Hi friends!
This post was long coming because I have shared sooo many ways to eat oats among my “what I eat” posts and I thought it was time to compile them into their own post… they deserve it. The day really doesn’t feel right when I don’t start my morning with them. They are just so easy, filling, warm, comforting, versatile, delicious, creamy, dreamy, dessert-like, and not to mention HEALTHY! I have no shortage of adjectives.
Just a note that I always prepare my oats this way: 1/2 cup oats and 1 cup almond milk. Cook as is and once done, I always stir in 1 tbsp of ground flaxseed for a healthy dose of omegas. Then the toppings and additions ;)
If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen these photos a million times but hey. I hope that the below serves up some inspiration for your usual bowl. There is no right or wrong way to eat them, but these are all particularly delicious.
#1: Simple Cinnamon with a Boost of Iron
One way I like to add to the creaminess, texture, and iron content is to add a tbsp of farina to my oats. I cook them as usual with the addition of farina and they are extra creamy and have a wonderfully smooth texture. A sprinkle of cinnamon, some soy milk, and banana to top it off. Simple and wonderful.
#2: Peanut Butter Apple & Banana
I prepare my oats and add my tbsp of ground flax and some cinnamon and then top with peanut butter, apple chunks, and some banana.
#3: Jammy Berry & PB Oats
Oats according to package with ground flax and then I stir in about a tbsp of peanut butter. Topped with my favorite jammy berry syrup… I shared this recipe here.
#4: Chunky Monkey Cocoa Oats
Cocoa oats are literally dessert. So good! I prepare my oats and then stir in a tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder. Top with peanut butter or almond butter, and banana. I added some pomegranate above but not necessary.
#5: Warm Oats with Cold Smoothie
Let me just say that the warm oats and the cold smoothie… bliss. The temperature differences are divine! I prepare my oats according to package. My smoothie is usually a banana with a little soy milk and unsweetened cocoa powder (but you can do whatever smoothie you want). Topped with peanut butter, coconut flakes, and pecans.
#6: Oat Pancakes with Yogurt and Cinnamon Apples
Find the recipe for my oat pancakes here (you can use all oat flour if you don’t have chickpea flour). Top with yogurt and cinnamon apples.
#7: Peanut Butter & Banana Chip Mug Oats
This feels like eating cake for breakfast and I am here for it. Recipe here.
#8: Apple Cinnamon Oats
Cinnamon apples on oats is one of my go-to choices. Can you blame me? Look. at. it.
#9: Banana Nice Cream, Chocolate Date Sauce, and Tahini Drizzle
Sound like a weird combo? I promise you… it is NOT. It is wonderful. For the chocolate date sauce, I blend a few dates with a splash of milk, pinch of salt, and about 1-2 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder. To make banana nice cream, simply blend frozen bananas with a splash of non-dairy milk.
#10: Apple Cinnamon and Yogurt Parfait
Another way to enjoy the cinnamon apples is to layer it with your oats, walnuts, vanilla soy yogurt. So delicious.
#11: Oat Pancakes with Berries and Chocolate Maple Syrup
More oat pancakes, topped with ripe berries and chocolate maple syrup.
#12: Double Chocolate Oats in a Mug
This is like eating chocolate cake for breakfast and probably my favorite way to eat oats on this list. I am a dessert person and having something that feels like dessert first thing in the morning makes me very happy!
To make:
- 1 mashed banana
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Splash of non-dairy milk
- Splash of vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 4 tbsp of oat flour
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- Handful of chocolate chips
Stir well in your mug of choice and microwave on high for 3 mins (or until baked through).
#13: Fruit and Chocolate Parfait
Make your oats and layer up in a tall jar with banana, berries, nut butter, yogurt, granola, shredded coconut, nuts… whatever you have and enjoy!
#14: Chocolate PB & Banana
A real simple combination but just so satisfying. I like to use my chocolate date syrup and pb or almond butter.
#15: Chocolate Date Sauce and Frozen Cherries
More date sauce but the yummy factor here comes from the frozen cherries because I loooove the temperature difference.
#16: Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are delicious if you can remember to prep ahead of time. I usually only enjoy them in the summer heat and will make a few batches at a time for the week. I make a simple base:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup almond or soy milk
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- 1/4 cup yogurt (not necessary, but yummy if you have it)
- 1 tsp vanilla or a scoop of unsweetened cocoa powder
- Fruit, if desired
Shake it up and let sit overnight!
#17: Date Caramel & Chocolate
To make date caramel, simply blend your pitted dates with a splash of soy milk and a pinch of sea salt. Soooo sweet! Add some maple or date chocolate sauce and dig in. It’s like candy-bar oatmeal… but good for ya!
#18: Blueberries and Chocolate Date Sauce
Look at those swiiiiirls! Blueberries with vanilla yogurt and chocolate sauce.
#19: Cherries & Berries with Almond Extract
If you enjoy almond, using a bit of extract is a delicious change of pace and it pairs so well with berries!
#20: Carrot Cake Style
Excuse the children’s spoon, but my kids loved this as babies. Recipe here.
#21: Chocolate Maple Syrup, Bananas, and Raspberry Preserves
Are you sensing a pattern that I just want chocolate sauce drizzled on everything? Yeaaap. LOL But I love adding a dollop of jam to my oats for extra sweetness.
#22: Pumpkin Pie with Yogurt and PB
Prep oats as usual and then stir in some pumpkin puree, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup, and a little vanilla yogurt.
#23: Baked Oats with Toppings
Faith makes my favorite baked oats. I love them topped with nut butter and banana.
#24: Chocolate Baked Oats with PB Center
Speaking of peanut butter oats… THESE are to die for. You bake them in the microwave with peanut butter at the center. It is ooey gooey perfection.
#25: Strawberry Nice Cream and Chocolate Oats
To make nice cream, add frozen bananas, frozen strawberries, and soy milk to a blend and run until smooth. Add to your cocoa oats and add whatever toppings you’d like!
#26: Berry and Cashew Cream
Mmmmm cashew cream is so yummy to stir into oats for an extra boost of creaminess. I especially like to add a little bit of maple syrup and vanilla extract to the cashew cream for sweetness. Make oats as usual and add berries.
#27: Oat Chip Cookies
We make these cookies often because they are so simple and quick. Here’s the recipe.
#28: Almond Butter, Pecan, and Coconut Chocolate Oats
Chocolate oats with some fancier toppings than usual!
#29: Berries and Pomegranate
Pomegranate season? They are an amazing addition to your oatmeal bowl.
#30: Lava Mug Cake
Here’s a real decadent way to enjoy your oats… as a lava mug cake! Just sub regular flour for oat flour.
