How to Make Healthy Oatmeal The Easy Way
Making a healthy breakfast doesn’t have to be hard! This very creamy, satisfying, and healthy bowl of oatmeal makes a great first meal of the day and will energize you for hours. I have also listed a few of my favorite tips on how to make yummy and creamy oatmeal that will have you jumping out of bed.
What kind of Oats should I use for Overnight Oatmeal?
There are a few different kinds of oatmeal options out there. The main difference is due to how much the oat groats have been processed, which result in different texture and cooking time.
1. Steel Cut oats
Processed the least, takes the longest to cook. I personally is not a fan for the texture.
2. Rolled Oats (Old-Fashioned)
Steamed to softened, pressed to flatten
3. Instant or quick Oats
The most processed kind which takes the shortest time to cook. This is the kind you find in the microwave oatmeal packs.
I have tested the all and my personal favorite to make healthy oatmeal with is rolled oats, aka old-fashioned oats for soaking overnight. I get the gluten-free version on amazon. They soak up the milk and spices overnight so perfectly.
Unlike rolled oats, steel-cut oatmeal will still need to be cooked on the stove or in the microwave even after soaking all night. On the other hand, instant oats will just get soggy and turn into baby food.
How is overnight oats different from regular oatmeal?
It “cooks” overnight and is ready for you to eat in the morning
This means saving time! When I was working my 9-5 corporate job, the last thing I wanted to think about was to cook breakfast in the morning. You know that drill. Gym, shower, makeup, outfits, pack the bag bla bla the list goes on.
Having your breakfast ready in the fridge ready to grab-n-go is the most perfect, healthy and delicious solution!
What to soak the healthy oatmeal in?
Traditionally, oatmeal is cooked in hot water or milk on the stove or in the microwave. But nowadays with so many alternative products available for all your dietary restrictions, you have no reason not to change it up every now and then.
The sky is the limit!
These are my favorite soaking agents:
“Old-Fashioned”: Full fat or reduced fat Milk
Make it dairy-free: Use nut milk such as almond, cashew and coconut
Make it nut-free: Use flax or oat milk
How to sweeten and spice up your healthy oatmeal
It all depending on personal preference when it comes to sweeteners and spices. But I do have a few tips and tricks to share with you when it comes to how I choose and shop my sweeteners and spices.
Maple Syrup: Find the one that only has one SINGLE ingredient… Maple Syrup!
Honey: Buy Local if you can. And again, choose the one that only has “Honey” on its ingredient list. (I mean what else can bees put in honey other than honey, right?)
Ripe or caramelized bananas: This may be my favorite way to sweeten up a lot of my recipes, especially as oatmeal toppings.
Frozen or fresh berries: First, choose the ones in season, when you can. BUT, you don’t have to feel you must buy fresh ones if they don’t fit in your budget.
Nut Butter: Nut butters like cashews, peanuts, and almonds, naturally have a little bit of sweetness to them. Again, look for the ones with only one (or two) ingredients. Nuts (and maybe salt).
Okay, what about spice? Here are a few of my favorite go-to spices that I add to almost every bowl of oatmeal.
Cacao Powder. Does it count as a spice? Yes, chocolate is everything (check out this chocolate overnight oats recipe)
Oatmeal is like a blank canvas. Take advantage of it and be creative. You can add any of your favorite spices, superfood powders, protein powder and all kinds of different toppings.
Take the chance and change up your breakfast and make it your favorite meal of the day. And remember, the sky is the limit!
Get the recipe:Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats {with Chia Seeds}
Ingredients
Overnight Oats
- 1/2 cup Gluten Free rolled oats
- 1 cup milk of choice
Toppings
- 1 banana
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp chia jam
Instructions
- In a mason jar, combine rolled oats and milk of your choice. Cover and refrigerate over night
- In the morning, pour the soaked oats into a bowl. Leave it cold or heat it up
- Cut a banana lengthwise and caramelize, or if preferred raw, simply cut it into rings
- Top the overnight oats with banana, a scoop of peanut butter and any additional toppings you prefer
- ENJOY this healthy and creamy breakfast
Notes
- If you want to add spices such as cinnamon to your oats, do so in step 1
The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.
