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Carrot Cake-Inspired Recovery Oatmeal
Credit: Amallia Eka - Shutterstock
According to Outside, Lucy Bartholomew enjoys this oatmeal recipe after her races. The ingredients include 1 cup of water, half a cup of oats, a grated carrot, and a tablespoon of maple syrup. Once cooked, top with 1/4 cup each of chopped almonds and dates.
Savory oatmeal with garlic and ginger
Oatmeal isn’t always sweet. This recipe from Budget Bytes features savory elements like garlic, ginger, and mushrooms, with an option to add sriracha or gochujang on top. It also suggests using Better than Bouillon for a deeper, savory flavor in the oats.
Risoatto
Credit: Claire Lower
If you're a fan of savory oatmeal, why not take it up a notch and try making risoatto? (Ris-oat-to, get it?) This savory dish by Claire Lower uses steel-cut oats instead of traditional rolled oats, filling it with savory, umami-rich ingredients. Parmesan cheese and soy sauce complete this flavorful dish.
Cold pumpkin oats
This unique recipe, shared by a user on the r/running subreddit, takes pumpkin and sweet spices in a different direction. Combine the following ingredients and let it chill overnight in the fridge:
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup low-fat plain Greek yogurt
- 80 grams of canned pumpkin
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 cup oats
- A sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
Apple slices with peanut butter
Photo credit: Brent Hofacker - Shutterstock
The beloved childhood snack makes a return, now in the form of oatmeal. This idea, shared on the Eat Cheap and Healthy subreddit, is simple yet delicious: mix peanut butter and a chopped Granny Smith apple into your oatmeal. The apple softens when you heat the oatmeal in the microwave, and a drizzle of honey adds the perfect touch of sweetness.
Oatmeal with whey protein powder
Image credit: Angelika Heine - Shutterstock
While protein powder may seem like a convenient way to boost your oatmeal's protein content, consider the texture before you add it. Mixing whey powder before cooking can make the texture less enjoyable, so opt for a recipe like this one that recommends adding the powder only after cooking. Other ingredients, such as maple syrup, can be added before or after cooking, but it's often easiest to add them after.
Egg whites mixed into oatmeal for a boost of protein
Image Credit: Yulia Sverdlova - Shutterstock
If you prefer not to use protein powder, you can add protein to your oatmeal by incorporating egg whites, which are often sold in cartons. A method suggested by Eat Cheap and Healthy involves cooking the oatmeal in a pot, then removing it from heat to stir in the egg whites. Once combined, return the mixture to the stove and continue stirring until it reaches a creamy consistency. While I haven’t tried this personally, many oatmeal enthusiasts claim that the taste of egg whites is undetectable in the final dish. Alternatively, you can microwave the oatmeal and immediately whisk in the egg whites while it’s still steaming hot. For extra flavor, finish it off with a rich egg yolk. Although it won’t significantly add to the protein content, it will enhance the taste.
Baked oatmeal recipe
Photo Credit: Alena_Kos - Shutterstock
You don’t have to stick to making oatmeal in the microwave or on the stove. Instead, bake a large batch of oatmeal in a pan and enjoy it hot, or let it cool and slice it into squares. Start with this recipe, and feel free to adjust the flavors and nutritional elements to suit your taste.
Crispy fried oatmeal squares for a unique twist
Photo Credit: Allie Chanthorn Reinmann
Once your oatmeal is baked—whether simple or with added ingredients—consider frying it up in squares the following day. This recipe by Allie Chanthorn Reinmann recommends frying the oatmeal with butter and pressing shredded parmesan cheese into the surface for extra flavor. This method works well with plain oatmeal or a savory version, but feel free to experiment with your favorite oatmeal variations (perhaps adding apples and honey) if you enjoy a sweet and savory fusion.
