The return of greatness: Scottish Pumpkin Coconut Crunch
Ever since I discovered Bob’s Red Mill’s Scottish Oats last year I’ve been thinking about them. They sticky, sweet "blended dough" texture. But every time I reach for a package, I wonder if they are worth the higher price per ounce.
So with my food processor out the other day to make pesto, I decided to whirl some oats and see if I could arrive at the same texture.
Pretty sure I got it!! It’s basically a bit finer than quick oats. But quick oats have been par-boiled most of the time and so these have a better flavor than they do.
I used my same proportions (but left out the chia today for texture purposes) and note how creamy they were!
Another bit of greatness: coconut butter. One of the best food finds of the century!
The texture of coconut butter is highly dependent on temperature of the room. In the summer it’s like a melting bowl of ice cream; in the winter it’s hard as wax. To make it useable, just heat it a bit. I used to microwave it, but since we don’t have one, I just put the whole jar in simmering water for a bit (this is probably a much better method anyways..)
As it heats, give it a stir and try to incorporate the oils back into the meat (much like you would a natural peanut butter)
Worked great – I had a drippy liquid after about 5 minutes. This is fabulous on a smoothie in a bowl as "magic shell" because the cold smoothie makes it harden again and clump together.
To make this bowl the best EVER, I was missing cottage cheese, but it was pretty darn close!
The Mix
- 1/3 cup Scottish oats
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/3 cup milk
- Pinch salt
- Half banana
- Cinnamon, vanilla
- 1/3 cup pumpkin, stirred in near end
- Coconut butter
- Crunchy Buckwheat granola
- A blob of Nutty’s Cinnamon Raisin
Maaaaaaarvelous!
I have a deal for you at lunch!!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg says
I love it when I figure out ways to make cheaper versions of things at home! Have you ever tried to make your own coconut butter?
Beautiful pics! Have a great morning!
Kath says
Nope, not yet
Christine says
Oh it’s so easy – you should! Granted I’ve never bought the real stuff so I don’t know how it compares – but my $3 bag of coconut yielded about 8 oz of “butter.”
sweetersalt says
I need to get me some coconut butter. I have yet to try it and am always so jealous!
Laura
Jessica @ How Sweet says
That’s a great way to melt the coconut butter! I always use the microwave too, but this seems better.
Hannah says
Ahh! I have to try this! I *always* use straight oatbran for my porridge because I prefer the creamier, consistent texture, but oatbran is more expensive than normal rolled oats. I feel like this may help me approximate my bran-love!
Stacey says
I haven’t seen coconut butter in any store around here 🙁 Your oats look amazing! Oooohhhh, wonder what kind of deal you’ll be bringing us at lunch?? 😉
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life) says
WOW… this is the first time oats have looked good to me in forever!!
YUM 🙂
Gabriela @ Une Vie Saine says
I always see Scottish oats, but have never tried them- this really makes me want to splurge!! That bowl in general looks absolutely AWESOME. And thanks for the coconut butter tip- mine has separated recently, so I’ll definitely be trying that! Hope you have a great Monday!
Valerie @ City|Life|Eats says
Great idea re: the Scottish oats – I only buy the GF oats, but now I could turn them into that texture. Awesome! Thanks for the tip 🙂
Evan Thomas says
I’ve never tried pumpkin and coconut, but if it’s anything like sweet potato and coconut I’d bet I’d love the flavor. Must find pumpkin!
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
I love the fall colors in your bowl this morning!
With all your pumpkin talk I finally went to the store yesterday, no pumpkin of any kind — not even the expensive organic kind 🙁
Tina says
My oats have to be creamy!! I think that looks just perfect without the cottage cheese…probably because cottage cheese is one of the foods I cannot stand.
Samantha @ Bikini Birthday says
What kind of oats did you put in the food processor?
Kath says
The usual – rolled
Marina says
I seriously need to get some pumpkin, some coconut butter, and make that buckwheat granola.
Can’t wait for that lunch 🙂
Seglare (in Copenhagen) says
I have never tried coconut butter before (it’s really, really expensive here), but as I keep seeing it on your blog, I really want to try it. Maybe I’ll buy a jar for a birthday present to myself. 😉
Kristy@ KristyRuns.com says
I’ve decided i need coconut butter in my life. Looks so good! 🙂
barefootgirl (our first CSA) says
looks yummy!
I always blend oats in the food processor… It’s the base to my chocolate chip cookies 😉
now I want a cookie ..
Nicole @ Yuppie Yogini says
That almost looks like cream of wheat which I LOVE!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
I must make that granola, it looks fantastic! 🙂
VeggieGirl says
STELLAR breakfast!!!
