Multi-Grain Peanut Butter Oatmeal

*This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #StartWithJifPowder #CollectiveBias

I love early mornings.  Mornings are my most productive time of the day, and I find myself energized (mostly) by getting up early. I have a New Year's goal to get my day rolling at 4:30AM so that I can get some work in before Fox wakes up (so far it has happened about 30% of the time, but if I don't get up at 4:30AM, I am usually up by 5AM).  Looking forward to a great breakfast is essential in my willingness to get up.  And this oatmeal recipe is definitely worth getting up for! Very nutritious, full of nuts, seeds and grains, and topped with Jif peanut powder! Gosh, it is good! 

I have been intrigued by peanut butter powder for a long time.  I love peanut butter, but the idea of a powdered peanuts seemed pretty foreign.  But I have a friend who swears by it and told me it was great.  So finally, I broke down and bought a bag of Jif peanut powder (you can find it at Walmart on the peanut butter aisle). 

I love that the only ingredient is peanuts, and that it doesn't have an indefinite shelf life (if it had lasted more than a week in our house, it would have been good until April).  At first, it was a little strange to be getting the peanut butter flavor without the thick, stick-to-the-roof of your mouth texture, but I after a bowl of peanut butter oatmeal, I was sold.  It is a delicious addition.   

Not only is the peanut butter flavor delicious in this recipe, but the millet gives it all a terrific crunch, and I add drizzle of maple syrup to give it a hint of sweetness.  This might be the best oatmeal bowl that I have ever had.  And that is huge coming from someone who has eaten oatmeal hundreds of times.  Seriously: so many oatmeals. 

Multi Grain Peanut Butter Oatmeal: 

For gluten-free oatmeal, purchase gluten free oats.  For dairy-free, substitute whole milk for soy or almond milk.  For nut free, leave out the almonds and peanut powder.

Serves 1

1/3 cup oatmeal

1/8 cup bran sticks

1/2 - 3/4 cup water

1 tsp raw millet

1 tsp flax seed

1 tsp sesame seeds

1 Tbs toasted chopped almonds

1 Tbs toasted pepitas

1 heaping Tbs Jif Peanut Butter powder

1-2 tsp maple syrup

1/3 cup very cold whole milk

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the oatmeal and bran sticks (you can add the peanut butter powder here if you like; I added it after, but I think it would be delicious either way).  Add the water and cook for 1:00-1:30 seconds in the microwave.  You can alternatively cook it on the stovetop, I just never do.

When the oats are cooked, and the water has been fully absorbed, remove the bowl from the microwave, and add peanut butter powder, raw millet, flax seeds, sesame seeds, almonds, and pepitas.  Stir toppings in.  Pour maple syrup over the top.  Finish with milk and enjoy!  

I would love to hear if you have tried Jif peanut butter powder, and what you use it in!  Currently, Jif has a rebate offer for $2.00 off your purchase of their peanut powder, which is pretty fantastic.  Head on over to check out the details.

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