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High-Protein Overnight Oats that Taste Like Carrot Cake
For anyone who prioritizes protein in their diet, it’s crucial to include a good dose at each meal. This approach allows our bodies to efficiently utilize protein for cell rebuilding throughout the day. Fortunately, there are numerous high-protein breakfast options available, and one popular choice is overnight oats.
Overnight oats not only enable easy meal prep, but they also offer a blank canvas for customization. By incorporating various healthy mix-ins and flavors, you can create a nutritious breakfast that suits your palate. For instance, this particular recipe is inspired by carrot cake, featuring grated carrots, sweet maple syrup, and chopped pecans, all while packing a whopping 21 grams of protein.
Key Ingredients That Provide Protein
- Greek Yogurt: This ingredient contributes to the creaminess of overnight oats and significantly boosts the protein content, adding approximately 9 grams of protein per serving.
- Rolled Oats: The star of the dish, rolled oats are rich in fiber and deliver around 5 grams of protein per half-cup. For an even higher protein content, you can opt for Bob’s Red Mill High Protein Oats, which provide 60% more protein than traditional oats.
- Milk: The type of milk you choose can vary depending on your preferences, but soy milk is recommended in this recipe due to its protein content, which is comparable to 1% cow’s milk.
- Chia Seeds: These tiny superfoods are packed with fiber and protein, offering about 4 grams of protein per tablespoon. They are also rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.
- Nuts and Nut Butters: Nuts add crunch, flavor, and additional protein. In this recipe, toasted pecans are used, but feel free to incorporate almond or peanut butter for a different taste.
Recipe Overview:
Yields: 4 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Calories per Serving: 541
Ingredients:
- 2 cups unsweetened soy milk (plus more for thinning)
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk Greek yogurt
- 3 tsp pure maple syrup
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt
- 1 1/4 cups rolled oats
- 1 large carrot (8 oz), scrubbed and coarsely grated (equivalent to 2 1/2 cups)
- 2/3 cup toasted pecans, chopped (plus more for topping)
- 1/2 cup raisins, roughly chopped (plus more for topping)
- 1/4 cup toasted unsweetened coconut chips, lightly crushed
- 1/4 cup chia seeds
Directions:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the soy milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
- Stir in the oats, grated carrot, pecans, raisins, coconut chips, and chia seeds until well combined. Divide the mixture among four jars, cover, and refrigerate overnight or up to three days.
- When ready to serve, adjust the consistency with additional soy milk as needed and top with more pecans, raisins, and coconut, if desired.
Nutrition per Serving:
- Approximately 541 calories
- 27 grams of fat (6 grams saturated)
- 21 grams of protein
- 60 grams of carbohydrates (13 grams fiber)
Trusting the recipe testing process, the Women’s Health team carefully develops and cross-tests each recipe to ensure quality and taste before it reaches your kitchen.
If you’re keen on high-protein meals to kickstart your day, consider making these delicious, nutritious overnight oats that delight your taste buds like a slice of carrot cake while meeting your dietary goals. Enjoy your morning macros!
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