Oatmeal is a breakfast staple for a bunch of causes—it’s filling, fast to organize, and filled with fiber and different vitamins. Downside is, consuming the identical previous stuff morning after morning can begin to get somewhat uninteresting. In any case, there’s solely a lot peanut butter or honey you’ll be able to spoon into it earlier than you’re left wanting one thing extra.
However there are literally numerous methods you’ll be able to stage up your oats into one thing you’re excited to get away from bed for. And also you don’t have to put in a great deal of work to get it achieved, both. It’s potential to breathe new life into your bowl by swapping out conventional add-ins, experimenting with new taste combos, and attempting totally different cooking strategies. Check out these recommendations beneath, and we promise you’ll soar again on the oatmeal wave very quickly.
1. Bake your oats.
You don’t all the time need to go the top-of-the-stove route. Jessie Shafer, RDN, a Denver-based registered dietitian, pops hers within the oven and cooks it in a casserole dish for a distinct type of texture. “Baked oatmeal [is] a cross between a bowl of oatmeal and a breakfast bar,” Shafer tells SELF.
Consider: You’ll need to use rolled or old style oats as a substitute of slow-cooking steel-cut or on the spot choices, since they maintain up higher underneath warmth. Shafer suggests mixing along with your selection of milk, maple syrup, chia seeds, berries, baking powder, cinnamon, and vanilla extract, then cooking till it reaches an apple-crisp-like consistency—golden brown on the highest and gooey within the heart. The ensuing texture lends itself nicely to reheating, so you may make an enormous batch to eat all through the week, she explains.
2. Brew your oats in tea.
Brew your favourite selection, like Earl Gray or matcha, then combine it into your oats. The outcome? A fast means to boost the flavour of your bland bowl. If you need crunchy bites, you’ll be able to add in some dried cranberries or granola, too.
3. High it off with frozen fruit.
For a candy and refreshing hit, toss frozen staples like blueberries, mangoes, peaches, and strawberries into your oatmeal proper out of the bag—no have to thaw first. The warmth will soften them completely. Bonus: No have to prep recent produce on your morning meal, as a result of who’s bought time for that?
4. Raid your spice cupboard.
Plain oatmeal is a clean canvas, which makes a complete bunch of choices work in it. Sprinkle on cinnamon or ginger for candy notes, or every thing bagel seasoning or curry powder for those who’re going the savory route. A pinch or two can go a good distance for upgrading your dish—and it takes mere seconds.
5. Grate in some cheese.
A enjoyable bowl of oatmeal doesn’t need to be candy. If you happen to want savory flavors, put together your oatmeal like a risotto by grating in Parmesan or Asiago for some creamy and nutty notes. You can too strive various kinds of cheese every week—say, Gruyère or cheddar—to maintain your grains attention-grabbing.
6. Combine in some hearty veggies.
For extra savory oatmeal concepts, combine in roasted produce like zucchini, carrots, or broccoli—or just about another leftovers in your fridge, Samantha Cassetty, MS, RD, a NYC-based registered dietitian, tells SELF. This provides a heartiness to your grains that works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Cassetty says. Plus, it’s merely a fast and straightforward technique to eat extra veggies, which will help your well being in addition to shake up your plate. “Greens are extremely nutrient-dense,” Shafer says. “They’ve excessive quantities of important nutritional vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.”
7. Stir in some yogurt.
“The combo of oats with yogurt gives you a extremely creamy consistency,” Cassetty says. You possibly can go together with plain, particularly for those who’re planning on stirring in add-ins, however strawberry or vanilla-flavored choices work too, significantly for those who gravitate towards sweeter notes.
This combo packs some hearty dietary perks, too. A half cup cup of oats accommodates about 5 grams (g) of protein, however for those who add a serving of Greek yogurt to it, you’ll be able to greater than quadruple the quantity in your meal. Specialists typically advocate capturing for not less than 20 g for a filling breakfast, so this can enable you get there, Cassetty says.
8. High it off with eggs.
Whether or not it’s over straightforward, poached, or boiled, an egg can add taste and texture (plus 5 to eight g of protein) to your oatmeal, Cassetty says. The yolk oozing over your grains will give it a wealthy, buttery style.
9. Don’t overlook the nuts.
Choose up some almonds, cashews, or pistachios, and sprinkle them in your oatmeal for some crunch. (If you happen to’re feeling additional bold, you’ll be able to roast them beforehand so as to add a pleasant caramelized taste). You’ll load up on wholesome fat and fiber, which boosts fullness and helps preserve meals shifting by your digestive tract, says Cassetty.
10. Drizzle on chili crisp.
A douse of warmth can actually amp up your meal—and chili crisp is a fast means so as to add that in. The crunchy, savory, oil-based condiment pairs deliciously with the impartial base of your grains. There are tons of sorts of sauces on the market, too; some have sweeter notes, and others are extra garlic-forward, so that you’ll by no means develop bored of your oats once more.
Associated:
