Oatmeal toppings?

December 6, 2013 6:08 AM

After a long run of greek yogurt + topping breakfasts, the cold weather has shifted our morning meal into oatmeal mode. What are your favorite toppings for hot cereal?

We prep the oats the night before in our rice cooker on a timer and they're ready when we wake up. (yay for kitchen robots!) We're doing steel-cut oats in water, though we might switch it up to a 10-grain hot cereal or quinoa.

We'd prefer the topping to have some form of protein/healthy fat, so not just sugar. For example, this week we did chopped dates with slivered almonds.

I prefer savory/not-too-sweet. Hubs has a sweet tooth, but we can take turns, so all ideas are welcome. No dietary restrictions, and pretty good access to hippie, yuppie and ethnic grocers. The idea of leaving milk in the rice cooker overnight squicks me out, though if I'm being irrational, let me know.

posted by fontophilic to Food & Drink (61 answers total)

I love mixing peanut butter & jelly into oatmeal.
posted by something something at 6:10 AM on December 6, 2013 [8 favorites]

Seconding peanut butter.

I love salsa and cheese on grits, and would probably add plain Greek yogurt to that. I see no reason why that wouldn't be tasty on other hot cereals.
posted by Metroid Baby at 6:13 AM on December 6, 2013

Canned (not fresh) pineapple.
Dates and almonds.
Almond paste (for decadent mornings).
Cheddar cheese and apples.
posted by OrangeDisk at 6:13 AM on December 6, 2013

I do a lot of frozen fruit in my instant oatmeal. Chop it up and put it in with the oatmeal before microwaving. Strawberries are the best, IMHO.

Dried cranberries are good too.
posted by cgg at 6:14 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

I like egg (scrambled or poached) on my oatmeal, with a hard cheese like parmesan.

When I'm in the mood for something sweeter, candied pecans are excellent.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 6:14 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

Roasted pecans and dried cherries!
posted by mochapickle at 6:19 AM on December 6, 2013

Roasted almonds and dried cranberries are my go-to combo.
posted by deeparch at 6:21 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

Peanut butter and chocolate chips with some walnuts thrown in. Awwwwww yeah.....
diced up pieces of apples and some chopped pecans is also classic.
brown sugar with a bit of butter is also fantastic.


I sometimes also add a scoop of protein powder to oatmeal.
posted by PuppetMcSockerson at 6:21 AM on December 6, 2013

Mangos and coconut are my favourites these days and a drop of vanilla extract for a bit of added flavour. No sugar required.

Peanut butter and bananas are really good too.
posted by futureisunwritten at 6:24 AM on December 6, 2013

I do grated ginger (the jarred kind is actually really good for this, it lasts forever in the fridge and there's no cleanup), dried cherries, and pecans.
posted by bcwinters at 6:27 AM on December 6, 2013

We do: dribble of maple syrup, pumpkin seeds, raisins and almond milk.
posted by hapax_legomenon at 6:33 AM on December 6, 2013

A bit of soy sauce and a raw egg.
posted by Tanizaki at 6:40 AM on December 6, 2013

My grandmother puts a bit of olive oil and herby salt into her oatmeal, I believe.
posted by Coatlicue at 6:50 AM on December 6, 2013

Bananas and honey. I started making this and mmmmm.
posted by mibo at 6:53 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

When it comes to oatemeal I like to add a little cinnamon and some dried banana coines
posted by Ted Maul at 6:59 AM on December 6, 2013

A teaspoon of blackstrap molasses and a handful of Target's trail mix that's mostly dried cranberries, pepitas, almonds and raisins. Sometimes with a dash of cinnamon.
posted by workerant at 7:03 AM on December 6, 2013

Scrambled eggs, diced ham, and a dab of sriracha.
posted by saladin at 7:32 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

Raisins, cinnamon, maple syrup (or brown sugar). Yum!
Sometimes pecans or walnuts.
Sometimes I purposely make the oats thicker than I want and then add milk after the fact.
posted by gohabsgo at 7:33 AM on December 6, 2013

Ginger turmeric and mustard seeds cooked in, fried egg and homemade kimchi on top.
posted by ottereroticist at 7:40 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

tamari and chili pepper.
posted by lathrop at 7:44 AM on December 6, 2013

Nutritional yeast, dried cranberries and maybe a little cut up bacon or breakfast sausage if you're feeling decadent. I've also cracked an egg directly into hot oatmeal and whipped with a fork and it cooks right into it and becomes almost invisible.
posted by Marie Mon Dieu at 7:53 AM on December 6, 2013

