6 Seasonal Oatmeals to Spice up Your Holidays

It’s the holiday season, which means it’s time for colorful lights, overplayed Christmas songs, ugly sweaters, and of course, delicious food! Specifically, it’s time for huge assortments of desserts like pies, cookies, cakes, candy, and anything sweet and tasty. While it’s easy to overindulge, the same taste of the holidays can be enjoyed without sacrificing your health. The solution? Seasonal oatmeal!

Personally, oatmeal has become my go-to breakfast. Not only is it good for you, it’s also quick and easy to make. Plus, there’s so many ways to customize it that it never gets boring. With Christmas just around the corner, these seasonal oatmeals will satisfy your cravings without busting your waistline. Just because you’re dressing like Santa doesn’t mean you have to look like him!

Basic Oatmeal

• Prep Time:1 min
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:6 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1 cup milk or dairy free milk
• Optional: Pinch salt

• Step 1

  In a microwave safe bowl, add oats, milk, and salt.

  

• Step 2

  Microwave for 2 minutes. Make sure the mixture does not overflow.

  

• Step 3

  Take oatmeal out of microwave and stir.

  

• Step 4

  Repeat steps 2-3, microwaving 30 seconds at a time until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the oats look cooked.

  

Gingerbread Oatmeal

• Prep Time:2 mins
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:7 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 Basic Oatmeal
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp allspice
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• Optional: Maple syrup
• 1 gingersnap
• 1 gingerbread man cookie

• Step 1

  Make basic oatmeal.

• Step 2

  Add spices and maple syrup. Stir to combine.

  

• Step 3

  If using, crumble up gingersnap cookie and spread over oatmeal. Drizzle with additional maple syrup and/or garnish with gingerbread man.

  

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Oatmeal

• Prep Time:2 mins
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:7 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 Basic Oatmeal
• 2 tsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 tsp peppermint extract
• Sweetener to taste
• Optional: 2 tbsp crushed candy canes
• Mini marshmallows
• 1 TBS chocolate chips

• Step 1

  Make basic oatmeal. If desired, use 1 cup hot chocolate instead of milk.

• Step 2

  Add peppermint extract, cocoa powder, and sweetener. Mix together.

  

• Step 3

  If desired, mix in chocolate chips and top with crushed candy canes and marshmallows. This oatmeal pairs well with a cup of peppermint hot chocolate!

  

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

• Prep Time:1 min
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:6 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 Basic Oatmeal
• 1/3 cup pumpkin puree
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp ground ginger
• 1/8 tsp allspice
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Sweetener to taste
• Optional: 1 TBS graham crackers

• Step 1

  Make basic oatmeal.

• Step 2

  Add pumpkin puree, vanilla, spices, and sweetener. Stir to combine.

  

• Step 3

  Add any other desired mix-ins. If using, crumble up graham cracker and sprinkle over oatmeal. Enjoy this irresistible flavor of fall!

  

Apple Pie Oatmeal

• Prep Time:2 mins
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:7 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1 cup milk or dairy free milk
• Pinch salt
• 1 Apple
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Sweetener to taste

• Step 1

  Slice the apple into sections.

  

• Step 2

  Place oats, milk, salt, and apple into a microwave safe bowl.

  

• Step 3

  Microwave for 2 minutes. Make sure the mixture does not overflow.

  

• Step 4

  Take oatmeal out of microwave and stir.

  

• Step 5

  Repeat steps 3 and 4, microwaving 30 seconds at a time until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the oats look cooked.

• Step 6

  Add cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla, sweetener and any other spices or mix-ins. This heartwarming treat is sure start your day off right!

  

Eggnog Oatmeal

• Prep Time:1 min
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:6 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup + 2 TBS eggnog or dairy free eggnog
• 1/2 cup milk or dairy free milk
• Pinch salt
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• 1/8 tsp allspice
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

• Step 1

  Add ½ cup oats, ½ cup eggnog, ½ cup milk, and salt into a microwave safe bowl. If desired, use 1 cup eggnog and omit milk.

  

• Step 2

  Microwave for 2 minutes.

  

• Step 3

  Stir contents of the bowl. Return to microwave for 30 seconds. Repeat until most of the liquid is absorbed.

  

• Step 4

  Add spices, vanilla, and any other mix-ins. Stir to combine.

  

• Step 5

  If desired, top oatmeal with an additional 2 TBS eggnog and sprinkle with more cinnamon. Now you can drink your eggnog and eat it too!

  

Cranberry Pistachio Oatmeal

• Prep Time:1 min
• Cook Time:5 mins
• Total Time:6 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1 Basic Oatmeal
• 2 TBS dried cranberries
• 2 TBS pistachios
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• Sweetener to taste
• Optional: 1 TBS white chocolate chips

• Step 1

  Make basic oatmeal.

• Step 2

  Add vanilla and sweetener, then mix in pistachios, cranberries, and any other mix-ins.

  

These holiday oatmeals are sure to spice up your mood. So whether you want something warm and cozy or just want to get in the holiday spirit, try one of these recipes out. It definitely screams happy holidays.