Every few months I come across a video or reel of a fitness influencer eating oatmeal for breakfast and decide that I’m going to try it. But, every time I make it, I’m barely able to eat it. I really don’t know when I’ll learn my lesson and stop attempting to make oatmeal for breakfast. I feel like it’s never going to happen.
I’m stubborn enough to try and make it happen, though. So, instead of sticking to the hot porridge-like breakfast food, I tried several other oatmeal breakfasts to get the benefits of oatmeal, while still making it a delicious meal.
Granola with yogurt
I can’t remember where I got the idea to start making oats this way—probably from a “what I eat in a day” video. Nonetheless, this has been a successful addition to my breakfast food options. It’s very easy to make, and the possibilities are endless when it comes to flavouring and getting creative with toppings. To make the actual granola, just mix 2 ½ cups of oats, ½ cup maple syrup, and ¼ cup melted coconut oil. The measurements aren’t strict, and you can add more depending on the consistency of your mixture. Spread your granola out on a baking sheet and bake until toasted, stirring occasionally while in the oven. This makes your base, but you can also add nuts, dried fruits, coconut, raisins, or any other extra ingredients you like. Eventually, you’ll have toasted granola that is perfect to top on yogurt or a thick smoothie!
Baked oats
Wouldn’t you love to have cake for breakfast? I know I would! But in the spirit of keeping things “healthy,” let’s substitute a sugary cake with sweet frosting for baked oats that have the consistency and feel of a cake (but it’s also always acceptable to just eat the sugary cake with sweet frosting for breakfast). You’ve probably seen TikTok videos or reels of people pressing spoons into a bowl of baked oats and having the oats satisfyingly seep out. I leave mine in the oven for longer so it bakes like a cake, but it’s still very delicious. You can play with it to figure out the consistency that you like. There are lots of different ways to customize baked oats by adding different flavourings and toppings. My favourite is chocolate raspberry, because who doesn’t like chocolate cake for breakfast?
Overnight oats
I was pretty hesitant to make overnight oats because they seemed like a cold version of the typical oatmeal. I’m glad I took the plunge and made them, though! They’re delicious and very easy to make. The recipe I followed has a few ingredients that all get mixed together in one container and then placed in the fridge overnight (or longer). This makes it simple to prepare for a busy morning. The toppings can be customized as you wish; my favourites include banana, almond butter, shredded coconuts, pumpkin seeds, and nuts.
Over the years I have become a big fan of breakfast. It truly is the most important meal of the day, especially when there’s a morning class to attend. I need enough fuel to get me through busy mornings. The oatmeal recipes in this post pack many fulfilling ingredients that ensure I can stay satiated until my next meal, and not have me reach for easy and junky snacks. If you’ve run out of ideas to make breakfast fun and exciting, try one of these recipes!