Recipe: Mocha Crunch Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of the healthiest breakfasts you can eat, and I usually like to keep the toppings pretty simple. But once in a while, why not make it just a little indulgent? Adding rich espresso and cocoa powder – and just a few nuts and chocolate chips on top – combines my morning bowl of oatmeal with my favorite winter drink, the mocha.

The espresso and cocoa powder give the oatmeal lots of rich flavor, and a few chocolate chips on top just puts it over the top. And because we like a little something crunchy with our oatmeal – indulgent or not – we added a few chopped nuts. We suggest mixed nuts for extra crunch, but plain almonds or cashews would work as well.

Check out Emma’s tips on How to Cook Perfect Steel Cut Oats. In fact, we’ve followed her recipe below, with a few sweet add-ins.

I love my morning oatmeal, but I get stuck in my same old routine of plain oats with maple syrup and milk. So I’ve had my eye on Joanna’s recipe for a while. It’s barely more work than regular oatmeal (just add some espresso and cocoa), and the crunchy topping of nuts and chocolate was a seductive little treat for a cold winter morning.

This came together so easily and quickly. I like my oats fairly al dente, so I only cooked it for 20 minutes. The cocoa and coffee flavors were just right — not overpowering — and the oatmeal wasn’t too sweet either.

And, like any steel-cut oatmeal, this is very good the next day. Just warm in the microwave or on the stove with a little extra milk to thin it out. If you like a little chocolate with your breakfast, this is a great pick.

— Faith, March 2014