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One of the easiest breakfast staples, oatmeal is healthy, and as an added bonus, it can fill you up for a long time, but the same basic bowl of oats day in, day-out can become pretty monotonic for many people.
If you ever wake up to gaze at your pretty bowl of plain oatmeal with a question of how it can be made more interesting, there is nothing you have to fret over; you are not alone in the universe. The good news is that oatmeal is actually quite a blank canvas, made ready to take on its new form by adding the right ingredients. Need it sweet, need it savoury, or a nutritional punch? There's just no end in sight to the ways that you can help your oatmeal get to the next level.
From fruits and nuts to spices and superfoods, you can easily enhance the flavour and health benefits of your oatmeal. Here are some ideas to inspire your next breakfast creation and make your mornings much more exciting.
Fresh or Frozen Fruits
Adding fresh or frozen fruits is perhaps the easiest way to take your oatmeal to the next level. Berries, bananas, apples, and pears add natural sweetness and colourful hues to your bowl,making your breakfast healthier and more visually appealing besides. Berries are especially good sources of antioxidants and vitamins, while bananas will provide potassium and fibre.
For a taste of the tropics, don't forget to add some mango, pineapple, or even papaya. Where fresh fruits out of season are not available, frozen fruits make a convenient substitute-they dissolve nicely into warm oatmeal as they thaw, so don't be afraid to mix them in or sprinkle them on top.
Nuts and Seeds
Nut and seeds provide the right crisp crunch in oatmeal, along with healthy fats, protein, and fibres. Almonds, walnuts, pecans, and cashews all complement the creaminess of oatmeal and make it much more filling.
If you like seeds, you can also add chia seeds, flaxseeds, and/or pumpkin seeds. Chia seeds are particularly interesting as they swell up very dramatically when they absorb liquid, turning your oatmeal into a more pudding-like consistency. These ingredients not only improve the nutritional quality of your meal, but they also provide interesting textures and flavours.
Spices and Flavourings
Don't underestimate the power of spices to transform your oatmeal. Classic choices are cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom. But then again, if you are looking to spice things up, you might add some ginger or turmeric for that extra anti-inflammatory boost.
For instance, you can add a splash of maple syrup or even a dash of almond extract and vanilla to bring out the natural flavours in your oatmeal, which would otherwise be very overpowering. A pinch of salt could also really help bring out the sweetness of other ingredients in your recipes.
Nut Butters
Adding nut butters like peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter to your oatmeal would be great as it makes it creamy and indulgent. It has a rich nutty flavour that pairs with fruits and spices and adds healthy fats and protein.
A dollop of your favourite nut butter swirled into a hot oatmeal bowl will melt into a rich, creamy texture. If you have a nut allergy, sunflower seed butter is an excellent substitute that's similarly creamy.
Superfoods
Add some superfoods to your oatmeal if you want to step up a notch in nutritional value. Goji berries, hemp seeds, cacao nibs, and spirulina are some examples of superfoods that can add an extra boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to breakfast.
The cacao nibs bring in a deep chocolatey crunch without the added sugars to processed chocolate. Hemp seeds are a complete source of protein; therefore, they are perfect for the morning for those who need a protein boost. Superfoods alone can transform your oatmeal within a tablespoon into a powerhouse of nutrition.
