Oatmeal can be flavored with anything you can think of, like apple pie oatmeal, peanut butter oatmeal, or oatmeal with a fried egg on top. The options are seemingly endless! These oatmeal recipes will have you thinking of new ways to eat oatmeal, and they’re quick and easy to make.
We’ve included oatmeal you can cook on the stovetop in as little as 10 minutes, as well as oatmeal you can make ahead of time like overnight oats or baked oatmeal (which is also perfect for feeding a crowd).
Looking for oatmeal for a certain time of year? There are fall oatmeal recipes, oatmeal for Christmas week, and high protein oatmeal to sustain you through the morning. We’ve also broken these oatmeal recipes down into recipe cards so you can easily print, save, or email these oatmeal ideas to yourself for another time!
25. Savory Cheddar Oatmeal with a Fried Egg
Like cheesy grits, but made with oats! Cook your oats in chicken broth instead of milk, stir in a handful of sharp cheddar cheese, and top it off with a fried egg with a runny yolk to use as its own sauce. Sprinkled with green onion and hot sauce, this savory cheddar oatmeal recipe comes together in about 15 minutes and has the bonus of being a really savory oatmeal!
Savory Cheddar Oatmeal with a Fried Egg
Ingredients
Method
- Bring broth to a boil.
- Stir in oats. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in cheddar and pepper. Salt to taste.
- Fry eggs in butter until whites set.
- Top bowls with eggs, green onions, and hot sauce.
24. Gingerbread Oatmeal
Simmer oats with milk until creamy and sweeten with brown sugar and molasses. Add warm gingerbread spices like ginger, cinnamon, and a dash of cloves to make this oatmeal taste just like a gingerbread cookie but in breakfast form. This is one cozy oatmeal recipe for those cold December mornings (we like to eat ours in our jammies while the kids get ready for school). Serve with a couple crushed-up gingersnaps for an extra dose of gingerbread.
Gingerbread Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Bring milk to a simmer.
- Stir in oats, molasses, brown sugar, spices, and salt.
- Simmer 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Top with crushed gingersnaps.
23. Eggnog Overnight Oats
Got eggnog in the fridge? Use it in your oatmeal! These eggnog overnight oats soak up all of that delicious eggnog (with all of its delicious spices like nutmeg) as it sits in the fridge overnight. Chia seeds and a little bit of Greek yogurt thicken things up. Serve with a little whipped cream and a dusting of nutmeg for a bowl of Christmas in a jar! Only 5 minutes of work (the night before) to have an easy Christmas morning breakfast waiting for you!
Eggnog Overnight Oats
Ingredients
Method
- Stir oats, eggnog, yogurt, chia, nutmeg, and cinnamon in a jar.
- Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
- Top with whipped cream and nutmeg.
22. Sweet Potato Pie Oatmeal
Got leftover sweet potatoes from your Thanksgiving dinner? Perfect! Blend ’em up and stir ’em right into your oatmeal for a bowl of oatmeal that tastes just like sweet potato pie! We love ours topped with pecans and mini marshmallows to make it feel extra casseroley. Cooked in as little as 10 minutes, this oatmeal is hearty, sweet, and makes good use of what you’ve already got on hand. A smart way to use what is already in your fridge.
Sweet Potato Pie Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Bring milk to a simmer.
- Stir in oats. Simmer 4 minutes.
- Stir in sweet potato, brown sugar, spices, vanilla, and salt.
- Cook 1 minute more.
- Top with pecans and marshmallows.
21. Chai Spiced Oatmeal
Love chai lattes? You are going to love this chai spiced oatmeal. The oats are cooked in a mixture of chai tea and half milk and its flavor is sweetened with honey. Warm spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and even a dash of cloves infuse every spoonful of this oatmeal with chai latte flavor. It’s fragrant so it also makes your kitchen smell really good. Serve with sliced almonds for added texture and flavor.
Chai Spiced Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Bring chai and milk to a simmer.
- Stir in oats, spices, and salt.
- Simmer 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in honey.
- Top with almonds and more honey.
20. Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal
Cranberries burst in the oven and mingle with orange zest for a baked oatmeal with a hint of holiday flavor. The oatmeal bakes up a bit thicker so it can be served in slices (almost like a breakfast bar). This cranberry orange baked oatmeal is a wonderful breakfast for holiday entertaining, as it can be made ahead and simply needs to be warmed up in the morning. Maple syrup in the batter helps balance the tartness of the cranberries.
Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- Mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, and walnuts.
- Whisk milk, orange juice, egg, maple syrup, butter, vanilla, and zest.
- Stir wet into dry. Fold in cranberries.
- Pour into dish. Bake 35 to 40 minutes until set.
19. Pecan Pie Baked Oatmeal
The center of this pecan pie baked oatmeal is soft and almost custardy, while the top is studded with caramelized pecans that have been tossed in brown sugar and butter to get extra toasty and sweet. Serve it warm with a splash of cream at the top. It’s sure to be gobbled up quickly on Thanksgiving morning! This pecan pie oatmeal bakes in an 8×8 pan and makes 6 servings.
Pecan Pie Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- Mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Whisk milk, egg, brown sugar, maple syrup, butter, and vanilla.
- Stir wet into dry. Pour into dish.
- For the topping: toss pecans with butter and brown sugar.
- Sprinkle topping over oats.
- Bake 35 to 40 minutes until set.
18. Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
Everyone loves cookie dough, right?! This cookie dough oatmeal recipe proves that breakfast doesn’t always have to be healthy! Even picky kids will gobble this one up (though I can’t blame them since it’s pretty addictive for adults too)! They’re made with oats, yogurt, milk, a spoonful of cashew butter, brown sugar, vanilla and topped with mini chocolate chips. Kids (and adults) will love them! Make a Sunday night batch to have on hand all week!
Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
Ingredients
Method
- Stir oats, milk, yogurt, cashew butter, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt in a jar.
- Stir in half the chocolate chips.
- Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
- Top with remaining chips.
17. Coconut Mango Oatmeal
Bring a bit of sunshine to your breakfast table with this coconut mango oatmeal. Oatmeal tastes like a getaway in a bowl! Made with creamy, rich coconut milk, this oatmeal is topped with fresh mango (thawed frozen mango will work, too), toasted coconut flakes, cashews and lime zest. Toss in some honey for natural sweetness and you’ve got yourself a bowl of oats that’s ready in just 10 minutes!
Coconut Mango Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Bring coconut milk and water to a simmer.
- Stir in oats and salt. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Stir in honey.
- Top with mango, coconut, cashews, and lime zest.
16. Crockpot Steel Cut Oats
The nutty flavor and chewy texture of steel cut oats is delicious, but unfortunately these oats take forever to cook. Unless you make them in a crockpot! Combine oats, milk, water, butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt in a greased slow cooker before bed and you’ll wake up to oatmeal that’s ready to be scooped up. A single batch will either feed a hungry family or last you all week (leftovers reheat nicely with a splash of milk).
Crockpot Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
Method
- Butter the inside of the slow cooker well.
- Add all ingredients. Stir.
- Cover and cook on low 7 to 8 hours.
- Stir well before serving.
15. Lemon Blueberry Overnight Oats
Brightened with lemon juice and zest and sweetened with honey, these lemon blueberry overnight oats are just as flavorful as a lemon blueberry muffin (minus the heaviness). The oats are thickened with chia seeds and creamed up with vanilla yogurt. Stir in some blueberries before refrigerating and serve topped with extra fresh berries.
Lemon Blueberry Overnight Oats
Ingredients
Method
- Stir oats, milk, yogurt, chia, honey, zest, and juice in a jar.
- Fold in half the blueberries.
- Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
- Top with remaining blueberries.
14. Carrot Cake Oatmeal
There are raisins and walnuts and a cream cheese topping in this oatmeal, but the best part? There’s actually grated carrot in this oatmeal! It cooks down and softens, so you’d never know there’s veggies in here. Top this oatmeal with a drizzle of cream cheese sweetened up with a splash of milk and maple syrup. You can grate the carrot on the small holes of your box grater. It’ll cook soft and tender in just a few minutes!
Carrot Cake Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Bring milk to a simmer.
- Stir in oats, carrot, maple syrup, spices, and salt.
- Simmer 5 to 6 minutes until carrot is soft.
- Stir in raisins.
- For the drizzle: whisk cream cheese, maple syrup, and milk until smooth.
- Top bowls with drizzle and walnuts.
13. Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
If you love peanut butter cups, you’ll love these Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats! Sweetened with maple syrup and made creamy with Greek yogurt, these make-ahead oats are like dessert for breakfast. Chia seeds give the oats added thickness and texture, and peanut butter and cocoa powder give the oats flavor. For an extra-special bowl of oats, serve topped with additional peanut butter, chocolate chips, sliced banana (optional), or all three!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Ingredients
Method
- Stir oats, milk, yogurt, cocoa, chia, maple syrup, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, and salt in a jar.
- Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
- Top with remaining peanut butter and chocolate chips.
12. Pear Ginger Oatmeal
We love pears, but it’s rare for them to make it into our breakfasts. That’s why this pear ginger oatmeal is such a game changer. Anjou or Bartlett pears are sauteed in brown sugar and fresh ginger (hello, zing!) until soft and syrupy, and served over creamy oatmeal made with a pinch of cinnamon. Serve with a sprinkle of chopped walnuts for texture. Takes about 15 minutes, start to finish.
Pear Ginger Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Melt butter in a skillet. Add pear, brown sugar, and ginger.
- Cook 4 minutes until soft and syrupy.
- Bring milk to a simmer in a pot.
- Stir in oats, cinnamon, and salt. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Top with pears and walnuts.
11. Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal
This baked oatmeal tastes just like a cinnamon roll, complete with a buttery cinnamon sugar topping! And it’s amazing as a holiday breakfast or on lazy weekends. Make it ahead and bake the night before. In the morning, just reheat and top with icing. Swirl the cinnamon-sugar topping into the oatmeal before baking, then spread the icing over the warm oatmeal and serve warm with more drizzled on top. Makes six hearty servings.
Cinnamon Roll Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- Mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Whisk milk, egg, maple syrup, butter, and vanilla.
- Stir wet into dry. Pour into dish.
- For the swirl: mix butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Drizzle over top and swirl with a knife.
- Bake 35 to 40 minutes until set.
- For the icing: beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and milk until smooth.
- Spread icing over warm oatmeal.
10. Banana Bread Oatmeal
Got overripe bananas? Use them up in this banana bread oatmeal! It’s full of cinnamon, vanilla, and banana bread flavor (plus brown sugar, just like the real thing). The banana gives it natural sweetness, the spottier the banana, the sweeter the oatmeal and makes it extra creamy. Cook it up with milk for an even creamier bowl. Serve with banana slices and toasted walnuts. Breakfast is ready in just minutes!
Banana Bread Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Mash 1 banana. Slice the other.
- Bring milk to a simmer.
- Stir in oats, mashed banana, brown sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt.
- Simmer 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Top with banana slices and walnuts.
9. Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal
Strawberries and cream oatmeal is better than the instant packets we grew up with, and it’s so easy to make at home! The oatmeal is cooked with cream (hello, rich and creamy!) and vanilla for just the right level of sweetness that won’t overpower the berries. While the oats are cooking, toss fresh strawberries with a little sugar and let them release their juices. Spoon the berries and their juices over the oatmeal. Don’t have fresh berries? No problem. Simply thaw and warm up some frozen berries in a saucepan.
Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Toss strawberries with 1 teaspoon sugar. Set aside.
- Bring milk and cream to a simmer.
- Stir in oats, 2 tablespoons sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Simmer 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Top with strawberries and their juices.
8. Maple Pecan Oatmeal
This delicious oatmeal is sweetened with real maple syrup and topped with buttery toasted pecans, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. The oats are cooked up creamy on the stovetop in milk, and served with an extra drizzle of maple syrup. This oatmeal for fall is perfect on a chilly morning when you want an easy breakfast that still feels special. Toasting the pecans in butter may seem insignificant, but it’s worth the extra effort!
Maple Pecan Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Toast pecans in butter over medium heat, 3 minutes.
- Bring milk to a simmer.
- Stir in oats, maple syrup, cinnamon, and salt.
- Simmer 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Top with pecans and more maple syrup.
7. High Protein Oatmeal
Who says you need protein powder to have a bowl of protein packed oatmeal? This high protein oatmeal is made with egg whites, which fluff it up (and add extra grams of protein, too!) Top with Greek yogurt, peanut butter, berries, and honey for a bowl that’ll keep you full until lunch whether you hit the gym first or not. This will be your new go-to for after the gym or to help you get through a long morning. Ready in just about 10 minutes!
High Protein Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Bring milk to a simmer.
- Stir in oats and salt. Cook 3 minutes.
- Slowly whisk in egg whites.
- Cook 2 minutes, stirring, until thick and fluffy.
- Top with yogurt, peanut butter, berries, and honey.
6. Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Made with canned pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice, this oatmeal tastes just like pumpkin pie filling (minus the crust)! Cooked creamy on the stovetop with vanilla in just ten minutes, this oatmeal is perfect for fall. We love serving it sweetened with maple syrup and topped with toasted pepitas and a dollop of whipped cream! To use up the rest of that can of pumpkin puree, freeze it in smaller portions.
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Bring milk to a simmer.
- Stir in oats. Simmer 4 minutes.
- Stir in pumpkin, maple syrup, spice, vanilla, and salt.
- Cook 1 minute more.
- Top with pepitas and whipped cream.
5. Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
The rich flavor of peanut butter mixed right into creamy oatmeal, sweet slices of banana, a drizzle of honey, and a dash of cinnamon, it is no wonder this is one of our most popular oatmeal recipes! The oats are cooked on the stovetop in milk in just ten minutes, and guaranteed to fill you up for hours. Craving more PB? Stir in a spoonful. You can add even more PB, if needed.
Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Bring milk to a simmer.
- Stir in oats and salt. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons peanut butter.
- Top with banana, remaining peanut butter, honey, and cinnamon.
4. Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
New to baked oatmeal? You should start here! Made with just one bowl (and one baking dish!), all you do is stir together oats, milk, egg, butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla, stir in blueberries (fresh or frozen), bake until golden on top and soft in the middle, and then slice into six servings! We love ours topped with sliced almonds. Store leftovers in the fridge for a make-ahead breakfast any time this week
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Heat oven to 375°F. Grease an 8×8 baking dish.
- Mix oats, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt.
- Whisk milk, egg, maple syrup, butter, and vanilla.
- Stir wet into dry. Fold in blueberries.
- Pour into dish. Top with almonds.
- Bake 35 to 40 minutes until golden and set.
3. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Creamy oatmeal cooked on the stovetop is topped with sweet and tender apples cooked down with butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar, and it tastes just like apple pie filling! This delicious (and easy!) recipe takes just 15 minutes to make and is perfect for fall. We like using Honeycrisp or Gala apples because they hold up the best when cooked, but you can use whatever apples you have on hand. For the perfect fall breakfast, we love topping our bowl with crunchy walnuts.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Melt butter in a skillet. Add apple, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon.
- Cook 5 minutes until soft.
- Bring milk to a simmer in a pot.
- Stir in oats, remaining cinnamon, and salt. Simmer 5 minutes.
- Top with apples and walnuts.
2. Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal
This Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal tastes just like boxed brown sugar and cinnamon oatmeal (but so much better!), and takes just a few simple ingredients and just about ten minutes to make. Old-fashioned oats are simmered on the stovetop in milk and water with a pinch of salt (stir frequently to prevent sticking!) until creamy, and are then served with butter, brown sugar, cinnamon, and cream. It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it’s so much better than the box!
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients
Method
- Bring milk and water to a simmer.
- Stir in oats and salt. Simmer 5 minutes, stirring often.
- Stir in butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Top with a splash of cream.
1. Classic Overnight Oats
Probably our most popular oatmeal recipe, these easy overnight oats are creamy, filling, and can be made with just a few simple ingredients! All you do is stir together oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla in a jar, cover, and refrigerate (at least four hours but preferably overnight). In the morning, enjoy classic overnight oats cold straight from the fridge (like pudding!) with berries, or reheat if you’d like warm oats.
Classic Overnight Oats
Ingredients
Method
- Stir oats, milk, yogurt, chia, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in a jar.
- Cover and chill at least 4 hours.
- Stir and top with berries.
Tips for Creamy Oatmeal
For stovetop oatmeal, overnight oats and baked oatmeal recipes, old-fashioned rolled oats are best. Quick oats are faster, but result in a more “mushy” consistency and steel cut oats require more liquid and more cooking time. Add a pinch of salt to your oatmeal. This helps it to taste sweeter and less flat. Use milk instead of water for creamier oatmeal. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking to the pot.
How to Store and Reheat Oatmeal
Leftover stovetop oatmeal can be refrigerated in a covered container for up to 5 days. Add a little milk back in (oatmeal thickens upon refrigeration) and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Overnight oats will last up to 4 days in airtight containers in the refrigerator. Baked oatmeal can be refrigerated in airtight containers or even frozen for up to 3 months. Simply cube and freeze! Thaw and microwave for about a minute.
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