Old-Fashioned Oatmeal

There is nothing like a bowl of wholesome, fiber-rich Old-Fashioned Oatmeal to start your morning on a cold day. Take this basic recipe (lightly sweetened, with a sprinkle of cinnamon) to new levels with your own mix-ins. Nothing is off-limits, from sweet and berry-licious to savory and eggy—permission is granted to get creative. Keep reading for our expert tips, including some mix-in ideas.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Adding a pinch of salt is important when cooking oatmeal, as it helps bring out a nutty oat flavor.
• This recipe is for a single serving, but if you want to make multiple servings, the oats-to-liquid ratio is always 1:2.
• You can freeze cooked oatmeal in freezer-safe bags, which will keep it good for up to 3 months. To reheat, transfer the oatmeal to a bowl and heat it in the microwave on High for about 45 seconds, then stir and microwave for another minute. If it's dry, add a small amount of milk, water or mashed banana.
• We recommend low-fat milk, but you can use any milk or non-dairy milk.

Nutrition Notes

• Oats are like a blank canvas, begging you to add your creative flair. They're also rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates, and eating them regularly may reduce your cholesterol. Despite their fiber content, many find that oats don't satisfy them as long as they'd like. For this reason, consider having some protein with them—toss a handful of nuts into your bowl, add a swirl of nut butter or cook up an egg or two to have on the side. Whether you choose steel-cut oats, old-fashioned (rolled) oats or plain instant oats, the nutrition is the same. You'll get complex carbs, fiber, plant protein, vitamins and minerals.

The Best Oatmeal Toppings to Try

Here's a list of some of our favorite toppings that can elevate a plain bowl of oatmeal into something grand and add more nutrition and fiber to your day.

• Fruit (fresh, frozen or dried): bananas or apples; chopped stone fruits like cherries, apricots, peaches, mangoes or nectarines; berries; applesauce, jam or preserves
• Nuts or seeds: crushed almonds, hazelnuts, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, peanut butter; chia seeds, ground flaxseeds or sesame seeds
• Sweeteners: brown sugar, honey, maple syrup or shaved dark chocolate
• Spices: ginger, cardamom, cinnamon or nutmeg
• Dairy and dairy alternatives: yogurt, dairy milk or calcium-fortified plant-based milk

Combinations to try:

• 1 soft-boiled egg + ⅓ cup sautéed spinach + 1 teaspoon chili crisp or togarashi seasoning (omit honey and cinnamon from base recipe)
• ¼ cup shredded carrot + 1 tablespoon chopped toasted walnuts + 1 tablespoon golden raisins + ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ medium banana, sliced + 1 tablespoon peanut butter + 1 teaspoon chia seeds + 1 teaspoon brown sugar
• ¼ cup blueberries + 1 tablespoon toasted coconut flakes + 1 tablespoon chopped toasted macadamia nuts + 1 teaspoon honey
• ¼ cup sliced peaches + 2 tablespoons cinnamon granola + 2 tablespoons vanilla yogurt