatmeal, ha-ha?! Well done – so hearty and healthy! But why didn’t you put apples?:)
Haha…well I do appreciate each and every vote, Ben…but I don’t think I’ll make it over to the championship this year. Maybe we should start putting a team together for next year’s competition. We could have practice meetings where we sit around and eat lots of oatmeal…you know, just to make sure we put our best foot forward in the competition! Oh, and apple season is over, Ben…that is just so September. Wake up and smell the pumpkin! Haha! 🙂
I’ve never been to Scotland, but they have everything mixed up in England too! The car we rented was a stick shift – talk about confusing! There is nothing confusing about pecan pie slow cooked oatmeal though! I’m sure you can win the porridge contest with this recipe!
Oh man, we had to make sure we didn’t get a stick shift rental car…that’s just one too many things for me to try to think about! But the good news is that next time I go to Scotland, I’m just going to bring you along as my driver. 🙂 I’ll pay you in oatmeal, k?
Hi David! Oatmeal (not instant) is the only hot cereal I like and you have just upped the ante! Now I want you to come up with an apple pie version! Can I have some bacon on the side? 🙂
Apple pie and bacon oatmeal? I think that could totally be a thing, Dorothy! I’m heading to the kitchen now…I’m hungry for some oatmeal! 🙂
I would LEAP out of bed for this!
Haha…thanks so much, Sue! 🙂
This look awesome! Dessert for breakfast? Yes please!!
Thanks, Medha…I love oatmeal on crisp Autumn mornings!
A porridge making championship! Wow…that sounds so awesome! This recipe should absolutely win first prize….I think you should sign up!
Haha…I would sign up, but only as an excuse to go back to Scotland! That was seriously one of our favorite vacations, and we’ll definitely be making a return one day. Maybe we should time it to swing by the porridge championships!
I love Bob’s Red Mill Oatmeal so I am not surprised that they won. Love all the fall flavors in this delicious breakfast!
You and me both! Thanks so much, Manali! 🙂
Oatmeal is such a great breakfast in the mornings… My son absolutely loves it and I think he would love this combo!
This combo is one of my favorites, Tasha…especially on these chilly mornings! Thanks!
I no joke finished shooting a slow cooker oatmeal recipe the other day and while delicious…I legit have enough for the rest of Fall and Winter so you bet I’ll be giving this recipe a whirl! Porridge championships sounds awesome- Although not sure I’d want to be a taste tester there- Imagine how full you’d be after like…3 samples.
Haha! Oatmeal for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Casa de Arman! Hey, there could be worse things…like people thinking you are one of the Kardashian sisters. 🙂
Who would have thought there was such a thing as the World Porridge Making Championship? But hey, that would be fun to attend.
I am always thinking of past vacations, especially with cooking or baking. I always try to take away a recipe or ten from travels. This looks mighty tasty and since it actually rained here this morning in San Diego (I know go figure!) it would have hit the spot.
I totally agree, Kevin! This is my first time hearing of the World Porridge Making Championship…but now I am totally intrigued! Traveling is the best for coming up with new recipe inspiration, right? 🙂
This could easily replace pecan pie after the main event on Thanksgiving!
Haha! I guess it could, GiGi! It would be like breakfast for dessert! 🙂
There is nothing like a bowl of oatmeal in the morning or for a late night snack, at least to me.:) Truly digging your recipe, thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Nancy! Oatmeal is the best breakfast/snack/dessert ever…especially now that the weather is turning cold! 🙂
I love reminiscing about past holidays! I’ve always wanted to travel up to Scotland and see Edinburgh – a trip is definitely on my bucket list! 😀 The oatmeal looks delicious, love the maple pecan combo! I’m always looking for new oatmeal topping ideas, so I’m definitely going to try this one!
Oh my gosh, Jess…go to Edinburgh! It is the most amazing city ever! But wait and go in August when the Tattoo and The Fringe are going on. But beware…you might not want to come home. 🙂 And thank you for the kind words about the oatmeal…this one truly is delicious!