If you’re someone who enjoys starting their morning with a warm, hearty bowl of oatmeal, you might be looking for some creative ways to enhance your breakfast experience.
While oatmeal is undoubtedly a nutritious and filling meal on its own, adding some delicious side dishes can make it even more satisfying. But what to serve with oatmeal?
From sweet to savory, these quick and amazing side dishes will surely make your oatmeal breakfast even more delicious.
I personally like to start my day with oatmeal, and as an experienced homemaker, I always pair oatmeal with these ideal side dishes, and I am sure You will also feel energetic while pairing these sides. So, let’s dig in.
What is oatmeal? What does oatmeal taste like?
Oatmeal is a popular breakfast cereal made of oats that are ground into a coarse meal.
It has a moderately nutty flavor and can be cooked into porridge or used as an ingredient in cookies, cakes, and other recipes.
Oatmeal has a creamy texture when cooked, and its taste is similar to that of plain grits, although oatmeal tends to have more of a sweet flavor depending on any added ingredients like honey or sugar.
Oats also pair nicely with fruits like apples, bananas, peaches, strawberries, blueberries or raspberries for added sweetness.
18 Best Sides to serve with oatmeal
1. Fruit Salad
Add some color and freshness to your oatmeal by serving it alongside a variety of fresh fruit.
Slice up some bananas, strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries – or any other combination of fruits you like – for a colorful and healthy side dish.
2. Toasted Nuts
For some added texture and flavor, try toasting up some nuts to serve with your oatmeal.
Almonds, pecans, and walnuts are all ideal options that go well with both sweet and savory oatmeal dishes.
3. Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a rich and creamy side dish that pairs perfectly with oatmeal.
Not only does it add some protein, but it also gives your meal a tangy flavor that complements the sweetness of the oatmeal.
4. Poached Eggs
If you’re in the mood for some savory oatmeal, try serving it with a poached egg on top.
The runny yolk adds a delicious richness to the meal and makes it feel like a more complete breakfast.
Discover More: Creative and Delicious Foods to Serve with Eggs Benedict to Elevate Your Experience
5. Roasted Vegetables
For a perfectly healthy and flavorful side dish, try roasting up some vegetables to serve alongside your oatmeal.
Sweet potatoes, carrots, and bell peppers all go well with oatmeal and can be seasoned with herbs and spices to match your taste preferences.
6. Bacon
If you’re a fan of the sweet and savory combo, try serving your oatmeal with some crispy bacon.
The saltiness of the bacon accompanies well with the sweetness of the oatmeal and gives it a delicious, smoky flavor.
Find Out More: Best Sides to Serve with Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos
7. Cinnamon Sugar
For a quick and easy side dish, pinch some cinnamon sugar on top of your oatmeal. Not only does it add some sweetness, but it also gives the meal some warmth and spice.
8. Avocado
For a fresh and healthy side dish, serve your oatmeal with some sliced avocado on top.
The creamy texture of the avocado accompanies well with the chewy texture of the oatmeal, and it adds some healthy fats to your meal.
9. Sausage Links
If you’re not a fan of bacon, try serving your oatmeal with some crispy sausage links instead.
The savory flavor of the sausage goes well with the nuttiness of the oatmeal and adds some protein to your breakfast.
Explore More: What to serve with Sausage Balls
10. Chia Seeds
For a healthy and fiber-rich side dish, sprinkle some chia seeds on top of your oatmeal.
Not only do they add some texture and crunch, but they also provide some essential nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
11. Baked Oatmeal with Dried Fruit and Nuts
For a heartier option, try baking your oats with dried fruits and nuts. The crunchy texture from the nuts pairs wonderfully with soft baked oats for a satisfying treat.
12. Savory Herbed Oats
If you’re looking for an interesting way to switch things up, try making savory herbed oats!
Top it off with fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme and some crumbled feta cheese for a delicious breakfast.
13. Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal
Nothing says comfort food like a classic combination of peanut butter and bananas!
Spread some creamy peanut butter over your warm oatmeal and top it with sliced banana slices for an indulgent breakfast.
14. Baked Oatmeal with Berries
Juicy, sweet berries are the perfect topping for oatmeal. Bake your oats in the oven and top them off with fresh or frozen blueberries, raspberries, blackberries or any other berry of your choice!
15. Coconut-Lime Oats
For a tropical twist on oatmeal, mix in some lime zest and toasted coconut flakes into your cooked oats for a hint of citrus and sweetness.
16. Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal
Autumn spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice combine to make the perfect pumpkin spice oatmeal.
Top it off with a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt and a few toasted pumpkin seeds for an extra crunch.
17. Chai Spiced Oatmeal
Make your morning oatmeal even more comforting by adding chai spices like cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and ginger. It’s sure to be a sweet treat!
18. Chocolate Oatmeal
For a decadent and indulgent breakfast, mix some cocoa powder into your oatmeal and top it off with dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs. It’ll be sure to satisfy all of your sweet cravings!
5 creative Ways to eat oatmeal
1. Oatmeal Pancakes
Oatmeal Pancakes are a great way of getting some oatmeal into your breakfast routine.
Combine oats, eggs, baking powder, and a pinch of salt to make a batter. Cook on a hot pan to get delicious pancakes that are sure to be loved by all! (Recipe)
Serve with some fresh fruit or honey for an extra special treat.
