Good news! I finally picked up Night right before bed and started reading. You guys were right—it’s such a captivating read and it wasn’t long before I blinked and was at the half-way point. I should be finishing it today, so I’ll keep you all posted on how that goes.
I’m up extra early this morning because I’m getting ready to head out for my personal training class. Before I left, I wanted to stop by the bloggie for some WIAW goodness and oat talk.
So without further ado, Happy WIAW!
After my purchase of Coach’s Oats at Costco yesterday, it was an easy decision that I would be having an oat-morning. At first, I was a little intimidated by the consistency…
but this actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The great thing about Coach’s Oats is that they pride themselves on being “quick and easy to cook” while still producing a steel cut-like finish. Although I could’ve easily made them in the microwave, I’ve always preferred the stovetop method so that I have the option of adding whatever mix-ins I’m feelin’.
Chia Seed Oat Trick
After a long line of trial-and-error, I’ve come to find that my favorite way to thicken my oats is through the chia-seed method. It takes a little bit of patience, but the end result is more than worth it!
1. Mix 1 Tbsp of chia seeds and 5 tbsp of water into a bowl.
2. Quickly stir chia seeds several times over the course of 5 minutes until the jelly-like texture from inside the seeds turns the entire liquid into a gel.
3. After 5 minutes has passed and the mixture has become thick, combine into oats on stovetop.
The result? The thickest batch of oats I’ve ever tasted 
Into the mix:
- 1/3 cup Coach’s Oats
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds (using chia seed trick)
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg
- Truvia
- Chopped fig
- Topped with: More figs, unsweetened shredded coconut, and Sunbutter
All in all, I was more than pleased with Coach’s Oats. I’m going to have to try it a few more times before I draw any conclusive opinions, but the results weren’t any less impressive than my usual Quaker.
Alright, I’m off to work on my fitness 
Have a great Wednesday!
A bit to think about: Have you ever tried the chia-seed method or anything like it to thicken your oats?
{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
I always add Chia seeds to my oats! It makes them soooo good:)
I want to try coaches oats now! I should try and find them online.
And I’m the same, I love putting chia in my oats, it gets it at the best consistency. Although I just add it to my oats at the start and eventually they soak up liquid and become all gooey.
Cherie recently posted..WIAW #9
They have them at Costco! Check it out
I’ve been whipping out the pumpkin too! Mmmm, fall is near! …..Chia seeds seem to fix everything! LOVE them!!!!
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles recently posted..Labor Day?! ….. Wasn’t that Friday?! …..And the new baby is a……….
I never thought of using chia seeds! My favorite right now is half a mashed banana cooked with my oats, it thickens them just right and doesn’t make too strong of a banana flavor.
Steph @ A Hungry Bookworm recently posted..Blog Mission Statement
Hi Brittany, Love the blog! I always add a teaspoon of chia seeds to my oats every morning and it just seems to thicken by it’s self!! Those oats looked to die for! What is Truvia? I have never had pumpkn puree inh oats before may have to try that one out!!
Thanks Melissa!
Truvia is another kind of plant based sweetener (and my favorite too!) And please do put pumpkin in your oats– You will love it, I swear
Glad you are liking Night, now. I’ve read it so many times I cannot even count.. one of my all time favorites.. each time.. it brings me to the brink of tears just like the last. I haven’t read it in a while.. and think I may need to grab it next time I go to my parents house.
Cait @ Beyond Bananas recently posted..What I Ate… Circa 1995
I love the chia seed method! I’m so happy I’m not the only one who does it! I’m so jealous you get to take a personal training class, that is such a great opportunity! Do you get to get certified at the end of the semester?
