I’ll Admit I Used to Think Oatmeal Was Boring, But Then I Tried These Recipes (2024)

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I was struggling to find my go-to breakfast. Cereal hardly kept me full on my 40-minute morning commute, and the cookies I sometimes scarfed down with my coffee, admittedly, weren’t doing me any favors. The to-go avocado toast phase I went through wasn’t sustainable, and I couldn’t motivate myself to make eggs before 10 am. Oatmeal, I eventually realized, was the one option left that held any sort of promise.

Only, the thing is, it felt boring to me. Nothing seemed exciting about starting a day with a bowl of gruel. In fact, it seemed like the breakfast equivalent of an all-beige living room—AKA, so not my style. But then, I started doing some research. And I realized that oatmeal had so many more possibilities than I realized.

When you add spices and berries and even the occasional carrot (yes, I’m serious—keep reading), a bowl of utilitarian oatmeal becomes colorful and delightful. Now, I start every morning with a bowl of oatmeal that I take 10 minutes to make on the stovetop. It’s even become something I actually look forward to.

Ready to discover the world of possibilities this easy, affordable breakfast has to offer? Here are a few healthy oatmeal recipes I love.

1-Bowl Banana Chocolate Chip Banana Baked Oatmeal

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When you want to impress your family with a delicious brunch but don’t want to wake up early to slave in the kitchen, turn to this recipe from Minimalist Baker. This baked oatmeal feels fancier than the stovetop version. All you have to do is mix ingredients in one bowl, spoon it into a pan, and bake.

Brown Sugar Pear Steel-Cut Oats

I’ll be honest: I wasn’t a fan of steel-cut oats until I realized that I just wasn’t giving them enough time in the pot to become irresistibly creamy. Minimalist Baker’s brown sugar version is topped with sauteed pears to create a decadent breakfast.

Butter-Toasted Oat Breakfast Bowls

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No offense, but if you’re only buttering your toast in the morning, you’re doing it wrong. How Sweet Eats makes a compelling case that the best oatmeal is sauteed with a little bit of butter for five minutes. A can of coconut milk sweetens the deal.

Coconut Milk Steel Cut Oatmeal

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Your Instant Pot can make mornings way easier if you give it a chance. Mel’s Kitchen Cafe proves that you just need 15 minutes to create a hearty breakfast the whole family will enjoy. Top it with chopped nuts and coconut shreds for texture.

Earl Grey Blueberry Oatmeal

Drink your tea and eat it too—in the form of Half Baked Harvest’s earl grey tea version. For a single serving, you just need one tea bag. Use fresh blueberries, bananas, or other in-season produce to top it off.

Baked Oatmeal With Blueberries

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Hot tip: You can totally mix up Love and Lemons’s baked oatmeal the night before and pop it in the oven in morning. No one will be able to tell the difference, and you’ll have a breakfast that’s basically a healthier version of a blueberry crumble.

Savory Steel-Cut Oatmeal

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It’s not all maple syrup and fresh berries. Cookie and Kate makes a compelling reason to give savory oats a go with this easy recipe. Get creative with your mix-ins: Shredded cheese, nutritional yeast, and a drizzle of olive oil are all great options.

Healthy Cinnamon Protein Oatmeal

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Yes, this oatmeal by Food Faith Fitness looks super fancy, but it comes together in just 15 minutes. A little bit of cream cheese makes it taste rich while staying healthy. We recommend drizzling some Hella on top.

Instant Pot Banana Bread Steel Cut Oats

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Want to start your day with some delicious banana bread but avoid crashing a few hours later? Mel’s Kitchen Cafe has got your back. Best of all, there’s a strong chance you already have all the ingredients you need.

Morning Glory Oatmeal

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Is carrot cake more your speed? Cookie and Kate sees you. This recipe will help you to up your vegetable intake long before lunch. Oh, and it’s vegan!

Toasted Coconut Overnight Oats

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If you press snooze more than you should, might we recommend trying overnight oats? How Sweet Eats’s tropical recipe will keep you full until it’s time for lunch, thanks to the addition of Greek yogurt.

See more recipes:What Chefs Make When All They Have Is a Box of PastaThe French Girl’s Guide to Cooking EggsChow Down: 12 Healthy Snacks for When You Need a 4 pm Refuel

I’ll Admit I Used to Think Oatmeal Was Boring, But Then I Tried These Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why is oatmeal no longer good for you? ›

Cons to eating oatmeal.

