Oatmeal is an easily prepared and nutritious breakfast staple that has gained popularity for its convenience and health benefits. Not only packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals, oatmeal is also incredibly versatile. Whether you like rolled or steel-cut, sweet or savory, warm or chilled, the endless customizable options guarantee that it will stay a fresh and interesting breakfast item so you can finally use up that whole bag of oats!
Steel Cut vs. Rolled
The first decision to make is what type of oats to use. Steel-cut oats are made by chopping the oats into pieces with blades, while rolled oats are steamed and then flattened. Because steel-cut oats are less processed, they tend to have a chewier texture and nutty flavor compared to the more mild and creamy rolled oats. Steel-cut oats also take longer to cook than rolled, though quick-cooking steel-cut oats can be ready in less than ten minutes.
Sweet and Savory
Once you’ve chosen which type of oats to use, you can mix and match toppings. Some sweet topping ideas are dried or fresh fruit and sprinkles of sugar, honey, or chocolate. A variety of savory options include leafy greens like spinach or kale, peppers, an egg, or other protein. Both flavor routes are easily elevated with your favorite spices or nuts.
Below are four of my current favorite flavor combinations. I used steel-cut oats, but any type is great!
Cinnamon Apple and Cranberries
For the first bowl, I tossed some honey crisp apple chunks in a pan with butter and cinnamon until slightly softened then mixed them into the oats. I topped the bowl by sprinkling brown sugar and dried cranberries for a crisp fall flavor.
Pumpkin Spice
For this cozy and festive bowl, I stirred a spoonful of pumpkin purée into the oats with pumpkin pie seasoning. I then crumbled some cinnamon blondies on top and added a handful of honey-roasted almonds to finish. Feel free to get creative with the ingredients left in your kitchen—baked goods can be easily added to give a touch of sweetness to your breakfast.
Spiced Egg and Kale
My go-to savory combination is a fried egg and sautéed kale, both of which are easily prepared in a pan with oil. I love to add feta cheese with a sprinkle of zaatar spice and red pepper to create a flavorful and tangy bowl.
Oats are the perfect base to experiment with add-ins and toppings. Experiment with savory bases by adding miso paste or substituting water with chicken or vegetable broth to pack in the flavor. Try incorporating aromatics like ginger, garlic, or onion, too, and top with mushrooms, prosciutto, or a soft-boiled egg.
Overnight Oats
Another popular way to prepare oats is overnight in the fridge. Prepping the night before or even making a large batch for the week can save time for early mornings. Both rolled or steel-cut can be used for overnight oats, depending on your texture preference. Overnight oats can start simple, with just dry oats and your milk of choice. I love to mix in chia seeds or cocoa powder to the base, then add fresh or frozen fruit and Greek yogurt in the morning. Some other nutritious and flavorful add-ins are protein powder, nut butter, shredded coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, nuts, and honey. For these oats, I used my quick-cooking steel-cut oats, soy milk, and cocoa powder, then topped with strawberries, chocolate chunks, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Oatmeal offers something for everyone, allowing for creative and unique recipes as well as tried and true favorites. These 8 Instagram Reel recipes attest to the virality and media popularity of oats—check them out for inspiration for your next bowl. Try some of these sweet or savory recipes, too, and experiment with your own combinations for an easy, nutritious breakfast!