Brittany @ RunWithBritt recently posted..The Dreadmill Survival Guide
I wish! Although I do hope to get certified eventually so I’m learning a lot to help me with the test in the future
Aren’t chia seeds just the best little sidekick to oats?! I love how they make it so great thick! I’ve never heard of coach oats, they sound really interesting, I will keep my eyes out
Sarah @ Feeeding Brain and Body recently posted..Chicory Dickory Dock
Holy yum! Man alive I wish I wasn’t allergic to that glory, it’d be demolished/inhaled within seconds haha
Hope you enjoy it!
And Night is one of my favorite books, it’s a tearjerker but so moving
Alexandra recently posted..Good News/Bad News/Great Eats WIAW
Great chia trick!! Oh my gosh I love the book Night! Its so good! Happy WIAW
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes recently posted..Not my WIAW
What a great post! I normally just dump the chia seeds straight in and its a hit or miss whether they actually thicken or not. I am going to try out your technique!
Lindsay@bikingbeforebed recently posted..Shrimp and Bacon Marinara
Let me know how you like it, Lindsay!
I love chia but NOT how they thicken oats. They almost taste gel-like and it makes me gag haha
thehealthyapron recently posted..Is Your Husband Making You Fat?
Different strokes for different folks
Hmm, I’ve never thought of thickening oats with chia seeds before… worth trying!! Thanks for the idea!
Amy @ Turtle-speed Runner recently posted..WIGTOW? (What I’m going to eat Wednesday)
I’ve never had chia seeds, they kinda freak me out a little bit! Have no idea why. I like whipped banana for extra thickness though.
Your oats look amazing though, I love the colour of the figs – it’s so pretty!
hmm never ate or cooked anything with chia seeds. looks very interesting though. i think if i found the perfect recipe, i’d give it a try!
nicole @ simply Nicole recently posted..5 Ways to Accept Setbacks
I’ve never been able to find chia seeds here in Ireland
I use ground flax, it works really well because it’s so absorbent. Nut butters always make oats seem thicker too!
Aine @ Something to Chew Over recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday #4
I’ve yet to use chia seeds, but they are on my list!
Leashieloo recently posted..Weekend Update
I’ve never tried chia seeds! It’s on my lengthy list of things to try some day. Unfortunately that list is in my head and I forget about it every time I go to the grocery store.
Haha! Story of my life
I usually just drop in some chia seeds and flax seeds with the oats as they boil – one step wonder
They do give it an awesome texture though. Maybe I’ll have some oats for dinner since they sound so great now!
Faith @ For the Health of It recently posted..Chocolate Zucchini Bread Oats
I absolutely love the book Night. His other novels are fantastic as well if you would be interested in reading his work further. Thanks for the tip about the chia seeds! I use them in my smoothies as a thickener all the time but havent done it with my oats yet!
CJ @ http://healthy-happy-whole.com recently posted..Me, Myself and My Measuring Cups
Love chia seeds! I use them to thicken oats, smoothies or just as chia pudding as you saw this morning =) To make the pudding I use almond milk and after waiting 15 minutes for it to “gel” I stir in mashed banana and something crunchy, usually brown rice crisps.
I absolutely love your Fall pumpkin-chia-oat combo!!
Lisa ♥ Healthful Sense recently posted..What I Ate Wednesday: Monster Date or Date Monster
I’m currently eating some verrrrrry thick oats with chia! I do it all the time.
I read Night! A great book
Liz @ Something To Chew On recently posted..The Best Dilemma
I’ve never tried this before but I will soon, once I get my hands on some Chia seeds
Thanks for the tip!
I’ve heard that chia seeds are a great thickener, but I have yet to try it. Sounds delicious!
Jessica @ Sushi and Sit-Ups recently posted..Bruised
I don’t think i ever realized that chia seeds are a thickener..I thought maybe people just ate them for the nutrients? Maybe i should try them, after all!
Banana and fiber one also make the bowl more thick and voluuumminous
I like putting egg white(s) in my oats–or silken tofu, for my non-egg eaters
Emma recently posted..Tuesday’s Tips!
