Wondering how one can rework a bowl of bland oatmeal right into a scrumptious, must-have morning meal? Today I’m sharing wholesome methods to sweeten oatmeal + a number of favourite recipes!
Some individuals name me the queen of oatmeal!
If you’ve been a KERF reader for a while, you should know that oatmeal is a KERF staple. For years, I shared my morning oatmeal creations. I’ve consumed a whole lot of oatmeal through the years. It is really one in all my favourite breakfasts.
I can all the time rely on having an enormous canister of (inexpensive) oats in our pantry. Rolled oats, fast oats, metal lower oats, I don’t discriminate. They are all scrumptious in my e-book and filled with heart-healthy fiber.
When I take advantage of several types of oats
- I like to make use of immediate oats for immediate in a single day oats, tossing into smoothies, or fast microwave oatmeal for Birch.
- I take advantage of quaint rolled oats for stove-top oatmeal and do-it-yourself granola.
- And I take advantage of metal lower oatmeal after I’m making a giant batch of oats within the rice cooker! Breakfast can be prepared at 6:30 a.m. (This is the one I’ve had for over a decade.)
Packets of immediate oatmeal might be handy once you’re in a pinch or touring, and there are some actually good healthful, lower-sugar ones on the market. But you gotta examine the elements listing as a result of they’re usually loaded with added sugar and even synthetic sweeteners – not one thing I need to eat frequently.
How to make oatmeal extra satisfying
While do-it-yourself oatmeal does take a minute extra to arrange, it’s value it as a result of it’s a lot tastier and extra satisfying.
Back in 2008, when this weblog was very younger, I found how a lot I liked the “stick to your ribs” satisfaction {that a} bowl of oatmeal gave me. A bowl of oatmeal with advanced carbohydrates, fats, and protein can maintain me over for hours!
I wish to make mine with entire milk for endurance from protein and fats, and I add on or combine in different macros like nut butter for fats, banana and pumpkin for fiber, cottage cheese for protein.
What Does Oatmeal Taste Like?
Oatmeal tastes a bit bland by itself, however as I’ve proven through the years, it’s a extremely improbable clean canvas for serving up in infinite methods.
Morning oatmeal doesn’t must be your grandmother’s bowl of mush made with plain water, butter, and some spoonfuls of brown sugar. Sweetening your oatmeal might be artistic and healthful, offering you with balanced macronutrients to start out your day.
Today I’m sharing wholesome methods to sweeten oatmeal + a number of favourite recipes!
8 Healthy Ways To Sweeten Oatmeal
1. Banana
Banana is my favourite approach to sweeten oatmeal. Naturally ripe bananas not solely add the proper sweetness, however add further fiber and potassium as effectively.
I serendipitously found that thinly sliced ripe banana took the feel and taste of oatmeal to the following stage and have been making oats with banana ever since! My Classic Whipped Banana Oatmeal Recipe will all the time be the most effective oatmeal base – watch me make it right here in this video (circa 2008!).
2. Nut Butter
Adding a scoop of creamy nut butter is now a non-negotiable because it provides wholesome fat and protein and will increase satiety! While (hopefully) nut butters usually are not hiding sneaky sugars, I’m a giant fan of including a giant scoop of peanut butter or almond butter because the final topping for an additional layer of taste. If you select a nut or seed butter that’s both naturally candy (like sunflower butter) or made with elements like vanilla or cinnamon, it makes your bowl really feel sweeter with none added sugar.
You may even make it your self so that you management the sugar content material – like my Cinnamon Vanilla Almond Butter.
3. Flavored Nuts & Seeds
Both nuts and seeds are a scrumptious method so as to add crunch, wholesome fat, and taste to oatmeal. And utilizing flavored ones like candied pecans or vacation spiced walnuts provides a little sweetness and sugar together with a whole lot of fats and taste. From honey roasted chopped almonds and peanuts to candied pecans and walnuts to chocolate lined sunflowers seeds, strive including a sprinkle to your bowl of oats.
4. Dried Fruit
Raisins are a traditional oatmeal mix-in, but when raisins aren’t your factor, strive chopped dried apricots with coconut or dried cherries with almonds. Cranberries and currants additionally make nice dried fruit additions.
5. Berries
Especially in the summertime months, I really like including recent berries to my oatmeal. Frozen berries are additionally an excellent year-round choice. Full of antioxidants and pure sugars, berries are top-of-the-line methods to sweeten oatmeal. Try my Strawberries ‘n Cream Oatmeal recipe (which might be made with plant-based milks, too)!
6. Maple Syrup
Maple syrup is one in all my favourite liquid sweeteners. Pure maple syrup isn’t solely excessive in antioxidants, however each spoonful presents vitamins like riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium. I really like specialty flavors like bourbon maple or cinnamon spiced.
7. Dates
Dates are very candy and have a refined caramel-like style. They make an excellent wholesome substitute for sugar in recipes as a result of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants that they supply. Try topping your oatmeal with chewy, chopped Medjool dates and toasted coconut – mmm! Or you should utilize them to make a date caramel sauce like this!
8. Jams
From apple butter and pumpkin butter within the fall to strawberry basil jam within the summertime, I drizzle of jam stirred into oatmeal is an ideal candy addition. Just like when making nut butters, if you happen to make jam your self, like chia jam, you may management the sugar. Or simply use slightly of your favourite store-bought selection.
9. Granola
While typically I attempt to make my granola on the low finish of the sweetness spectrum, typically you gotta caramelize it! And boy oh boy does that granola make an excellent topping for yogurt and oatmeal. Highly advocate that recipe!
10. Honey
Good ole honey! Sugar will get a foul rap, however I don’t see something incorrect with including a teaspoon of pure honey to tea or on high of oats! Studies have proven that honey is honey is an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antibacterial agent. This yerba mate oatmeal with pistachios and coconut jogs my memory of baklava, and the drizzle of sticky honey on the finish is the most effective half.
Oatmeal Flavor Combinations
- Peanut Butter & Jelly – add a scoop of your favourite peanut butter and jam
- Pumpkin & Pecan – stir in a big spoonful of pumpkin puree and high with toasted pecans
- Banana & Peanut Butter – whipped banana oatmeal with do-it-yourself peanut butter – you may by no means go incorrect right here!
- Cherry & Coconut – both frozen or dried cherries with toasted coconut
Do you could have a favourite approach to sweeten your oats?
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