Date Nut Oatmeal
Make your morning a little more delicious with a bowl of this hearty Date Nut Oatmeal with pecans! Top it off with a sprinkle of brown sugar and some milk and you have an unforgettable breakfast!
Last Sunday morning was really unusual. Why, you ask? Because I slept until 9:00! That almost never happens.
Not that I’m an early, eager riser either. I just usually wake up around 6:30 or so on the weekends and can’t get back to sleep. Probably because that’s about my normal weekday wakeup time.
BeeBop was already up and piddling around the house, being very quiet so that I could sleep in, sweetie that he is. So when I opened my eyes and saw how late it was, I practically jumped out of bed. It felt like I was just wasting the day away lying there and I couldn’t stand that!
Since it was sooo late (she said sarcastically), I thought I’d just make a quick breakfast of oatmeal and toast. And while I was cooking, BeeBop asked me whether my oatmeal recipe was on the blog. I really had to think a minute about that. Was it? Surely not. It’s just oatmeal, you know. Who needs a recipe, right?
Then he reminded me that I make our oatmeal a little differently. Not much, but just a little more interesting with the addition of dates and pecans. Not a big change but oh how it bumps up the flavor!
💭 What are the benefits of eating dates?
Dates have many health benefits and are high in nutrients and full of antioxidants. They can help keep you regular, prevent microbial infections, reduce the risk of cancer, and much more. It’s kind of amazing that one little fruit carries so many benefits and tastes so great!
🙋♀️ Are dates high in sugar?
Dates are high in natural sugar, 1 medium-sized pitted date has around 4-5g of sugar. But, when using them as a replacement for white or brown sugar, you can’t beat the health benefits.
🙋♂️ Are dates better than sugar?
I think so! White sugar has little nutritional value other than providing carbs that boost your blood sugar levels. Dates on the other hand contain vitamins C, B1, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin A. Not to mention that they’re full of fiber!
So, when you substitute white sugar with dates as in this breakfast oatmeal recipe, you can feel better about what you’re putting into your body!
🔪 How to Make Date Nut Oatmeal
I typically use old-fashioned rolled oats or the longer cooking steel-cut oats for our oatmeal. Never instant. My favorite is steel cut, but you do have to be willing to invest a bit of time for them. Just depends on how bleary-eyed and sleepy I am, really. This recipe uses rolled oats.
So, start by bringing the water and salt to a boil. Stir in the oats, pecans, and dates. Reduce the heat to medium, cover, and cook for about 5 minutes stirring once or twice.
Remove the oats from the heat and let them stand for a few minutes. Sprinkle with brown sugar (or turbinado sugar if you like), add a splash of milk or cream, and a few additional dates and pecans as a pretty garnish.
❓ Questions About Date Nut Oatmeal
I prefer to cook oatmeal in water. You’d think that cooking in milk would produce a creamier oatmeal texture, but it more often creates a sticky, thick, gummy, texture.
Yes, you can add cow’s milk or nut milk like almond, or coconut – even oat milk to your cooked oatmeal. Not only will the cold milk help cool it off, but it will give your oatmeal that creamy consistency you’re looking for!
Of course! You can add in any type of nuts you have on hand. I’d go for walnuts over almonds, but whatever you prefer is fine.
While this recipe uses dates, you can also sweeten oatmeal with honey, mashed bananas, berries, agave nectar, maple syrup, or a sugar substitute. Keep in mind that substituting white sugar with another sweetener such as honey or maple syrup doesn’t automatically make the recipe better for you. Sugar is sugar and moderation is key in everything!
HAVE YOU TRIED THIS RECIPE?
I’d LOVE to know what you thought!
Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked it!
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📖 Recipe
Date Nut Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups water
- ½ teaspoon salt optional
- 2 cups rolled oats
- ⅔ cup chopped pecans
- ⅔ cup chopped dates
Instructions
- Bring the water and salt to a boil.
- Stir in the oats, pecans and dates.
- Reduce heat to medium.
- Cover and cook for 5 minutes, stirring once or twice.
- Remove from heat and let stand for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Serve with a sprinkle of brown sugar or turbinado sugar and a splash of milk or half and half.
- Sprinkle over additional dates and pecans if desired.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition information is calculated by software based on the ingredients in each recipe. It is an estimate only and is provided for informational purposes. You should consult your health care provider or a registered dietitian if precise nutrition calculations are needed for health reasons.
I don’t generally eat dates, which one would you recomend?
If you’re asking for a brand recommendation, I usually purchase Sunsweet chopped dates.
So yummy! I’m 39 weeks pregnant and was looking for date recipes on the internet. (They say dates encourage labor!) I cooked the oatmeal with half milk half water as I like it a bit creamy. I added a sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon to my bowl. Thank you for sharing! :)
I had no idea that dates encourage labor! How interesting. And I’m glad you enjoyed the oatmeal :-)
This is precisely the recipe that I wanted! A sugar-optional hot morning oatmeal. The dates and pecans add just the right amount of sweetness during cooking
Yes, you hardly need any sweetener with the dates! Glad you like the recipe.
Looks like a healthy way to start the day!! Can’t wait to try this out – I bet it is filling as well – love all the ingredients so together they ought be a real winner!
oooh this sounds so good. i love oatmeal, and i love dates. why not put them together??
Oh this is delicious! It’s breakfast time here – and I’m following your recipe!
Mary x
We’ve been having oats every morning during this cold weather….
Ooh, this looks like a yummy way to start the day on a chilly morning! I love the sweetness of dates!
Lana, I love this healthy and wholesome oatmeal! It looks yummy :)
I’m glad I came here now and not at 10:30 last night when I was hungry but reading in bed. Now…I will have oatmeal and dates on in a flash. Well, maybe not dates because I’m not even sure I have any, but leaving my desk now to check. In any event there will be oatmeal and some form of fruit and nut. Thanks for a visual reminder of how much I love this for breakfast!
You’re welcome, Barb. Enjoy.
Mmmm, I need this to start my day everyday. I make something similar but I haven’t added dates, lovely addition :D
This look delicious, Lana! I can’t wait to make this for my husband – he adores oatmeal and this looks like something he would love!
Mmm….sounds like a great start to the day!
I love any oatmeal, it really is a perfect treat for breakfast, lunch or dinner! I wish my hubby liked it more, I would make it more often. Oh well:-) Hugs, Terra
Try as I may, I can not sleep past 7am. This oatmeal sounds like the perfect thing for a gotta-get-going morning.
It really is great for a quick and filling breakfast. Gets you going and on your way!
Ah, a fellow oatmeal lover – I have ’em every morning for breakfast! I definitely am going to have to try the dates in it – great boost of fiber and flavor!!
Hope you enjoy it, Nancy!