Get Spooky with These 3 Halloween Oatmeal Recipes

I have a confession: I never really got into Halloween as a kid. I loved the candy, of course, but I was always stumped when it came to coming up with a costume, and the creepy decorations in my neighbors' lawns unnerved me. Now that I'm free from the societal expectation to dress up, I can focus on the best part of the holiday: the treats! Artificial, sugar-loaded candy bars abound during this time of year, but even your hearty morning oatmeal can join in on the Halloween fun. I've developed three spooky, Halloween oatmeal recipes that you can make in just a few simple steps on the stovetop. If you don't have access to a stove, have no fear! You can make these overnight-oats style by cutting the milk in half. 

First off, I present this luxurious Vampire Oatmeal, studded with chocolate chips and glistening with a sweet, blood-red strawberry sauce. Shredded coconut "fangs" make a sophisticated addition to this elegant bowl. It's just begging you to take a bite.

Vampire Oatmeal

• Prep Time:2 mins
• Cook Time:10 mins
• Total Time:12 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup nondairy milk
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup frozen or fresh strawberries
• 1 teaspoon shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips

• Step 1

  In a small saucepan, combine the rolled oats and nondairy milk. Covering the pan with the lid, bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.

  

• Step 2

  Once the mixture is boiling, remove the lid and turn the heat down to low. Add the vanilla extract and coconut. Stirring frequently, simmer the oats until they have absorbed most of the liquid, about 5 minutes.

  

• Step 3

  Meanwhile, in a small glass bowl, heat the strawberries in the microwave until soft. If you want a thinner sauce, puree the strawberries in a food processor. If you want a thicker sauce, simply mash the berries with a fork.

  

• Step 4

  Once the oats have reached your desired consistency, turn off the heat and transfer the oatmeal into a bowl. Pour on the strawberry sauce, then top it off with more shredded coconut and chocolate chips.

  

Not enough chocolate? I hear you. With this next bowl, take a step into a rich, shadow-filled cocoa forest, bearing crunchy pecan "bark" and earthy pistachio "leaves." Juicy blackberries finish off this subtly sweet ensemble. Maybe this dark forest isn't so scary after all. 

Haunted Forest Oatmeal

• Prep Time:5 mins
• Cook Time:10 mins
• Total Time:15 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup nondairy milk
• 1 banana
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon chopped pecans
• 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios
• 1/4 cup blackberries

• Step 1

  Combine the oats and nondairy milk in a small saucepan. Cover the pan with a lid and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.

  

• Step 2

  In a small bowl, mash the banana using a fork.

  

• Step 3

  Once the mixture is boiling, uncover the pan and turn the heat down to low. Add the mashed banana, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.

  

• Step 4

  Stirring frequently, cook until the oats have absorbed most of the liquid, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and transfer to a bowl for serving. Top with chopped pecans, pistachios, and a handful of blackberries.

  

This last Halloween oatmeal recipe is my take on a witch's potion, filled with an odd assortment of ingredients that come together to make something magical. The addition of peanut butter makes these oats ultra creamy, and three special mix-ins (pumpkin seed "dragon scales," sunflower seed "werewolf claws," and ruby-red dried cranberries) add a great crunch and burst of sweetness to this steaming pot of goodness.

Witches' Cauldron Oatmeal

• Prep Time:0
• Cook Time:10 mins
• Total Time:10 mins
• Servings:1
• Easy

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup nondairy milk
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin seeds
• 1 teaspoon sunflower seeds
• 1 teaspoon dried cranberries

• Step 1

  Combine the oats and nondairy milk in a small saucepan. Cover the pan with a lid and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.

  

• Step 2

  Once the mixture is boiling, uncover the pan and turn the heat down to low. Stir in the peanut butter and vanilla extract.

  

• Step 3

  Stirring occasionally, let the oats simmer until they have absorbed most of the liquid, about 5 minutes. Turn off the heat, then transfer to a bowl for serving. Sprinkle on the pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and dried cranberries. Top it off with a drizzle of peanut butter, if desired.

  

If you struggle to get in the Halloween spirit like me, give one of these creative combos a try. If you aren't feeling inspired though, don't sweat it. Let the kids in your neighborhood have their trick-or-treating fun, and then snap up all that discounted candy the next day. After all, nothing conjures up festive feelings quite like a two-for-one deal.