The Oatmeal Project
by The Gracious Pantry
When you eat oatmeal every morning, it can become a little dull if you don’t get creative.
I’m taking on the challenge of seeing if I can come up with 365 different oatmeal variations (I’ll update this page continuously), and I really need your help.
How do you eat your oatmeal in the morning? Help me out by leaving a comment below!
1 cup cooked oatmeal
1/2 cup soy milk
1/4 cup walnuts
1/2 banana
1/4 cup blackberries
1 tbsp. wheat germ |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 cup hazelnuts (chopped)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 small apple (chopped) |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 banana
1/2 cup soy milk
1 tbsp. oat bran |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup almonds
1/2 cup non fat milk |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1 tsp. orange extract
Zest of 1 orange
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 cup cranberries
1/4 cup almonds
1/2 cup non fat milk |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1/2 cup almond milk
1/4 cup walnuts
Pulp of 1 persimmon |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1 banana
1 tbsp. oat bran
1 tbsp. wheat germ
1 tbsp. ground flax seed
1/2 cup non fat milk |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1 tbsp. oat bran
1 tbsp. ground flax seed
1 tbsp. wheat germ
2 egg whites |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1/2 cup almond milk
1 small apple
1/4 cup almonds |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. cinnamon
3 tsp. agave
1 tsp. molasses
4 prunes – chopped
1/4 cup walnuts |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 scoop protein powder
1/2 cup fat free milk |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 fresh mango
2 tbsp. ground flax seed
2 tbsp. raw wheat germ
1/4 cup pecans
1/2 cup light coconut milk
1 scoop whey protein powder
1/2 tbsp. agave |
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1 cup oatmeal
1/4 cup non-fat milk
1 tbsp. coconut oil
1 pack pina colada protein powder |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1 tbsp. clean granola
1 fresh peach
1 scoop whey protein powder
1/2 cup milk or soy milk |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1 tbsp. chia seeds
1/4 cup walnuts
1//2 cup strawberries
1 tsp. honey
1/2 cup non-fat milk |
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Suggested in comments
by Karen M. #28
1 cup cooked oats
2 tbsp. flax seed (meal)
1 tsp. dark cocoa powder
1/2 cup berries
1/3 cup Greek yogurt (non fat)
1 tbsp. agave |
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Suggested in comments
by Angie #35
1 cup cooked oats
1/2 cup strawberries
1/4 cup almonds
1/2 tps. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon |
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Suggested in comments
by Ali #11
1 ripe banana – smashed
1/2 cup raw oats
Cook according to directions,
but include the banana in
the water while cooking.
When done, stir in:
1 scoop protein powder OR
3 egg whites (cooked)
1 tbsp wheat germ
1 tbsp flax seed
Top with a nectarine and Pecans |
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Suggested in comments
by Wendy #39
1 cup cooked oats
1/4 cup prepared pumpkin
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla
2 tsp. flax seed (ground)
agave or honey to taste |
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1 cup cooked oats
2 tsp. dark cocoa powder
1 scoop whey protein powder
1 banana
1/4 cup pecans
1 tbsp. agave |
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1 cup cooked oatmeal
1 scoop protein powder
1/4 cup blueberries
1/4 cup pineapple
1/2 cup milk
1 tbsp. chia seeds |
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71 comments
I have always disliked oatmeal but started eating oatbran occasionally because I know it is so good for you. I have to really “hide” the taste and texture of the oatbran so these ideas are great! I like blueberries, bananas and cinnamon in mine.
Hi Sarah!
What a great combination! I’ll try that. Thanks for the idea!
Have you tried steel cut oats? Maybe a different texture would help you? Just a thought.
Thanks again!
Tiffany
One of my favorite oatmeal combos is 1c. oatmeal, 1 tbs peanut butter, 1 tsp maple syrup, and 1/2 c. soy milk. This is really good with a sliced banana on top.
Holy cow! That DOES sound yummy! I’ll give it a try. Thanks!
My favorite…
1/2C Old Fashioned Oats
1/2C Almond Milk
1T Almond Butter
1T Honey
Add together, microwave for 60 seconds, stir, microwave for another 60 seconds. You may need more milk, depending on your preference.
