Baked oatmeal is a new thing for many Brits but it is the perfect meal prep for the week ahead – or even longer if you freeze in portions. And unlike most grab-and-go breakfasts this one has zero sugar. When I was tucking into some for breakfast at work this week my colleague actually asked why I was eating pudding for breakfast! An easy mistake to make as this Apple, Apricot and Pecan Baked Oat Porridge Oats is almost like having dessert – and who doesn’t want pudding for breakfast right? With the slow energy release oats and the protein addition of the nuts, eggs and milk, a portion will fill you up till lunchtime. So it’s also a great evening snack if you have skipped dinner or eaten early and need something else.

The apples you use in the base can make a difference to the overall dish. If you are not a fan of sweet foods then go for a cooking apple for a tart, more intense apple-y taste. If you like your food sweeter then a dessert apple is more suited to you. The maple-syrup like pecans lend a depth to the dish and the dried apricots are also sweet too. Feel free to add some honey, maple syrup or stevia to the oat mix before cooking if you do have a very sweet tooth though. Or drizzle honey or syrup over the warm oatmeal to taste before eating. I love mine with a dollop of yoghurt on the side…

It’s no secret that we are a pancake loving household – and it’s so easy to be when there are just so many different ways of making them. These Chocolate Protein Pancakes tick a lot of boxes as not only are they utterly delicious but they are packed with protein without containing any protein powders and are gluten-free too.

These really are a meal prep, weekday hit for the whole family. I love them as I can simply grab some from the freezer on the way out the door to work as I freeze them in batches of three or four. They are a quick but nutritious breakfast for the kids as they can be reheated in seconds. I love serving them with yoghurt and fruit on the side, because the pancakes are full of protein to keep them feeling full until lunch (or break at least!) and have slow release carbs in the oats to prevent sugar spikes and crashes.

I know there is a fab range of protein powders on the market but some can be expensive, other unpalatable. And some people just prefer to get their protein boost without such a refined ingredient. These pancakes use simple and cheap ingredients which can be easily found in supermarkets and kitchen cupboards.

Serve these as indulgently as you please! They are a winner with maple syrup, nut butters, fruit, cream yoghurt or even a hot chocolate sauce over them as a pudding. Make them your own and I bet you will find Chocolate Protein Pancakes are a regular in your household too!