Add more tasty whole grains to your life with this list of the 21+ Best Oatmeal Recipes! With everything from overnight oats and baked oats to cookies, smoothies, bread, and oatmeal cooking instructions, there is something for everyone.
What's not to love about oatmeal? It's easy to cook, healthy, tasty, and versatile. Whether you enjoy a warm bowl of oats sprinkled with your favorite toppings, stir oatmeal into cookie or bread recipes, add it to cookies for a nutty chew, or make granola bars, there are endless ways to enjoy this common pantry staple!
In this post, I share all of my best oat recipes. After all, you could say I am somewhat obsessed! Over my six years running Mae's Menu, I've published more than a few oatmeal recipes, so I figured it was time to share them all in one place. With savory, sweet, healthy, and indulgent options, there will surely be something for everyone!
If you're looking for how to prepare the different types of oatmeal for breakfast, I also share stovetop, microwave, slow cooker, and Instant Pot directions below. Let's get started!
Types of Oatmeal
When making recipes using oatmeal, you may come across a few different types of the grain. Here are the three most common varieties, where to find them, and how to bake with them.
Old-Fashioned Oats: Also known as rolled oats, these oats have been steamed and rolled to flatten. They are commonly used to make cookies, breads, overnight oats, baked oats, and more. Old-fashioned oats traditionally take longer to cook than instant oats.
Instant Oats: Also known as quick-cook oats, these oats have been pre-cooked, dried, and pressed thinner than old-fashioned oats. Because of this extra processing, they often cook faster, too. They can also be used in many baking and breakfast recipes, however.
Steel Cut Oats: These oats are have been chopped into small pieces, making them the nuttiest and chewiest type of oats. They also require the longest cooking time and are best fit for cooking with water and eating as a porridge (rather than adding to oats recipes).
The 15+ Best Oatmeal Recipes
Wondering what to make with oats? I have you covered!
Brownie Baked Oatmeal
This is one of Mae's Menu's most popular recipes with oatmeal and one of my family's favorite breakfasts. It is rich, chocolaty, and hearty, and wholesome breakfast everyone will love! It's a one-bowl recipe made with pantry staples and a few simple steps. This brownie oatmeal bake is surprisingly nutritious, easily made gluten-free and dairy-free, and 100% delicious.
Brownie Baked Oatmeal
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
This peanut butter overnight oats recipe is a seriously easy oatmeal recipe! A creamy and nutritious recipe that is a meal prep dream! Multiply the batch by your desired amount to whip up oats for the week. Have fun adjusting the toppings to your liking; banana slices, hemp seeds, peanuts, berries, and dates are some of my favorites!
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Banana Oatmeal Muffins
These oatmeal banana muffins are one of our family's favorite healthy muffin recipes. They're soft, just sweet enough, and made with simple pantry staple ingredients. Not only are they quick to mix up, but they freeze like a dream and come in handy when mornings are chaotic (which, let’s be honest, is most of them).
Banana Oatmeal Muffins
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats (High-Protein)
Enjoy a delicious and nutritious start to your day with these high-protein Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats! This easy, one-jar breakfast is packed with warm cinnamon spice, tender apples, and a boost of protein to keep you energized all morning long!
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Addictively chewy, chocolaty, nutty, and buttery Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies. You'll love how easy they are to bake, yet how satisfying, tender, and nostalgic they are. Make a batch of these chewy oatmeal chocolate chip cookies today!
Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies
Oatmeal Smoothie
This banana oatmeal smoothie is thick, creamy, warmly spiced, and packed with 33 grams of protein — blended in 5 minutes and filling enough to keep you going until lunch.
Creamy Oatmeal Smoothie
Matcha Overnight Oats
These Matcha Overnight Oats are cool, creamy, naturally energizing, and packed with good-for-you ingredients. They taste like a matcha latte and come together in just a few minutes (the fridge does the rest!)—perfect for meal prep or a quick, nourishing, and convenient meal to start your day.
Matcha Overnight Oats
Oat Protein Breakfast Cookies
A delicious 1-bowl chewy cookie recipe that has so much flavor it's hard to believe that it's full of plant-based protein, healthy fats, and is gluten-free! Enjoy these as an on-the-go breakfast, post-workout snack, or afternoon treat!
Oat Protein Breakfast Cookies
Oat Milk Pancakes
Oat Milk Pancakes: everything you know and love about traditional buttermilk pancakes but without the dairy! You'll love their crispy exterior and light and fluffy interior. They are exceptional topped with berries, maple syrup, vegan butter, and even nut butter. Gluten-free variations are available!
Oat Milk Pancakes
High-Protein Baked Oatmeal
Made with old-fashioned oatmeal, maple syrup, peanut butter, and peanut butter powder, Protein Baked Oats are a good-for-you feel-good breakfast! They boast 14 grams of protein per serving, are ready in just a few simple steps, and are perfect for meal prep. Serve them warm with drizzled peanut butter and chocolate for an indulgent yet still nutritious meal!
Protein Baked Oats
Oatmeal M&M Cookies
These delicious M&M oatmeal cookies catch your eye and tame your chocolate cravings with no chilling time! They are a rich and chewy treat the whole family will love.
Oatmeal M&M Cookies
Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats (35g, 2-Ways!)