This is great Jennifer! Thanks so much! I’ve never mixed any nut butters in with my oatmeal. I’ll be giving that a try.
Thanks again!
my all time favorite!
1c.oatmeal(6 grain)
1tsp.good vanilla
1tsp.cinnamon
mix 1/2c. bluberries, skin of an apple
1tbl.maple agave, 1/2c. skim milk
enjoy:)
Wow!
But I have to ask…. skin of an apple? Is that for fiber? Why not the whole apple?
Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll be trying it soon!
Tiffany
I cut some bananas into a heating pan – mix 1 egg and 2 egg white – bit of water – cinnamon – mix in about a 1/2 cup of oats – mix and pour over bananas. You fry it like a thick pancake and serve with some applesauce. Yummy and filling.
All fruit works!
Jana
Holy moly!!! That sounds fantastic! I’ll be giving that a try over the weekend!
Thanks for the suggestion!
Tiffany
I am so thrilled to find this website!!!
I love oatmeal and put whatever I have on hand into it. One of my favorites is banana. Anytime I have bananas that are about to turn I toss them in the freezer. For oatmeal I cut the peel of and thaw the banana in the water for the oatmeal, mashing as it thaws (if it is a big banana cut it in half before thawing and put one half back in the freezer). Once the water boils just add the oats, ground flax seed and wheat germ. Yum! If I have had a hard workout I might add a tablespoon or 2 of clean peanut butter. Double Yum!
I am a little confused looking at the oatmeal recipes on here though–they require more oatmeal than liquid. Or is the 1 cup of oatmeal listed for each recipe cooked oatmeal? Just curious.
Hi Ali,
I’m glad you found my web site too! Welcome!
The oatmeal recipes listed are all for cooked oatmeal. I’m sure you’re not the only one who’s wondered that, so I should probably go in and list it as cooked. Thanks for bringing that to my attention!
Your recipes sound FABULOUS! I can’t wait to try it!
Thanks again for stopping by and for leaving a comment.
Take care,
Tiffany
My 2&7 yr olds are used to eating the instant packet flavored oatmeal. Now that I am eating clean and trying very hard to introduce it to my family without too much resistance I came up with a “cleaner” version that they both seem to love. Using good old fashioned oats, I add a rounded teaspoon of organic apple butter, 1/4 diced apple (skin on) and 1/2 bananna. The apple butter gives the pale oats some color and flavor and the fresh fruit is sweet enough that they don’t even miss the sugar. I can even get away with adding 1/2 teaspoon of ground flaxseed without so much as a blink of an eye. Now that is GOOD eats! Thank you so much for this incredible web site, I am inspired to continue my journey of healthy eating.
That sounds fantastic Karen! I might have to try that with my little guy. Yum!
Thanks for sharing!
Tiffany
I love to make regular oatmeal by replacing the water with 100% cranberry juice so that it soaks up all that yummy cranberry flavor while cooking. I also add a couple of cooked cranberries to the oatmeal when it’s done. This is probably not for everyone but I love the tartness. I’ll also do the same thing with apple cider from our local cider mill and top with apples and cinnamon.
Wow! That sounds amazing! I’d have to figure out how to compensate with protein, but I think I’ll give that a shot.
Thanks!
LOVE The Oatmeal Project! xoxo -meg
Thanks Meg!
I love the oatmeal project!!! Fabulous creations! I mix unsweetened coconut flakes into my irish oatmeal (plain and cooked) , mix 1/4 tsp coconut extract, mashed banana, and some pineapple. So very tropical and full of clean flavor!!
Yum! It might be nice to cook the oatmeal in coconut milk too for extra flavor. Thanks for sharing!!
I love a nice bowl of oatmeal anytime of the year! One of my favorites is to mix in almond extract with a mashed up banana. Another favorite and a good way to get some extra protein is to mix in a tablespoon (or however much you would like) of vanilla protein powder with some all natural peanut butter…so delicious!
Thanks Chelsea! I’ll have to give the extract a try. I’ve always just added nuts, but the extract sounds like a nice change. Thanks for the suggestion!
