Vegan mocha banana oats

Vegan mocha banana oats with rolled oats, espresso, cocoa and fried banana – a creamy breakfast with chia seeds, almond milk and cacao nibs.

At a glance

• Serves 2
• Prep time: 10 min
• Cooking time: 5 min
• Total time: 15 min
• Calories: 350 kcal per serving
• Protein: 12 g
• Fat: 8 g
• Carbs: 55 g

Ingredients

• 70 g rolled oats
• 1 double espresso
• 150 ml almond milk
• 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 spoonful of chia seeds
• 1 overripe banana
• Coconut oil for the pan
• 1 tbsp cacao nibs

Method

You’ll need: frying pan · chopping board · knife · mixing bowl

1. Mix the oats and chia seeds in a bowl so they're evenly combined.
2. Stir the espresso with the almond milk and cocoa powder until smooth. Add the mixture to the oats and stir everything well.
3. Leave the oats to soak briefly, or overnight in the fridge, until they turn creamy.
4. Cut the banana into thick slices. Heat a little coconut oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry the slices on both sides until golden brown.
5. Place the fried banana on top of the mocha oats and, if needed, leave the bowl to stand for a moment so the temperatures even out a little.
6. Sprinkle with cacao nibs and serve straight away.

Good to know

When coffee and breakfast come together, mornings get a lot more pleasant. These oats are creamy and chocolatey, and the warm banana makes them feel really cosy.

Swaps

Almond milk → unsweetened soya milk (usually more protein). Chia seeds → ground linseed (also provides fibre and omega-3 fatty acids). Cacao nibs → chopped walnuts (more unsaturated fatty acids).

Allergens

Contains tree nuts (almond milk) and gluten (oats, unless labelled gluten-free). Because of the espresso it's only partly suitable for children, and during pregnancy it makes sense to keep an eye on your total caffeine intake.

Frequently asked questions

What's in oats, nutritionally?

Oats provide complex carbohydrates, fibre, manganese, magnesium, iron and some B vitamins. Oats are especially known for beta-glucans, a particular type of soluble fibre.

What do chia seeds contain?

Chia seeds contain fibre, plant protein and alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. They also contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

Is cocoa more than just flavour?

Yes, cocoa powder contains polyphenols plus minerals such as magnesium and iron, among others. How much it contains depends heavily on processing and origin.

What does the banana bring to this recipe?

Ripe banana tastes mild and brings carbohydrates plus potassium and vitamin B6. Very ripe bananas taste sweeter, which many people enjoy without any extra sweetening.

What should you bear in mind about the espresso in the oats?

Espresso mainly provides caffeine and various aroma compounds from roasting. If you're sensitive to caffeine, adjust the amount or use decaf espresso.

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