Oats are a favorite breakfast staple—easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re warming up with a cozy bowl of stovetop oats or reaching for a quick jar of overnight oats, this post will guide you through both methods.
Once your oats are ready, the fun begins! Check out our 7 healthy and delicious topping combinations that you can mix and match throughout the week.
How to Make Oats (Two Ways)
Stovetop Rolled Oats
(1 serving)
Ingredients:
½ cup gluten-free rolled oats
1 cup water or unsweetened plant-based milk (almond, oat, cashew, or coconut)
Pinch of sea salt
Method:
- In a small saucepan, combine oats, water or milk, and sea salt.
- Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Reduce heat to low and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until soft and creamy.
- Remove from heat and let sit 1 minute to thicken.
- Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.
Overnight Oats
(1 serving)
Ingredients:
½ cup gluten-free rolled oats
½ cup plant-based milk
Optional: 1 tsp. chia seeds (for fiber and thickness)
Method:
- In a lidded jar or container, combine oats, milk, and optional chia seeds.
- Stir well, cover, and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
- In the morning, stir and add a splash more milk if needed.
- Top and enjoy chilled or lightly warmed.
7 Fun & Nourishing Oat Topping Combos
These creative combinations are perfect for rotating through the week—no breakfast boredom here! Whether you prefer sweet, savory, or a little of both, oats offer the perfect canvas for a nourishing meal. Which combo will you try first?
- 🍌 Banana Bread
- Sliced banana
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Dash of cinnamon
- Drizzle of maple syrup or chopped dates
- 🍎 Apple Pie
- Diced apples sautéed in coconut oil with cinnamon
- Raisins or chopped dates
- Sprinkle of ground flax
- 🫐 Blueberry Lemon Bliss
- Wild blueberries
- Lemon zest
- Hemp seeds
- Coconut flakes
- Optional: splash of almond milk
- 🍫 Chocolate Almond Joy
- Cacao nibs or dark chocolate chips
- Almond butter
- Toasted coconut flakes
- Optional: pinch of sea salt
- 🥕 Carrot Cake
- Grated carrot
- Diced pineapple
- Chopped walnuts
- Dash of nutmeg and cinnamon
- Optional: drizzle of honey or maple syrup
- 🥬 Savory Greens & Egg
- Sautéed spinach, kale, or Swiss chard (in olive oil or ghee)
- Sliced hard-boiled egg
- Avocado slices
- Optional: red pepper flakes or a drizzle of olive oil
- 🍑 Peaches & Cream
- Fresh sliced peaches
- Dollop of yogurt (dairy or dairy free)
- Chopped almonds or granola
- Optional: drizzle of honey or maple syrup
- Sprinkle of cinnamon or cardamom
