Apple, Pumpkin Butter, and Banana Oatmeal Jars

There are people who like to believe that some things never change. But I like to believe that anything can change. Case in point: my passionate feelings toward oatmeal.

Just one short year ago, I hated oatmeal. It literally made me nauseous to think of eating hot mush at breakfast or any other time of day.

And then I went on a 3 month road trip around the country. And it was not fully funded by the Travel Channel. So there were times in which eating whatever was cheapest was the best option. Slowly, reluctantly, I choked down my first few bowls of “Gas Station Oatmeal”. What’s that, you ask? Oh, it’s a fine delicacy created by heating a 50 cent package of oatmeal with hot water from the gas station. Desperate times call for desperate oatmeal!

Somehow, I literally don’t know how, this odd beginning forged a deep and meaningful relationship between me and oatmeal. One year later, I eat it nearly every day. But I don’t drive to the local gas station for the 50 cent variety anymore. No siree. Nowadays, I am ALL about elaborate oatmeal creations. My most recent favorite is this fall breakfast in a jar.

For the oatmeal: combine one quarter cup oats with one half cup water. You can cook it on a stove top over medium heat until thickened, but I am usually rushing to get out the door in the morning so I microwave it for 4 minutes while I do 8,000 other things. Once cooked, add in spices and milk. (You can also add in protein powder, which I usually opt for if this jar is accompanying me to the gym in the morning.) Scoop the oatmeal into a medium sized mason jar.

Next, layer your toppings. For this jar: pumpkin butter, walnuts, banana, and roasted apples (don’t tell…but I just used a scoop of apples from the Individual Apple Crisps recipe that I posted here the other day). Top with a lid and run out the door!

Now, here’s the beauty of this particular recipe. It’s delicious hot, but it’s also delicious cold! Unconventional, but true. When heated, it takes on the warm and comforting notes of banana bread. I usually stir everything together when I heat it. But when I eat it cold I like to keep the layers separate. The flavors are so distinct and refreshing!

I’ve made this for breakfast for three days straight – four, if you count tomorrow. Four hundred, if you count every day for the next year or so. I’ll probably still be eating this for breakfast by the time next Christmas comes around.