I know it’s June, but I’m still on an oatmeal kick at breakfast most mornings. (It’s still a little chilly here in Seattle.)
Oatmeal is endlessly versatile – and great with summer fruit on top! – so I never get bored. And it’s pretty quick if you use the prep tricks below.
Plus, nothing keeps me full and moving along all morning like oatmeal. Even eggs don’t do the trick (not for me, at least).
Here’s how I keep things interesting.
First things first: Skip the instant/quick cook oatmeal. From a nutrition and energy perspective, you might as well be eating air. Not to mention that the consistency and flavor is, well, ick. In fact, if you “hate oatmeal” but only eat instant or quick cook oats, I encourage you to give one of these a try before you declare your final hatred of oatmeal.
Use either whole rolled oats or steel cut oats. (I know, I know…they take too long to cook…just hold your horses for a minute! 😉 You’ll get a sustained energy boost that will last you all morning plus a bowl full of fiber, protein, B vitamins, iron, and other heart-healthy and cholesterol-lowering yumminess.
How to make oatmeal quicker (without using quick oats)
- Make “soaked oats.” Put rolled oats in a container with milk or yogurt + dried fruit and nuts and let it sit overnight. (FYI: This won’t work with steel cut oats.)
- Cook more oatmeal than you need and reheat for a few minutes the next morning by puttin it in a pot with a little water and steaming it with the top on.
- Pre-soak steel cut oats overnight to reduce cooking time in the morning to about 10 minutes (vs. 30)
25 ways to eat oatmeal
- Fresh summer peaches and pecans
- Chia seeds and coconut manna
- Apples, walnuts, and cinnamon
- Blueberries, almonds, cinnamon, and brown sugar (I like coconut sugar.)
- Raspberries, pecans, and cinnamon
- Bananas and walnuts
- Mashed banana, brown sugar, nuts, and creme fraiche or sour cream (I haven’t tried this, but my friend Scott LOVES it!)
- Bananas, walnuts, and fresh ginger
- Oatmeal, banana, peanut butter, plain yogurt or kefir, blended into a smoothie
- Peanut butter and jelly oatmeal: peanut butter, dried cranberries, and brown sugar
- Cashews, coconut manna or dried coconut, and mango
- Blueberries, almonds, and dried coconut
- Flax seeds, bananas, and walnuts
- Sunflower seeds and dried blueberries
- Pecans, maple syrup, and chia seeds
- Dates and walnuts
- Vanilla, cinnamon (added to water while cooking), nuts, and golden raisins
- Honey and sunflower seeds
- Pumpkin seeds and maple syrup
- Greek yogurt, honey, and blueberries
- Savory: Crumbled bacon and brown sugar
- Savory: Sprinkle of cheddar cheese and bacon
- Steel cut oats, amaranth (cook with the oatmeal), almonds or crunchy almond butter, cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg
- Dark chocolate chips and peanut butter
- Blackberries, fresh ginger, and walnuts
Share your favorite oatmeal concoctions in the comments!
xo,
