Brownie Oatmeal | Vegan and Gluten-Free

A decadent dessert like breakfast, this Brownie Oatmeal is rich and chocolaty topped with a peanut butter drizzle, and chocolate shavings. It’s naturally sweetened, vegan, and gluten-free.

I’m always on the lookout for new plant-based breakfast ideas, and if I can find an excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast, you better believe I’m going to do it! I’ve made my Chocolate Smoothie Bowl and my Chocolate Chia Pudding and today I bring you oats!!

This Brownie Oatmeal brings my love for fudgy chocolate brownies and oats together to create a healthy breakfast that’s full of nutrients and keeps me feeling full and satisfied until lunch!

In my house I’m the oatmeal eater. My husband isn’t crazy about it, and neither are my kids. Often I find myself making a single serving of oats just for me.

My love for oats has already led me to post quite a few oatmeal recipes already. If you’re looking for an overnight oats recipe try my Peanut Butter Overnight Oats. It’s a reader favorite!

This recipe is made for one. But it can easily be doubled or tripled to make more than one serving.

Why are oats a great breakfast option?

Oats are a big part of my weekly diet as a plant-based vegan. They are heart healthy, full of vitamins and nutrients, naturally gluten-free, and always keep me fulling full and satisfied without the need to snack until lunch!

When I’m working a long day, and need added energy, and don’t have time to stop for a snack, it’s especially important that I eat my oats in the morning!

How did this recipe come to be?

Not too long ago I started playing around with adding cacao powder to my oats. Cacao powder is high in protein, fiber, magnesium and iron. It’s also high in antioxidants. Without the added sugar cacao is a nutrient rich superfood!

I stirred in a tablespoon with my oats and the result was a rich chocolatey oatmeal that reminded me of a fudgy brownie! I couldn’t help myself from adding a little peanut butter drizzle and one teaspoon of dark chocolate shavings!

It’s pure decadence! And has now become my go to stovetop oats recipe!

Why You’ll Love this Brownie Oatmeal…

• Rich, fudgy, and chocolatey
• High in vitamins and nutrients
• Naturally sweetened
• Done in 10 minutes
• 4 simple ingredients
• Makes for a quick morning breakfast
• Vegan
• Gluten-Free
• Whole food plant-based ingredients

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Rolled Oats-Rolled oats need a little more cooking time than quick oats but have a better texture.
• Water
• Cacao powder-This is the brand I use! It’s a healthy plant-based superfood!
• Vanilla Extract-You just need a small amount. It helps bring out the flavor of the chocolate.
• Maple Syrup-This adds a touch of natural sweetness, you can adjust the amount or leave out all together.
• Peanut butter (optional)-I drizzled about one teaspoon of natural peanut butter over my oats to give it that extra creaminess.
• Dark chocolate shavings (optional)-I use one square of dairy free dark chocolate and chop it into chunks, then sprinkle about 1 teaspoon on top of my oats.

Tools and Equipment You’ll Need

• Measuring Cups and Spoons-You’ll need these to get the measurements for your ingredients.
• Saucepan-A small saucepan is all you’ll need to cook your oats stovetop.
• Spatula-A spatula to fold all the ingredients together. I like using a spatula rather than a spoon because it helps me easily get all the oats out of the pan.

How to Make Brownie Oatmeal – Step by Step

Step 1: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Optional add ¼ teaspoon of salt to the water.

Step 2: Add ½ cup rolled oats. Bring back to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 5-8 minutes or until oats begin to thicken.

Step 3: Add cacao powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Heat for an additional minute.

Step 4: Transfer to bowl. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of natural peanut butter, and 1 teaspoon of dark chocolate shavings. Enjoy!

What makes brownie oatmeal healthy?

• High in Vitamins and Nutrients-Cacao powder is a superfood that’s high in antioxidants known as flavonoids. It’s also naturally high in iron and magnesium.
• High in Fiber-Oats are high in fiber which helps you feel fuller longer and aids in healthy digestion.
• Low in fat and calories-For a decadent chocolate dessert like breakfast, this recipe sure does beat a donut! It has 225 calories, and 4 grams of fat. Unlike a donut, you won’t be hungry an hour later!

Top Tips for Making the Perfect Brownie Oatmeal

• For an even creamier texture to your oats you can use an unsweetened dairy free milk instead of water.
• If oats haven’t thickened enough remove from heat after 8 minutes and cover. Allow to sit for 2-3 minutes, and oats will continue to thicken.
• To get a nice drizzle with your peanut butter heat a tablespoon in the microwave for 10 seconds. This will give it a smoother texture perfect for drizzling.
• If you want an even more dramatic chocolate flavor add an additional tablespoon of cacao powder.

How to Serve

You can take this basic recipe for brownie oatmeal and add your favorite toppings to customize it to your liking.

I suggest unsweetened coconut shavings, almond butter, chopped nuts, chia or flax seeds, or sliced banana!

I enjoy this oatmeal for breakfast, but you can also make it as a healthy dessert or snack!

Check out these other nutritious oatmeal recipes!

• Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
• Protein Overnight Oats
• Vegan Baked Oatmeal
• Vegan Oatmeal Cookies

If you’ve tried this Brownie Oatmeal Recipe, please rate it and let me know how it turned out. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest for more plant-based vegan family recipes your whole family will enjoy!

Recipe