Oats With Amaranth, Chia Seeds and Blueberries Recipe (2024)

By Martha Rose Shulman

Oats With Amaranth, Chia Seeds and Blueberries Recipe (1)

Total Time
15 minutes, plus overnight soaking
Rating
4(173)
Notes
Read community notes

Fresh blueberries are not in season at the moment, so I put my frozen organic wild blueberries to good use in this hearty mix. The chia and the amaranth pump up the nutritional value of this cereal -- both are high in calcium, amaranth is high in protein, and chia seeds are a great source of healthful omega-3s. They also contribute texture. For even more great texture, top the cereal with chopped toasted hazelnuts or almonds.

Featured in: Ancient Grains for Breakfast

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Ingredients

Yield:Serves 1

    For Each Bowl

    • ¼cup regular or quick cooking steel-cut oats
    • 1tablespoon amaranth seeds
    • 1teaspoon chia seeds
    • Salt to taste (I use a generous pinch)
    • 1heaped tablespoon fresh or frozen blueberries, or more to taste
    • ¾cup water
    • 1teaspoon honey or maple syrup, plus more as desired for drizzling
    • Optional toppings: milk, chopped toasted skinned hazelnuts, chopped toasted almonds, grated apple or pear, freeze-dried blueberries

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Preparation

  1. The night before, stir together steel-cut oats, amaranth seeds, chia seeds, salt and blueberries in a medium microwave-proof bowl. Bring water to a boil and pour over mixture. Add honey or maple syrup and stir, then cover bowl with a plate.

  2. Step

    2

    In the morning, microwave mixture for 2 minutes on 100 percent power. Remove bowl from microwave and carefully remove plate (bowl will be hot and steam will rise from cereal). Stir mixture, cover again and return to microwave. Heat for 2 minutes more, or until mixture is no longer watery.

  3. Step

    3

    Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle on toppings of your choice.

Ratings

4

out of 5

173

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Michele

Try adding your chia seeds after you have cooked the oatmeal. They add a crunchy texture to your food. Cooking makes them "gooey."

Victoria

Would appreciate non-microwave instructions/timing.

Scott

From what I've seen with this and similar recipes, Ms. Shulman has a bit of a sweet tooth. I made this recipe without the added sugar and it was delicious. The sweetness from the blueberries was perfect; adding sugar would have made it too sweet for me.I also added the chia seeds the morning after (before heating). They retained their texture that way.

Theresa

I make a batch of this for me to have for breakfast all week. It is so much better, and healthier, than instant oatmeal and encourages me to eat breakfast. Don't like the chia seeds though, I leave those out. Adds an icky texture.

Scott

I haven't made this particular recipe but with similar ones I heat on the stove until hot and thick--a matter of minutes depending on the stove.The microwave step is really just reheating and a bit of finishing--the cereal is already "cooked" (between the hot water and letting it sit over night). So it's not a issue of time, just until it looks ready to eat. Since it's pretty thick by now make sure you stir, scraping the bottom well or it'll stick and burn.

smw

add chia seeds after cooking but before reheatingeliminate honey

CH

For clarification - are you supposed to leave the oats on the countertop all night or refrigerate them?

B & B Lady

Made this substituting flax seed for amaranth. Also used old fashioned oats. Was good, served with chopped walnuts & a little extra maple syrup.

Britt

Cooked on the stove top as recommended by the quick cooking steel cut oats package (6 minutes). Added amaranth and chia at the same time as I find steel cut oats have enough texture. We skipped the blueberries out of necessity and missed them. Well received by toddler and adults!

jan

I don’t need to double.

jan

Don’t need to double

Karin

The granola came to a boil in the microwave, spilled over and created a big mess. There is really no benefit, with time or cleanup, preparing it in the microwave to cooking it on the stovetop. And it is much too sweet.

smw

add chia seeds after cooking but before reheatingeliminate honey

Scott

From what I've seen with this and similar recipes, Ms. Shulman has a bit of a sweet tooth. I made this recipe without the added sugar and it was delicious. The sweetness from the blueberries was perfect; adding sugar would have made it too sweet for me.I also added the chia seeds the morning after (before heating). They retained their texture that way.

Victoria

Would appreciate non-microwave instructions/timing.

Bali

I don't have a microwave.
For how long should I simmer this?

Scott

I haven't made this particular recipe but with similar ones I heat on the stove until hot and thick--a matter of minutes depending on the stove.The microwave step is really just reheating and a bit of finishing--the cereal is already "cooked" (between the hot water and letting it sit over night). So it's not a issue of time, just until it looks ready to eat. Since it's pretty thick by now make sure you stir, scraping the bottom well or it'll stick and burn.

Alex

Tasted great but . . .
I doubled it to serve 2. When I microwaved it the first time it was ok; the second time ok but needed another 2 minutes. Well that just made the whole thing foam up in the microwave and it seemed as if the amaranth came up with the foam.
As suggested I put in the chia after heating (and cleaning up!) and that and the toasted almonds really took this over the top.
Man do I feel healthy! ! ! ! !

