14 Oatmeal Recipes to Take You From Breakfast to Dessert

baked oatmeal for a crowd with seeds and berries — Credit:
Chris Simpson

Oatmeal recipes don't have to be basic. Oats are so versatile and an anything-but-boring ingredient that we like to think of as a blank canvas. The possibilities are truly endless, and while they're most often paired with fruit, who says the options need to end there?

Oats are also a natural for savory ingredients, such as eggs, cheese, and greens. And just as versatile as their pairings are the ways you can cook them. Although simmering on the stove with some sort of liquid is traditional, oats also take well to other techniques, including baking and sitting in the fridge for a few hours until they're thick and chewy.

To show you their versatility, we've rounded up some of our favorite oatmeal recipes. We promise they'll make you view good ol' oats in a whole new light.

01 of 14

Spiced Apple Oatmeal

It only takes five minutes to turn a crisp apple into a tender oatmeal mix-in, and the sweet fruit is even better after stewing with butter, maple syrup, and cinnamon. This oatmeal recipe is reminiscent of apple pie, with crunchy pecans adding a lovely texture.

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02 of 14

No-Cook Overnight Oats

Combine rolled oats and milk, let sit in the fridge overnight, and in the morning, a creamy and satisfying breakfast is ready to go. Our recipe is a tropical version that includes coconut milk, kiwi, pineapple, and mango, but the instructions can be adapted to use any mix-ins so you can go any direction you want.

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03 of 14

Savory Oatmeal and Soft-Cooked Egg

Oatmeal takes a new direction when you add a perfectly soft-cooked egg and shredded sharp cheddar cheese. With thinly sliced scallions and some salt and pepper, they're all you need for an unexpectedly wonderful breakfast.

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Vegan Granola Bars

These creative bars include finely ground oats as well as pureed dates, which give them a gentle sweetness. Oat bran and wheat germ bump up their heartiness even more.

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Muesli Cereal

Traditional Swiss muesli is essentially overnight oats. Mixed dried fruit is a classic addition, along with chopped nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, or walnuts.

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Bircher Chia Parfait

This delicious spin on overnight oats includes chia seeds, which become puffy and gelatinous when soaked in liquid. Together with rolled oats, they transform into a rich and thick pudding-like breakfast that's great with fruit and maple syrup.

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07 of 14

Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies

Peanut butter and oats are a match made in heaven. As it happens, they're also the building blocks for some very easy cookies, which don't even require an oven.

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08 of 14

Creamy Parmesan Oats With Fried Egg

creamy parmesan oats with watercress — Ngoc Minh Ngo

Small and sweet, with a touch of spice, peppadew peppers are a great addition to this savory oatmeal, along with a sunny side-up egg, peppery watercress, and Parmesan.

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09 of 14

Baked Oatmeal for a Crowd With Berries and Seeds

Here's another not-to-be-missed spin on baked oats. This one includes chopped dates, toasted pepitas, and hemp seed hearts, which have a mild, nutty flavor.

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10 of 14

Apple Crisp

Old-fashioned oats stay firm in baking, and are just what you want for soft apples in this crisp. They offer a pleasing texture that's just perfect in this simple dessert.

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11 of 14

Muesli with Yogurt

This muesli dish includes wheat germ, adding a nutritional boost. The recipe makes enough for eight servings, so you'll be set for a week's worth of breakfasts (plus a bonus day!).

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12 of 14

Chocolate-Chip, Oat, and Coconut Skillet Cookie

chocolate chip skillet cookie served with ice cream — The Ingalls

Few desserts compare to a delicious skillet cookie. For this one, simply stir together an oat-studded cookie batter, spread it into a skillet, bake, and cue rave reviews.

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13 of 14

Baked Oatmeal

Baked oats have a firmer texture than stovetop oats, and they're a great way to serve a crowd. With creamy banana, colorful berries, and wholesome almonds or walnuts, this take on a breakfast casserole is a great trick to keep up your sleeve.

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14 of 14

Banana-Oat Smoothie

Another unexpected way to incorporate oats into your breakfast is by adding them to your morning smoothie. In this sweet banana-oat smoothie, we combine oats, yogurt, banana, milk, honey, and ground cinnamon for a creamy, nourishing drink that satisfies morning or afternoon.

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