An Ode to Oatmeal + Tips to Make the Best Breakfast EVER

If you follow my Instagram, you KNOW that I love oatmeal...a lot. It's gotten to the point that I could easily dedicate my entire feed to solely oatmeal. Obviously, I like to spice things up...but just saying. I totally could.

I wasn't always this way. I used to be someone who would only eat oatmeal if it was EXTREMELY dry and pre-flavored. I also demanded that extra brown sugar be added on top.

It wasn't until I learned to make it RIGHT that I truly treasured it. This is one of the few BENEFITS I've had from this whole "quarantine" experience.

After much trial and error, I believe I have this down to a science. Oatmeal is one of the best breakfast foods out there, but ONLY if you do it right. Otherwise it's chunky mush that tastes of nothing.

I now love my oatmeal for the flavors, but also because it is such a satisfying, satiating meal. Oats are full of fiber and complex carbohydrates, both of which give you energy and a feeling of fullness. By topping with things like fruit, nut butter, nuts, etc., you get the necessary protein and healthy fats to round out the meal. On top of all the known benefits, oats are also a "high-volume" food: you can eat a LOT of it without feeling like you're in a "food coma" afterwards.

Now that I've really talked these oats up, let's discuss what goes into making good oatmeal.

The Oats

The oats themselves are IMPORTANT. While instant oatmeal is great in a pinch, we're in quarantine. We've got time. I prefer plain, rolled oats for my base. Steel-cut oats are GREAT too; I'm just not as big of a fan of that texture.

2. The Liquid

Water is...fine. But if you want CREAMY, more flavorful oats, I recommend either milk or a non-dairy alternative. Almond-milk is my favorite, but coconut milk or even oat milk would work great, too.

3. The Cooking Method

Stovetop. The BEST oats will always be as a result of the "stovetop" method. Bring your milk to a boil, add the oats, and cook to desired consistency. I like them SUPER thick...but that's your business.

4. The fLaVoR

I'll be the first to say that plain oats are so incredibly boring. No matter how many toppings you add, if the oats themselves aren't flavorful, your oatmeal will feel lackluster. To combat this, flavor the milk! I use a LOT of cinnamon, a dash of vanilla, and a pinch of salt. You could also add mashed up fruit or a bit of maple syrup to sweeten/flavor as well. Trust me, this step is KEY.

5. The Toppings--Fruit, Fats, Crunch and Sweetness

TEXTURE is key here. If you top mushy oats with more mush, it's not as enjoyable. If you SWITCH UP the textures, you get a totally different mouth-feel and totally different oat experience. When it comes to toppings, I like to think of four components: Fruit, fat, crunch and sweetness.

FRUIT: It's truly a matter of preference. I find bananas a MUST, but sometimes will throw in raspberries or strawberries, too. I like to add enough fruit to take up about 1/3-1/2 of the bowl.

FAT: This is going to help keep you full, as well as add another creamy texture to the mix! Nut butters are my go to...specifically peanut butter. You could also do some melty dark chocolate, coconut oil (if that's your thing), chopped nuts (which would also add to the crunch factor), or a mix of a few.

CRUNCH: Perhaps the most important. If I don't have a crunch in my oatmeal, I get bored. Nuts work great here, but MY personal favorites are either granola or cereal (Special K, Honey Nut Cheerios, or Oat Bran are my top choices).

SWEETNESS: This isn't NECESSARY, but I definitely think it makes things better. I always do a drizzle of honey to round everything out, but you could also do maple syrup, brown sugar, or whatever else you may prefer!

6. Make it Pretty

You truly, TRULY eat with your eyes. If you make that bowl "Insta-worthy," you feel that much better about eating it. Once you savor the appeal, however, it's truly up to you how you wanna go from there. You can either eat it in sections, or mix it all together to get a bit of everything in each bite.

TRY these tips and let me know how you fair. Oatmeal is so versatile, so flavorful...truly immaculate.

Until then...enjoy my best creations.