This healthy vegan brownie batter oatmeal is just like having dessert for breakfast and requires no effort but some simple prep the night before! High in protein, gluten free and with a sugar free option- Give your breakfast a sweet start!



Four weeks ago, I was quite skeptical about publishing a post proclaiming that I was about to undertake a reader’s challenge and tackle several eating styles within a there month time span- Paleo, Vegan, Low carb and one meal a day based around protein powder.

While I was confident with the paleo, protein powder and low carb challenges (the latter only being for a week, thank goodness), I’ve been skeptical about the vegan one.

Fellow bloggers who have often posted vegan recipes would be well aware of this, as I often leave comments about how delicious their food looks, and how I’d go vegan for it….with the intentions of eating a steak later. This is all in good humour but on a deeper level, this dietary choice eliminates many of my daily staples-

Eggs- I’ve been on a huge egg kick lately especially as eating these Paleo Flatbreads and Cinnamon Raisin Flatbreads have been eaten on the constant all week.

I’ve been on a huge egg kick lately especially as eating these and have been eaten on the constant all week. Cheese- I went through a phase of literally eating a block of cheese for breakfast all week (thanks to these posts for reminding me). I’ve toned it down slightly but it is still eaten daily- Especially when it comes to stuffing them in waffles, sweet potatoes in some cakes or going crazy and adding four times to these crispy pancakes .

I went through a phase of literally (thanks to these posts for reminding me). I’ve toned it down slightly but it is still eaten daily- Especially when it comes to or going crazy and adding four times to . Meat- I’m a consistent meat eater, but went crazy on the chicken during the first couple of weeks of the paleo challenge. Besides, chicken and bacon combined is like chocolate and peanut butter.

I’m a consistent meat eater, but went crazy on the chicken during the first couple of weeks of the paleo challenge. Besides, is like chocolate and peanut butter. Fish- I eat fish 5-6 times a week, whether it be in the form of canned sardines, or doctoring up a can of tuna or salmon to make these curried salmon patties.

I looked through my recipe archives for vegan recipes and except for this slow cooker vegetable korma and this vegan chili, the rest are all sweet treats or healthy snacks. Now that it’s literally the peak of Summer, whipping out my slow cooker will NOT be happening. So what’s a boy supposed to do?

Make vegan pancakes and eat them three times a day.

Just kidding.

It’s amazing how we can subconsciously perceive a dietary lifestyle to be ‘restrictive’ when in reality, it can be the necessary push to branch out and try some new recipes- Something I’ve actually enjoyed doing since the beginning of this! I’ve started slowly with working with things I’m confident with and for me- It’s breakfast foods, notably oatmeal.

Long term readers would remember me going through a phase last year of creating oatmeal recipes which tasted like you were eating dessert for breakfast and based off some of my favourite sweet treats. A key element to achieving that texture was due to adding an egg– Something the vegan challenge prohibited me to do. Enter- Trying out different egg substitutes. I’ve had experience with making flax ‘eggs’ before, but never tried other versions. I knew some had success using a ‘chia’ egg so I wanted to try it out with this.

…….I still need to practice with chia eggs. I turned a beautiful bowl of oats into…..slime?

Let’s leave it there for now.

I went back to my true and tested method of using flax and the texture was perfect and what I was after. These healthy brownie batter oats aren’t false advertising here– The texture is actually like brownie batter and the taste reminds me of my favourite brownie recipe batter. After a recent reader survey and some feedback on my Facebook page, many chimed in for options which catered for those who avoided sugar so this one fits the bill.

These oats are the perfect grab and go breakfast because all you need to do is prep it the night before and in the morning- Add extra non dairy milk, and some not optional chocolate chips and dig in. Like all my other oat recipes, I really recommend following the method of pre cooking it the night before because it gives you that texture- We’re all about texture here.

TEXTURE. Say it with me, TEXTURE.

Okay, that was lame. I’ll leave it here. Make this healthy vegan brownie batter oatmeal which is high protein, gluten free and can be made completely sugar free too.

As for the chia seeds- You haven’t won this battle yet.

Healthy Vegan Brownie Batter Oatmeal These healthy vegan brownie batter oatmeal is just like having dessert for breakfast and requires no effort but some simple prep the night before! High in protein, gluten free and with a sugar free option- Give your breakfast a sweet start! 5 from 1 vote Print Servings: 1 Author: Arman @ thebigmansworld Ingredients 1/2 cup gluten free oat bran can sub for rolled oats or quick oats

pinch sea salt

1 1/4 cups dairy free milk divided (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)*

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

1 Flax egg 1 T flax meal + 3 T water

1 scoop vegan chocolate protein powder 32 grams**

1 T coconut flour sifted (can sub for almond flour)***

1 T cocoa powder

1 T sweetener of choice I used coconut palm sugar

Dairy free chocolate chips for topping Instructions Combine oat bran, salt, 1 cup of dairy free milk and vanilla essence in a saucepan or microwave safe bowl until most of the liquid is absorbed. Stir through the flax 'egg' very well and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes, until oats are fluffy.

Stir in the vanilla protein powder, coconut flour, cocoa powder and sweetener of choice until fully combined- Oat bran mixture should be extremely thick. Add in the extra 1/4 cup of dairy free milk if needed and ensure it is well mixed. Once this is done, refrigerate uncovered.

The next morning, stir the oatmeal very well and add extra non dairy milk if needed before adding the chocolate chips or other toppings of choice. Eat cold for a delicious, brownie batter taste or can be eaten warm- Add chocolate chips post heating! Notes * Adjust accordingly- Protein powders vary by brand and some require more/less liquid. One brand I needed an extra 3/4 cup milk, another brand was perfect as it was.

** Can omit- If you do, reduce the dairy free milk by at 1/4 cup

*** The coconut flour or almond flour is key for the batter like texture- If you choose to omit, the next morning, stir through an extra tablespoon of raw oats Tried this recipe? Give us a shout at @thebigmansworld or tag #thebigmansworld

Craving more oats? That’s not uncommon. Try one of these ones below!

Healthy Tiramisu Oatmeal (Gluten Free, Sugar Free, High Protein)

Healthy Cinnamon Bun Oatmeal (Gluten Free, Sugar Free, High Protein)

Healthy Cake Batter Oatmeal (Gluten Free, Sugar Free, High Protein)

Healthy Caramel Cookie Dough Oatmeal (Gluten Free, Sugar Free, High Protein)

Have you ever eaten a vegan diet before?

What is a food staple you’d need to give up if you were to try going vegan?

What’s your current breakfast food?