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Plum Crunch Steel Cut Oats are easing my transition back to reality.

Plum Crunch Steel Cut Oats in a bowl topped with granola

Every time we return from a vacation, reality sets in.

It looks a lot like laundry piles, an intimidating collection of unread emails, and the old carton of buttermilk (from making Buttermilk Blueberry Muffins for the plane ride) that I forgot to toss before we left.

The first few days back home are y time to reset my body (and bank account) and return to a healthier routine.

However, that doesn’t mean I have to give up the sense of vacation indulgence (more Bostock, please).

Enter plum steel cut oats with granola crunch.

Roasted Plum Oatmeal with crunchy granola topping

How to Make Plum Crunch Steel Cut Oats

An amped-up version of my classic, perfect Steel Cut Oats, this wholesome breakfast that tastes like a treat. Hearty steel cut oats topped with roasted plums and crunchy granola, this dish is sassy, earthy, and fabulously fruity.


The Ingredients

  • Plums. A gorgeous fruit that, I feel, doesn’t always receive the attention they deserve. Packed with fiber, vitamins, and other healthy nutrients, they’re an ingredient you don’t need to feel guilty about topping your oatmeal with.
  • Honey. Adds some extra sweetness and shine to the plums as they roast and caramelize in the oven. Pro tip: don’t leave that sticky fruit “butter” on the pan behind. It’s ripe for scraping and drizzling over the top of the steel cut oats.
  • Steel Cut Oats. A great source of plant-based protein that also packs in a daily dose of fiber, iron, and other vital nutrients that will help you jumpstart your day. (Overnight Steel Cut Oats are another fav of mine.)
  • Homemade Granola. If you have a batch of this Crock Pot Granola on hand, go ahead and use that or your favorite store-bought variety. Otherwise, you can whip up an easy granola right with the plums with some oats, walnuts, coconut, and cinnamon. I tweaked it to roast at the same time/temperature as the plums.
  • Milk. I like to finish my bowl of oats (especially Pumpkin Oatmeal) with a quick pour of milk. Use as much, or as little, as you like (and make it dairy-free if you prefer).
Ingredients to make plum crunch steel cut oats with granola and roasted plums

Other Great Granola Toppings

Feel free to use a different granola recipe of your choice to top these simple steel cut oats with roasted plums. Here are a few of my favorites:

Roasted plums with honey and homemade granola on a sheet pan

The Directions

  1. Arrange the halved plums cut-side up on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil, honey, and cinnamon.
  2. Toss together the granola ingredients and spread in a single layer on the other half of the baking sheet beside the plums.
  3. Roast until the plums begin to bubble and the granola is golden.
  4. Prepare the steel cut oats in a saucepan, cooking to the desired thickness and chewiness. Let stand, covered, for 2 minutes off the heat.
  5. Serve by spoon some steel cut oats into a bowl, then top with milk (if desired), roasted plums, and some granola. ENJOY!
Healthy steel cut oats with plums and granola

Although my vacation has come to an end, plum steel cut oats (and even these Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats) are a sweet reminder that arriving home from a food-focused vacation doesn’t mean I’m leaving lovely meals behind.

A bowl of healthy Steel Cut Oats with plums and a crunchy granola topping

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Steel Cut Oats the Same as Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats?

No. Steel-cut oats, also known as Irish or coarse oats, are different from rolled oats in a few ways. First, they are not as processed as rolled oats and contain more fiber than old-fashioned oats. This gives steel cut oats a chewier texture and a nuttier flavor. The one drawback? They take longer to cook.

Are Steel Cut Oats Gluten Free?

Steel cut oats are considered a naturally gluten free food. However, that does not mean they are not processed and packaged in a gluten free facility. If you are particularly sensitive to gluten, it’s always a good idea to check your labels to ensure the brand you choose is made in a certified gluten free facility.

Can I Make Steel Cut Oats with Peaches?

I have never made this recipe with peaches before so it would be an experiment. However, it sounds like a delicious swap that I’m fairly certain would turn out great!

Plum Crunch Steel Cut Oats

Plum crunch steel cut oats topped with roasted plums and a quick crunchy homemade granola is a healthy and satisfying way to start your day.

Prep: 10 minutes
Total: 25 minutes

Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

For the Plums:

For the Granola Crunch:

For the Steel Cut Oats

  • 2 cups water
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • Milk for serving as desired
  • Extra honey for serving as desired

Instructions
 

  • Place rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat. Place the plums cut-side up to one side of the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and honey, then sprinkle with cinnamon.
  • Place the old fashioned rolled oats, walnuts, coconut, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Drizzle with honey and olive oil, then toss until evenly moistened. Spread in a single layer on the open side of the baking sheet beside the plums.
  • Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for 12-15 minutes, until the plums begin to bubble and the granola is lightly golden and fragrant.
  • Meanwhile, prepare the steel cut oats. In a large saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Add the steel cut oats. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 to 7 minutes, cooking to the desired thickness and chewiness and stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, for 2 minutes.
  • To serve, spoon 1/4 of the steel cut oats into each bowl. Top with milk (if desired), roasted plums, a sprinkle of granola, and an extra drizzle of honey. Enjoy immediately.

Nutrition

Serving: 1(of 4) without milkCalories: 497kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 12gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 241mgPotassium: 271mgFiber: 9gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 232IUVitamin C: 7mgCalcium: 61mgIron: 3mg

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Erin Clarke

Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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