Maca Oatmeal with Cacao Nibs and Manuka Honey Seed Shards is an easy, but eye-catching breakfast filled with nourishing superfoods.
I love breakfast. Particularly breakfasts when you can slow down and have a few minutes to yourself to think about your day and enjoy a small meal.
Admittedly, with two small children those stolen morning moments are few and far between.
But when I get to enjoy them, it puts me in a great mood for the day.
This maca oatmeal is packed with superfoods and a great way to have a slow breakfast.
What is maca?
- Maca is a Peruvian root that is full of fibre, vitamins and minerals.
- It gives you a great energy boost, so it's perfect at breakfast.
- Maca tastes like malt, butterscotch and maple
Maca Oatmeal
This thick and nourishing porridge is perfect to start the day. I've added cacao nibs, which are broken pieces of cacao bean and are full of anti-oxidants, iron and zinc.
The maca powder adds a malty, butterscotchy, mapley flavour to the porridge and the cacao nibs add texture. I've sweetened it with Manuka Honey and added warming spices of cinnamon and ginger.
Honey Seed Shards
The star of this breakfast is undoubtedly the Manuka Honey seed shards that adorn the porridge.
They look eye-catching but are really easy to make and only take a few minutes. Sure, you could just sprinkle them on top, but I never miss an opportunity to festoon my breakfast with something special.
Other great breakfast recipes:
Gingerbread granola (vegan)
Raspberry Compote (vegan, great on oatmeal!)
Healthy bran muffins (vegetarian)
Mushrooms on toast (vegan)
Peas on toast (vegan)
Note that the seed shards won't stay firm for long, so store them in the fridge until you're ready to serve!
They're sweet and crunchy and full of healthy seeds. Use whatever seeds you have to hand, or substitute chopped nuts.
Manuka Honey
Manuka honey is antiseptic, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory. It's pretty amazing stuff and we've been using it at home for ages to help with illness.
It's antibacterial properties are useful to heal wounds, infections and burns, and is also used to heal acne and eczema. Internally, it is considered to promote wellbeing, help allergies, reduce sore throats and tonsillitis and aid digestion. My kids love getting a spoonful to help with sore throats!
But not all Manuka Honey is the same. The numbers, 5+. 10+, 15+ etc… is the NPA grading that is used to measure the antibacterial activity. The higher the number, the more antibacterial and higher quality the honey. Find out more about manuka honey.
Disclosure: This recipe post was sponsored by Rowse Honey. All opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that make it possible for me to mess up my kitchen and write Veggie Desserts - Healthy Food and Lifestyle.
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📖 Recipe
Maca Oatmeal with Manuka Honey Seed Shards
Ingredients
For the manuka honey seed shards
- 4 tablespoon mixed seeds I used chia, flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower
- 2 tablespoon manuka honey
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
For the maca oatmeal
- 1 ½ cups (350ml) milk (nut, cows whatever you prefer)
- 1 cup (80g) steel cut porridge oats
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 teaspoon manuka honey
- 2 teaspoon maca powder
- 2 teaspoon cacao nibs
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
For the seed shards
- Prepare a baking tray lined with baking parchment and set aside.
- In a frying pan over a medium heat, combine the seeds and honey and heat until thick and bubbling. Allow to cook for 2 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Pour the mixture onto the prepared tray and use a spatula to carefully spread it into a thin layer. Work quickly as it will solidify quickly. Place in the fridge to firm up while making the oatmeal.
For the Maca Oatmeal
- Combine the milk, oats, ginger and cinnamon in a saucepan and heat, stirring, over a low heat for 5-8 minutes or until thick. Remove from the heat and stir in the honey, maca, cacao nibs and vanilla.
To serve
- Pour the porridge into bowls.
- Cut the chilled seed mixture into shards and peel from the baking paper. Top the oatmeal with the seed shards and serve immediately.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is approximate and can vary depending on several factors, so is not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietician for special diet advice.
Nayna Kanabar
What a lovely recipe and I adore your crockery its beautiful.
NOM NOM Boris
Ah this honey sounds very tasty and love all the healthy properties. Kind of wish we had it here in the US.
Johanna @ Green Gourmet Giraffe
that is really pretty - I have had a few attempts at maca lately - am still working out how to use it - I went overboard with it today and in vast quantities it does not seem to taste better 🙂 If only I was in porridge mode I would love it this way
Lucie Bright
I have a pot of Maca in the cupboard and use it regularly in smoothies. Never thought of adding it to porridge but now the weather is turning colder I shall have to give it a try.
Nadia
Breakfast is hands down my favourite meal of the day, and now that it's getting cooler I find myself making porridge almost every morning. I don't use superfoods much, but I do sometimes add maca to my porridge when I'm feeling tired or when I know I have a busy day ahead.
Becca @ Amuse Your Bouche
Those shards! Gorgeous! I'm with you - why not make your breakfast something spectacular if it's that easy to do?! 🙂
Elizabeth
What a gorgeous breakfast idea! I do love Manuka honey but I find it far too out of my budget to afford regularly. It's a nice treat though.
Heather @Boston Girl Bakes
As a teacher it sounds like I need a jar of this honey in my cupboard!
Cricket Plunkett
I've been looking for ways to add maca powder to my diet, I can't wait to try this recipe!
Ren Behan
I need some Manuka - I have a sore throat this week. I'm sure this recipe would fix it!
Aish Padihari
I like oatmeals with honey so I'm definitely going to enjoy this recipe.
Amy
Those honey seed shards sound wonderful. Honey is my favorite and the texture of everything in this is totally on point!
Amanda
I've never heard of or seen Manuka honey. I'll have to look for it. Oatmeal is my regular breakfast. Always looking for new ways of making it.
Lucy Parissi
Wow this looks totally delicious! Those shards would find their way to my cakes for sure but they are such a decadent addition to breakfast.
Emma @ Supper in the Suburbs
This really does look fab. Those seed shards say back off this is my breakfast and I'm going to sit here and enjoy it haha. Stunning.
Sarah | Susty Meals
Ooh, this sounds delicious! I love oats so much and am always on the look out for different breakfasts to have too, thank you 🙂
fashion-mommy
I love honey but am not so keen on oats so will look at your other suggestions of how to use it.