No-Bread Oatmeal French Toast - A genius way to combine two of breakfast's favorite dishes: French toast and oatmeal!
This recipe is one I hope you'll find intriguing enough to try, as it is not only healthy, but delicious.
It's also a recipe from way back, circa 2012!
French toast made from cooked oatmeal. Yes, only a blog with 'oatmeal' in the title would bring you such a dish.
The basic premise is the same as polenta, which is where I got the idea.
Polenta is basically cooked cornmeal. You can make it sweet or savory, depending on what you add in, and you can create a kind of cake with it by pouring it into a dish and letting it set.
In this recipe, I just subbed the cornmeal for oats!
From oatmeal to French toast
Once the cooked oats set, you cut them into small squares, which act as your 'toast' component.
After dipping the oatmeal squares into a custard, you fry the squares just as you would pieces of bread.
The result is that the oat squares get nice and crisp on the outside, while still being soft and creamy on the inside...and you're eating oatmeal, people!
Quite awesome, if I do say so myself.
If you enjoy breakfast recipes, try some of my others!
Energizing Blueberry Breakfast Pudding
Oatmeal Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
Banana Sunbutter Pancake for One
No-Bread Oatmeal French Toast
Ingredients
BASE:
- 2 ¼ cup water
- 1 ½ cup rolled oats
- ¼ tsp sea salt
CUSTARD:
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup milk of your choice
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup or honey
- dash sea salt
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
BASE:
- Bring the water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Stir in the oats.
- Cook, uncovered, until the oats are done and the water has completely evaporated, about 5-7 minutes.
- Pour the cooked oatmeal into an oiled 8 x 8 baking dish.
- Put the dish into the fridge, UNCOVERED, for at least 2 hours until set and firm to the touch. I usually do this step the night before and leave it in the fridge, uncovered, until morning.
CUSTARD:
- When ready to make, preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Mix the custard ingredients.
- Pour the custard mix into shallow dish, such as a pie plate.
- Cut the chilled oatmeal into nine equal squares.
- Dip oatmeal squares into custard mixture, allow to soak for 30 seconds on each side.
- Over medium-low heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter or coconut oil in a non-stick pan.
- Place 2-3 slices of oatmeal 'bread' at a time into the pan and cook until golden brown, approximately 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Remove from pan and place on a baking sheet and into the oven for 5-10 minutes.
- Repeat with all squares.
- Serve immediately with maple syrup or your favorite topping.
Notes
Nutrition
Some of the items I use to make this recipe include:
For funsies, here's an old picture of Jade and Natalie. I have to do a comparison of Nat and Mickie, because they look SO similar as babies!
Shared with: Thursday Favorite Things, Fiesta Friday, Home Matters, Create, Bake, Grow, and Gather, Full Plate Thursday
Miz Helen
We sure have enjoyed featuring your awesome post on Full Plate Thursday, 552. Thanks so much for sharing with us and come back to see us soon!
Miz Helen
Kate - Gluten Free Alchemist
LOVE this! What a fabulous recipe and so easy too. I will definitely have a go xx
Donna @ Modern on Monticello
Now this is a recipe my husband would totally embrace and enjoy! Thanks for sharing it. Pinned. #HomeMattersParty
June
Lauren, this looks delicious!
For a vegan version do you recommend just substituting flax eggs?
BTW...I am enjoying Jade and Natalie's blogs...they are both creative and excellent writers!
Thanks!
Lauren
Hi June!
I'm not sure on the flax eggs. If you've tried that in other vegan French toast recipes, it may work. I've had luck in the past with chickpea eggs, which is basically water mixed with chickpea flour. Thanks for reading the girls' blogs and commenting! They get such a kick out of it. 🙂 ♥
Jhuls @ The Not So Creative Cook
I am very impressed with the no-bread oatmeal French toast! I love how it's cooked to perfection. Yum!! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday party!
undrgrndgirl
how well does this keep?
i can't eat a full recipe by myself (or shouldn't;))
Lauren
The oatmeal itself should keep for 3-5, covered and refrigerated. 🙂
Sarah
I loooove this french toast! Everyone loved it! These are great because you can add so many things to the oatmeal mixture. I’ve added raisins and cinnamon. I’ve added grated carrot and walnuts. The last time I made it I added chocolate chips, delicious. The possibilities are endless. I think next time I’ll add some chopped apple or maybe banana. Awesome recipe! Thanks!
Lauren
That's great Sarah, I love all your variations!
Janet
The recipe doesn't mention the type of oats. May I use steel oats?
Lauren
Hi Janet,
This recipe uses rolled oats. 🙂
Nancy
Could you just pour the Custard over this and bake ole a French toast casserole? Also is this meant to be 3 servings or more? I have to try this regardless. Your recipes are really creative!
Lauren
Thanks Nancy! I've never tried it that way, but it may work. The serving size varies depending on how much you eat, but three is a good guess. 🙂
Kelly Lehmann
We loved this recipe! I'm going to jazz up the oats next time, maybe some cinnamon and raisins? Thanks for the great idea!
