7 Healthy Oatmeal Recipes to Start Your Day with Whole Grains
A hearty bowl of oatmeal is always a great choice to start your day right. A whole-grain breakfast like this provides an excellent source of antioxidants, supports a healthy gut, and is full of fiber to help you feel full until lunchtime. Here you'll find our favorite healthy oatmeal recipes for a flavorful morning meal. Plus, if you want to go beyond oats, try other options such as farro, quinoa, and more.
Oatmeal 4 Ways
Keep this healthy oatmeal recipe on hand and you'll never have a boring breakfast again. Start with our basic 3-ingredient healthy oatmeal that consists of rolled oats, water or milk, and a dash of salt. From there, choose whatever healthy oatmeal toppings and mix-ins you like. We've got variations for apricot-walnut, banana-pecan, blueberry-almond, and strawberry-peanut butter.
Spiced Apple Berry Oatmeal
This healthy oatmeal recipe features steel-cut oats, which are coarser and have a chewier texture than rolled oats. They can promote good heart health and are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. Here, we've naturally sweetened the pot of healthy oatmeal with apples and berries.
Stovetop Savory Ham and Veggie Oatmeal
Not feeling like the usual maple oatmeal? Try this savory healthy oatmeal recipe instead. Steel-cut oats get a cheesy twist with the addition of shredded cheddar. Paired with some protein (you can use leftover ham) and plenty of fresh veggies, you'll definitely be energized until lunchtime arrives.
Maple and Cranberry Farro Cereal
Chewy, slightly nutty farro is rich in magnesium, zinc, and B vitamins. It's often served in savory form as a side for lunch or dinner, but it is equally delish and enjoyed as a sweet breakfast grain. Prep this slow cooker breakfast recipe the night before for an easy healthy breakfast bowl to start the day.
Toasted Oat Muesli with Banana
Healthy oatmeal recipes don't have to always be about the warm grain bowl. This top-rated homemade cereal comes together in just 25 minutes and lasts up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Enjoy with your favorite milk or nondairy milk.
Ginger-Sesame Oats with Mushrooms and Charred Green Onions
Here's a hot new take on healthy oatmeal. Steel-cut oats are cooked in broth to achieve a deeper flavor. Topped with a sautéed blend of mushrooms, ginger, and green onions, you'll never think of oatmeal as plain again.
Fruit, Nut, and Brown Sugar Freezer Oatmeal Cups
This healthy oatmeal recipe is all about convenience. Whip up the easy muffin tin recipe and freeze for up to 3 months. To serve, all you have to do is microwave an oatmeal cup for a couple of minutes.
Make-Ahead and Store Oatmeal
Oatmeal and other grains are one of the easiest options for meal prep and make-ahead breakfasts and snacks. Though it would be a personal preference—whether you like your grains hot, warm, or cold—oats, as leftovers, reheat perfectly with a dash of water or milk, without losing their texture or taste.
For our warm bowls featured above, you’d need to wait until it’s completely cooled off before placing your portions in glass containers or tightly wrapped in food storage containers of your choice. Oatmeal will keep fresh and tasty for up to 3 days. Alternatively, you may choose the overnight oats route using Mason jars, which are convenient and perfect for customized flavors, no matter your needs or goals. Farro, barley, quinoa, and most multigrains are also make-ahead friendly when following the same steps for oatmeal.