These cottage cheese overnight oats are thick, creamy, and packed with up to 35 grams of protein per serving — made in just 5 minutes the night before for the ultimate grab-and-go high-protein breakfast. Make them standard (stirred) for a heartier texture, or blend the cottage cheese smooth for an ultra-creamy, mousse-like consistency. Either way, you're waking up to something genuinely delicious.
Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats
Plum Crisp
Summer just got sweeter with this elegant and effortless Plum Crisp! Dig into this baked dessert at any time of day — with friends after dinner or with a spoon right out of the pan. Pro tip: Sweeten the deal with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Plum Crisp
Oatmeal Bread (No Yeast & No Knead!)
Tender and nutty homemade oatmeal bread, made in less than an hour with no kneading or yeast! Serve the bread toasted with butter and jam or with your favorite soups and salads.
Oatmeal Bread
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal (High-Protein!)
A warm, cozy breakfast bake that tastes like pumpkin pie for breakfast — but delivers real food with protein and fiber. This pumpkin baked oatmeal brings together pumpkin puree, oats, banana, cozy spices, and a scoop of protein for slices you can enjoy hot, cold, or reheated all week.
Pumpkin Baked Oatmeal
Peach Overnight Oats (High Protein!)
This easy Peach Overnight Oats recipe is creamy, protein-packed, and bursting with refreshing peach flavor. It’s the perfect quick, fun breakfast to meal prep for busy mornings!
Peach Overnight Oats
Oatmeal Pancakes
Homemade oatmeal blender pancakes are made with wholesome ingredients in just a few simple steps -- just add the ingredients to a blender, blitz up, and pour them on the griddle. A tasty and healthy family breakfast!
Oatmeal Pancakes
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Enjoy the flavors of fall, oatmeal style! Seasoned with pumpkin spice and sweetened with maple, these tender and chewy cookies are comforting, spicy, and surprisingly good for you. They're processed sugar-free, dairy-free, and easily made gluten-free!
Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
Banana Double Chocolate Chip Pancakes (Gluten-Free!)
Get a healthy and easy breakfast peanut butter and chocolate-infused breakfast on the table in a snap time with these Banana Double Chocolate Chip Pancakes! They're gluten-free and full of fiber and kid-approved.
Banana Double Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Air Fryer Baked Apples
Cozy, sweet, and secretly wholesome—these Air Fryer Baked Apples are stuffed with a cinnamon-oat crumble and cooked until tender and golden. They taste like mini apple pies but are quicker, lighter, and perfect for weeknights or weekend brunch.
Air Fryer Baked Apples
How to Make Oatmeal
Thanks to handy appliances, there are so many ways to make oatmeal. Follow these directions to make oatmeal with any of your favorite cooking methods.
How to Make Stovetop Oatmeal: Bring 1 cup of water or milk to a low simmer over medium-low heat. Add ½ cup of old-fashioned or instant oats and a small pinch of salt. Stir well and cook for 6-8 minutes for old-fashioned and 1-2 minutes for instant oats, stirring frequently, or until the oats are creamy and tender.
How to Make Oatmeal in the Microwave: Add 1 cup of boiling hot water to a large microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup. Stir in ½ cup of old-fashioned or instant oats and a pinch of salt. Cover and let sit for 2-3 minutes. Microwave instant oats on high for 1-2 minutes and old-fashioned oats for 2-3.5 minutes, stirring the oatmeal every minute or so until the oats are creamy and tender.
How to Make Steel-Cut Oats (Stovetop): Heat 3 cups of water to a simmer in a saucepan over medium heat. Add a pinch of salt and 1 cup of steel-cut oats. Stir well and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring frequently, for 10-12 minutes or until creamy and the oats are tender.
How to Make Crockpot Oatmeal: Spray the slow cooker bowl with non-stick cooking spray or brush it liberally with butter or oil. Add 2 cups of water, 1 cup of old-fashioned oats, and a pinch of salt. Stir well and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring periodically, until creamy and tender.
How to Make Instant Pot Oatmeal Recipe (Old-Fashioned or Steel Cut Oats!)
The pressure cooker makes oats creamy and delicious every time! Follow these directions to learn how to make old-fashioned or steel cut oats in the Instant Pot.
Get the Directions!
FAQs
Are all oats gluten-free? Though oats are naturally gluten-free, they can be processed on equipment or in plants that also process wheat or other gluten products. If gluten is a concern, be sure to buy oats that are certified gluten-free.
Are old-fashioned oats better for baking than instant oats? It all depends! For the best results, always use the type of oatmeal recommended in your recipe.
How do I add protein to oatmeal? There are so many easy ways to add protein to oats, such as stirring in collagen or protein powder, topping it with Greek yogurt, adding hemp or chia seeds, or swirling in nut butter. You can also cook the oats with 1-2 egg whites if making it in the stovetop or in the microwave.
What do I put on oatmeal to give it more flavor? There are many ways to add flavor to your daily bowl of oatmeal. Fresh fruit (bananas, strawberries, berries, cherries, and apples), nuts (almonds, pecans, and peanuts), brown sugar or maple syrup, cinnamon or pumpkin spice seasoning, flaky sea salt, nut butter, dried fruit or coconut chips, and chocolate chips are all great picks.
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