If you are looking for recipes using oats, you've come to the right place. Included is 30 oat recipes that go beyond standard oatmeal, including sweet and savory options. It's time to use this cheap pantry staple to its full potential.
Oats are a pantry staple that I always have on hand. You may think that oats are only good for making oatmeal, but they are actually an incredibly versatile grain.
Not only are oats full of nutrients and health benefits, they are also inexpensive. Unless you can't tolerate oats or are on a special diet that excludes them, I would encourage everyone to get friendly with this lovely grain.
As part of our pantry highlight challenge, I'm sharing with you thirty recipes using oats to spark your creativity. Let's start using oats to their fullest potential.
30 Recipes Using Oats
Stovetop Oatmeal
Yes, stovetop oatmeal is a basic recipe, but if you are still buying oatmeal packets, you need a good basic stovetop recipe in your life. Making oatmeal on the stove couldn't be easier, is super cheap, and can be customized in so many different ways to jazz up your plain oatmeal.
Variations:
Oat pancakes
These simple oat pancakes are naturally whole grain and gluten free. Using basic pantry ingredients, they can be whipped up easily in the blender and on the skillet in no time.
Easy Granola
Granola is great to make for meal prep or for gifts. Sprinkle it on yogurt, fruit, smoothie bowls, or just snack on it by itself.
4. Baked apple oatmeal
This baked apple oatmeal is a winner for fall and perfect for breakfast meal prep.
Pumpkin oat muffins
Healthy pumpkin oat muffins are awesome in the fall for breakfast or snacks. I love that they don't use flour, but just blended oats.
No flour banana oatmeal muffins
These healthy oatmeal muffins sweetened with bananas are a staple snack in our house. Every time I have over ripe bananas that I need to use, I whip up a batch.
Breakfast cookies
Breakfast cookies are a great grab and go breakfast option to make in advance. I bet you could make a bunch and put in the freezer too.
Peanut butter oatmeal balls
3-ingredient peanut butter oatmeal balls have been a favorite snack at my house for years. My kids loved helping me make them when they were young, and now they make them on their own.
Strawberry banana oat bars
These strawberry banana oat bars are just calling out to me. Don't they look awesome? I love that they use simple ingredients too. Great for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.
Meatloaf
Oats also make a great binder. You can use them in any way you would breadcrumbs like in this meatloaf. I use them frequently this way for a gluten-free alternative.
Meatballs
Turkey meatballs also use oats as a binder and they look super tasty.
Oat crusted chicken strips
Oat crusted chicken strips are a brilliant way to bread chicken. Kid friendly and fiber rich.
Icelandic Vegetable and Oat Soup
Oats are also excellent at thickening soups. This Icelandic vegetable and oat soup looks incredibly hearty and comforting for the cold fall and winter months.
Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms
Oats can even be used as a delicious stuffing as showcased in these Mediterranean stuffed mushrooms. Yum!
Savory oatmeal
Most people are familiar with sweet oatmeal, but they can also be savory. Here are five savory oatmeal recipes that look delicious.
Oat flour dinner rolls
Oats can even be used to make oat flour dinner rolls. Who knew?
Oat stuffed baked pears
If you have pears, oats, nuts, and sweetener, you are on your way to a deliciously simple dessert. These oat stuffed baked pears look delish!
Oatmeal pie crust
Oats can also be made into an oatmeal pie crust, which is somewhat similar to a cookie crust.
Oatmeal Smoothie
If you are trying to bump up your fiber intake, try this oatmeal smoothie recipe. Oats add a creaminess and slightly sweet flavor that I love in a smoothie.
Oat milk
Oat milk is a great milk alternative that is gaining popularity in the dairy-free world. It's actually very easy to make your own at home too.
Oatmeal raisin cookie dough "ice cream"
Oatmeal raisin cookie dough "ice cream" is a creative way to enjoy a healthy dairy-free dessert.
More delicious oat recipes:
Helpful tools when cooking with oats
A high speed blender is needed when breaking down oats into a powder. There are many blenders out there, but I own and love the Ninja. It's a middle of the road blender that has served us well.
What is your favorite way to use oats?
FAQs
High-sugar toppings like chocolate, syrup, and dried fruit
As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."
What is the healthiest way to eat oatmeal? ›
Fresh fruit will add fiber, vitamins, minerals and some sweetness to your oatmeal. Fruit's fat-soluble vitamins like A, E and K will best absorb if you add in a fat source like nuts, which will also add extra fiber and protein.
