Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins
Don’t Have the “Right” Ingredients? Oh Well… Improvise!
Work-at-home days meant trying to decide what to have for breakfast.
I was tired of cereal and packets of oatmeal, and I was looking for some healthier options. I had blueberries in the fridge that I bought on sale and needed to use, so I decided to make blueberry muffins.
Simple, right?
Well… not exactly.
I would normally make these with old-fashioned oats, buttermilk, and light brown sugar. Of course, when I checked my pantry, I only had steel-cut oats, 2% milk, and a little less than a half cup of dark brown sugar.
But I didn’t let that stop me.
Sometimes you just have to work with what you have and make it happen.
But First… The Cold Brew Coffee
My daughter introduced me to cold brew coffee a few years ago when she asked for a cold brew “machine” for her birthday. She even knew exactly where to find one!
This is not an advertisement, but if you enjoy strong, good coffee, I highly recommend trying cold brew.
The process is simple: combine cold water with coarsely ground coffee beans, let it steep for about 24 hours, and then filter out the grounds. Store it in the refrigerator, and you have cold brew ready whenever you need it.
My favorite combination is:
- ⅓ cold brew coffee
- ⅓ milk
- ⅓ water
Warm it up in the microwave, and you have a quick morning coffee that makes breakfast feel a little more special.
Steel Cut Oats vs. Rolled Oats
Since I was already improvising, I decided to use steel-cut oats instead of the old-fashioned oats I would normally choose.
I switched to steel-cut oats a few years ago while I was trying to minimize processed foods in my diet. During my research, I learned that steel-cut oats are minimally processed and have a heartier texture and more fiber than some other oat varieties.
So what is the difference?
Rolled oats are steamed and then flattened during processing. Steel-cut oats start with the whole oat grain and are cut into smaller pieces using steel blades.
Neither one is “bad” — they simply create a different texture and experience in a recipe.
And that is part of the fun of cooking: sometimes experimenting leads you somewhere unexpected.
Now for the Recipe
I wasn’t actually planning on making this a blog post.
At the time, I had several drafts started but hadn’t published anything in over a year. However, during that season, people kept asking me for recipes, and I realized maybe it was time to start sharing again.
So here we are. More recipes to come soon!
Oatmeal Blueberry Muffins
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Steel Cut Oats
- 1 Cup Water
- ¾ Cup 2% Milk (or whole)
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ cup dark brown sugar packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1-½ tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1-¼ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 pint fresh blueberries (approx 1 cup)
Glaze (optional)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 Tbsp water or milk
Instructions
- Mix steel cut oat and water in a bowl and let set for 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile spray muffin tins with non-stick spray or line with paper or silicone liners.
- Preheat oven to 375°
- Combine milk, lemon juice, egg, vanilla extract, and both sugars.
- Drain oats, discarding water. and stir in.
- In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg. Toss blueberries in mixture to coat.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients until well blended.
- Fill muffin cups to top (approximately ⅓ cup batter in each).
- Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Set on rack to cool 10-15 minutes before adding optional glaze.
Glaze (Optional)
- Mix water or milk with powdered sugar. Spread a scant teaspoon of glaze on each muffin.
Deb’s Tips
- Don’t be afraid to substitute when you’re missing an ingredient. Some of my favorite recipes have come from making do with what I had.
- Different oats will change the texture of muffins, so experiment and see what you enjoy.
- If you have extra muffins, freeze them for an easy breakfast another day.
Looking Back
This recipe is a reminder of something I still believe today: creating a good life doesn’t require having everything perfectly planned.
Sometimes it is about using what you have, learning as you go, and finding joy in the ordinary moments.
A good cup of coffee, something homemade from the kitchen, and a little willingness to improvise can go a long way.
More From My Kitchen
If you enjoy homemade recipes like this one, you’ll find more recipes here. And if you’d love to follow along as I create a simpler, more intentional life, I’d love for you to explore more of Deb’s Best Life.
Great post!