Double Chocolate Zucchini Oats [zoats recipe]

These chocolate zucchini oats (aka zoats) are a great way to add veggies to your breakfast routine! This recipe packs in 1 serving of veggies in every bowl.

Perusing my Instagram feed the other day I came across someone saying “I finally got on the zoats train!” And I panicked. I had never even HEARD of the zoats train. Cue instant FOMO (fear of missing out).

The clever person I am, I put two and two together and realized she was talking about adding zucchini to oats. And the very next day I made my own pot of zoats.

When you think of baking with zucchini what’s the first thing that comes to mind?

Chocolate, of course!

And what’s better than one type of chocolate? Two types of chocolate! This recipe has both cocoa AND chocolate chips to satisfy the chocolate lover in you.

why these zucchini oats (zoats) are a smart choice

Unsweetened cocoa has many health benefits. It’s a good source of magnesium, iron, and flavanols, a type of anti-oxidant. Flavanol consumption from cocoa, red wine, and berries has been shown to have a heart-protective effect through various parameters such as improving blood cholesterol and reducing inflammation. 

Increasing veggie consumption has also been linked with lower risk of death, particularly from heart disease. This recipe provides 1 standard serving of veggies in each bowl. 

Oats, in and of themselves, are known for their ability to reduce the risk of heart disease. Oats contain a fibre called beta-glucan, which helps improve blood cholesterol. 

So add the ingredients all up: cocoa + zucchini + oats = a great dish for heart health! Just go easy on the chocolate chips or forego them altogether. A diet high in sugar has the opposite effect and can increase the risk of heart disease! I’ve eaten this dish with or without the chocolate chips. It’s still delicious without them! 

If you give this recipe a go, let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, or snap a photo and tag it with #smartnutritionrecipes on Instagram!  I’d love to see your creations! Knowing someone has enjoyed one of my recipes always makes my day brighter.  

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Double Chocolate Zucchini Oats

Print Recipe

A delicious way to add veggies to your breakfast routine!

6

Ingredients

• 2 cups oats
• 2 cups milk
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 2 eggs
• 2 bananas mashed
• ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• ½ tsp vanilla or ¼ tsp vanilla powder
• Chocolate chips for topping (optional)

Instructions

• In a medium large pot, place the oats, milk, water, and zucchini. Cook on medium high until oats have absorbed most of the liquid.
• Crack the eggs into the pot and stir, stir, stir until the egg are fully incorporated. Cook a further 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Turn off the heat and add in the bananas, cocoa, chia, and vanilla.
• Serve into bowls and top with chocolate chips.

Servings: 6 servings

Calories:

Author: Jessica Penner, RD

Calories: 247 | Fat: 6g | Carbs: 41g | Fibre: 6g | Sugar: 10g | Protein: 12g

(chocolate chips not included in nutrition info)

 

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