PB2 is really good for things like this. How about PB2 (or regular peanut butter) and bacon and maple?
posted by BibiRose at 7:53 AM on December 6, 2013

Olive oil, grated parm, fresh ground black pepper

Fried egg and Tapatio
posted by HotToddy at 7:53 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

Cream cheese, like the creamy goat cheese from Trader Joe's. Not the chevre but the little blue packets displayed next to the regular cream cheese. A tiny bit of that adds a lot of creaminess and then you can go sweet or savory with the other ingredients.
posted by BibiRose at 7:58 AM on December 6, 2013

I do cottage cheese, fruit and nuts
posted by hollyanderbody at 7:58 AM on December 6, 2013

Pomegranate seeds have been a delightful addition to my oatmeal. I love the pop of juice.
posted by adorap0621 at 7:59 AM on December 6, 2013 [2 favorites]

I do cashews and dried cranberries.
posted by Cuke at 8:03 AM on December 6, 2013

See also. Porridge is a good search term for savory oatmeal.
posted by aniola at 8:05 AM on December 6, 2013

Applesauce
posted by JoannaC at 8:13 AM on December 6, 2013

My personal combination is: nut, seed, fruit, spice, other. So for example I might do walnut, flax seed, pumpkin pie spice blend, apple, coconut flakes. Or maybe I'd do filberts, sunflower seeds, five-spice blend, apples, cranberries.

When getting groceries I would just make sure to find something from each of those food categories.
posted by aniola at 8:14 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

Also you can just use trail mix. Or make a mix.
posted by aniola at 8:15 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

I have enjoyed leftover chicken and soy sauce on my cooked oatmeal but I make it on the soupy side. Can't remember if I added green onions back then, they don't like me now.
posted by dragonplayer at 8:28 AM on December 6, 2013

Blueberries and walnuts. Delicious, but I add them before cooking in the microwave so ymmv.
posted by hazyjane at 8:38 AM on December 6, 2013

Every morning for the last 2 years: walnuts and fresh raspberries. No sugar needed.
posted by cecic at 8:39 AM on December 6, 2013

Cocoa powder, brown sugar, peanut/almond butter. Coconut milk is optional, but makes it even better.
posted by Zelos at 8:46 AM on December 6, 2013

Two tablespoons of almond butter, scoop of vanilla protein powder (I like the Whole Foods store brand), and a splash of milk. This will stick to your ribs! A sprinkle of cinnamon is nice too.
posted by fozzie_bear at 9:00 AM on December 6, 2013

I make my oatmeal with milk instead of water (any kind will be a boost up from water but I usually use 2%) and just add in a little butter and salt. You could experiment with different milk and topping combos.
posted by Room 641-A at 9:01 AM on December 6, 2013

We cook ours in apple cider and some dried fruits.
posted by advicepig at 9:10 AM on December 6, 2013

Since I don't see them mentioned, dried currants are my old faithful topping. I will definitely be trying out some new ones now!
posted by randomnity at 9:32 AM on December 6, 2013

You all are so fancy with your oatmeal!

I just chop up an apple into my old-fashioned rolled oats and call it good most days. Sometimes I add a scoop of peanut butter if I need an extra protein kick. Stick-to-your-ribs breakfast for shoveling snow.
posted by Elly Vortex at 9:38 AM on December 6, 2013

My go-to is frozen berries, blackstrap molasses and a little cinnamon. Sometimes I mix it up and add powdered ginger, cloves, black pepper and nutmeg to make gingerbread oatmeal. You can also add a blob of any fruit preserves to add sweetness and additional flavor. I really like frozen blackberries with orange marmalade.
posted by annaramma at 9:39 AM on December 6, 2013

Chia seeds. Coconut flakes (not the sweetened kind)

This is likely too sweet for you, but it's too delicious not to mention: a slice of apple pie.
posted by vitabellosi at 9:47 AM on December 6, 2013 [2 favorites]

Oh! Some canned pumpkin!
posted by vitabellosi at 9:48 AM on December 6, 2013

Add sliced bananas BEFORE you heat it, stir in cinnamon, brown sugar and a little splash of vanilla, and then top with walnuts or almonds, and you will have Banana Bread Oatmeal, which is the best kind of oatmeal ever.
posted by BlueJae at 10:06 AM on December 6, 2013

