Wholesome Oatmeal and Zucchini Bake

ntroduction: Experience the excitement of our Wholesome Oatmeal and Zucchini Bake—a delicious twist on traditional oatmeal that surpasses the allure of pizza in your family’s eyes. Packed with nutritious ingredients like oats and zucchini, this hearty bake is not only satisfying but also low in SmartPoints, making it a guilt-free indulgence for any time of day. Join us as we unravel the simple steps to create this delightful dish, complete with insightful nutritional information to support your wellness goals.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 medium zucchini, grated
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• Optional toppings: sliced banana, berries, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of additional maple syrup

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, grated zucchini, mashed bananas, unsweetened applesauce, almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and a pinch of salt. Stir the ingredients together until well combined.
3. Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula or the back of a spoon.
4. If desired, add any optional toppings of your choice, such as sliced banana, berries, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of additional maple syrup, to the top of the oatmeal mixture.
5. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the oatmeal is set and lightly golden brown around the edges.
6. Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and allow the oatmeal to cool slightly before serving.
7. Slice the oatmeal bake into squares or rectangles and serve warm. Alternatively, you can allow the bake to cool completely, slice it into portions, and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for quick and easy breakfasts throughout the week.

Indulge in the wholesome goodness of our Wholesome Oatmeal and Zucchini Bake, a delightful treat that will surpass even the allure of pizza in your family’s eyes. With its nutritious ingredients and low SmartPoints value, this bake is a perfect addition to your breakfast or snack repertoire.

Here’s the breakdown of the points for each ingredient:

1. Rolled oats:
   • Calories: Approximately 150 calories per 1/2 cup (dry)
   • Fiber: Approximately 4 grams per 1/2 cup (dry)
   • SmartPoints: 4
2. Medium zucchini:
   • Calories: Approximately 33 calories per 1 cup (grated)
   • Fiber: Approximately 1 gram per 1 cup (grated)
   • SmartPoints: 0
3. Ripe bananas:
   • Calories: Approximately 105 calories per medium banana
   • Fiber: Approximately 3 grams per medium banana
   • SmartPoints: 0
4. Unsweetened applesauce:
   • Calories: Approximately 50 calories per 1/4 cup
   • Fiber: Approximately 1.5 grams per 1/4 cup
   • SmartPoints: 0
5. Almond milk:
   • Calories: Approximately 15 calories per 1/4 cup
   • Fiber: Approximately 0 grams per 1/4 cup
   • SmartPoints: 0
6. Maple syrup:
   • Calories: Approximately 52 calories per tablespoon
   • Carbohydrates: Approximately 13 grams per tablespoon
   • SmartPoints: 2
7. Vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and salt:
   • These ingredients contribute negligible calories and are considered zero SmartPoints.

Based on the provided quantities, the total SmartPoints for the ingredients in the recipe can be calculated by adding up the points for each ingredient:

Total SmartPoints = 4 (rolled oats) + 0 (zucchini) + 0 (bananas) + 0 (applesauce) + 0 (almond milk) + 2 (maple syrup) + 0 (optional toppings)

Total SmartPoints = 6

So, the total SmartPoints for the ingredients in the recipe is 6