I seriously can’t believe what passes for oatmeal in America.
People are either trudging their way through some tasteless, goopy, instant crap or they’re eating some other packaged version because it’s “low in fat and cholesterol.” Both usually contain “natural flavors” which is food industry lingo for artificial flavors as well as tons of sugar and other chemicals.
It is NOT HARD to make oatmeal that doesn’t taste like crap!
1. Purchase oatmeal in whole form as either rolled oats or steel-cut and soak overnight. The soaking process does a few things. First, it dramatically reduces the cooking time. It’s actually a healthy version of instant oatmeal! Simply simmer for a few minutes (the steel-cut oats will take a little longer) in the morning and add more water if necessary.
Second, it softens the oats and makes them naturally creamy without being overly gloppy like most instant versions and overly chewy like most unsoaked versions.
And finally, the soaking process makes the oats more nutritious and digestible. To soak oats, add one part oats to two parts water and add an acidic medium such as a teaspoon of yogurt or whey or a squeeze of lemon. This acidic medium will break down phytic acid, an anti-nutrient in the outer shell of grains that can negatively impact digestion.
2. Add healthy fats. Imagine that! Yes, healthy fats make it more palatable and also more digestible. I can’t believe any human being could actually ingest a bowl of oatmeal without fat. To me it just seems, well…disgusting. Then why do millions of Americans eat crappy oatmeal with skim milk or low-fat yogurt?
Because of that outdated, thoroughly debunked idea that fat and cholesterol cause disease. Stupid lipid hypothesis. What a scam!
Add a glorious, heaping tablespoon of butter, a dollop or two of cream, coconut oil or coconut flakes and top with whole milk yogurt. Add in some almonds, walnuts or any nuts or seeds of your choice.
3. Add sweetness. Any fruit and/or a dollop of raw honey or maple syrup.
4. Add sea salt to taste. I love the combination of salty, creamy and sweet. It’s a match made in oatmeal heaven.
I often add ALL of the above.
Ingredients
Directions
This is a fairly standard breakfast for me in the colder months. Warms me up in the morning and feels so nourishing and filling.
If my version doesn’t float your boat, well, I called on my real food buddies on The Village Green Network to share their best oatmeal recipes with me.
This list proves that oatmeal can be made in a wide variety of ways to please all taste buds!
Creamy Whipped Oatmeal by The Dabblist
Chocolate Chia Oatmeal by Freshly Grown
Creamy Coconut Oatmeal by The Coconut Mama
Soaked Oatmeal: 9 Ways by The Sprouting Seed
Oatmeal with Gelatin (a good one if you’re a college student) by Healthy People, Healthy Planet
Creamy Blueberry Oatmeal by Sweet Plantains
Oatmeal in a Jar: Faster (and Healthier) than McDonald’s by Attainable Sustainable
Soaked Oatmeal Breakfast by Oh Lardy!
Healthy Pumpkin Protein Oatmeal by Happy Healthnut
Oatmeal with Maple Glazed Pecans by Wise Eats
Crock Pot Oatmeal Recipes
Pumpkin Pie Overnight Crock Pot Oatmeal by The Real Food Outlaws
Apple Pie Crock Pot Oatmeal by The Real Food Outlaws
Cherry Pie Crock Pot Oatmeal by The Real Food Outlaws
Slow Cooked Apple, Rhubarb and Ginger Oatmeal by Loula Natural
Baked Oatmeal Recipes
Basic Soaked Baked Oatmeal by Life From The Ground Up
Baked Oatmeal by Life By Jeanie
Baked Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal by Healthy Roots, Happy Soul
Baked Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal (in kid-friendly Halloween shapes) by Healthy Roots, Happy Soul
Cinnamon Raisin Baked Oatmeal by Love and Wild Honey
Classic Baked Oatmeal by Nourishing Charlotte
Cool Oatmeal-esque Alternatives
Peach Blueberry Crumble by Jules Fuel
Chia Fauxtmeal (this one’s interesting!) by DJ Foodie
Overnight Oats: Filling Green Smoothie in a Bowl by Green Thickies
Healthy Soaked Oatmeal Cookies by Cheeseslave
Make Ahead No Oatsmeal (for those on the Paleo diet) by The Paleo Mama
Paleo Oatmeal by A Girl Worth Saving
Homemade Granola by The Crunchy Moose
Thank you so much for including my recipes. When I ate grains, I would always soak my oatmeal and it was delicious!
Thanks for including my recipe for Baked Oatmeal!
Craig! Why are you so awesome. Love the title of this post! Thanks for including mine. -Rama, Freshly Grown
What a great list!! Your recipe had me sold at grass fed butter! Thanks for including my granola.
Do you actually use 1 cup of oats, plus two cups of water for yourself for one breakfast? Or is the one cup soaked oats just 1/3 cup oats plus 2/3 cup water?
My favourite way to eat oatmeal is with natural peanut butter and raw honey with whole milk. So yummy! Bi often add in a chopped banana too.
Stacey, yes, 1 cup is definitely more than one serving. I should’ve clarified that. 1/2 cup is probably more the average serving size. So that would be 1/2 cup oats and 1 cup water.
I can’t eat dairy right now so do you think a dollop of coconut butter would be okay? Or something else? I usually don’t keep coconut cream on-hand.
Hi Amanda, you might try ghee which is just pure butterfat. Most people with dairy sensitivities can handle that. Otherwise, coconut butter would be fine or just some extra coconut oil.
Thanks so much for including my recipe! Your how-to is right on…the soaking makes the consistency so creamy and wonderful - I just can’t have it any other way; and adding healthy fats gives it a great flavor and makes it stick to your ribs…If I could afford to I’d put 1/4c. of coconut oil in every batch!
Sharing this on my fb!
Yum!! Love it with apples, cinnamon, and creme fraiche, too!!