9 Sweet Oatmeal Toppings That Will Transport You to a Bakery
There’s nothing like a comforting bowl of oatmeal to warm you on chilly mornings. Oats are not only one of the best sources of soluble fiber (the type that keeps you full and helps control your cholesterol levels), but they’re also incredibly easy to cook. But a bowl of plain oatmeal can be awfully bland.
Overview
There's nothing like a comforting bowl of oatmeal to warm you on chilly mornings. Oats are not only one of the best sources of soluble fiber (the type that keeps you full and helps control your cholesterol levels), but they're also incredibly easy to cook. But a bowl of plain oatmeal can be awfully bland. And traditional toppings, such as raisins or nuts, can get pretty old after awhile. Break out of your oatmeal rut with these nine recipes. They taste like fresh-baked cakes and breads from a bakery, so you might feel like you're eating dessert for breakfast. But trust us: These sweet oatmeal toppings are actually incredibly healthy.
1. Carrot Cake Oatmeal
This sweet, crunchy and completely comforting oatmeal is the perfect way to pack more veggies into your breakfast without sacrificing sweetness. The shredded carrots add vitamin A, which supports healthy vision, a healthy immune system and red blood cell growth. Walnuts add satisfying crunch, along with vegan omega-3 fatty acids for heart and brain health. And even though this oatmeal comes in at less than 400 calories, it's packed with enough fiber to keep you full and satisfied until lunch. Serve it on its own, or add a dollop of vanilla Greek yogurt for more dessert-inspired flavor.
Related: Carrot Cake Oatmeal Recipe
2. Baked Banana Bread Oatmeal
Sweet and spicy banana bread brings back delicious memories from childhood, but traditional banana bread is full of refined grains. Get that familiar flavor without sacrificing nutrition with this banana-infused baked oatmeal. It uses two types of bananas: mashed bananas for sweetness throughout and spiced caramelized banana slices for pops of flavor. Chopped walnuts provide crunch, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. You'll get a meal loaded with beneficial potassium -- a mineral that nourishes your muscles and supports cardiovascular health. This dish is customizable too. Add some cacao nibs for chocolate-chip banana bread flavor!
Related: Baked Banana Bread Oatmeal Recipe
3. Peach Cobbler Oatmeal
This oatmeal offers all the sweet, warm-weather flavor of peach cobbler and all the yummy scent that goes along with it. Plus, it's nutritious! It includes a healthy crumble topping made from coconut oil, oats, almonds and coconut sugar. Fresh peaches add natural sweetness and flavor to the oatmeal underneath. This is best made with fresh peaches, but feel free to use frozen peaches if fresh ones aren't in season. After just one bite, you'll be dreaming of summer!
Related: Peach Cobbler Oatmeal Recipe
4. Baked Apple Oatmeal
Let's be honest: Baked apple pies are totally irresistible, but their sugary filling means they're best limited to once or twice a year tops. Swapping out the traditional sugary crumble filling for apple-flavored oatmeal, though, means you can enjoy these on the regular. The apples and oats burst with fiber, which can help regulate digestion, while the pecans provide healthy unsaturated fats. Bake a double (or triple) batch on the weekend to reheat for breakfast throughout the week, or whip them up as a crowd-pleasing addition for your next brunch.
Related: Baked Apple Oatmeal Recipe
5. Blueberry-Lemon Muffin Oatmeal
We love a good muffin, but most store-bought muffins are basically sugar-loaded cupcakes without the icing. These healthy oats take the best flavors of a fresh-from-the-oven muffin -- the sweet berries, tart lemon, creamy vanilla and a potent pop of blueberry flavor from the jam -- without tons of added fat and sugar. Almonds add vegan-friendly protein and healthy fats to keep you full, while the blueberries and lemon zest pack in tons of antioxidants. Keep your breakfast super-healthy by using a low-sugar blueberry jam, and feel free to add some extra almonds if you want a higher-calorie breakfast with extra crunch.
Related: Blueberry-Lemon Muffin Oatmeal Recipe
6. Strawberry-Coconut Cake Oatmeal
If you prefer tropical flavors, this is the oatmeal for you. It combines fragrant toasted coconut -- a great source of fiber and heart-healthy fats -- with strawberries and vanilla coconut milk. It's a breakfast that tastes like coconut-berry pound cake. The strawberries provide an excellent source of vitamin C, which strengthens your skin, hair, connective tissues and joints. Top it with a dollop of coconut or vanilla Greek yogurt for extra creaminess.
Related: Strawberry-Coconut Cake Oatmeal Recipe
7. Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Parfait
The holiday season just isn't the same without pumpkin pie, and your oatmeal should get in on the fun too. A nutritional powerhouse, pumpkin infuses your oats with vitamin A and iron for immunity, plus enough fiber to make this a seriously filling start to your day. Greek yogurt adds just enough tartness to contrast with the warm spiciness of the oats, along with protein to nourish your muscles and encourage tissue repair. And with its orange hue and pretty layers, you'll definitely want to snap a photo or two of this parfait before you take a bite!
Related: Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal Parfait Recipe
8. Cranberry Crumble Oatmeal
Cranberries offer some serious health benefits, including vitamin E and tons of antioxidants. So what better way to get into the holiday spirit than with a hot bowl of cranberry crumble oats? The "crumble" here is made from coconut oil, oats and coconut sugar. It's free of refined white sugar found in most cranberry sweets. It's also high in fiber, is a great source of vitamin C and supplies iron, an immune system-supporting mineral to help you get through the cold and flu season. Freeze a few packs of fresh cranberries so you can enjoy this dessert-inspired breakfast year-round.
Related: Cranberry Crumble Oatmeal Recipe
9. Chocolate-Chip Cookie Dough Oatmeal
Cookie dough for breakfast? Yes, please! This "dough" gets its creaminess from a mixture of oats, almond butter and vanilla almond milk, and it manages to pack plenty of protein and fiber into one seriously delicious bowl. Dark chocolate chips (or cacao nibs, if you want more chocolate flavor) adds essential minerals to your oatmeal, including manganese, a mineral important for joint health, and zinc for strong immunity. Experiment with different extracts to get slightly different dough flavors: A drop of orange extract adds a festive twist to this oatmeal, but maple extract would taste great too.
Related: Chocolate-Chip Cookie Dough Oatmeal Recipe
What Do YOU Think?
What are your favorite oatmeal toppings? Which of these recipes would you try? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Related: 12 Easy, Savory Oatmeal Recipes for Any Time of Day