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Not eating grains but missing your morning oatmeal? Look no further than this Quick Grain-Free Hot Cereal! This super easy n’oatmeal is made in just 3 minutes and it’s gluten-free, paleo, vegan, and Whole30-friendly. This is a staple Whole30 breakfast!
Hi friends! I feel like I’ve been such a slacker lately with getting new posts up, due to a combination of circumstances. I’ve been doing a Whole30, I had a big project I was working on that took up a lot of my time (and stress), and I had an incident last week where I knocked my head on the corner of my nightstand, got a big old bump and bruise, and I’m pretty sure I concussed myself.
I was feeling a little off for a few days after that last one and didn’t get done any of the work I expected to be done. I’m so sorry! But I’m back with new recipes coming at you this week, and I’m very excited about this one.
Oats are a pretty big staple of my usual breakfast diet. That makes Whole30 breakfast a challenge for me! I don’t like eggs (except in baked goods!) and the elimination diet forbids my usual oatmeal and smoothie bowls.
I had tried some commercially made grain-free “oatmeal” substitutes and they were super delicious, but they also add up price-wise very quickly, and I was sure it was something I could easily replicate at home for less cost that was so more delicious.
After having this for breakfast a few days in a row, making modifications each day, I finally came up with a winner! It definitely satisfies my hankering for oatmeal in a deliciously grain-free and sugar-free way. N’oatmeal, grain-free hot cereal, fauxtmeal…whatever you want to call it, it is TASTY and super filling.
Did you know you can make this Grain-Free Hot Cereal in 3 minutes??
If you have the foresight to mix up the dry ingredients ahead of time, all you’ll have to do is add some hot non-dairy milk and breakfast is ready. It’s about as easy as cereal. Even if you don’t do the tiny amount of prep beforehand, it’ll take 5 minutes MAX.
To make this Grain-Free Hot Cereal, you’ll need…
- Finely Chopped Nuts: you can use your favorites, but I used walnuts + pecans
- Flaked Unsweetened Coconut: adds delicious texture, because no one wants plain hot mush!
- Flax Meal: used for thickening things up
- Chia Seeds: like the flax meal, this helps thicken up our hot cereal
- Coconut Flour: Each does its part to thicken the n’oatmeal and make it super hearty + full of fiber.
- Cinnamon, Salt, & Vanilla Bean Powder: these all add tons of flavor, and you can adjust to your tastes! You could add any other spices you’d like as well to customize the flavor.
- Sweetener & Dairy-Free Milk: add these when you’re ready to serve!
Once all of your dry ingredients mixed together, you can store it for when you’re ready to eat. Or, if you’re ready to eat, you can add hot non-dairy milk and some sweetener. I used date paste to keep it Whole30-friendly, but if you’re not on Whole30, maple syrup or honey would work as well.
As you stir in the hot nut milk, you’ll notice it getting super thick and creamy. The texture is super similar to oatmeal! If you like a runnier, thinner porridge, just add a little extra milk to get it to the consistency you’re after. Add some toppings, and voila! Breakfast is served.
This recipe is a game-changer around here! It sure to become a breakfast staple, and I can’t wait to hear what you all think of it. If you’ve been missing your oatmeal or porridge while avoiding grains, this Whole30 + paleo hot cereal is a must-try. Enjoy!
Craving more healthy breakfast ideas?! Here are a few you’ll want to dig your spoon into…
- You’ll love digging into this Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie Bowl!
- Get your oatmeal fix with this Chocolate Strawberry Oatmeal.
- Short on time? Prep ahead by making these Superfood Overnight Oats with Easy Berry Chia Compote.
Quick Grain-Free Hot Cereal (Paleo, Whole30 + Vegan)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup finely chopped nuts, I used walnuts + pecans
- ¼ cup flaked unsweetened coconut, roughly chopped
- 2 tablespoons flax seed meal
- 2 tablespoons coconut flour
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract if you’re not on Whole30
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup non-dairy milk of choice
- 1-2 tablespoons date paste, to taste (you can also use maple syrup or honey if you’re not on Whole30)
To serve
- Fresh berries
- Berry chia jam, make sure it’s unsweetened for Whole30!
