When we think of oatmeal, we often think of a mushy, boring, bland bowl of goop, right? Good news, oatmeal doesn’t have to be boring! Think of oatmeal like a blank canvas that allows you to create an interpretation of your favorite dessert or a blend of your favorite savory ingredients.
Let’s begin with choosing the liquid that’s right for your oats: dairy-free milk or water.
By choosing water, or a dairy-free milk such as almond milk, you will be choosing liquids that are low in calories, fat, and carbohydrates. Try choosing an unsweetened vanilla or chocolate almond milk to enhance the flavor. And as a general rule of thumb, for every ½ cup of uncooked rolled oats (1 serving), mix in 1 cup liquid. Once the base is made, now you can get creative! Here are a few of our favorite sweet or savory combinations:
Banana Bread Oats
- ½ Medium Ripe banana
- 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
- 5 Chopped Walnuts
Mix all ingredients together and microwave for 2 minutes (mixing every 30-60 seconds).
Carrot Cake Oats
- ½ cup Finely Shredded Carrots
- 1 tbsp. Honey or Maple Syrup
- 1 tsp. Ground Cinnamon
- ½ tsp. Ground Ginger
- Pinch Nutmeg and Salt
Mix all ingredients together and microwave for 2 minutes (mixing every 30-60 seconds).
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Oats
- 3 Medium Chopped Strawberries (set aside one strawberry to top on cooked oatmeal)
- 1 tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 tbsp. Honey or Maple Syrup
Mix all ingredients together and microwave for 2 minutes (mixing every 30-60 seconds).
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oats
- 1 tbsp. Peanut Butter
- 1 tbsp. Chopped Peanuts (topped on oatmeal once cooked)
- 1 tbsp. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
- 1 tbsp. Dark Chocolate Chips (optional)
Mix all ingredients together and microwave for 2 minutes (mixing every 30-60 seconds).
Apple Pie Oatmeal
- ½ Medium Granny Smith Apple – dice
- 1 tbsp. Brown Sugar
- 2 tsp. Apple Pie Mix
Mix all ingredients together and microwave for 2 minutes (mixing every 30-60 seconds).
Eggs and Avocado Oats
Cook oats with salt and pepper (to taste). Top with egg and avocado.
Greek Savory Oats
- 3 tbsp. Egg Whites
- Handful Raw Spinach
- 2 tbsp. Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Mix all ingredients together and microwave for 2-3 minutes (mixing every 30 seconds to prevent clumping).
Bacon and Eggs Oats
- 1 Large Egg
- 2 slices Cooked Turkey Bacon
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Whisk egg prior to mixing in other ingredients. Mix in all other ingredients and microwave for 2-3 minutes mixing every 30 seconds to prevent clumping).
On top of the fiber benefits, oatmeal is loaded with vitamins and minerals such as manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, and many more. Did we also mention that 100% oats are naturally gluten-free? It’s safe to say that oatmeal is the magical quick breakfast that you can spruce up every single morning to suit your taste buds.