10 Ways to Enjoy Oats That Are Far From Ordinary
If you're the type of person that enjoys a slow, relaxing morning with a warm breakfast and a hot cup of coffee, chances are you've made oatmeal a lot. Or, maybe you're the type of person who's always on the go in the morning and have found overnight oats to be a convenient way to meal prep.
Either way, oatmeal is one of those staple breakfasts that's a filling, healthy way to warm up on a cold day.
But if you find yourself getting a little tired of the same old oats day in and day out, why not mix it up? Read on to explore a few of our favorite ways to give your morning oatmeal a delicious twist.
1. Make It Overnight
Even if you think you prefer them warm, consider making overnight oats instead of on the stovetop for a change. You'll probably find that they're way more convenient and especially helpful for those mornings when you're on the go!
Photo Courtesy of Co+op
Overnight Oats with Almond Butter and Fruit
Ingredients
4 hours–overnight total.
1 tablespoon almond butter
3/4 cup almond milk, or other milk
1 tablespoon chia or flax seeds
1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup dried fruit or 1/2 cup fresh or frozen fruit
Directions
In a pint jar or 1 1/2–2 cup storage tub, combine the almond butter and almond milk and stir vigorously with a fork to mix well. Add the chia or flax seeds, oats, cinnamon and fruit. Stir.
Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to a week. To serve, you can stir and eat cold, transfer to a small pan and heat until hot on the stove, or microwave for 1 1/2 minutes or so.
Recipe and photo adapted from Co+op
2. Add Brown Butter To Your Oatmeal
Browned butter is so simple to make and adds a unique depth of flavor you can't get from anything else. Bonus! It only takes a few minutes to make.
Browned butter contrasts particularly well with brown sugar and chewy dried fruit, making it a no-brainer when it comes to adding it to your morning oats.
Find the full recipe at Bon Appetit
3. Mix Your Oatmeal with Your Morning Cup of Tea
You know how the saying goes: kill two birds with one stone. Why not enjoy your morning cup of tea and oatmeal at the same time... in the same bowl?
To get that tea flavor infused into your oatmeal, the oats are literally cooked in a pot of milk and tea as opposed to water or milk.
This particular recipe calls for earl grey tea, but feel free to utilize whatever tea you prefer!
Find the full recipe at Half Baked Harvest
4. Add Squash. Yes, Squash.
Okay, hear us out on this one. In fall, squash and pumpkin is put into everything.
Between coffee filled with pumpkin puree and squash transformed into spaghetti, the options are kind of endless when it comes to all things squash, gourds, and pumpkins.
This is definitely a sweet-savory take on morning oatmeal, but maple syrup and brown sugar contrast roasted squash and tahini surprisingly well.
Find the full recipe at Epicurious
5. Make Your Oatmeal In An Instant Pot
If you own an Instant Pot, we understand that you’re constantly looking for new clever ways to use it.
Consider pulling it out of your pantry for your morning oats!
This particular oatmeal recipe is full of yummy fall flavors like pumpkin, maple syrup, nutmeg, and cinnamon.
Find the full recipe at Feasting at Home
6. Make Your Own Unique Oatmeal Mix
If plain old-fashioned oats are becoming a little worn out for you, consider making your own oatmeal mix!
In this recipe, oats are combined with barley, quinoa, and chia seeds to create a hot cereal mix that's full of a variety of different textures.
Swing by our Bulk Department where you can find all sorts of different grains to mix up your own DIY oatmeal!
Photo Courtesy of Cookie and Kate
7. Bake It
Boiling oatmeal is a simple way to cook it, but what if we told you baking it is even easier and doesn't require you to stand over the stove and stir it every few seconds?
The next time you go to make your morning oatmeal, consider tossing it in the oven rather than boiling a big pot of water!
Though this process takes longer, it results in a perfectly cooked oatmeal that's moist and tender on the inside and slightly crispy on the outside.
Find the full recipe at Cookie and Kate
8. Make a Soufflé
If you're the type that loves a sweet breakfast, here's a recipe to consider!
In this oatmeal recipe, oats are combined with milk, sugar, salt, and egg yolks to create an oatmeal-meets-quiche situation that's light and airy.
Top your soufflé off with your favorite berries and a dash of powdered sugar.
Find the full recipe at Food & Wine
9. Freeze Your Oatmeal Into Cups
If you're all about a quick breakfast on the go, here's a recipe you can prep in just 15 minutes and let freeze overnight.
Rolled oats are combined with date paste, salt, orange zest, cranberries, cinnamon, and blueberries, cooked for 5 minutes, and then placed in muffin tins.
Toss them in the freezer overnight, and in the morning, pop them in the microwave for a warm and satisfying breakfast without any effort.
Find the full recipe at Forks Over Knives
10. Stick to the Basics
And if all else fails, stick to the basics. Nothing's wrong with a good old combination of oatmeal, maple syrup, and brown sugar.