Includes phytic acid, which has been studied to strip your body from absorbing the vitamins and minerals in the oats. It is a high starch or high carbohydrate food. So, in the end, yes, oats can spike your blood sugar, putting you on a “sugar-high” your body doesn't necessarily agree with.

Why does Dr Gundry say not to eat oatmeal? ›

Did you know that oats in oatmeal are packed with lectins which poke holes in your gut lining and can lead to health issues in the future, according to Dr. Gundry. One great way to avoid this is by using sorghum in your breakfast bowl rather than oats.

Why do so many people hate oatmeal? ›

Maybe because it's bland and not always very appetizing compared to other food. But you can do things with it to make it quite tasty. You can get the Quaker Oats flavored oatmeal but they have too much sugar. You can add your own cinnamon or brown sugar or maple syrup and cream or honey.

Why you shouldn't eat oatmeal? ›

So what's so bad about them? Many dislike oats because they contain phytic acid which impairs the absorption of iron, zinc, calcium, and more. It also blocks the production of digestive enzymes, making oats much harder on your stomach.

What happens to your stomach if you eat oatmeal everyday? ›

"Oats contain a special type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan," says Michalczyk. "Beta-glucan forms a gel-like consistency in the gut and helps to keep things moving in your digestive tract and keep you regular." This helps with bulking up your stool, making it easier for your bowel movement later.

What happened to your body if you eat oatmeal everyday? ›

Studies show that oats and oatmeal have many health benefits. These include weight loss, lower blood sugar levels, and a reduced risk of heart disease. Oats are among the healthiest grains on earth. They're a gluten-free whole grain and a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants.

What are the 3 foods Dr. Gundry says to avoid? ›

Gundry specifically recommends pressure-cooking dry beans to eliminate lectins. Eliminate foods high in lectins. These foods include legumes, grains, nuts, seeds, dairy products, certain meats, and sugary snacks.

What are the worst lectin foods? ›

Some foods that contain higher amounts of lectins include beans, peanuts, lentils, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, fruits, and wheat and other grains. Lectins serve a protective function for plants as they grow. They don't have any nutritional value when consumed in foods.

What should I eat for breakfast if I hate oatmeal? ›

  • 1–2. Gluten-free. Amaranth. Amaranth is an ancient grain with a slightly sweet, nutty taste that works well in place of oatmeal. ...
  • 3–4. High protein. Quinoa. ...
  • 5–6. Paleo-friendly. Ground flaxseed. ...
  • 7–8. Whole grain. Brown rice. ...
  • 9–10. Keto-friendly. Chia seeds. ...
  • 11–12. Baking. Almond meal.
Mar 14, 2022

What are the disadvantages of eating oatmeal? ›

What are side-effects of oats?
  • Oats are a good source of carbohydrates and overeating may lead to an increase in your weight.
  • As it is bland in nature, overconsuming oats may lead to an increase in sugar intake.
  • Opting for an oats-only diet may deprive your body of getting nourishment from other healthy food sources.
Oct 3, 2023

What country eats the most oatmeal? ›

Did you know? According to the UN Food & Agriculture Organization, Denmark tops the world charts for the highest oat consumption – 9kg per person a year – followed by Belarus, the UK, Finland and Norway. By comparison, annual consumption of wheat and wheat products in Denmark is 98kg per head.

Do oats cause gut inflammation? ›

Their results have outlined that oats are a valuable source of nutrients without gut inflammation, but other aspects, such as noninflammatory associated symptoms and the benefits of modulating the gut microbiome, have not been studied.

What is the healthiest oatmeal to buy? ›

Steel-cut oats are best and healthiest type of oats, according to Chawla. That's because they don't go through much processing. This type of oats contains huge amount of fiber, has lower GI so it is suitable for stabilising blood sugar levels and aids in metabolism and weight management.

What is the healthiest breakfast? ›

The healthiest breakfast foods include a protein, healthy fat and source of carbohydrates, according to Smolen. For a healthy breakfast, consider eating foods like oatmeal with nut butter, avocado toast with an egg, chia seed pudding or a greek yogurt parfait with nuts and berries.

How do you remove phytic acid from oats? ›

The main method is to soak the oats 12 hours or overnight in water. Using the same ratio of water to oats as you normally would to cook them. Soaking activates an enzyme in the oats called phytase that naturally breaks down phytic acid.

Is Quaker oatmeal safe to eat? ›

In May 2023, EWG said it detected the chemical in 92% of oat-based foods, including Quaker Oats and Cheerios. Quaker Oats, which is owned by PepsiCo, told FOX Business that the company stands "by the safety and quality" of its products. "We have a comprehensive food safety management system in place.

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