Slow Cooker Oatmeal
2 cups milk ( I use 1c. vanilla rice milk/1c. whole milk)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp butter
1 cup regular or steel cut oats
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins (dried apricots or craisins can be substituted)
1 cup apple ( peeled and chopped)
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts
pinch of salt
Before going to bed, combine all ingredients and mix well. Cover and set at low – allow 8-9 hours cooking time. Stir before serving in the morning.
Wow! Sounds great, Cindy! I’ll give it a try!
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, I’ve been trying to start the clean eating lifestyle – but have major issues w/ breakfast. I can’t have whey, soy and dairy. It really limits me. I have fibromyalgia and w/ the meds it takes me forever to wake up in the am. So, I have a tendancy to grab whatever in the AM.
I keep Hodgson Mills hot cereal at work. It has milled flaxseed & soy (doesn’t seem to bother me – maybe too little in the ingr), add water and microwave. Then I stir in one of those little natural (no sugar added) applesauce cups (the peach, mango, raspberry ones are really good). It adds flavor – although I don’t know how clean the flavored applesauces are. I’ll have to check the ingredients. I’m pretty careful about ingre due to my sensitivities.
Thanks, Tina
Hi Tina!
Fibromyalgia is a tricky one in the diet department. But so worth it when you get it right. I’ve had massage clients with this illness and they all tell me how much diet matters in regards to how they feel. So good for you for recognizing that!
Here’s a suggestion:
Try steel cut oats, almond milk (unsweetened), and regular fruit like a sliced banana or chopped apple. You can throw some nuts in there as well. Add some flax and wheat germ if you can tolerate them and you’ve got yourself a great bowl of oatmeal! If you need something a little sweeter, try adding a couple teaspoons of agave.
Hope this helps!
Tiffany
My favorite FAST breakfast is a handful of DRY steel-cut oats in 2/3 cup of a good vanilla yogurt, with a teaspoon of almond butter stirred in. Sometimes, I throw in a few berries.
This is the first time I’ve seen your blog and I adore it. I love the philosophy of clean eating but can’t seem to discipline myself into starting
But am glad to see that there are others out there who are
I love love oatmeal. My favorite goes something like:
1/2 C oats
2 T flaxseed
1-2 tsp cocoa powder
1/2 C mixed frozen berries
about 1/3 C fat free Greek yogurt
little honey for sweetness
Thanks for giving me more ideas!
That sounds fabulous! I must admit, I’ve never added cocoa powder to my oatmeal. I’ll have to give that one a try.
Changing your eating habits to clean eating is simply a matter of taking little steps at a time. As long as you keep moving in the right direction, you’ll get there eventually.
Thanks for sharing your recipe!
OK This may be the weirdest suggestion you’ve had. I like plain rolled oats right out of the box in a small bowl with milk. I’ve been eating it that way (among others) since I was a teenager. Sometimes I add ground flax seed and some pecans, or fruit. But plain is fine with me, with milk or unsweetened Silk.
Hi Jodi,
Actually, I’ve had a few people tell me they like it that way. You’re not alone! Thanks for the suggestion. I’ve never had it that way. I’ll have to give it a shot.
Have a great week!
my husband hates sweet food for breakfast so I make a savory oatmeal for him:
1 cup (cooked) oatmeal
5-6 chopped mushrooms (sauteed in olive oil)
salt and pepper
1 tbsp shredded parmesan cheese
(sometimes I add a little onion to the mushrooms)
Yum I love oatmeal in the morning! This is my go to oatmeal recipe…
1/2 C cooked oats
1/2 scoop protein powder
Honey
Cinnamon
Sliced Almonds
Ground Flax seeds
Fresh Blueberries
Hi Hayley,
That sounds wonderful! I love fresh blueberries on oatmeal. One of my favs!
Thanks for sharing!
My new favorite I made this am!
is with strawberries, almonds, vanilla and cinnamon! Yummy! I also love banana, almond butter, cinnamon and vanilla too!
Yum! Thanks so much for sharing with everyone!
My favorite is similar to Karen M’s…
Lowfat yogurt
dry oats
sliced almonds
frozen raspberries
I just LOVE the texture and taste of dry oats!