Let’s make a deal 😉
Katie says
I don’t think I’ve had oats in months, but I think I’m going to have to break them out soon.
emily says
Have you noticed any negative effect on the texture (taste, etc) melting/solidifying the entire jar repeatedly?
Kath says
Not at all
Heather says
I love to blend oatmeal and add it to smoothies – great way to thicken them up and add a little extra fiber and filling power.
Looks like a delicious bowl of oats!
alyssa says
I’ve been dying to blend my oats! Does it make them cook faster?
Kath says
Yes!
Liza @ Health Nutting says
MMMMM I need to get me some coconut butteerrrr!!! 🙂 Looks sooo deliciouss!
shannon (the daily balance) says
pumpkin and coconut – what a combo! 😉
Kelly says
haha yeah I noticed that my coconut butter doesn’t like it now that it is ‘cool’ outside. Thanks for the microwaving tip! I didn’t even think of that… I thought I’d have to wait til next summer to eat it again. lol
Esse says
I may have missed this in earlier posts but do you just add the pumpkin right from the can?
Kath says
Yup!
J3nn (Jenn's Menu and Lifestyle Blog) says
That looks mighty tasty! I need to try some coconut butter. I always thought coconut oil was the same thing! 😮
Jenn
Emily says
very interesting oat experiment! did you see the recent iron chef oatmeal battle? alton did a great little explanation of the different oat offerings.
Annie@stronghealthyfit says
Still dying to try coconut butter but it’s too expensive! Hopefully soon I’ll decide to splurge on it 🙂
Amanda says
Kath,
I love your blog! I have been following for quite some time now and decided to start my own! I’m just in the beginning stages but already featured Garlic Gold and Kodiak Cakes on there because of you! Thanks for all of your tips, recipes, and advice. Sounds like you’re doing great things!
www.happyhealthysweet.blogspot.com
Joanne says
Interesting mix. I’m a little unsure on the coconut butter. I think I’ll stick to the same old, same old, PB. But that morning wake up bowl of goodness sure looks appetizing.
Elina (Healthy and Sane) says
I’ve lost the appeal for oats a little while back (maybe it was the summer heat?) but this bowl really does look marvelous. I want that granola topping!!!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Sounds great, Kath! I’m not a big coconut butter fan, but do you think it would still be good if I were to swap the coconut butter for nut butter? I’ve never tried Scottish Oats either – all this time I thought they were the same as steel-cut. (I’m ashamed to admit this too, being Scottish!!)
Have a great day! 🙂
Kath says
You mean make oatmeal with nut butter instead of coconut butter?! Of course that would taste delicious.
Tracy says
Kath, that looks amazing! You’ve inspired my breakfast for this morning. 😀
Natalia @asideofsimple says
What a great idea! I’m definitely going to try to make some homemade scottish oats. I’ve wanted to try them but I didn’t want to buy a bag in case I didn’t like the texture. This saves me the trouble. Thanks Kath!
Stacey (The Habit of Healthy) says
Looks like a delicious breakfast! What a good idea to try and replicate the texture of more expensive oats at home.
hira says
ok i need to stop looking at your pictures, or find some rolled oats in torino ASAP. i already miss my almond milk 🙁
Ashley says
I’m OBsessed w/scottish oats 🙂 I’m pretty sure steel cut are about the same price in the bulk bins as rolled oats…and Scottish are made by grinding steel cut oats to that slighty crunchy, powdery texture. I think when I run out of Scottish I’ll just buy the steel cut b/c of the price difference and grind them whenever I want. I just realized I could do this the other day…duh! hehe
Kath says
I didn’t realize they were STEEL cut! How do they get all that powder? Maybe I’ll try grinding them up too
Megan says
I had been wondering what the difference between the regular and scottish oats was, so I appreciate your post. And now I can even save myself some dough and try them out!
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
that’s so awesome! i would never have thought of doing that but it sounds amazing!
Christie {Honoring Health} says
I have some whole oat groats and don’t really like the texture of them as they are but now, I am inspired to throw them in my food processor and see what happens. Thank you for the idea!
Camille says
I love all the orange today!
Props on adjusting the food you have for the food you want. I need to learn how to do that to save some money!
notyet100 says
coconut butter,..:–)
Holly says
I cannot believe that I went grocery shopping yesterday and came home WITHOUT pumpkin! Where are my brains!?!