Lauren
That's great Kelly, thanks for letting me know! 😀
Kelly
Just made these tonight for breakfast for dinner. These were great. My five year old liked them too. I made a thin peanut butter syrup to go on top. Thanks for a great recipe!
Lauren
That's great Kelly! Thanks for your comment!
Corinne
Perhaps I missed something, but why did you preheat the oven? I never saw any baking instructions.
These look really good & I'll try them soon.
Lauren
Hi Corinne,
After the slices fry, you place them on a baking sheet in the oven for 5-10 minutes to get the outside extra crispy. The instructions are right above the second to last picture. 🙂
Corinne
Thanks. I was sure it was there, but I just didn't see it anywhere.
Kacina
This recipe is delicious! I've made it twice now and it was a HUGE hit with the whole family (And it's super easy to make!). I did change just a few things...I added the cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, and syrup to the oatmeal mixture instead of the custard. The oatmeal squares had a lot more flavor that way. I also brushed the top of each square with maple syrup before baking it in the oven to impart more maple flavor. Absolutely delicious! We topped ours with banana, walnuts, and a tad more syrup. Thank you so much for this amazing recipe!
Lauren
Thank you Kacina! I'm so glad you enjoyed it. Great idea about adding the spices to the oat mix. 🙂
Heidi
This looks really, really good! If I'm not mistaken, GF oats are a lot cheaper than GF pancake mix and four. I'm trying this for sure. If you haven’t already, I'd love for you to visit my Gluten-Free Monday party at OneCreativeMommy.com and link up this and any other GF idea you would like to share. I hope to see you there.
Lauren
Hi Heidi! I'll definitely check it out, thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Gina
I made this for my son and I for breakfast this morning (the vegan version), oh my goooosh so good. This is for sure going to be a staple, he is 20 months old and ate almost 2 squares!
Lauren
Oh Gina, that's awesome! Thank you for the feedback!
Rachel @ Almonds and Avocados
Omigosh, this looks delicious!!! I love French toast and have been missing it desperately! Such a clever idea! Also, I love the mini matching UGGs--that's just precious 🙂
freshlifefindings
Ah your girls are so precious! Love the baby uggs, I definitely want those and baby TOMS for my kids one day 🙂 I started drinking acv every morning because of Jenn too! It's been great and I think has made my skin softer, but who knows! This recipe looks awesome, I love french toast and using oats is such a great substitution! Good luck on your move! We have to be out of our apartment next weekend!
Natalie @ Free Range Human
Wow! How original! I've never seen anything like this....definitely putting on the must try list!
Lauren
Oh thank you! Let me know if you try it!
Ellie@Fit for the Soul
Oh dannnnng this is a beautiful and clever recipe Lauren!!!! . Wow, I can't imagine how good that must be! And healthy of course.
Lauren
Thanks Ellie! ♥
Alex @ therunwithin
that is such a great idea!
Eating 4 Balance
That baked oatmeal/french toast looks fantastic, and I will definitely be checking out the egg-free version! Have you ever tried making it with anything other than oatmeal? I can't eat it due to allergies, but I'm wondering if a similar "grain" flake might work...
Lauren
I haven't, but I know there are wheat and barley flakes at Whole Foods. If it's gluten you're having trouble with, you could just use polenta (cornmeal)! Short brown rice might even work!
jessielovestorun
Wow, I've never heard of using oats for french toast. What an awesome idea!! I'll definitely need to remember this!
inherchucks
Love that idea for Oatmeal French Toast! I can't wait to give it a go 🙂
Thanks for sharing. Happy WIAW...
Heather @ Kiss My Broccoli
Oh Lauren, what a great idea! Breakfast is DEFINITELY my thing...pancakes, French toast, oatmeal, eggs...I could go on and on! And I don't discriminate when it comes to vegan options either...I made a fantastic vegan pumpkin French toast last fall that you just reminded me of (http://www.kissmybroccoliblog.com/2011/09/24/vegan-pumpkin-spice-french-toast/). And now I'm totally craving it!
I do the ACV every morning too...on its own, it doesn't do anything for my energy levels, BUT it has worked wonders on my complexion! I know because I stopped taking it for about a week and ended up having a breakout within a couple of days...crazy!
Happy WIAW love! And omg, I can't believe it's almost officially fall! Eeeek!
Lauren
That's great to know about the ACV. I think Jenn said that as well about her skin...even if that's the only benefit, it's worth taking it! I'll definitely have to check out your french toast!
Ksenija @ Health Ninja
Oatmeal french toast? Genious! Need to fit this in my prepare-for-the-week plan 😉 How long do you think will they be good if kept in the fridge?
Lauren
I would guess around a week? Keep it covered until you decide to make it though, that way it doesn't dry out. I only uncover it the night before to sort of 'stale' the oatmeal. That way it soaks up the custard better and gets that crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside taste.
theresa @ aspoonfulofsunshine
Wow, I have never seen a oatmeal french toast recipe like this before, I am so intrigued! Aren't baby Uggs just so darn cute?!?!
Lauren
Haha, yes they are! My first daughter grew out of her first pair, so I had to buy her new ones! She's quite the 'girly girl'.