We cook fresh apple chunks or frozen blueberries in our oatmeal and then top with dried cranberries and crushed hazelnuts. So tasty and satisfying in cold weather. If you ever want to change it up, barley porridge is also delightful.
posted by Hopeful and Cynical at 10:10 AM on December 6, 2013

Berries and chopped banana and ground flax seed. And a big splash of unsweetened almond milk.
posted by bearwife at 10:53 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

Peanut butter and banana!
posted by mskyle at 10:59 AM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

I like something a little bit tangy, like cranberries, mixed with something sweet, like brown sugar or honey. And generally a nut like walnuts or almonds.

But! A lot of people prefer savory oatmeal, and mix in things like bacon, and cheese. This place has a menu with lots of great idea combinations of both savory and sweet.

I also make my oatmeal with 1/2 skim milk 1/2 water for a creamier texture that leaves me fuller.
posted by likeatoaster at 11:00 AM on December 6, 2013 [3 favorites]

I occasionally eat oatmeal for dinner. My favorite additions: butter, a bit of heavy cream, cranberries, raisins, chopped nuts, maple syrup, seeds (hemp, chia, flax, etc.), bacon, any berry.
posted by dtp at 11:18 AM on December 6, 2013

Oatmeal is a platform for an amazing varsity of additions. Raisins and Craisins. Cinnamon. Dried cherries, or blueberries. Bacon. White sugar or brown. Instead of sugar, why not try leftover caramel corn? Or jelly/jam. Leftover oatmeal? Try frying a slab in butter, eat like a pancake with syrup. That huge package of red hot cinnamon hearts you have had since last February? Dump some in and have sweet, pink, spicy oatmeal.
posted by Cranberry at 11:19 AM on December 6, 2013

Tahini & honey is a classic combo
Sprinkled LSA meal with berries (defrosted berries from the freezer)
I'm a big fan of flaxseed oil too, just a tablespoon per bowl, the taste is not for everyone though
Stewed apricots
posted by Under the Sea at 12:08 PM on December 6, 2013 [1 favorite]

I like to chop up apples and then add that along with raisins to the oats while they cook...then slivered almonds on top. Those liking more sugar can add a bit at the end (with the apples cooked down, I don't think it needs much, or any).
posted by rainbowbrite at 12:10 PM on December 6, 2013

my favorite toppings: dried cranberries + cinnamon, sometimes I also add dried coconut flakes (the big un-sweetened organic kind, not the sugary shredded stuff), almond slices for crunch.
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. at 12:42 PM on December 6, 2013

I've enjoyed putting greek yogurt on top of my oatmeal - the mix of hot and cold, sweet and sour is a happy one. Add some walnuts and honey and happiness ensues.
posted by sciencegeek at 1:32 PM on December 6, 2013

Trader Joe's has something called Fig Butter that I love in oatmeal. I bump up the spices with this cake spice from The Spice House.

At our house we also do honey with the cake spice, but that may be too sweet for you.
posted by freezer cake at 10:29 PM on December 6, 2013

Spinach.
posted by suprenant at 11:29 PM on December 6, 2013

I used to make microwave porridge with half cloudy apple juice/apple cider and half water, and then add toasted almonds and raisins. Now I mostly do stovetop porridge (such a different texture, who knew) with just water and then dump it into a bowl with blueberries, walnuts, a massive blob of plain yogurt, and a bit of molasses. And salt. Any summer fruit (also pears or bananas) is good. I keep meaning to make applesauce so I can be more seasonal with the fruit thing but that keeps not happening and I feel guilty over my airfreighted Argentinian blueberries while doing my breakfast happy dance every morning.
posted by you must supply a verb at 2:48 AM on December 7, 2013

Maple syrup, cinnamon and sesame powder.
posted by TheGoodBlood at 6:54 PM on December 7, 2013

I love grits for breakfast with a little bit of garlic powder, shredded colby jack cheese, and ground pepper.
posted by Daddy-O at 9:03 PM on December 7, 2013

Goat cheese and apple slices on oatmeal is my favorite.
posted by horizonseeker at 7:29 AM on December 8, 2013

Mix some whey protein, yoghurt and cinnamon into that sucker.
posted by turbid dahlia at 8:00 PM on December 10, 2013