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How to Make Oatmeal | 6 Ways!

Name: How to Make Oatmeal
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup rolled oats; 1/2 cup milk of choice; 1/2 cup water; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1 scoop protein powder (optional); ½ banana sliced; 1 Tablespoon chopped walnuts or pecans; 1 Tablespoon maple syrup; Pinch cinnamon; 1 tablespoon cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter; 2 teaspoons chocolate chips; Nuts for topping; drizzle with melted chocolate and peanut butter (for topping, if desired); ½ diced or sliced apple; 1 tablespoon chopped pecans; 1 Tablespoon maple syrup; ½ teaspoon cinnamon; ½ sliced banana; ¼ cup blueberries; 1 teaspoon almond butter; sprinkle of chia seeds; ½ cup sliced strawberries; 1 Tablespoon Greek yogurt; 1 teaspoon honey; ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract; sprinke of coconut (for topping ); ¼ cup pumpkin puree; 1 tablespoon maple syrup; ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice

on Mar 11, 2024

5 from 2 votes

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A comforting, hearty bowl of Oatmeal is the perfect high-protein fiber-packed breakfast to power you through your day! Enjoy these 6 easy variations filled with simple, yet tasty ingredients, so you never get bored.

Oatmeal is one of my family’s favorite breakfast options. There’s just something about it that’s so hearty and comforting! The best part is, you can prepare it in a variety of ways with many different mix-ins and toppings, so you’re always looking forward to a new breakfast! I’ve got 6 delicious variations here for you, from fruity to decadent, there’s something for everyone. Each is incredibly delicious, and super quick and easy to make too!

Another perk of these warm and cozy bowls of oats, is they are filled with enough protein and other nourishing ingredients so you stay fueled for hours! Oatmeal is a great source of fiber, and also helps to lower cholesterol! In addition, I’m giving you some amazing mix-in and topping ideas that boost the nutrients even more. From Banana Nut to Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Peanut Butter, you’re going to love them all!

Ingredients needed

You may already have everything you need to make this base oatmeal recipe! It requires just 4 ingredients and can be ready to enjoy in not much more than 5 minutes. You’ll be sitting down to a cozy breakfast in no time! Here’s what’s needed:

Rolled oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats have the best chewy texture.
Liquid: I like to use a combo of milk and water to cook the oats. However, you can use all milk or all water. Feel free to use whatever milk you like best.
Salt: A small amount to enhance the flavor.

How to make stovetop oatmeal

This oatmeal recipe only takes a few minutes to make and it’s the perfect blank canvas for all of your favorite toppings. You’re going to be craving this every morning! Here’s how to make it:

Combine ingredients: Add the oats, milk, water, and salt to a medium saucepan.
Simmer: Bring the to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the oats have thickened and cooked through.
Serve: Stir in mixings and toppings of choice and enjoy immediately!

How to Make Protein Oatmeal

If you are looking to boost the protein content of your oatmeal and stay full longer, then adding protein powder to your oatmeal is a great option. You can use any flavor of protein powder for these recipes. I like to use flavors that I think pair nicely with the mix-ins. This delicious Vanilla Protein Powder is my go-to protein powder as a base. It contains 21g grams of protein and 5g of fiber per serving. Plus it’s sugar & dairy-free! This chocolate version is so good in chocolate or peanut butter oatmeal.

To add protein to your oatmeal, simply add a scoop of your favorite protein powder that is made with high-quality, clean ingredients just after the oats are cooked through.

Expert tips

Oat varieties: This recipe is written for making rolled oats, if you’d like to use steel cut oats or quick oats, you’ll need to adjust the liquid and the cook time.
Gluten free: Even though oats are naturally gluten free, you’ll want to buy oats that are labeled as certified gluten free to ensure they are not contaminated.
Vegan: To make any of these oatmeal recipes vegan and dairy free, use plant-based milk, plant-based yogurt, vegan protein and maple syrup for a sweetener.
Consistency: Add more water or milk to the cooked oatmeal to get your preferred consistency.

Variations

Banana nut: Just like your favorite banana nut bread, this oatmeal recipe is made with banana slices and chopped walnuts or pecans for breakfast that tastes like dessert.
Chocolate peanut butter: We all love the delicious chocolate peanut butter combo! This is the ultimate breakfast that tastes indulgent but is actually healthy!
Apple cinnamon: This one is a classic! It smells just like apple pie and tastes so cozy!
Banana blueberry: A combination of sliced banana with juicy blueberries and nutty almond butter is so good! Plus, it’s high in vitamins, antioxidants and healthy fats!
Strawberries and cream: Way better than anything you’d get in a packet! It’s loaded with real fruit flavor, and gets a boost of creaminess and protein from the greek yogurt.
Pumpkin spice: Perfect for the fall season! Made with real pumpkin puree, this will satisfy all of your pumpkin cravings!

Frequently asked questions

How can I add protein to my oatmeal?

For this protein oatmeal recipe, we’re adding a scoop of protein straight into the cooked oats. Other ways to increase the protein are by adding in greek yogurt, nut butter, nuts, hemp hearts, chia seeds and by using dairy milk.

What protein mixes well with oatmeal?

We prefer to use a whey powder with no added sugars or artificial flavors. It mixes well with the oatmeal and is a healthy choice. There are also many vegan brands that will mix well with oatmeal too.

What are the best oats to use?

When making protein oatmeal, we like to use rolled old fashioned oats. They have a really great texture and cook quickly. Quick oats will work but they will turn out softer and mushier. Steel cut oats can also be used, but they require a longer cooking time of around 20 minutes. Depending on what type of oats you use, the amount of liquid needed will also change.

Storage recommendations

Homemade oatmeal is great for making ahead and meal prepping! I love to make a few batches on Sunday, to have ready to just reheat in the microwave throughout the week.

In the refrigerator: Oatmeal will store for up to one week in an airtight container.
To reheat: In a microwave-safe bowl, add a serving of oatmeal and rewarm it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Stir after one minute, and check to see if it’s warmed through. It may be necessary to stir in some extra liquid, if it’s too thick.

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