5 Ways To Keep Your Oats Exciting
Oats are such an easy breakfast, perfect for those days you’ve got to hustle out the door because you can make them ahead of time. Oats are a staple in my pantry because they are so versatile! To help keep a bowl of oats fresh and exciting if you’re eating them every day, I recommend testing out different oat toppings.
Never tried making oats or overnight oats before? Check out my easy oats recipe, and just swap the toppings with the ideas below! This recipe also includes how to make this basic, easy recipe 3 ways: overnight oats, stove top oats, and microwaves oats.
Protein Powder
It’s not just for smoothies! For an extra hit of protein to keep you going on a busy day, you should try adding a little protein powder (about ½ a scoop should be enough for one serve) to prepared oats. Make your oats as normal and stir in your favorite protein powder variety just before you eat.
Stewed Apple & Cinnamon
Sounds amazing, right? It’s so worth the effort to stew your own apples — that way, you know there’s no hidden sugar or preservatives in them, and you can make them anytime you want.
Cut an apple into chunks and throw them into a saucepan. Add a generous amount of cinnamon (depending on your taste) and a bit of water. Bring the mixture to a boil and then turn it down to a simmer. Once the apple becomes soft, turn the heat off completely and let it cool for a minute or two before adding it to your oats. Stewed apple keeps in the fridge for a few days, so you can make a batch ahead of time and use it to top your oats throughout the week.
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Matcha, Coconut Oil, Maple Syrup, and Strawberries
If you’re not onboard the matcha latte train yet, this Matcha-Strawberries oats combo might be just what you need to enjoy the amazing benefits of matcha. Matcha is a great source of antioxidants and great for heart health. It can help improve your focus and concentration. The L-theanine and caffeine combo can also help increase your focus, and studies have shown that matcha is beneficial in sustained attention as well as memory.
You’ll want to combine 1/3 cup of steel-cut oats* (gluten-free if needed), 2 tablespoons of chia seed, 1 scoop of plant-based vanilla protein powder, 2 teaspoon matcha powder, 1 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk, 1 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, a pinch of sea salt, and strawberries. Cook oats as you normally would. You can omit the protein powder if you like, but I strongly suggest you add in a sprinkle of vanilla bean powder or vanilla extract. You can top this with more strawberries and shaved almonds if you like. This combination is one of my favorites!
Berries & Coconut
Oats and berries are a taste match made in heaven. Even better, they’re healthy for us too! Combine 1 cup of berries (frozen berries are fine if you’re having trouble finding fresh ones) with two teaspoons of unsweetened shredded coconut. This topping can be done in two ways: hot or cold.
Fig, Honey & Coconut Yogurt
Did you know figs are a source of magnesium, calcium, and fiber? They make a great addition to your bowl of oats with a little yogurt and honey. All that fiber can help you to feel full, as well as giving you a sweet treat. Slice up a fresh fig to spread over the top with a dollop of yogurt and drizzle some honey over the top. Yum!
