Whenever I post an oat recipe, I get a flood of comments asking why since they are a grain and are not Paleo. So let me start here: despite the recipe title, this Paleo Oatmeal with Coconut and Berries, does not contain oats! It is gluten-free, grain-free, and Paleo and makes a warming, lightly-sweetened and spiced, very delicious breakfast.
For those who may not know, I include oat recipes in the occasional blog recipe for those who can tolerate them (I myself can tolerate sprouted oats currently). But I want to give equal love to my oat-free fans, so that’s the why and how behind this Paleo “Oatmeal” recipe.
Oatmeal alternative
Oatmeal is such an incredibly convenient food and a very popular breakfast choice. So I wanted to craft a recipe that honored that same idea. Though this recipe calls for soaked almonds, this step won’t take you any extra time. You can literally pop them into your blender, add water, and leave them in there overnight. They’ll be ready for you to blend in the morning and then you’ll be on your way to a creamy, luscious bowl of “oat”meal!
Why almonds are soaked in water
Soaking almonds overnight is a great idea for a few reasons. First, it makes the nutrients from the nut more easily absorbable by the body. And secondly, in this case, soaking them overnight softens them nicely allowing them to cook well into a smooth consistency, while still retaining a tiny bit of chew, much like an oat does.
Coconut oatmeal
Aside from soaked almonds, the other star of the show in this Paleo Oatmeal is coconut — both unsweetened flakes as well as creamy coconut milk. The flaked coconut works with the pulverized almonds, and collagen powder (if you choose to add it) to create a creamy porridge. And the coconut milk adds the smooth, creaminess of milk without any dairy.
Applesauce oatmeal
To create an oatmeal that’s free of refined sugars, lots of people use bananas, but this recipe calls instead for unsweetened applesauce and I’m here for it! It melts dreamily into the other ingredients and imparts the slightest hint of sweetness. You can choose to add a tiny pinch of Stevia, as the recipe calls for, or you could add a dash of honey or maple syrup instead.
Gluten-free oatmeal alternative
This Paleo Oatmeal with Coconut and Berries does cook for 30ish minutes (similar to steel-cut oatmeal). I like to blitz the almonds when I wake up and then while I make coffee, I mix all the other ingredients and get it into a baking dish and into the oven. While getting dressed the smells of nutmeg and cinnamon begin wafting through the house enticing all of us for a hearty breakfast before a busy day. I love to top mine with fresh berries and an extra dash of cinnamon. I hope you love it!
Chocolate overnight oats recipe
For any oat-loving friends still reading, this summer I developed a Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats recipe that Ryan absolutely loves for breakfast and raves about. So if it suits you or someone you love, give that one a try too.
Paleo recipe ideas
And I’ve got more Paleo breakfast recipe ideas for you! Here are some popular ones — both with eggs and without. Enjoy!
Egg-free Paleo Bowl
Stuffed Purple Sweet Potatoes
All-American Breakfast Bake
Shop the Recipe
PrintPaleo Oatmeal with Coconut and Berries
- Prep Time: 10-12 hrs soaking time
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 6 oz whole almonds (about ½ cup)
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 ground flaxseed “eggs”
- 1 ¼ cups coconut milk
- ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup unflavored collagen peptides
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 1/16 – 1/18 teaspoon 100% stevia powder
- 1 cup berries
Instructions
- Soak the almonds in filtered water overnight.
- Drain and rinse then add to a food processor with the coconut. Pulse until a crumb forms.
- Mix with the coconut milk, applesauce, flax eggs, collagen, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, salt, stevia and berries.
- Bake, covered at 350F for 30 minutes then uncover and bake until the liquid has mostly evaporated.
11/08/23
Paleo Oatmeal with Coconut and Berries
Sounds delicious!
Is the coconut milk needed for consistency or would almond milk work? Can you use eggs instead of flax egg?
No, you could use whatever milk you like, I just like the richness that coconut milk brings. I haven’t tested it with regular eggs, but I’d say 1 large or 2 small eggs would work well.
For those that tolerate eggs, can we sub 1 egg for the flax egg ? Or how many would you suggest? This sounds amazing and I miss oatmeal so much so can’t wait to try!! Thank you
I haven’t tested it with regular eggs, but I would say 1 large or 2 smaller eggs would work well.
What can be substituted for the ground flaxseed?
Regular eggs if you can tolerate them!
Ooooh, I’m SO excited to try this! I can’t eat oats anymore, but I miss oatmeal breakfasts so much. Thank you!
Thanks for this. Have you ever tried cooking it in the instant pot?
Also, could you use coconut flour instead of the coconut flakes?
Thanks!
I don’t have an IP oatmeal…yet 😉
I wouldn’t sub coconut flour for the flakes as the flour is very absorbent and it would change the recipe a great deal and likely make it too dry.
If I have a flax allergy can I swap the flaxseed egg for two normals eggs? Very thankful for an oat-free oatmeal recipe!
You can!
This looks delicious! Looking forward to trying it! Maybe I’m missing something but what I are “flaxseed eggs?”
Take a Tbsp of ground flaxseed and mix with 2 Tbsp of hot water. The flax will sort of “gel” and become the consistency of an egg as you whisk it together and let it sit for a minute!
How much flaxseed is an “egg”?
A Tbsp of flaxseed mixed with 2 Tbsp of water.
What size baking dish should this be baked in? Would this be a good way to use up almond pulp from making almond milk (still moist)?
Hi! You can bake in the closest size you have to the volume of the oatmeal. It won’t expand like a cake so the volume you see uncooked is very close to the cooked volume
Also, I’m sorry, but my scale showed that 1/2 cup of almonds is under 3 oz of almonds. I would like to make this recipe, but am afraid that it won’t come out well, if the measurements are not inaccurate. Please advise. Thank you!
Hi! When in doubt, go by weight instead of cup measure. So as long as you measure 6 oz of almonds, you should be good!
I love this recipe! I really miss having a bowl of oatmeal in the mornings. I keep it in the refrigerator and reheat servings until it’s gone. I used chia seeds instead of flax eggs. It’s warm and hearty! Thank you DW!
Yay! So glad you love it!
Not sure if the Almond measurement is intended to be 6 oz or 1/2 cup. 6 oz of whole Almonds turns out to be an overflowing full 1 cup. I’ll try 1/2 cup and see what happens.
Would like to know what size of baking dish to use?
Thanks for the heads up and let us know how that works for you! An 8×8 should work
Is there something that could be substituted for the collagen peptides? Maybe protein powder?
Hi! I have not tried it with protein powder but I always encourage a good experiment in the kitchen! 🙂
This looks delicious! I miss oatmeal and I can’t wait to make a batch of this to eat for breakfast all week. Thank you!