Recipe

6 Seasonal Oatmeals to Spice up Your Holidays

By Julia Liu at University of Oregon

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!

 Here are some seasonal oatmeals to spice up your holidays:

Basic Oatmeal

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 2

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 3

Take oatmeal out of microwave and stir.

Photo by Julia Liu

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.

Photo by Julia Liu

Gingerbread Oatmeal

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 3

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Oatmeal

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

Photo by Julia Liu

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!

Photo by Julia Liu

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 3

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Apple Pie Oatmeal

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 2

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 3

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 4

Take oatmeal out of microwave and stir.

Photo by Julia Liu

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!

Photo by Julia Liu

Eggnog Oatmeal

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 2

Microwave for 2 minutes.

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 3

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 4

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

Photo by Julia Liu

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!

Photo by Julia Liu

Cranberry Pistachio Oatmeal

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

Photo by Julia Liu

Step 1

Make basic oatmeal.

Step 2

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

Photo by Julia Liu

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.