This healthy Chocolate Zucchini Oatmeal is not only a delicious but easy way to get vegetables in at breakfast!
This recipe was born on a Friday morning when the cupboards and fridge were nearly bare…but breakfast still had to be made.
They say the only 2 things for sure in life are death and taxes. I beg to differ. I think there are 3 things in life that are for sure: death, taxes and your children waking up STARVING for breakfast when you have literally no idea what to make them and minimal ingredients to work with.
Chocolate zucchini oatmeal
It just goes to show you, amazing things can happen when desperation hits….like Chocolate Zucchini Oatmeal.
I have always been a bit of a bit of a chocoholic. Chocolate just gets me….and I love it for that.
However, I spent the longest time denying myself chocolate, talking myself out of eating it; straight-up telling myself that it couldn’t be part of a healthy diet.
Man, was I wrong. Dead wrong. And I am so grateful for that!
Chocolate – good or bad?
You see, some chocolate is downright terrible for you. Most of the chocolate that is commercially prepared these days is loaded with additives, preservatives and weird ingredients that really have no place being in chocolate.
The next time you get a chocolate craving and hit CVS for a candy bar, turn that sucker over and read the ingredients. You’ll see what I mean and likely be equally as appalled as I am.
Which is a bummer, because chocolate actually can be quite good for you.
Yes, I know what I just said. And I’m totally telling you the truth. You can pick your jaws up off the ground and keep reading.
You see, when chocolate is prepared correctly, it can actually do awesome things for your body! Especially your heart. We have all been hearing for years that dark chocolate is good for our tickers, but do any of us know exactly why? Maybe you do, but I sure had to look it up! So here is the deal.
Cocoa
Cocoa (the main ingredient in chocolate) expands the blood vessels in the heart and helps all that lovely blood of yours flow through with ease. That’s definitely something that I want to promote in my body, since a relaxed and properly working heart is something we all need. So bring on that chocolate!
Winning recipe for life
So, last Friday when I was faced with an empty kitchen and a hungry kiddo, I did something drastic and I reached for the chocolate. Well, and the one lone zucchini chilling in the fridge. And fine, the oatmeal too. Because that was pretty much all I had left in the house.
But that was all I needed to make an awesomely delicious and veggie-loaded breakfast that my daughter (and husband) devoured. And I do mean, devoured…and then demanded for breakfast for the next 3 days in a row before I cut her off and told her Mama needed some eggs in her life.
But, I figure that if the kiddo loves this veggie-loaded Chocolate Zucchini Oatmeal, well, that’s a good sign that I have one winning recipe that you all need in your life!
If chocolate zucchini is your magic flavor combination, check out One-Bowl Paleo Chocolate Zucchini Muffins! Your wont regret it!
Love veggie-loaded recipes as much as I do? Check out my ebook, Veggie-Loaded Love, for oodles of veggie-packed recipes…including Flourless Chocolate Protein Muffins (with hidden greens) that will change your breakfast game….even with those picky eaters!
Suggested adaptations
1. Use rolled oats. Reduce liquid amount to 2 cups and simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes!
2. No zucchini? Grated carrot works beautifully in this recipe as well!
3. Not a chocolate fan? Skip the cacao powder and still enjoy a delicious veggie-loaded breakfast!
Other healthy recipes you are going to love…
- Egg-Free Chocolate Butternut Squash Muffins
- Paleo Lemon Breakfast Cookies
- 32 Vegetable Recipes For Kids
- Kid-Friendly Vegetable Muffins
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Chocolate Zucchini Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 2.5 cups liquid of choice Water is fine to use. For a creamier texture, you can use almond milk or coconut milk. Or half water and half milk if you like.
- 1.5 cups grated zucchini
- 1/4 cup cacao or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup honey or to taste or maple syrup
Instructions
- The night before, put your oats in a medium pot. Cover with water and allow the oats to soak overnight. In the morning, drain the oats. This is an OPTIONAL step, but one I suggest to help with digestion.
- Combine all ingredients in a medium sauce pan, mixing a few times to incorporate everything.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat and simmer UNCOVERED for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once done cooking, garnish with nuts, nut butter, sliced fruit of choice, shredded coconut, or chia seeds.
Notes
- Use rolled oats. Reduce liquid amount to 2 cups and simmer uncovered for 3-5 minutes!
- No zucchini? Grated carrot works beautifully in this recipe as well!
- Not a chocolate fan? Skip the cacao powder and still enjoy a delicious veggie-loaded breakfast!
Nutrition
The nutritional information is provided as an estimate only and may vary based on the product type, servings and other factors. If you are following a diet, please consult with a professional nutritionist or your doctor. Stay healthy!
Do you think this would work with rolled oats instead?
I’m wondering about the rolled oats as well.
Could I make this like overnight oats? Mix all ingredients and warm up in the morning? Any thoughts about rolled oats (as asked below) or adding over-ripe banana as a sub for honey/maple syrup?
Delicious! Mine took a little more liquid than described, must have been my brand of oats! Since I wasn’t making it for kids, I added a couple tablespoons of freshly brewed coffee when it started to look like it could use a little more liquid. Very tasty!
Oh I love that addition!
Such a great idea to enjoy zucchini for breakfast! 🙂
This is my favorite recipe on the entire website. I do make it without cacao since my daughter is 2, bit it is seriously amazing. We eat this all the time and it never gets old. Prefer the recipe with zucchini but I’ve made it with carrots in a pinch.
I have done the same! Zucchini certainly “melts” into the oatmeal a bit better than carrots but both totally work. Glad you enjoy this recipe so much!