Thanks for your posts and website! I started eating (almost completely) clean about 3 weeks ago and am loving it!!
Good for you Amber! That’s fantastic! Keep up the good work!
I’m eating oatmeal this morning!!! Added:
1/4 c. pumpkin
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp flax seed
Agave
I’m new to clean eating, and dipping my toes in to test the waters.
Wendy – Thank for the suggestion!
And welcome to clean eating! Before you know it, you’ll be taking a dive instead of just dipping your toes. You’re gonna love it!
My kids think I am crazy because I love oatmeal so much one of my fave is this combo.
1/3 cup rolled oats cooked with 2/3 cup water
add in
One Tablespoon of Favorite nut butter-(I have a peanut allergy so I use sunflower)
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1 Tblsp grated Orange rind
1 tsp Agave nectar
Gale –
Wow! That’s a combination I’ve never heard before! I’m definitely gonna have to try that.
Thanks for sharing!
Another favorite of mine is:
to add in 2 Tblsp of nut butter, 1tsp cocoa powder and 1tsp honey 2 Tblsp of ground Flax seed. Tastes like a peanut butter cup.
Gale – Really! Wow! You are a gold mine of oatmeal recipes! Thanks! I’ll try it and blog about it. Thanks!
I add Raisins to the water from the beginning. They plump up and add a sweetness to the Oatmeal. I now use Steel Cut Oatmeal and add 3 Tbsp Egg White and 1 Tbsp Flax Seed Oil at the end of the cooking process. Add a bit of milk when it is in the bowl.
Thanks Judy! I’ll give that a shot!
Hi there, here are a few more oatmeal variations: 1. stir in crunchy almond butter and top with drizzled honey 2. (sort of old school) with milk and spoon of molasses 3. cooked with dates and raisins so they are soft, then stir in vanilla yogurt and top with cinnamon and nutmeg 4. a bit weird, but I love canned pumpkin oatmeal! just a few spoons stirred in, top with cinnamon, nutmeg and chopped pecans yuuum. I guess to be clean you can use the real thing, fresh or frozen. A baked sweet potato might be tasty as well, I might try it.
Thanks Tiyah! I’ll give those a shot!
I make a big jar of oatmeal mix and keep it in the pantry: 4 cups oats, 1 Tbsp cinnamon, 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup dried apricots (chopped), 4 chopped dates, 1/4 dried cranberries, 1/2 cup sliced almonds, 1/2 cup sunflower seeds, 1/4 cup ground flaxseed, and 1/4 cup wheat germ. When I want to make a bowl I just measure out about 1/2 cup and pour 3/4 cup boiling water over it and let it sit about 6-8 minutes. Sometimes I add a little agave or maple syrup, sometimes some warm milk. With so many ingredients it makes it easier to have the mix already prepared!
Wow Laura! What a great recipe! Thanks so much!
i tried this earlier this week-
50g traditional oats (uncooked)
100mL milk
4 whole pecans, chopped
1 scoop choco-flavoured protein powder
1 tbsp peanut butter
1/2 banana
it was like having dessert for breakfast! i loved it! (too bad i ran out of bananas!! i could eat this all day long!) anyway, i was hoping if you could come up with an “apple crumble” oatmeal version. i think i’m loving the idea of having “dessert” for brekkie!
Steph – Thanks! Sound amazing!
I mix half a cup of cooked oatmeal with 2tbls shredded coconut, 1 tbsp strong coffee, 1/4 cup of coconut milk, pinch of salt, and sweetened with stevia or agave. I just LOVE coffee and coconut together. I think acocoa powder or some crunchy cacao nibs in this would be pretty darn good as well.
Mandie – I never would have thought to add coffee. What a great idea! Thanks!
My favorite way is actually raw. I most often make it this way:
1 c uncooked old-fasioned organic oats
2 spoonfuls of vanilla or plain yogurt
enough milk to have all of the oats soaking but not covered (it it isn’t as creamy as I like)
chopped fruit or frozen cherries
vanilla (optional)
mix and soak in fridge overnight
in the morning I top with any or all of the following:
organic coconut, sliced almonds, hempseed, chia seed…..
yum!
