If you are looking for two easy recipes to please the tummies of your friends, family or guests this holiday season, check out these two delicious options from Joey - featured in our last two newsletters. Not only are these recipes easy to make but there's a good chance that you have almost all of the ingredients at home right now.
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Chai Baked Oatmeal
By Joey Mock, RD, LD, CLT
This baked oatmeal recipe uses the same chai spice blend as the energy balls (featured below). This recipe is easy to prepare and tasty and the leftovers are a quick and satisfying breakfast option. This recipe is not meant to make the entire pan in advance and refrigerate overnight because the oats will absorb too much liquid and result in an over-dry recipe that doesn’t turn out. You can mix up the wet ingredients and dry ingredients separately, refrigerate the wet ingredients, and then mix them together in the morning and bake. For an even faster breakfast, bake the oatmeal ahead of time; cool and refrigerate; and reheat the leftovers in the microwave or 300 degree oven until warmed through.
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ½ cup walnut pieces (optional)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 teaspoons chai spice blend*
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup fresh blueberries (or fresh raspberries, raisins, or dried cranberries or 1 apple, cut into small cubes)
- 1 large egg
- 2 cups low fat milk (or non-dairy milk)
- ⅓ cup pure maple syrup, plus ~1 tablespoon for drizzling
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional)
1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Butter an 8 x 8″ or 9 x 9″ pan. In a medium bowl, mix together the rolled oats, walnut pieces, baking powder, chai spice blend, and kosher salt.
- Spread the dry ingredients into the prepared pan. Add the blueberries (or other fruit) in a layer on top.
- In the same medium bowl, whisk the egg. Add the milk, maple syrup, and vanilla and whisk until combined.
- Drizzle the milk mixture over the oats in the prepared pan. Use a fork to lightly stir so it gets evenly incorporated.
- Bake about 40 minutes until the oat mixture has set and the top is golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes (or until it is fully set).
- Before serving, melt the butter with the remaining 1 tablespoon maple syrup (in the microwave or on the stove). Drizzle the butter over the top and serve.
- Enjoy!
Adapted from: A Couple Cooks recipe.
Chai Energy Balls
By Joey Mock, RD, LD, CLT
It’s the time of year again where there seems to be a sea of rich, holiday baked items everywhere! Try these no-bake Chai Energy Balls as an alternative with nutritional value for a tasty, quick, and convenient snack. Sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top for a festive touch. This recipe makes about 16 balls.
Ingredients
- ½ cup natural creamy almond butter
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ teaspoons chai spice blend (store-bought or make your own)*
- Pinch of Himalayan Pink Salt
- 1 cup quick cooking oats
- 3 tablespoons oat flour
- Powdered sugar for sprinkling if desired
1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
Preparation
- Place the almond butter, maple syrup, and vanilla in a large bowl and stir until smooth. Stir in chai spice blend and salt.
- Stir in oats and oat flour.
- Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to set (this will make the balls easier to roll).
- Remove the bowl from the refrigerator. Use a tablespoon to scoop mixture** and roll into balls.
- Place on wax paper. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.
- Store balls in an airtight container or Ziploc bag in the refrigerator or freeze for longer storage.
- Enjoy.
**Time saving tip: One of my favorite kitchen tools, an OXO 1 ½ Tablespoon cookie scoop, works great to quickly scoop the mixture into evenly sized balls. This tool would also make a great holiday gift for anyone who regularly makes energy balls (and/or cookies😁)