A warm and comforting oat recipe for these cooler days

These hot oats will keep you fuller for longer. They’ll also help to lower your cholesterol.

Apple and honey nut crumble oats. Picture: The Heart Foundation

Next week is Heart Week – a national week to raise awareness about heart health and encourage Australians to take steps to reduce their risk of heart disease.

Healthy eating is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of heart disease, which is why the Heart Foundation will bring you a recipe a week for the next three weeks.

The first recipe, a delicious and healthy take on the humble apple crumble, are a fantastic, heart-healthy start to your day.

These hot apple and honey nut crumble oats will keep you fuller for longer and naturally contain beta-glucan, a special fibre which helps to lower cholesterol.

Apple and Honey Nut Crumble Oats

Preparation time: 10 mins
2 serves

INGREDIENTS

• 1 quantity of cooked traditional rolled oats (see base recipe).
• Pinch ground cinnamon, plus extra to serve
• 1 large apple, grated
• 30g raw nut and seed mix
• 2 tablespoons chopped raisins
• 2 tablespoons plain reduced fat Greek yoghurt
• 1 teaspoon honey

METHOD

1. Cook oats following method in base recipe, adding cinnamon and half grated apple to the saucepan with oats and milk.
2. To serve, divide oats between 2 bowls. Top with remaining apple, nut and seed mix, raisins and yoghurt. Drizzle with honey. Sprinkle with extra cinnamon.

Tips:

• Use your favourite variety of apple.
• Raisins can be replaced with any type of dried fruit. Try sultanas or diced dried apricots for a change.
• Nut and seed mixes are available from supermarkets and greengrocers.
• If making base oats with water, additional reduced-fat Greek yoghurt can be added.

Hot oats – Base Recipe

Cooking time: 10 mins

2 serves

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ½ cups traditional rolled oats
• 3 ½ cups reduced-fat milk

METHOD

1. Combine oats and milk in a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat until mixture comes to the boil.
2. Gently boil for 4-6 minutes, stirring often, until thick and creamy.

Tips:

• For creamier oats, soak oats and milk overnight in a large bowl or container in the fridge before cooking.
• To cook in a microwave instead of on a stovetop, combine 1 cup of traditional rolled oats and 1½ cups of water or 1⅓ cups of reduced-fat milk to a microwave- safe bowl. Cook on high for 2½ minutes, then stir and cook for a further 2 minutes.

If you enjoy this recipe, please visit the Heart Foundation’s heart healthy recipes for further inspiration.