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This Zucchini Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal is the yummiest way to get veggies in for breakfast. The recipe is easy, vegan, gluten-free, and can be made in a large batch for meal prep!

white bowl of zucchini bread steel cut oatmeal topped with almond butter, chocolate chips, and walnuts

I am a sucker for big-batch oatmeals, especially ones that taste like a creamy bowl of zucchini bread!!

If you’re looking for a comforting breakfast that is easy to make, delicious, while also getting in a serving of veggies before noon…you’ve come to the right place.

The base of this recipe is both vegan and gluten-free. I’ve given some topping ideas below (highly recommend the chocolate chips), but feel free to experiment.

What’s more – this oatmeal is also a great option for breakfast meal prep, as it stores and reheats well. Make a big batch, keep it in the fridge, and reheat throughout the week for a quick, healthy breakfast in minutes!

While I don’t personally have kids yet, I think this oatmeal recipe is a great way to sneak some veggies in their (or a picky adult’s) diet, too. Things that make a dietitian happy, right?!

I hope you enjoy this one as much as I do.

wooden cutting boards with bowls of ingredients

How To Make Zucchini Bread Oatmeal

I promise this oatmeal is extremely easy to make.

To start, grate zucchini using a cheese grater. If you don’t have a cheese grater, you can also shred the zucchini with a julienne peeler or in a food processor.

Once zucchini is grated, place steel cut oats, chia seeds, and ground cinnamon into a large saucepan. Give these dry ingredients a stir to combine.

Then, pour your liquid of choice (e.g. nut milk or water) and vanilla extract over the steel cut oats. Bring oats to a boil, stirring in grated zucchini. Reduce heat and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until all the liquid has been absorbed.

NOTE: Cooking times may vary depending on the type of steel cut oats you use. I personally love these quick-cooking steel cut oats from Bob’s Red Mill since they cook really fast! If you’re using regular steel cut oats, it will take about 15-20 minutes for the liquid to absorb.

overhead shot of large saucepan with zucchini bread oatmeal inside

Oatmeal Topping Ideas

I highly recommend topping this zucchini bread oatmeal with a sprinkle of chocolate chips. They melt in the oatmeal and make it taste SO good! If you’re vegan/dairy-free, just make sure the chocolate chips you choose are too!

The base of this recipe doesn’t have any sweetener, so if you’re not adding chocolate chips you will likely need to add a touch of maple syrup for a little sweetness.

I also recommend adding a scoop of creamy nut butter, like peanut, almond, or walnut. This adds a nice source of healthy fat and protein to this breakfast. Same goes with a sprinkle of raw walnuts, which is a common ingredient in regular zucchini bread!

If you’re not vegan or dairy-free, you could also stir in a scoop of plain Greek yogurt for an additional source of protein.

Storage & Reheating Notes

This zucchini bread steel cut oatmeal will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for at least 4 days. I usually reheat these oats in the microwave, but you could also reheat them on the stovetop, if you’d prefer.

Tip: keep any toppings separate, and only add them at time of serving.

side view of white bowl of zucchini bread steel cut oatmeal topped with almond butter, chocolate chips, and walnuts

Zucchini Nutrition Facts

This summer squash is rich in many micronutrients, including:

  • vitamin A
  • vitamin C
  • vitamin K
  • vitamin B6
  • folate
  • manganese
  • magnesium
  • potassium
  • copper

Zucchini is also a source of dietary fibre, with one medium zucchini providing 2 grams or 8% of your daily fibre needs.

Like other fruits and veggies, zucchini is also a great source of antioxidants, especially carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin, which are known to help keep your eyes healthy!

Steel Cut Oatmeal Nutrition Facts

Like other forms of oatmeal, steel cut oats are an excellent source of dietary fibre, with the majority being a soluble fibre called beta glucan.

Soluble fibre is known to help slow digestion, increase satiety, lower cholesterol, and improve blood sugar control.

Steel cut oats are also a great source of different micronutrients, like: 

  • B vitamins
  • vitamin E
  • manganese
  • phosphorus
  • magnesium
  • copper
  • iron
  • zinc
  • folate

If you want to learn more about the different types of oatmeal, it’s nutrition benefits, and my favourite brands of oatmeal to purchase, be sure to check out this post all about oatmeal!

overhead shot of white bowl of zucchini bread steel cut oatmeal topped with almond butter, chocolate chips, and walnuts stirred together

More Easy Oatmeal Recipes

Did you give this Healthy Zucchini Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!

If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!

Get the Recipe: Healthy Zucchini Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal

This Zucchini Bread Steel Cut Oatmeal is the yummiest way to get veggies in for breakfast. The recipe is easy, vegan, gluten-free, and can be made in a large batch for meal prep!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
white bowl of zucchini bread steel cut oatmeal topped with almond butter, chocolate chips, and walnuts
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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Grate zucchini using a cheese grater. If you don't have a cheese grater, you can also shred the zucchini with a julienne peeler or in a food processor.
  • Once zucchini is grated, place steel cut oats, chia seeds, and ground cinnamon into a large saucepan. Give these dry ingredients a stir to combine.
  • Then, pour nut milk and vanilla extract over the steel cut oats. Bring oats to a boil, stirring in grated zucchini. Reduce heat and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until all the liquid has been absorbed, about 15-20 minutes.

Notes

*Cooking times may vary depending on the type of steel cut oats you use. I personally love these quick-cooking steel cut oats from Bob’s Red Mill since they cook really fast! If you’re using regular steel cut oats, it will take about 15-20 minutes for the liquid to absorb.
*Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for at least 4 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Tip: keep any toppings separate, and only add them at time of serving.
*The base recipe has no added sweeteners. Use chocolate chips or a drizzle of maple syrup to add sweetness!

Nutrition

As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.

Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: chocolate chips, cinnamon, oatmeal, vanilla, walnuts, zucchini
Author: Carrie Walder

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