Chris Simpson
Oatmeal recipes don't have to be basic. Oats are so versatile and an anything-but-boring ingredient that we like to think of as a blank canvas. The possibilities are truly endless, and while they're most often paired with fruit, who says the options need to end there?
Oats are also a natural for savory ingredients, such as eggs, cheese, and greens. And just as versatile as their pairings are the ways you can cook them. Although simmering on the stove with some sort of liquid is traditional, oats also take well to other techniques, including baking and sitting in the fridge for a few hours (read: overnight) until they're thick and chewy. Take a spin through the recipes we've gathered here and we promise you'll view good ol' oats in a whole new light.
Spiced Apple Oatmeal
It only takes five minutes to turn a crisp apple into a tender oatmeal mix-in, and the sweet fruit is even better after stewing with butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon. This oatmeal recipe is reminiscent of apple pie, with crunchy pecans adding a lovely texture.
Baked Oatmeal
Baked oats have a firmer texture than stovetop oats, and they're a great way to serve a crowd. With creamy banana, colorful berries, and wholesome almonds or walnuts, this take on a breakfast casserole is a great trick to keep up your sleeve.
No-Cook Overnight Oats
Combine rolled oats and milk, let sit in the fridge overnight, and in the morning, a creamy and satisfying breakfast is ready to go. Our recipe is a tropical version that includes coconut milk, kiwi, pineapple, and mango, but the instructions can be adapted to use any mix ins so you can go any direction you want.
Savory Oatmeal and Soft-Cooked Egg
Oatmeal takes a new direction when you add a perfectly soft-cooked egg and shredded sharp cheddar cheese. With thinly sliced scallions and some salt and pepper, they're all you need for an unexpectedly wonderful breakfast.
Vegan Granola Bars
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These creative bars include finely ground oats as well as pureed dates, which give them a gentle sweetness. Oat bran and wheat germ bump up the nutritional value even more.
Muesli Cereal
Traditional Swiss muesli is essentially overnight oats and yet another great oatmeal recipe. Mixed dried fruit is a classic addition, along with chopped nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, or walnuts.
Bircher Chia Parfait
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Nico Schinco
This delicious spin on overnight oats includes chia seeds, which become puffy and gelatinous when soaked in liquid. Together with rolled oats, they transform into a rich and thick pudding-like breakfast that's great with fruit and maple syrup.
Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
Peanut butter and oats are a match made in heaven. As it happens, they're also the building blocks for some very easy cookies, which don't even require an oven.
Creamy Parmesan Oats With Fried Egg
Small and sweet, with a touch of spice, peppadew peppers are a great addition to this savory oatmeal, along with a sunny side-up egg, peppery watercress, and Parmesan.
Baked Oatmeal for a Crowd With Berries and Seeds
Chris Simpson
Here's another not-to-be-missed spin on baked oats. This one includes chopped dates, toasted pepitas, and hemp seed hearts, which have a mild, nutty flavor.
Apple Crisp
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Julia Hartbeck
Old-fashioned oats stay firm in baking, and are just what you want for soft and slumpy apples in this crisp. They offer a pleasing texture that's just perfect in this simple dessert.
Muesli with Yogurt
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Antonis Achilleos
This muesli includes wheat germ, adding a nutritional boost. The recipe makes enough for eight servings, so you'll be set for a week's worth of breakfasts (plus a bonus day!).
Chocolate-Chip, Oat, and Coconut Skillet Cookie
Skillet + cookie = two words we love to hear together. Simply stir together an oat-studded cookie batter, spread it into the skillet, bake, and cue rave reviews.
