Perfectly creamy zucchini bread steel cut oatmeal! This healthy breakfast is filled with rich vanilla, warm cinnamon and shredded zucchini. And it’s dairy free, gluten free and vegan.

Tis the season for all things zucchini!

Whether your garden is producing more than you can use or you bought one too many at the store, this zucchini bread steel cut oatmeal is a delicious way to enjoy the bounty. It delivers the cozy flavors of classic zucchini bread in a warm, spoonable breakfast.

This recipe uses about 1 ½ cups of grated zucchini, folded into creamy steel cut oats so you get plenty of texture and moisture without any detectable “veggie” flavor—just like the best zucchini breads.

The oats are flavored with vanilla, cinnamon and a touch of almond extract for a bakery-like aroma. The result is comforting, subtly sweet, and wonderfully creamy with the pleasant chew of steel cut oats.

It reheats beautifully, too—make a batch on the weekend and enjoy quick, satisfying breakfasts throughout the week.

Tips & Tricks For This Zucchini Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal

1. Toast the oats briefly in oil before cooking. It only takes a couple minutes but adds a nutty depth of flavor that improves the final dish.
2. Stir more frequently toward the end of cooking and be sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the pan. This prevents sticking and helps the oats become luxuriously creamy.
3. Adjust the ground cinnamon and nutmeg to taste. The recipe keeps spices gentle, but you can increase them for a bolder spice profile.
4. Top the oatmeal with fresh blueberries or a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for extra texture and flavor.

How To Store

Let the oatmeal cool completely, then transfer it to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

When reheating, add a splash of almond milk or your preferred dairy-free milk to loosen the texture if desired.

Additional Oatmeal Recipes You Might Enjoy:

• Strawberries and Cream Steel Cut Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter & Jelly Baked Oatmeal
• Cranberry Apple Baked Oatmeal
• Baked Blueberry & Apple Oatmeal
• Dairy Free Overnight Oats (8 Ways!)
• Berry Vanilla Overnight Oats
• Morning Glory Overnight Oats

Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it below—I’d love to hear what you think.

Zucchini Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal

Yield:
about 4 servings

Prep Time:
5 minutes

Cook Time:
40 minutes

Total Time:
45 minutes

Perfectly creamy zucchini bread steel cut oatmeal! This healthy breakfast is filled with rich vanilla, warm cinnamon and shredded zucchini. And it’s dairy free, gluten free and vegan.

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tablespoon olive oil or coconut oil
• 1 cup steel cut oats
• 1 medium-large zucchini, grated and squeezed dry*
• 3 ½ to 4 tablespoons pure maple syrup, or to taste
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

1. Add the water and almond milk to a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer.
2. Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the steel cut oats and toast for about 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly golden.
3. Stir the toasted oats into the simmering liquid, reduce heat, and simmer gently for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Add the grated, well-drained zucchini and continue to simmer for about 10 more minutes, stirring more often and scraping the bottom and sides of the pan, until thick and creamy.
5. Remove from the heat and stir in the maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, vanilla and almond extract until evenly combined.
6. Let the oatmeal rest for at least 5 minutes, taste and adjust sweetness if needed, then serve with your favorite toppings.

Notes

*Place the grated zucchini in a clean dish towel and squeeze out excess moisture, then break it up with your fingers. You should have about 1 ½ cups after draining.

Serving suggestion: drizzle a little extra almond or canned coconut milk and sprinkle chopped raw walnuts or pecans for crunch.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 4
Serving Size: 1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 286Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 147mgCarbohydrates: 43gFiber: 5gSugar: 14gProtein: 6g

Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only.