Oatmeal has seen its fair share of popularity over the last few years due to its health benefits and virtually endless versatility options – and we couldn’t be more thrilled about it. This incredible grain can be your best friend during those busy mornings, helping you get enough nutrients to start your day right.
Still, although you can find countless inspirational oatmeal photos and ideas on social media, how often do you really switch between ingredients and toppings? Have you ever tried savory oatmeal? Without further ado, let’s get into some of the tastiest ways to upgrade your oatmeal, recommended by a weight loss clinic in Chicago.
Different cooking methods
Besides the endless variety of ingredient combinations, oatmeal can also be cooked in a few different ways. Truth be told, not even all of them involve the actual act of cooking. You may be into the traditional way of cooking oatmeal by mixing it with water or milk, or try baking oatmeal and incorporating it into your meal prep plan. Another convenient option is to soak your oats into your liquid of choice, top them with your favorite ingredients and leave them overnight. Instead of choosing one method of preparing your oatmeal, we suggest you switch between them to keep things exciting.
Tasty ways to upgrade your sweet oatmeal
Now that we’ve covered the basics of making your oatmeal, let’s get into some of the most delicious ingredient combinations to take your oatmeal to the next level:
- Try switching between different liquids
Whether your diet is dairy-free or not, try switching between different kinds of milk when making your oatmeal. Another fantastic option is to make overnight oatmeal using greek yogurt or a plant-based yogurt of your choice. You can also use these yogurts to make delicious oatmeal toppings – for example, by mixing them with an espresso shot and a sweetener to make delicious overnight tiramisu oatmeal. - Try some new ingredient combos
As mentioned earlier, the possibilities are endless, so we’ll just name a few of the most delicious ones, and those you can easily fit into your diet no matter the season:- Apple Cinnamon: Add some diced apples, cinnamon, chopped pecans, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
- Pumpkin Spice: Either stir in or top your oatmeal with pumpkin puree, add some vanilla extract and pumpkin spice, and finish it off with chopped pecans to add a crunchy element. Drizzle with some maple syrup.
- Strawberries and Cream: Add diced strawberries and a few tablespoons of lightly sweetened yogurt on top of your oatmeal.
- Banana Blueberry: Prepare your oatmeal with some chia seeds, and top it with a sliced banana, blueberries, and a drizzle of almond butter.
- Raspberry Chia Jam: Raspberry chia seed jam is super easy to make, and it’s convenient to have it stored as it makes an excellent oatmeal topping.
Delicious savory oatmeal ideas
If you still haven’t tried savory oatmeal, let us assure you – you’re missing a lot. Besides a nice change this type of oatmeal provides, it can also provide you with a protein-filled breakfast (or any other meal of your choice). This is because savory oatmeal typically includes ingredients such as poached or fried eggs, avocados, or different types of cheeses. When it comes to liquids, you can use regular milk or any plant-based milk as long as it’s unsweetened. Greek yogurt is another excellent choice that will add some healthy fats to your meal and help keep you full for longer. Let’s see a few easy and delicious combinations to add to your savory oatmeal no matter your diet:
- Fried Egg and Salsa: Top your oatmeal with classic salsa, pico de gallo, or avocado salsa, and add a fried egg and some microgreens.
- Soft-Boiled Egg and Spinach: Add a soft-boiled egg and some garlic-sauteed spinach to your savory oatmeal, and enhance it with a few slices of chopped avocado for some healthy fats.
- Sauteed Mushrooms: Sauteed mushrooms and a poached egg (or some tofu) paired with some chopped green onions and a dash of tamari soy sauce make a delicious topping for your next savory oatmeal.
- Peppers and Butternut Squash: Add diced and sauteed bell peppers with some garlic, roasted butternut squash, and some goat cheese.
