PB&J Grain-Free Hot Cereal: An Easy 5-Minute Breakfast
Updated: 23 hours ago
Sometimes you want eggs for breakfast.
And sometimes you want something warm, creamy and comforting that reminds you of the hot cereal you ate as a kid.
I was getting a little bored with my usual breakfast routine when I started craving exactly that. So I went into the kitchen and came up with this PB&J grain-free hot cereal made with ground flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, almond flour, almond milk, peanut butter and raspberries.
It's warm, nutty and slightly sweet, with that classic peanut butter and jelly combination that somehow never gets old.
Even better, it comes together in about 5 minutes and is naturally grain-free, gluten-free and dairy-free.
A Different Kind of Hot Breakfast Cereal
Traditional hot cereals are usually made from oats, wheat, rice or another grain.
This one doesn't contain any grains at all.
Instead, flaxseed meal, chia seeds and almond flour absorb the warm almond milk and create a thick, creamy consistency similar to porridge.
Finely chopped walnuts add a little texture, while peanut butter and raspberry give you that familiar PB&J flavor.
It's a great option when you're craving something warm for breakfast but want an alternative to oatmeal.
Why I Love Flaxseed
Flaxseed may be tiny, but it brings quite a bit to the breakfast table.
It's particularly well known for its fiber and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based omega-3 fatty acid.
Flaxseed also contains lignans, naturally occurring plant compounds that have been studied for their potential role in cardiovascular and metabolic health.
One important detail: I recommend using ground flaxseed, rather than whole flaxseeds, in recipes like this. Grinding the seeds makes their nutrients more accessible and also gives this breakfast its creamy texture.
And because flaxseed is rich in fiber, it's one of the foods I often like incorporating into meals when we're working on supporting healthy digestion.
Don't Forget the Chia Seeds
Flax gets top billing in this recipe, but chia seeds deserve some attention too.
Chia seeds provide soluble and insoluble fiber along with plant-based omega-3 fatty acids and minerals. They also absorb liquid extremely well, which helps thicken the cereal without needing oats or another grain.
Between the flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts and almond flour, there's a surprising amount happening in this little bowl.
Peanut Butter + Raspberries = The Best Part
Now for the part that makes this taste like something you actually want to eat for breakfast.
PB&J.
I top the warm cereal with a little organic peanut butter or almond butter and either raspberry fruit spread or fresh raspberries.
As the nut butter hits the warm cereal, it starts to melt into everything.
That's the moment.
Fresh raspberries are a great choice when they're in season, but a good-quality raspberry spread makes this incredibly easy when you need breakfast in five minutes.
You can also change the fruit depending on what you have. Strawberries, blueberries or blackberries would all work.
Is This a High-Protein Breakfast?
Not quite.
While the nuts, seeds, almond flour and nut butter all contribute some protein, I wouldn't consider this a truly high-protein breakfast on its own.
That's easy to fix.
If you know you feel better with more protein in the morning, pair your cereal with eggs, turkey sausage, chicken sausage or another protein you enjoy.
You could also experiment with adding an unflavored or vanilla protein powder that works well for you, although you may need to add a little extra almond milk to keep the consistency creamy.
This is something I talk about frequently when it comes to nutrition: look at the whole meal, not just one ingredient.
A food can be nutritious without providing everything your body needs by itself.
A Chinese Food Therapy Perspective
One reason I especially like this recipe is that it's warm and cooked.
In Chinese medicine, digestion is often compared to a cooking pot. Your digestive system has to transform food into the energy and nutrients your body can use.
For people who tend toward digestive weakness, bloating, loose stools or feeling cold, constantly starting the day with an icy smoothie or cold breakfast may not always feel great.
A warm breakfast can be gentler and more comforting.
Walnuts are also traditionally considered nourishing in Chinese food therapy, while seeds provide concentrated nourishment in a very small package.
That doesn't mean everyone needs to eat hot cereal every morning. Food therapy is always individualized.
But when you're craving something warm and comforting, I think your body is sometimes worth listening to.
PB&J Grain-Free Hot Cereal
Makes 1 serving
Ingredients:
½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
2 tablespoons ground flaxseed meal
2 tablespoons finely chopped walnuts
1 tablespoon almond flour
½ tablespoon chia seeds
Pinch of Himalayan or sea salt
½ tablespoon organic peanut butter or almond butter
½ tablespoon raspberry fruit spread OR a few fresh organic raspberries
Directions:
Heat the almond milk in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until it just begins to boil.
Reduce the heat to low.
Stir in the flaxseed meal, chopped walnuts, almond flour, chia seeds and a pinch of salt.
Continue stirring for approximately 1–2 minutes, or until the mixture thickens into a creamy hot cereal consistency.
Remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl.
Top with peanut butter or almond butter and raspberry spread or fresh raspberries.
Serve immediately while warm.
Can I Make This Nut-Free?
You can modify it, although you'll need to make a few substitutions.
Use an unsweetened non-dairy milk that works for you and replace the nut butter with sunflower seed butter. You can also omit the walnuts.
Because almond flour contributes to the texture of the cereal, you may need to add a little additional flaxseed meal or chia seed if you leave it out.
Can I Use Whole Flaxseeds Instead of Flaxseed Meal?
I prefer flaxseed meal for this recipe.
Whole flaxseeds won't absorb the almond milk and create the same creamy texture.
Ground flaxseed is also easier for your body to access nutritionally than whole seeds that may pass through the digestive tract relatively intact.
Can I Make It Without Chia Seeds?
Yes.
The chia helps thicken the cereal, but you can leave it out. You may simply need a little more flaxseed meal or slightly less almond milk.
This recipe is forgiving, so adjust the liquid until you get the consistency you like.
What Else Can I Put on Grain-Free Hot Cereal?
This is where you can have some fun.
Try fresh blueberries, blackberries, sliced strawberries, cinnamon, coconut flakes, pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts or a few cacao nibs.
You could even add sliced banana with peanut butter if you're more of a PB-and-banana person.
The base is simple enough that you can change the toppings without changing the entire recipe.
Dr. Stephanie's Tip: Keep ground flaxseed in the refrigerator or freezer.
Once flaxseed is ground, its oils are more exposed to air and can become rancid more quickly than whole flaxseed.
I like buying ground flaxseed and keeping it cold—or grinding small batches of whole flaxseeds myself.
And if you're suddenly adding a lot more flax and chia to your diet, increase fiber gradually and make sure you're drinking enough water.
Your digestive system generally prefers an introduction before a full-blown fiber reunion tour.
A 5-Minute Breakfast for When You're Tired of Eggs
Healthy breakfasts don't have to rotate between eggs and smoothies for the rest of your life.
Sometimes you just need another option.
This PB&J grain-free hot cereal gives you the comfort of a warm bowl of cereal with flaxseed, chia, walnuts, almond flour, nut butter and raspberries—and it takes about five minutes to make.
It's simple, warm, satisfying and tastes just enough like PB&J to make breakfast a little more interesting.
Which is exactly how this recipe ended up in my kitchen in the first place.
Love Easy, Healthy Recipes Like This?
If you enjoy simple recipes made with real ingredients, you'll find plenty more in my cookbook, Allergy-Free Tastes Good to Me.
I created this cookbook to prove that eating gluten-free and dairy-free doesn't mean giving up the foods you love. Inside you'll find 93 delicious recipes for breakfasts, soups and stews, easy dinners, side dishes, snacks, and healthy treats—along with practical tips to make healthy eating easier in real life.
Because healthy food should still taste really good.
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