Caramelised pecan oats/ pecan pie oats

Take from this what you will. Caramelised pecan, or pecan pie flavoured. I’d say they’re pretty similar. Are caramelised pecans technically in pecan pie? God knows.
One thing I do know, is that this was very very tasty indeed, and when pecan pie season comes around, this is something you should definitely be making.

Recipe

THE PECANS
1/4 cup roasted pecans
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp coconut/ brown sugar
Splash milk

THE OATS
1/2 cup oats
Splash milk - sweetened of some sort is best
Water
2 egg whites * (optional but good to add protein - could use protein powder instead, or miss out in general)

Method

1. Add your oats to a small saucepan, with your water, milk, and a pinch of salt.

2. Whilst your oats cook, add the olive oil, and coconut sugar to a saucepan on medium heat, and allow the sugar to heat up slightly.

3. Add a splash of milk and mix well - allow the sugar to dissolve.

4. Leave the sugar mixture to thicken - it will turn thick and look more like a caramel. When it’s at this point, add your roasted pecans and stir through well, so every nut is covered.

5. Cook the oats to your desired consistency, then add your egg whites (if using) and allow them to cook through fully - there will be white bits throughout the oats when the egg is cooked.

6. When your oats are cooked, add them to your serving bowl, and top with the caramelised pecans.

7. Top with milk, and granola if you want, and serve.

Notes + Variations:

I’ve written egg whites in this recipe. They cook through the oats last minute, and you can hardly tell they’re there. This is something that adds volume, and protein boosts your oats to make them more filling. There’s no obligation to add these - they make absolutely zero difference to the taste, so if it creeps you out, leave them out.