Gruel. Mush. Porridge. Slop. Poor old oatmeal has long had a bad rap for its blandness and sludgy texture. Only recently have oats been reinvigorated thanks to a proliferation of boundary-pushing, instaworthy breakfast bowls based on the humble grain. Finally, influencers are discovering that oatmeal's “plainness” in flavor and texture makes it the perfect vehicle for a boundless variety of toppings. Nevertheless, your rotation of “fun” oatmeals can still seem utterly repetitive. So we’ve challenged ourselves to come up with as many oatmeal topping combos as we can—some healthy, some shamelessly decadent, and even some savory—so you’ll never have to suffer from the breakfast blues again...
Sweet:
- blackberry, banana, and chocolate chips
- apples, maple syrup, and cinnamon
- bananas foster (bananas caramelized in brown sugar and butter)
- maple syrup and chopped bacon
- peanut butter and raspberries
- pumpkin butter and chopped pecans
- shredded coconut and pineapple
- tahini and fig jam
- frozen blueberries, mango, and sliced almonds (a la BPlate)
- almond butter, sliced banana, and honey
- honey-roasted sliced almonds, strawberries, and greek yogurt
- leftover cranberry sauce and chopped toasted hazelnuts
- pomegranate arils, sliced orange, and honey
- chia seeds, kiwi, and coconut
- carrot cake style (finely grated carrot or mashed boiled carrots, cinnamon, nutmeg, walnuts, and raisins)
- ricotta, mixed berries, and honey
- lemon curd and papaya
- cherries and balsamic reduction
Savory:
- roasted asparagus, roasted red bell pepper, and toasted pine nuts
- sausage crumbles, caramelized onion, spinach, and sundried tomatoes
- Monte Cristo style (ham, gruyere, and maple syrup)
- a fried egg, avocado, sliced cherry tomatoes, and fresh cracked pepper
- black beans, cotija, pico de gallo, and guacamole
- roasted chickpeas, harissa, and sautéed kale
- scrambled egg, scallions, soy sauce, and edamame
- sliced sausage, sauerkraut, and dijon
- cream cheese, sesame seeds, and lox
- soft-boiled egg and everything bagel seasoning
- roasted butternut squash, fried sage, and walnuts
- parmesan w/ grilled maitake mushrooms & egg yolk
Hopefully these ideas—which are totally customizable to your own tastes—provided some inspiration for your next breakfast adventure. We'll take the oats, thank you, but hold the déjà vu.