Everyday Oatmeal

Everyday Oatmeal - a simple and filling breakfast recipe that we have almost every day. Quick, simple and easily customized!

To say I love oatmeal is an understatement. It’s just so comforting and filling. Even in the heat of summer, I’ll take a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast any day of the week. 

Now, not all oatmeal is created equal. Packaged oatmeal mixed with water? How boring... Any time someone says they don’t like oatmeal, I always ask them what their oatmeal looks like. Their typical response? Packaged oatmeal with water. 

It’s time to upgrade your oatmeal.

Our Everyday Oatmeal is flavorful, hearty and colorfully delicious. It’s also easily customizable to your liking, just add your favorite toppings!

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The base for this oatmeal includes oats (duh) and some type of milk - regular milk or a plant-based milk will work. The milk makes for a creamier and more flavorful oatmeal when compared to water. 

As for the remaining ingredients - they can simply be toppings before serving, or they can be mixed in as you begin to cook the oats. I like to add ground flaxseed, chia seeds, nut butter, nuts, fruit and a touch of honey or maple syrup. 

This Everyday Oatmeal can even be prepared in advance and heated up for an even quicker breakfast. Nutrient-dense and filling, it’s a great start to your morning. 

Ready to make this Everyday Oatmeal? Let’s go!

1 - Cook oats. Add oats and milk (regular or plant-based) to a medium pot over medium-low heat. Let gently simmer, stirring occasionally until the liquid is absorbed and the oats are creamy, about 20 minutes. If the oats start sticking to the bottom of the pot, add in a bit more milk, turn the heat down and stir more frequently. 

2 - Add toppings. You can add these ingredients as the oats cook or simply as a topping at the end. When adding everything right away, I generally add everything except the honey as the oats are cooking. 

Toppings: 

• Fiber - Ground flaxseed and chia seeds.
• Spices - I usually use cinnamon, but nutmeg, cloves, cardamom or pumpkin spice are also great options.
• Nut butter - My go-to is almond butter, but any nut butter will work.
• Nuts/seeds - Walnuts are my favorite choice for my Everyday Oatmeal, but I’ll switch it up with pecans, sliced almonds, pistachios or cashews. You can also try pepitas or sunflower seeds.
• Fruit - Fresh, frozen or dried all work great. My favorite is definitely frozen berries, but any fruit will do the trick. Depending on the season, I’ll add in chopped apples or pears, sliced banana, peaches, nectarines and even mango. You could also use dried fruit like craisins, raisins, dried apricot or dates.
• Sweetener - I usually add honey, but maple syrup or really any other sweetener will work. Jam, jelly or preserves are also great additions!
• Other - I often add in maca powder and licorice root powder. Other yummy toppings include shredded coconut, chocolate nibs and yogurt. 

3 - Serve. Divide into two bowls and top with a little extra milk and honey. Enjoy!

Some of my favorite flavor combinations include: 

• Walnuts + frozen berries + cinnamon
• Dates + pecans + maple syrup
• Banana + chocolate nibs + yogurt
• Peanut butter + raspberry preserves + flaxseed
• Frozen mango + shredded coconut + cashews

Everyday Oatmeal: Tips, Tricks and Tools

Tools: All you need for this simple oatmeal recipe is a medium pot, something to stir with and serving bowls.

Make it in the microwave. I like to cook my oats over the stovetop, especially when I make more than one serving, but you can also make this oatmeal in the microwave. In the microwave, I usually set 1-minute increments, stirring in between so the oatmeal doesn’t boil over. It usually takes about 3 minutes for the milk to be fully absorbed. 

Prepare extra servings in advance. I often double the recipe and store extra in the fridge for the next morning. Simply reheat the oats (also great cold!) in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. You’ll likely need to add a bit more milk when reheating to make the oatmeal creamy again. Store with the toppings mixed in, or add them after reheating.

Make it your own! My go-to daily combination includes ground flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, almond butter, licorice root powder, maca powder, cinnamon, frozen berries and honey. But feel free to change up the combinations to your liking.

I recommend adding in both the nuts/seeds and nut butter. These both add protein and fat, which help keep you feeling full for longer. 

We hope you love this Everyday Oatmeal!

It’s simple, super nutrient dense, filling and perfect for your everyday breakfast. 

Love this simple oatmeal recipe? Check out our other delicious healthy breakfast recipes like our Overnight Oats or our Carrot Cake Oatmeal.

Did you enjoy this Everyday Oatmeal as much as we do?

Comment below! And rate the recipe to let us know how it turned out! Not cooking today? Save this Everyday Oatmeal for later by pinning it to your Breakfast Recipes Board and make sure to tag us at The Crooked Carrot Instagram to show us your Everyday Oatmeal creations!