Starting your day with your fair share of nutrients is a must for us when we have a long day ahead, and packing everything in a single breakfast fruit bowl is a great way to nail it.
Make this with what you have at home, so just the fruits and add-ons are only directional; the aim here is to give not only you some inspiration but the right mix of kinds of ingredients and some tips on how to achieve a great result, even when you don’t have prepared homemade gluten-free granola recipe.
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🤔 Why should you eat fruit for breakfast?
Swapping your usual cereal or toast for a fruit bowl at breakfast might seem unusual, but this change comes with significant benefits.
Fruits offer a quick and easy way to fuel your body with essential nutrients first thing in the morning, supporting optimal daily function.
Enjoying fruits as part of your breakfast, possibly alongside wholegrain cereals, provides an excellent balance for weight management and sustained energy, avoiding the blood sugar spikes associated with some breakfast options.
Fruits supply vital vitamins, minerals, and fiber, aiding in steady blood sugar levels and improved digestion. They also serve as a natural antioxidant shield. Adding fruits like bananas or berries to your breakfast can enhance digestion and provide a nutritious start to your day, whether through a sweet fruit bowl, hearty oatmeal, or nutrient-packed overnight oats.
We also like cooking oatmeal as dessert or breakfast, as we do for this creamy cardamom pudding recipe, or we use uncooked rolled oats for an overnight lemon and blueberry, or pumpkin oats.
🧾 Ingredients
This recipe is super customizable. Choose your cereals, fresh fruit, power foods, and favorite toppings. The following ingredients are my favorite.
- Gluten-free rolled oats: Your belly's best friend in the morning; these oats are high in fiber and protein, setting you up for a day of hustle and flow. Plus, they're gluten-free, making them a win-win for everyone at the breakfast table.
- Chia seeds: These little powerhouses are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, keeping you full until lunchtime rolls around. They also add a fun texture to the bowl, sort of like nature's sprinkles!
- Banana: Nature's energy bar brings natural sweetness and a dose of potassium, which is perfect for muscle recovery if you're hitting the gym or the yoga mat later.
- Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? Its vitamin C boosts your immune system, and the crunch adds a satisfying bite to your fruit bowl.
- Goji berries or raisins: These are your antioxidant all-stars, fighting off those pesky free radicals. Choose goji for a unique tartness or raisins for a classic sweet touch.
- Berries: Packed with antioxidants and low in calories, berries add color, flavor, and a nutritional punch. Whether it's strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries, you're adding a burst of summer to your bowl.
- Your choice of nuts: Choose your crunch! Nuts bring in healthy fats and a dose of protein. Whether it's almonds, walnuts, or pecans, you add texture and nutrition.
- Cocoa powder or ground cinnamon: Spice up your life! Cocoa offers a guilt-free chocolatey twist and is rich in antioxidants, while cinnamon adds warmth and can help regulate blood sugar.
- Maple syrup: The natural sweet finish to your culinary masterpiece. It's lower on the glycemic index than regular sugar, plus it brings minerals like zinc and manganese to the party.
Optionally, top with unsweetened applesauce.
See quantities and complete instructions in the recipe card.
Substitutions
| Original Ingredient | Suggested Substitution |
|---|---|
| Rolled Oats | Quinoa flakes or buckwheat groats |
| Chia Seeds | Ground flaxseeds |
| Almond Milk | Soy milk or oat milk |
| Peanut Butter | Almond butter or tahini |
| Maple Syrup | Agave nectar or date syrup |
| Fresh Berries | Dried berries or fresh diced apples |
| Coconut Flakes | Sliced almonds or hemp seeds |
| Cinnamon | Cardamom or nutmeg |
🔪 Instructions
Step 1: Soak your oats in water overnight. You can soak them for only 15 minutes before eating them as well.
Step 2: Arrange your soaked oats in a breakfast bowl, add the soaked chia seeds and your selection of fresh fruit, and top with the cocoa and maple syrup.
💡 Expert Tips
Soak Your Mix: Soaking nuts, seeds, and oats overnight enhances digestibility by reducing inhibitors and toxic substances. This process also starts germination in seeds and nuts, improving nutrient absorption. A simple ratio is three cups of water per cup of oats, seeds, and nuts left to soak overnight. By morning, the mixture will be soft, often creating a natural "oats milk" that's perfect for your breakfast bowl.
Opt for Spices: Incorporate spices like cinnamon and nutmeg to boost flavor without calories, while also offering health benefits, such as improved blood sugar control.
Incorporate Berries: Berries are antioxidant-rich and perfect for adding a fresh, nutritious kick to your breakfast.
