Recipe

4 Oats Recipes That Prove They're Good for More Than Just Oatmeal

By Abigail Shipps at Sewanee

True or False: The only healthy breakfast you can make with oats is oatmeal. FALSE!

Oats often get a bad rap because people think the only food you can make from them is "boring" oatmeal, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Oats are one of my favorite foods to eat, not only because they taste good, but also because they're super versatile. You can put them in cookies, breads, granola, protein bars, and so much more. 

In addition to being versatile, oats are super healthy. Oatmeal is a whole grain, which means it provides more nutrients for your body than processed grains, like white bread. Eating oats boosts your immune system, lowers bad cholesterol, and reduces the risk of developing type-2 diabetes. What's not to love?

Granola is great for your average morning, and if it's pre-made it can work as a grab-and-go breakfast. The recipes below are family favorites at my house. For those lazy days, my blender pancakes only have three ingredients, which makes them easy and no-fuss. If you have an 8am class and you know you'll get hangry without breakfast, whip up a batch of simple overnight oats to fuel your whirlwind morning. And some days you just have to treat yo' self, which is so easy to do with my mom's twist on this Quaker Oats cookie recipe. 

As you've heard your parents tell you, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. These oat recipes will give your morning a tasty health boost, even if you're rushed or feeling lazy. 

Everyday Granola

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 45 mins
  • Servings: 10
Ingredients
  • 3 cups rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup coconut shavings
  • 1/2 cup dried fruit
  • 1/2 cup chia seeds
  • 1/2 cup flax seeds
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
  • 1/2 cup coconut oil
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp nutmeg

Kate Driscoll

Step 1

Preheat oven to 300°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with coconut oil (or preferred cooking oil)

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 2

Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 3

Stir in the honey, molasses, melted coconut oil, and pumpkin.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 4

Spread the mixture evenly onto the baking sheet, and bake in the oven for 30 minutes.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 5

Remove the granola from the oven and let cool completely (for approximately 30 minutes). Use a spatula to remove the granola from the baking sheet.

Elizabeth Chandler

Lazy Day Blender Pancakes

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/3 cup oats
  • Preferred cooking oil

Kate Driscoll

Step 1

Combine eggs, banana, and oats into a blender. Blend until it reaches a pancake batter consistency.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 2

Grease a skillet with cooking oil and turn on the heat. Pour the pancake batter onto the skillet.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 3

When small bubbles start to form (watch out, they cook fast), flip the pancakes.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 4

After about a minute, remove the pancakes from the skillet. Enjoy with fruit, peanut butter, syrup, or just plain.

Elizabeth Chandler

On-the-Go Overnight Oats

  • Prep Time: 2 mins
  • Total Time: 2 mins
  • Servings: 1
Ingredients
  • 1/3 cup oats
  • 1/3 cup preferred milk

Kate Driscoll

Step 1

Take a closed container (Mason jars work great) and pour in oats, milk, and any other preferred ingredients. Shake/mix together.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 2

Place in fridge overnight.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 3

Remove the oats from the fridge, and you're ready to go! Enjoy chilled, or microwave for 20 seconds to enjoy warm.

Elizabeth Chandler

Sweet Tooth Oatmeal Cookies

  • Prep Time: 10 secs
  • Cook Time: 9 secs
  • Total Time: 19 secs
  • Servings: 24
Ingredients
  • 3 cups oats
  • 1 1/4 cup softened butter
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free or oat flour
  • 1 cup coconut flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 bag chocolate chips

Lili Gregorie

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 2

Combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and egg in a bowl.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 3

Stir in flours, baking soda, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 4

Stir in oats and chocolate chips.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 5

Place spoonful-sized balls of batter onto an ungreased baking sheet.

Elizabeth Chandler

Step 6

Bake for 8-9 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Elizabeth Chandler

As you can see, there are so many easy recipes involving oats besides just plain oatmeal. Whether you are waking up to an average morning, running out the door, feeling like a couch potato, or craving something sweet, oats will serve as a delicious and nutritious breakfast for any type of morning.