2. Baked Apples with Oatmeal Stuffing
Core out an apple and fill it with some cooked oatmeal mixed with cinnamon and nutmeg for a sweet and aromatic treat.
Bake the apples until the skin gets slightly browned, and the stuffing is cooked through for an easy dessert option or midday snack.
3. Oat Bars
Make your own homemade granola bars using oats as one of the main ingredients!
Start by combining oats, honey, melted butter, and any other desired mix-ins, such as dried fruit, chocolate chips, nuts or seeds, in a bowl until well combined.
Press the mixture into a greased pan and bake until golden brown for crunchy oat bars that will be hard to resist!
4. Toasted Coconut Oatmeal
Add some tropical flavors to your morning oatmeal by stirring in coconut flakes while cooking and then topping it off with more freshly shredded coconut before eating.
The combination of warm oatmeal with crunchy coconut flakes is sure to become your favorite breakfast bowl!
5. Banana Oat Smoothie
Blend together banana slices, frozen berries, chia seeds, almond milk, oats, honey and ice cubes in a blender for an energizing smoothie packed full of antioxidants and healthy fats from both the chia seeds and oats!
Enjoy this filling smoothie anytime you need a quick pick-me-up throughout the day.
What are the best flavors to go with oatmeal?
Oatmeal is a versatile breakfast option and can be enjoyed in a variety of flavors.
One of the most popular options to pair with oatmeal is cinnamon, as its warm and sweet taste complements the creamy texture of oatmeal perfectly.
Fruits like apples, blueberries, or strawberries are also great choices for adding natural sweetness and flavor to your oatmeal.
If you’re looking for something extra indulgent, try adding chocolate chips to your oatmeal for a hint of decadent richness.
Dried fruits like raisins, apricots, or cranberries make excellent additions to both savory and sweet oatmeal alike.
For those seeking an even heartier meal, nuts such as walnuts or pecans bring crunchy texture and nutty flavor to your bowl of oats.
Finally, if you’re in the mood for something tart, consider stirring in some plain Greek yogurt which will also add creaminess while contributing a slight tang.
How do you jazz up oatmeal?
There are plenty of ways to jazz up oatmeal! You can include a variety of ingredients like fresh or dried fruits, nuts, seeds and spices.
To make it sweet and creamy without added sugar, add nut butter or tahini.
For an extra boost of nutrition, try incorporating superfoods like chia seeds, hemp hearts or spirulina powder.
You can also experiment with different types of liquids for cooking, such as almond milk or coconut milk instead of water. Enjoy your tasty bowl of oatmeal!
Learn More: What to Serve with Breakfast Pizza
How do you display oatmeal on a platter?
Oatmeal can be displayed on a platter in an aesthetically pleasing way by arranging individual portions in neat rows with overlapping edges.
To add more color and texture to the presentation, consider adding a selection of dried fruits and nuts to the oatmeal.
You might also try sprinkling cinnamon or nutmeg over the top for even more flavor.
Finally, a mizzle of honey or maple syrup can give the oatmeal on your platter an extra touch of sweetness that will be sure to please your guests.
Wrap Up on what to serve with oatmeal.
Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, these quick and amazing side dishes are sure to make your oatmeal breakfast even more satisfying.
From fresh fruit to roasted vegetables, there are multiple options to choose from that will make your oatmeal feel like a complete and delicious meal.
So next time you’re enjoying your oatmeal, give one of these tasty side dishes a try!
FAQs
How much oatmeal per person?
Oatmeal is a nutritious and healthy breakfast staple, providing a significant source of dietary fiber and protein.
On average, one serving of oatmeal contains 150 calories and 3 grams of dietary fiber, making it an ideal choice for those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Depending on the individual’s calorie needs, the recommended amount of oatmeal per person ranges from 1/2 cup to 1 cup cooked.
A one-half-cup serving provides approximately 100 calories and 1.5 grams of fiber.
For an added boost of energy and nutrition, add fresh fruits or nuts to your oatmeal for extra flavor and texture.
What to put in oatmeal to make it sweet?
Oatmeal is an ideal delicious and nutritious breakfast option, but some people may find it a bit bland.
Make oatmeal sweeter, there are numerous ingredients that can be added to enhance the natural sweetness of the oats.
Honey is a popular way to sweeten oatmeal and provides additional antioxidants and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper and manganese.
A spoonful of honey or maple syrup will add a bonus layer of flavor to your bowl of oats.
If you’re looking for something more natural than sugar or honey, try adding fresh or frozen fruit like blueberries or strawberries.
Fresh fruits will add sweetness as well as additional nutrients such as fiber, vitamins A & C and antioxidants.
You can also opt. Dried fruits such as raisins which contain more concentrated amounts of sugar than their fresh counterparts.
Cinnamon is another great way to bring out the sweetness in oatmeal without adding any extra calories or sugar.
This spice has been known to help stabilize blood sugar levels, so it’s an ideal choice for those who are diabetic or trying to watch their calorie intake.
Including nut butter like almond butter or peanut butter not only enhances the flavor but also adds healthy fats and protein that will keep you fuller for longer.
Nuts are naturally sweet, but they also provide essential vitamins and minerals such as selenium, vitamin E and magnesium.
Finally, if you want something even sweeter than all these options, combine a few together!
For example, adding a tablespoon of honey with some sliced banana plus a sprinkle of cinnamon makes for an incredibly delicious bowl of oatmeal!