Laura @ Blogging Over Thyme says
I’m so glad these are similar! Ashley at EP always makes me crave Scottish oats, but I haven’t gotten around to buying them yet. I’m glad I can try them out for a bit cheaper using just my regular oats! Thanks kath 😉
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
Looks incredible. 🙂 I’ve never tried coconut butter before but I dont doubt it’s absolutely perfect with pumpkin oats! Yum!
lynn (The Actors Diet) says
thanks for the tip – gonna totally give my oats a little whirl and try this!
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
That is one gorgeous bowl of oatmeal, and I don’t even like coconut!
Katie says
I think I am the only blogger who doesn’t like coconut. I have a jar sitting unopened in my cupboard.
Amber K says
I always put about half as much liquid as anyone else for my oatmeal and add a couple of tablespoons of powders (protein and cocoa) because I want it to be super sticky and chewy. So I’m definitely curious about these Scottish oats!
Kath says
Well these were definitely NOT chewy – more creamy/sticky
Jean@RoastedRootsandPumpkinSpice says
I wish I had a food processor to try this out. Maybe a blender will work.
Wei-Wei says
I can’t stop laughing. At first I associated “Scott” with “scotch”, and I was like – DUUUUDE, Kath hast just taken “indulgent breakfast” to a whole ‘nother level, man…
Mary (What's Cookin' with Mary) says
Love that bowl you had your oats in! You and Matt have the best dishes. I wish we liked sweet oats in this house. Seems crazy, but I can’t ever seem to finish a bowl of sweet oats… not sure why. Give me savory oats and its gone in minutes. VEIRD.
Christina @ Food.Fun.Fabulous says
I love that bowl!
Carrie H says
Ha ha, did you get that water-in-a-pot heating idea from nursing mothers, Kath? 🙂 I don’t have babies, but when I’ve watched my nieces and nephew, their moms have left breast milk in the bottle for me to use later … this is how you reheat it too, since microwaving damages breast milk somehow.
Yummy looking oats!
Pat Kilmain says
For those of us who remember life before microwaves, it’s the way you did back then. 🙂 I always use this method to thin down my honey when it starts to crystallize – but it needs to be in a glass jar! Those plastic bears melt…..
Kath says
Naw – just a cook’s tip!
Carrie H says
I don’t have babies YET. 😉
chelsey says
YES!!! I totally found pumpkin this weekend – I am making this immediately!
Michelle @ Give Me the Almond Butter says
What a great idea. I’ve always seen scottish oats when I go grocery shopping, but I just don’t have enough time I guess.
jamie @ jamelafamela says
great idea to blend the oats! this looks great!
Dee says
This looks amazing! What a neat idea!
Alaina @ The Jogging Concierge says
I love all of your cool bowls and spoons! 🙂
Sarah says
Hey Kath, I was looking at the granola topping you made and it made me think that I want to try making granola with wheat berries. Have you ever tired that, if so, any recipe recommendations?
Kath says
I hadn’t thought of that yet, but I think why buckwheat works is you can actually eat it plain (as I now know from Edible Perspective). It’s almost like a hollow grain? Wheatberries on the other hand, aren’t really edible when not cooked. So I dont’ think they’d work the same. Let me know if you try baking them!
Sarah says
Well, jsyk, wheatberries do NOT make for a good granola additive. I almost broke all my teeth this morning 🙂 I read that if you toast them in a skillet before adding them to the oats, they should pop, I might have to try that next time. Epic failure, but lesson learned.
Kath says
Oh noooo! Hope your teeth aren’t too tired 🙂
Laura says
I live in Scotland so I approve!!!!
stacey-healthylife says
Those oats look delicious. Great idea with the food processor, I’m going to try that.
Bee Goes Bananas says
Wow, that looks incredible!
Kath, where on earth do you come up with all of these creative recipes?
I’m a bit of an amateur in the kitchen and my meals tend to turn out a bit boring. How do you find your creative inspiration for making meals?
Kath says
I have no idea!! 🙂
Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin says
Thanks for the coconut butter tip! I usually just scoop out the hard butter and use it like that, but I’m probably just getting a whole lot of oil that way and not a lot of the meat!
Sara @ myfancytuna.blogspot.com says
YUM! Those oats look deeeeeelicious!
Meghan says
I added simply a spoon full of the canned pumpkin you showed in a previous post, to my oatmeal. I was very excited to try this because I love pumpkin flavored everything. I was extremely displeased. It made my oatmeal taste bitter. I tried adding some sugar but to no avail. Any advice?
Kath says
Perhaps the pumpkin was bad? It shouldn’t taste bitter. Gourdy, yes. But not bitter.
Did you try it raw? Pumpkin is a bit of an acquired taste, so if you don’t like it at all raw, you won’t like it much in oatmeal.