- Cashew butter or other nut butter of choice
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix together the chopped nuts, flaked unsweetened coconut, flax seed meal, coconut flour, chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla bean powder, and salt.
- Heat the non-dairy milk until steaming, and then pour over the dry ingredients and stir until completely combined – it will thicken as your stir. Add sweetener to taste.
- Add toppings as desired, and enjoy!
Love this recipe Rachel. I’ve not mustered up the guts to de whole30 yet, but I’d eat this regardless. And I really hope you’re feeling better!
Thanks so much for the love, Debs! Even not on Whole30, this is a delicious one. :)
I use flaxseed meal, chia seeds and coconut flour add water and microwave for 90 sec. then add unsweetened vanilla almond milk and top it off with 1/2 banana, 3 strawberries and some blueberries. It’s become my favorite meal of the day! Thank you for this idea. I know I made my own version of your recipe, but I couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks again.
So thrilled you’re loving it, Joanne! Thanks so much for your feedback.
Cant wait to try this!! Is the coconut flour ok to eat raw? Since its not really being cooked?
Hi Carmen, yes it is! Coconut flour, similarly to dried coconut, is totally okay to eat raw.
Love this! I used to be all about the sweeter breakfasts until I cut out grains for digestive issues. This looks like such a good alternative!
This is the perfect grain-free sweet breakfast – I hope you’ll try it! Thanks for the love.
This breakfast looks so perfect! Yum :)
Thanks so very much Pamela!
Cant wait to try this! Any reason not to use milk or water and heavy cream? Thanks!
Hi Amy! I’m dairy-free so I avoid regular milk and heavy cream, but if dairy is a part of your diet you can absolutely use those instead of the non-dairy milk. I hope you enjoy it :)
Could I make this with no chia or flax? Can’t have a protein found in both
Unfortunately they are what help to thicken up this cereal, so I don’t think it would work without them. Sorry!
What about using coconut flour and maybe some tapioca starch/flour in place of the chis and flax? It wouldn’t be as “meal-y”, but would still thicken it enough to be edible like an oatmeal?
Hi Jean, a little extra coconut flour should do the trick! I think tapioca starch may make it a little “floury” tasting.
You could try dried quinoa flakes!
A little psyllium husk in place of the chia and flax would work too.
Whole 30 has issues with Flax and Chia, unfortunately.
Unless you’re doing the Plant based Whole 30. Both seeds are accepted then. :)
Whole 30 has issues with Flax and Chia according to the book, but I see on the website they’re okay. Very confusing
Hi Blaire, I posted this recipe a few years back and don’t remember there being any issue with chia and/or flax seeds, and from what I see online, they’re still allowed. I don’t have the book to double-check, but seeds are generally ok on Whole30.
Can’t wait to do this… Been looking for a grain free recipe for a while now xx
Hope you love it Kelly!
Yay! Winner!! This is, hands down, the tastiest grain-free oatmeal-esque breakfast I’ve tried to date. Thanks!
Yayay it makes me so happy to hear that! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it :)
This is amazing!!! I’ve struggled with food sensitivities for ten years, and have had to cut out all grains including oats, along with dairy, eggs, soy, yeast, and gluten. I missed oatmeal, and this is the perfect way to enjoy it without making me feel bad!
Thank you for sharing this recipe!!
Yay, that makes me so happy to hear Melissa! So thrilled you can enjoy this recipe.
This breakfast or snack looks so refreshing, I have the cereal, need the blueberries
Thanks Carrie!! You’ve got to try it sometime.
This recipe looks so interesting and good. I am like you in that I love oatmeal. I bought some bobs red mill rice Farina in an attempt to have more gluten free grains, by a grain less recipe altogether is so interesting and it looks like porridge. Thank you. I’ll have to try it.
Thanks for the love Cynthia, it’s certainly a delicious and interesting breakfast! Hope you’ll give it a try.