Jessica – I’ve heard that from a few people. I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks for the recipe!
the irony that i would stumble upon your blog, and your quest for oatmeal-originality! it just so happens i’ve attempted the same thing, over the period of a month in the middle of a new england winter.
oatmeal is my STAPLE. i’m still in high school, so i often times have to rush for breakfast. thank god oatmeal can be microwaved, which makes it easy to bring along (although i do get some stares from my peers, and yet i stare at THEM for the poptarts they eat). i love it muesli-style, and hot anytime of the year.
to cut to the chase, i’ve got quality pictures of these clean eats! i’m not sure if you’re interested, but i’m very savvy in sports nutrition (raised around nutritionists) and over all wellness; no butter here! and not to mention, like you, i just HAD to get out of that morning oatmeal rut. (:
Emma – I’d love to see you photos!
Try making oatmeal with plain or vanilla almond milk, honey, sliced almonds and chopped apple.
I like to saute chopped apples with different spice mixes–pumpkin spice, apple pie spice, and especially chai spice blends–plus a drizzle of honey or agave nectar.
I also enjoy cooking down frozen mixed berries or a combination of sliced peaches and blueberries with water and honey, adding a couple teaspoons of arrowroot powder to thicken the just-boiling mixture into a lovely pancake/waffle topping. Of course, I have also used all these fruity dishes to top my oatmeal on different occasions.
Charlena – Holy cow woman! You’ve just opened up a whole new world of oatmeal for me. That “syrup” idea is fabulous! I’ll be trying it soon. Thanks for sharing the idea!
What a great idea!
I like Laura’s idea of pre-mix a large quantity.
Here is how I mostly eat my oatmeal:
Green tea oatmeal:
Mix matcha green tea poweder in the oatmeal, works well topped with fresh raspberries or mixed with frozen raspberries. If you like the taste of green tea latte or green tea icecream you will love it.
Poppyseed oatmeal:
Mix (ground) poppyseeds in the oatmeal and top off with unsweetended (homemade) applesauce.
Winter spice oatmeal:
Mix ground cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger in the oatmeal. Works well with added walnuts or pecans and cut up or baked apple.
The base for all of the above is 30g (1,05oz) dry oatmeal that I cook by pouring boiling water over it, it’s the most convenient for me in the morning.
I cook oats, quinoa, steel cut oats, rye flakes, and pearled barley in a crock pot. You can use small amounts and get a huge pot cooked by the am. I add all sorts of things to it. Dates, raisins, nutmeg, cinnamon. Sometime I cook it in almond milk instead of water. All the grains mixed together make for a clean healthy morning meal.
Christian – That sounds fabulous! I make mine in a crock pot too. It makes life so much easier. Especially if it’s on a timer!
Thinking of you as I eat my bowl of oatmeal this morning (haven’t had one in a while).
Today’s version is Peanut Butter-Banana.
After cooking oatmeal, stir in one mashed banana, 1 tbsp ground flax seed, and 1 tbsp peanut butter.
No extra sweetener needed!!!
Wendy – sounds great!
I love oatmeal with cottage cheese and peaches. Tastes like peach cobbler! yummy and the cottage cheese provides the protein.
Karri – Wow! I’ll have to try that one for sure!
Sometimes you don’t have time to sit down for a bowl of oatmeal, like when you have to cram in an early gym sessions at the beginning of a busy day. On those days I toss in a blender 1 c skim milk, 1/4 c raw quick cook oats, 1Tbsp ground flax seed, 1Tbsp wheat germ, 1/4tsp cinnamon, 1 scoop vanilla protien powder, frozen blueberries or frozen strawberries…or both!
Yummy, quick, and portable while you are running around the house packing up your gym bag.
i forgot the part where you pour it into a glass and how I like to drink with a straw…hence the portable part! love your website btw!!!
hello dear,
I’ve been wanting to do an oatmeal cookbook like what this page is suggesting. shall we collab on a project of this proportion?
Andrew – I’d love to, but I’m afraid I just cannot take on another project at this time. Maybe down the road.
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