Choose Your Fruits Wisely: Combine soft, sweet fruits like mangoes and bananas with citric ones like berries and kiwi for a balanced mix of flavors and nutrients.
Select Seeds and Nuts Judiciously: For their antioxidants, Omega-3s, and proteins, mix a variety of seeds (chia, flax, poppy) and nuts (almonds, walnuts, cashews) in moderation. A small quantity enriches your meal without overwhelming it.
This approach ensures a nutritious, absorbable, and delicious start to your day, perfectly complementing an active lifestyle.
You can also add brown sugar candied walnuts as a luscious topping!
❓FAQ
The Breakfast Fruit Bowl is packed with a variety of fruits, gluten-free rolled oats, chia seeds, and optional nuts and seeds, making it rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These ingredients contribute to a nutritious start to the day, supporting optimal daily function, weight management, and steady energy levels.
Yes, you can freeze oatmeal. Both overnight oats and cooked oatmeal freeze well, with overnight oats lasting up to four weeks and cooked oatmeal for three to four months in an airtight container. It's best to add flavorings like sugar, fruit, or nuts after thawing to preserve texture. For optimal freshness over longer periods, consider using vacuum-sealed containers, which can extend storage up to six months without quality loss. Remember to cool cooked oatmeal to your desired consistency before freezing to prevent it from drying out, and add a bit more liquid when reheating if necessary.
The recipe recommends adding cocoa powder or ground cinnamon for extra flavor without additional calories. These spices, along with the natural sweetness of fruits and the option to include maple syrup, ensure the bowl is delicious and satisfying.
📚 More vegan breakfast recipes
If you like breakfast bowl recipes, take a look and learn how to make a thick smoothie bowl, which is one of my favorite ways to start the day!
⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
📋 Recipe
Breakfast Fruit Bowl
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats rolled old-fashioned gluten-free
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 banana
- ½ apple
- 1 teaspoon goji berries or raisins
- 6 blueberries
- 8 almonds
- 4 strawberries
- 4 raspberries
- 4 macadamia nuts
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
Directions
- Soak your oats in water overnight. If you want to have some oats milk, so you don’t need to add milk, add a ratio of 3 cups of water for every cup of oats. You can soak them only 15 minutes before eating them- but is better if you do it overnight as they are going to be softer and give you some oats milk.Alternatively soak oats in your favorite plant milk.
- Place your soaked oats in a bowl, add the soaked chia seeds and your selection of fresh fruit, top with the cocoa, and maple syrup.
Notes
Have a Great Day!!
Nutrition Facts
Nutritional Disclaimer
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
Affiliate Disclaimer
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
As the lead content writer and recipe developer at Our Plant-Based World, he combines his passion for health and sustainability with a Plant-Based Nutrition Certification to create accessible, delicious vegan recipes. His expertise in plant-based cooking supports the blog's mission of fostering a healthier, environmentally conscious lifestyle through simple and seasonal dishes. His commitment to making vegan cooking enjoyable and inclusive for everyone shines in each recipe and article.
Gus
Thank you for your message Miguel! We really appreciate your words.
Angela
This breakfast bowl is my go-to whenever I need to clean up my diet! It's so good and easy to make. Love all of the fresh fruit and nuts.
Jessica Stroup
My kiddos loved these fruit bowls. They said they were so fancy! A definite do again!
Gus
That's really cool! I love when kids know how to appreciate a good fruit bowl, packed with nutritious stuff! Thanks for sharing Jessica!
Natalie
Can't wait to make this to my son for breakfast. He will love this. Looks amazing and so healthy.
Gina M
This bowl is not only beautiful to look at but beyond delicious! Having this in the morning makes me happy!
Gus
Thank you Gina!
Heidy
This breakfast fruit bowl was outstanding! The kids loved it and requested I make your breakfast fruit bowls more often. Heck, I think they would also be excellent for lunch!
Gus
That's so cool Heidy! I am with your kids! haha thanks for your review!
Rachna
This is just the kind of breakfast I love to have. Soaked oats with seeds and fruit is so healthy. Will be trying it soon.
Gina
Such a delicious start to the day! Love the nuts and oats for satiety!
Gus
starting the day with the right foot!
Wajeeha Nadeem
This is such a beautiful and appetizing breakfast bowl! I've been in a breakfast rut for too long, and this was just perfect.
Natalie
Lovely fruity breakfast idea. Looks delicious and healthy. So nutritious. I'm going to make it tomorrow.
Suzy
This was the best breakfast bowl! So tasty and filling! Will definitely make it again!