Can I substitute instant oatmeal for old fashioned oats? ›
Old-fashioned oats and quick-cooking oats are basically interchangeable, although they will slightly change your final dish. If you're substituting old-fashioned oats for quick-cooking oats, your final dish will be chewier, and it might taste a little oat-ier.
How to make old fashioned Quaker Oats oatmeal? ›
OLD FASHIONED QUAKER OATS
Directions: Boil water or milk and salt. Stir in oats. Cook about 5 minutes over medium heat; stir occasionally.
Why is it not good to eat oatmeal everyday? ›
Oats contain phytic acid, an antinutrient that is known to interfere with the absorption of the vitamins and minerals from oats into your body. So, you need to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet to make up for the possible nutritional loss.
Is there anything negative about eating oatmeal? ›
Oats can cause gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount. Your body will get used to oat bran and the side effects will likely go away. When applied to the skin: Lotion containing oat extract is possibly safe to use on the skin.
Is oatmeal better for you than potatoes? ›
Compare 100 calories of baked potato to 100 calories of oatmeal, and you find a bit less protein (3 grams vs. 4), a bit more starch (18 grams vs. 16) and a similar mineral profile (potatoes have more potassium, but oats have more selenium). But potatoes beat out oats in just about every vitamin, as well as fiber.
Is it better to eat oatmeal in the morning or at night? ›
There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly. It contains fiber, magnesium, complex carbohydrates, etc, which help in keeping your tummy full for a longer time, thus, reducing overeating.
Is oatmeal healthier with milk or water? ›
Milk is rich in fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that complements the nutrients in oats. Thus oats cooked in milk have benefits over oats cooked in water. Milk has fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that is normally absent in processed oats. Apart from adding a flavour, it also helps in keeping your muscles and bones healthy.
Why can't you use quick oats in cookies? ›
What kind of oats do you use for oatmeal cookies? For the perfect, chewy texture use old-fashioned (or rolled) oats. Can you use quick oats instead of old fashioned in oatmeal cookies? Yes, you can, just be aware that it will change the texture of the oatmeal cookies to be less chewy!
Quaker Oats is a brand of oat products, and rolled oats are a type of oat product. In other words, Quaker Oats offers various oat products, and one of those products is rolled oats. Rolled oats are a specific type of oats that have been processed by flattening whole oat groats (oat kernels) with large rollers.
What is the difference between rolled oats and Quaker old-fashioned oats? ›
Old Fashioned: Also called rolled oats, old fashioned oats are flat and flakey. They absorb more water and cook faster than steel-cut oats — usually in about 5 minutes — and are the oat of choice for granola bars, cookies, and muffins.
What is the shelf life of Quaker old-fashioned oats? ›
Shelf life of oatmeal
Similarly to dried rice or pasta, commercially processed and uncooked rolled, quick, or steel cut oats will typically last at least 12 months — and up to 2 years if the package remains unopened or the oats are stored in an air-tight container (2).
How do you add flavor to old-fashioned oats? ›
Dried fruit like mulberries, goji berries, jujube, and dates lend chewy texture in addition to fruity flavor. Top with nuts and seeds for an extra crunchy, extra hearty bowl of oats. We like hemp seeds, toasted sesame seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, and toasted coconut.
Can I just add hot water to old-fashioned oats? ›
Technically you can add boiling water to regular oatmeal (like rolled oats), but the result won't be quite the same as instant oatmeal: Texture: Rolled oats need more time to cook than instant oats. Simply adding boiling water will soften them somewhat, but they'll likely retain some firmness or even a bit of crunch.
What is the best to mix with oatmeal? ›
When in doubt, add nut butters for creaminess, sweetness, and plenty of good protein. We like crunchy peanut butter for added texture, almond butter, cashew butter, and even tahini. Throw a chopped banana and a smudge of vanilla paste into stovetop oats for creamy, delicious, banana bread oatmeal.
Is adding honey to oatmeal bad? ›
According to Healthline.com, oats are a good source of carbs and fiber and are even filled with "important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant plant compounds." When combined with the natural energy found in pure honey, there is no doubt that honey and oats pack a powerful punch when enjoyed together.
Is it OK to eat eggs and oatmeal together? ›
Yes, oatmeal and a hard-boiled egg can make for a healthy breakfast as they both provide a good source of nutrients. Oatmeal is a good source of fiber, protein, and several important vitamins and minerals, including iron, magnesium, and B vitamins.
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