Justin's Coconut Almond Butter...Featuring Tropical Almond Butter Overnight Oats #almondbutter #overnightoats #tasteofthetropics #summereats #breakfastgoals

If you enjoy oatmeal for breakfast...but don't want to eat hot oatmeal during Summer...you should give cold overnight oats a try. I was initially skeptical about the concept of chilled oatmeal...but one taste changed my mind in an instant! The basic overnight oats technique lends itself to endless variations...I love spending 10 minutes prepping a couple of jars before going to bed, then having a grab-and-go breakfast ready the next morning. Today, I'm teaming with my friends at JUSTIN'S® nut butters to feature their Coconut Almond Butter in my Tropical Almond Butter Overnight Oats. This lightly sweet almond butter is made with real California Almonds and creamed coconut -- such a fantastic combination of flavors! The oatmeal base features banana, coconut extract, and coconut almond butter. Just before serving, they topped with some sweet dried pineapple and a sprinkle of shredded coconut. The combinations of flavors and textures in this overnight oats is fabulous -- it tastes like a treat, but it's full of healthy fiber and protein. I can't wait to show you how easy this oatmeal is to whip up in a few sh0rt minutes...then it chills in the fridge while you sleep. 

Tropical Almond Butter Overnight Oats

adapted from Joy Bauer's Super Food

Ingredients (makes two servings):

• 1 large very ripe banana
• 2 Tbs. JUSTIN'S Coconut Almond Butter
• 2/3 cup vanilla almond milk
• 5 ounces smooth cottage cheese -- I use Dairy Pure Original [NOTE: you can also substitute vanilla 0% Greek yogurt]
• 1/2 tsp. coconut extract
• 2 packets stevia & monk fruit sweetener (optional) 
• 1/2 cup old-fashioned oatmeal
• 1 Tbs. chia seeds
• 1 tsp. cinnamon

For topping:

• 2/3 cup diced dried pineapple
• 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Directions:

Step 1: Mash the banana in a bowl, then add the  JUSTIN'S Coconut Almond Butter to the bowl. Microwave the banana and almond butter for 1 minute, then stir to completely combine. Add the almond milk, cottage cheese/Greek yogurt, coconut extract, and sweetener (if using). Stir until all of the wet ingredients are evenly combined.

Step 2: Add the oatmeal, chia seeds, and cinnamon to the wet ingredients and stir well to completely combine. NOTE: the mixture will look pretty watery at this point, but will thicken to a pudding-like consistency while it sits in the fridge overnight.

Step 3: Evenly pour the oatmeal mixture into two decorative coffee cups -- approximately one cup of the oatmeal mixture per serving. Cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight -- at least 6 hours. NOTE: to make the overnight oats portable, use a lidded jar instead of coffee cups.

Step 4: Just before serving, top each serving of overnight oats with half of the dried pineapple and shredded coconut. 

This creamy, chilled oatmeal is bursting with tropical flavor! The addition of banana to the liquid base ensures every bite is infused with banana flavor...and the coconut extract pairs perfectly to amplify the tropical flavor. The JUSTIN'S® Coconut Almond Butter provides a nutty coconut background flavor to the oats. The addition of dried pineapple and shredded coconut provides even more tropical flavor...and a nice textural contrast to the creamy oatmeal. We may not be able to take a tropical vacation this Summer thanks to COVID-19...but we can enjoy a taste of the tropic at home!

Directions: JUSTIN'S® sent me a sampler of their nut butters to play around with in my kitchen -- including the recipe shared today. All opinions shared are solely my own.