I LOVE adding chia seeds to my oats! It is the easiest way to get the extra thickness I love, not to mention an added does of nutrients!!!!
Ashley O. @ The Vegetable Life recently posted..WIAW – The "Reckoning" Has Begun!
I use them quite often in oats! They really do help to thicken it up and add a nice texture and healthy fats of course
I also enjoy them in smoothies to add thickness as well
Tessa @ Amazing Asset recently posted..An Actual WIAW
Something about the consistency and texture of oatmeal throws me off. I like baked oats and oatmeal cookies, but that’s about it. Maybe I would like it better if it were thicker??
Nikki recently posted..September Lovin’
I have always put chia seeds into my oats, but have always just added them in while cooking, they will take on the liquid of the oats as they cook. No need to pre-soak them. I use them for the health factor and add them to salads to smoothies oats and more!
nikki recently posted..Weigh-in Worries
i love using chia seeds to thicken things up, they are so awesome!!
Courtney recently posted..What I Ate!
Ooooo…the oats looks great!
Shannon ~ My Place In The Race recently posted..It’s Tuesday!
I want to try chia seeds soo badly! I can’t find them in any stores here, so I might just have to suck it up and order them online.
I was tempted to buy figs this weekend after seeing them on your blog lately..they are so pretty!
Squirrel Snackin’ recently posted..Another What I Ate Wednesday!
I have not tried the chia method…although i do eat lots of chia seeds in my oats!
I’m still loving all the figs in your pics!!
Jayme @ Runner-n-Spice recently posted..Imperial and metric bilingualism
Ooooh thanks for the chia seed method! usually I just throw them into my overnight oats. I haven’t actually made a gel for it yet but I love that it thickens my oats overnight. Your oats look so delicious!
Alexis recently posted..A busy WIAW
Ohh thank you for posting this tutorial! I’m not a fan of overnight oats, but this seems like a great way to enjoy chia seeds! And yay for the return of pumpkin! Your oatmeal looks so filling and delicious!
I tried chia once or twice and then didn’t anymore- I should really get back into it because they really made my oats chewy and delicious! I made them overnight in my mini crock pot so they really puffed up.
Since I haven’t been using chia lately, I usually just cook my oats with tons of water for twice as long and add a bit of arrowroot powder sometimes, which can clump up but I actually like the clumps a bit. I’m weird, I know
Hannah @ Mindrunningwild recently posted..My Weepie Weekend
That is an amazing trick! I’m SOOO trying it
Natalie @ will jog for food recently posted..It’s Rainin Food Trucks
YAY! Thank you so much for this! I’ve read about so many people who thicken their oats with chia seeds, and I always add them to mine because…well…why not? But I’ve never figured out how to actually utilize them. Can’t wait to try this method with my breakfast!
Katy @ notjustacarnivore recently posted..WIAW: The Fruits of French Polynesia
Hi!
I was wondering if you had any suggestions on where to purchase chia seeds. I live in State College, Pa., where Penn State University is located. We have plenty of grocery stores, but nothing like a Whole Foods or a Trader Joe’s (although one is supposedly coming soon). Wegman’s and Giant are the two stores I tend to stick to. Any suggestions on where I can get them, even if I ordered online?
Thanks!
Hey Susan!
Unfortunately I’m not familiar with the Penn State area at all, and didn’t have any luck Googling one either. I will tell you though that the brand I purchase at Whole Foods is Spectrum, and Amazon actually sells it through this link here http://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Chia-Seed-Omega-3-Fiber/dp/B003GT5TBW/ref=sr_1_7?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1316715311&sr=1-7
It’s actually CHEAPER on Amazon than in Whole Foods! haha go figure.
Best of luck, hope this helps!
Itty Bits of Balance recently posted..Succumb to the Craving
I love the chia seed method. It works! I also love figs. It took me awhile to get used to the texture because I’m used to having dried figs.
Julie recently posted..Following bloggers’ leads
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