Chocolate Chip Crumble Oat Muffins

This Post is Sponsored by the Quaker Oats Company but all opinions are my own

In August, 2018, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) published a study claiming to have found unsafe levels of the herbicide glyphosate in certain Quaker Oats products. Understandably, I have received questions from some of you with concern about these findings.

Quaker has assured me that they do not use glyphosate during any part of their milling process, and their oats go through a rigorous cleaning process including being de-hulled, cleaned, roasted and flaked.Y’all—when I toured Quaker’s world class milling facility, I was so impressed by all of their awesome experts and incredible capabilities.

By the time the oats reach you, any remaining parts per million are well within of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) safety standards.  I believe you can truly feel confident in these findings and in continuing to enjoy Quaker Oats.

I hope this is helpful in assuaging any concerns and understanding the issue better. Here’s an article you can read for further information:

Slate: You don’t need to worry about Roundup in your breakfast cereal

Ok, now onto this delicious, oat-y recipe!

I use the same ingredients over and over again in my recipes. This is, in part, to make y’alls lives easier (and my own). I don't want you running to the grocery store for one-off items that then sit in your pantries until they’re expired.

It’s also because I’m incredibly picky about my ingredients. When I fall for an ingredient, I fall hard, and I want to enjoy their wholesome goodness as much as possible.

One ingredient you’ve likely noticed over and over…and OVER again in my recipes, is oats. Whether in rolled, quick 1-minute or flour form, I use oats repeatedly in both sweet and savory dishes. Not only are they ridiculously versatile, every ½ cup serving of oats is a good source of fiber and essential vitamins and minerals our bodies need, like vitamin B1, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese. What’s not to love?

For this Chocolate Chip Crumble Muffin recipe, I found that using unsweetened applesauce instead of oil provides moisture and creates the most fabulous dough-like texture. Combine this with chewy oats, melted chocolate and the signature flavor of a freshly-leavened baked good—I tell ya, it’s deliciousness, in muffin form! Ideal when you’re hungry but feelin’ that sweet tooth (me, every morning), you can enjoy these muffins as a quick and easy portable breakfast option.

Now, y’all know that I am a fan of moderate consumption of healthy fats, but sometimes it’s nice to have other options.. Not only does the applesauce serve as a great sub for oil, oats are a whole grain that are naturally low in fat and sodium. Plus, I personally love the flavor of oats so much that I will happily eat the Quaker Quick 1-Minute oats with some milk on top and nothing else.

If you’re still hankering for more oat recipes after trying these Chocolate Chip Crumble Oat Muffins, don’t fear! This is just the first of FOUR Quaker-inspired recipes that I’ll be sharing between now and January! I’m so excited to partner with Quaker to show the incredible versatility of oats through dishes that range from savory, back to sweet, holiday-themed and more!

Last year, I had the pleasure of learning more about how Quaker mills their oats by traveling to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the Quaker Seed to Spoon tour. On the Seed to Spoon tour, I was able to see the steps that result in the Quaker oats you find on grocery shelves and enjoy in your kitchens. I was completely blown away by the attention to detail and unique quality control practices. For example, once the whole grain oats are grown and sent to the oat mill, they are subject to another rigorous series of inspections through their proprietary grading process. Oats that don't meet Quaker's specifications are rejected and don't go on to be milled into products; instead, Quaker partners with organizations such as Koda Energy to be used to generate energy, and Cedar Rapids Feeds and Fibers to be used as bedding for animals and to produce fiber supplements.

I was also impressed with the Quaker’s company culture; everyone works in tandem, communicating effectively and with respect. I left the Seed to Spoon Tour a Quaker devotee, and I was immediately on board when Quaker reached out to me for an extended partnership!

There are so many things to consider when you choose your food, and it seems like people are seeking more information than ever before! It can be difficult to navigate all of the information out there, so I encourage you to educate yourselves, consider diverse perspectives and make decisions that are best for you and your family. I feel lucky that I was able to experience first-hand the integrity and company values that underlie everything that Quaker does, and I support the brand and its goal to help people benefit from the nutrition of whole grain oats.

I have absolute trust and confidence in Quaker, and I will continue to use them in my oat-y recipes, starting with these FABULOUS Chocolate Chip Crumble Oat Muffins!

If you do give these beauties a try, please tag me @lauraleabalanced and @Quaker, so we can see your gorgeous creations!