Six Healthy Oatmeal Recipes to Spice Up Your Routine

Hungry yet? Try these healthy oatmeal recipes or dream up your own, such as this one with caramelized apples (Oatmeal photo via Shutterstock)

Oatmeal is nutritious, filling, and low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. It’s also a good source of dietary fiber. All of these reasons make it perfect for breakfast, but when thinking of exciting morning meals, chances are oatmeal doesn’t top the list. Until now, that is, thanks to some new twists on classic oatmeal recipes. What about bacon and eggs oatmeal for breakfast? Or a savory oatmeal for dinner? Or carrot cake oatmeal for dessert? A peanut butter and chocolate oatmeal, perhaps?

Oatmeal can be a quick meal for any time of day. You can try all sorts of new flavor combinations and have fun in the kitchen. Try this take on pecan maple oatmeal: Cook the oats and just before they finish, stir in about 2 tablespoons of maple syrup. Top with skim milk and chopped pecans, and enjoy!

Some notes to consider before trying the below recipes. Be sure to keep proportion in mind. Oatmeal toppings are for enhancing—not burying. If you are tripling the caloric intake and sending your sugar levels through the roof, then you lose the health benefits. Also, the best water-to-oatmeal ratio is 2-to-1. So if you’re only making a recipe for yourself, the serving size is usually 1/2 cup dried oats in 1 cup boiling water.

Prepare yourself for some mind-blowing oatmeal awesomeness with these healthy oatmeal recipes:

1. Carrot Cake Oatmeal Recipe

via Allrecipes.com

Who doesn’t love cake for breakfast? Whip this up for a creative brunch that’ll impress your friends. For an added level of flavor, incorporate a tablespoon of cream cheese into the yogurt for the full carrot cake effect.

2. Natural Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Recipe

via Food.com

If you don’t have unsweetened cocoa powder, sprinkle chocolate chips or grate some dark chocolate on top while the oatmeal is hot and stir to incorporate. This recipe calls for stevia to help balance the unsweetened cocoa, but use your favorite sweetener. I usually reach for honey. If you’re can’t have oatmeal without fruit, top with a sliced banana or strawberries, which will compliment the chocolate.

3. Banana Walnut Oatmeal Recipe

via Eating Well

This recipe gives you all the yummy goodness of banana bread, but without the guilt.

4. Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Recipe

via Shape

If you’re feeling adventurous, cook the oats in vanilla almond milk and add a punch of unexpected flavor.

5. Recipe for Summer Oatmeal with bacon, cheddar cheese and tomatoes

via Apron Strings Blog

We love this take on a savory oatmeal. It’s a great oatmeal recipe for those cool spring nights when you need something hearty and warm but are craving summery flavors.

6. Recipe for Savory Spinach Oats

via A Girl and Her Processor 

If Italian food is your weakness and you’re looking to revamp your repertoire then try this recipe. The protein crumbles are vegetarian substitutes and can be found in a variety of flavors. Meat lover? Try browning ground turkey sausage first and then using the same pot to make the oats.