Think of superfoods and oats are one of the first things to come to mind. Oats are incredibly enriched with fibre, protein, both of which are crucial for sustainable weight loss. They are also packed with many vital minerals and antioxidants that do wonders for your overall health and immunity. But did you know this ‘healthy’ food can fit just fine in some of your most decadent holiday desserts too. In fact, they may just make them a lot less unhealthy in the process.
Oats are widely used in English desserts - like crumbles and pies - but here are some easy-peasy recipes you can prepare for the holidays. These recipes by celebrity chef Kunal Kapur use Saffola oats that have been ground in flour form. Try these desserts soon and let us know how you liked them.
1. Oats And Honey Pancakes
The breakfast staple with winter spices and sweeteners, such as cinnamon and jaggery, create magic in this healthy holiday morning meal.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups oats (prepare a flour)
- 1½ cups milk
- Curd and a little oil
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tsp jaggery
- 1 unit apple (chopped)
- ½ tsp cinnamon powder
- A pinch of nutmeg
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp unsalted butter
- Honey, as accompaniment
Method:
- Add oats into the grinder jar and grind to a fine powder.
- Now, add all the ingredients except butter and honey, and make into a batter which is thick but pouring consistency.
- Adjust the consistency a little with milk if required.
- Heat a non-stick pan and pour a little batter into the centre. Allow it to cook for 2 mins.
- Drizzle melted butter and flip the pancake to cook on the other side. Once done, remove and serve with little honey.
2. Chocolate Chip Oats Cookies
Leaving cookies and milk out for Santa? How about giving them a healthy upgrade?
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups whole wheat flour
- 150 gm oats (prepare a flour)
- ¼ cup flaxseed (finely ground)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup coconut sugar
- ½ cup packed dark brown sugar
- 2 tsp softened butter
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Method:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Whisk the flour, oats, flaxseed, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- Beat the butter, coconut sugar, and dark brown sugar in a large bowl with a mixer on a medium-high speed until they turn fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Then, add the vanilla. Reduce the mixer speed to low.
- Add the flour mixture and beat until just combined, scraping down the bowl as needed. Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough onto the prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart.
- Bake until they turn golden brown. Let the cookies cool for 3 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to racks to cool completely.
3. Oatmeal Plum Cake
It ain’t no Christmas without a plum cake. Here’s a healthy and wholesome version you’d love.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups oats (prepare a flour)
- 1 cup candied orange
- 4 tsp melted butter
- 2 tsp mix spice powder
- 150 ml rum
- 2 cups raisins, almonds, and cashew nuts
- 1 cup black currant
- ½ cup brown/coconut sugar
- 5 eggs
- Half cup cocoa powder
Method:
- Soak all dry fruits in rum with mixed spice powder overnight.
- Cream butter and sugar together, gradually adding eggs into it forming a uniform batter.
- Add cocoa powder flour and soaked fruits.
- Pour the batter in lined moulds and bake in a preheated oven at 170°C for 45-50 mins.
- Remove, allow to cool, and then demould.