Theresa

I make a batch of this for me to have for breakfast all week. It is so much better, and healthier, than instant oatmeal and encourages me to eat breakfast. Don't like the chia seeds though, I leave those out. Adds an icky texture.

Michele

Try adding your chia seeds after you have cooked the oatmeal. They add a crunchy texture to your food. Cooking makes them "gooey."

Private notes are only visible to you.

Oats With Amaranth, Chia Seeds and Blueberries Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How much chia seeds should I put in my oatmeal? ›

I use ½ cup oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds and 1 cup of water then I microwave it for 90 seconds. What I love about oatmeal is that it's really quick and easy to make, you can customize it with any toppings, and it keeps you full with lots of energy to last your morning!

Why do people put chia seeds in oatmeal? ›

Chia seeds up the nutrition content in overnight oats. They're loaded with good-for-your-gut fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which help calm inflammation in your body and may protect you from chronic disease. They also add a nice protein boost to this recipe.

What is the best way to cook amaranth? ›

Bring 1 ½ cups water and ¼ teaspoon salt to a boil in a medium pot. Add amaranth, reduce heat and simmer, covered, until liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.

Can I eat oats with chia seeds at night? ›

Yes, a bowl of white oats with milk and chia seeds can reduce weight at night. The reason is because it contains soluble fiber, which makes you feel full.

Is 2 tablespoons of chia seeds a day too much? ›

These tiny seeds can provide fiber that helps lower cholesterol, boost your heart health and reduce your risk of developing chronic disease. That said, because chia seeds are packed with fiber and are calorie dense, stick with no more than 2 tablespoons per day.

Do you add chia seeds before or after cooking oatmeal? ›

For excellent Omega-3 benefits, you can add a teaspoon or two to your oatmeal after it's cooked (you don't want to heat or cook the chia seeds).

What not to do with chia seeds? ›

Medicines: Avoid taking chia seeds if you are taking medications like anticoagulants and antiplatelets (prevent blood clots), anti-hypertensive (treats high blood pressure), anti-cancer, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids, as chia seeds might interact with these medicines.

What do chia seeds do for your bowels? ›

All that fiber in chia seeds is mostly insoluble fiber, which doesn't dissolve in fluids. Instead, it absorbs fluids and helps create bulky, soft stool. So yes, chia seeds have the right kind of fiber to loosen your poop and give you some constipation relief.

Should I soak chia seeds before adding to oatmeal? ›

To get the most benefit out of your chia seeds, soak them overnight in water before making your oatmeal with chia seeds. To do this, simply put your chia seeds in a small ramekin with 1/2 cup (125ml) of water, and stir. Leave to sit for a minute, then stir again and place in the fridge overnight.

Is amaranth better than Oatmeal? ›

Amaranth is an ancient grain with a slightly sweet, nutty taste that works well in place of oatmeal. In addition to being gluten-free, amaranth is a good source of several key nutrients, including protein, fiber, iron, and manganese ( 1 ).

Can you eat amaranth every day? ›

Also known as Rajgira or Chaulai, the leaves and seeds of this amazing plant are storehouse of protein, fibre and a variety of micronutrients. Those aiming to lose weight or keep their blood sugar levels in control can include amaranth in their daily diet.

Do you need to wash amaranth? ›

Should you rinse amaranth? It's always best to clean grains with a quick rinse before cooking them to remove dust or plant debris, as you would with rice. However, rinsing amaranth alone will not strip the grain of anti-nutrients.

What is the best time to eat oats at night? ›

Oatmeal. Hot or cold oatmeal might help prepare your body for sleep and keep you full throughout the night. Oats contain magnesium as well as melatonin, the sleep hormone. Consider making a batch of overnight oats with dried fruits and seeds for a simple nighttime snack option.

What time of day should you eat chia seeds? ›

Chia seeds are a great source of fibre. Consuming chia seeds with water in the morning helps in giving your digestive system a boost and improves bowel movement. Healthy digestion is a prerequisite to weight loss. The best time to eat chia seeds is when you wake up.

Should I have oats before bed or in the morning? ›

Oats. Although this food is often associated with the start of the day, oats can make a great bedtime snack as they're a source of melatonin. Melatonin has been reported to improve sleep efficiency and consuming sources of melatonin-rich foods may help to improve sleep.

Is 1 tablespoon of chia seeds enough per day? ›

Chia seeds as part of a healthy diet

There is no RDA for chia seeds. Still, they can be safely eaten in amounts of 50 grams daily, which is about five tablespoons. Two tablespoons provide all of the nutritional benefits listed above.

Is 1 tablespoon of chia seeds enough? ›

How many chia seeds should you eat a day? A common serving size is one ounce (28 g or 2-3 tbsp) of chia seeds. Remember to drink plenty of water to reduce the risk of any digestive side effects.

How much chia seeds should I put on my cereal? ›

Add to smoothies, sprinkle over breakfast cereals – just a teaspoonful or two is enough.

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