5 Savory Oats Recipes to Try

About Tori Thurmond

Tori Thurmond combines her creative writing background with her marketing experience in her role as the Content Specialist at Brookdale. When she's not writing, she's probably spending time with her two cats or knitting.

oats with a fried egg, bacon, and cheese

With their ability to help lower blood glucose and cholesterol, reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease and promote healthy gut bacteria, it’s no wonder oatmeal and overnight oats are staples for many morning meals. Oatmeal is great topped with fruit, nuts and a little honey or maple syrup, but have you ever tried savory oats?

If you don’t have a big sweet tooth or are looking for a new way to enjoy this affordable pantry staple, check out these savory oats recipes.

1. Cheddar and Fried Egg Savory Oats

If you’re a fan of cheese grits or cheesy polenta, this savory oats recipe by Lisa Lin might be for you. A bed of oatmeal, seasoned with salt, pepper and, of course, white cheddar cheese, is topped with cooked vegetables and a fried egg. While this would make the perfect savory breakfast, you could enjoy this meal any time of day. You could even lean into the cheesy oatmeal’s similarity to cheese grits and pair the dish with grilled shrimp and andouille sausage for a fun twist on a southern classic.

2. Vegan Scramble Bowl

In this recipe by Vegan Blueberry, a protein-packed tofu scramble is combined with sauteed tomatoes and spinach and piled on top of old-fashioned rolled oats cooked with nutritional yeast, salt and pepper. Season your tofu with black salt to achieve an egg-like flavor, and you have a hearty breakfast bowl to start your day off right! You can easily change up or add toppings to customize your bowl. Add avocado and salsa for a Mexican-inspired twist, or add hot sauce and some spicy vegan sausage to your bowl for some heat. The possibilities are endless with this recipe, so get in the kitchen to start experimenting!

3. Savory Oatmeal With Spinach, Mushrooms and Parmesan

This EatFreshTaste recipe is perfect for the mushroom lovers out there. Reminiscent of a bowl of creamy mushroom risotto, this recipe combines the earthy flavors of mushrooms with the zest of parmesan. After adding in the sauteed spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, you’ll have a delicious and balanced meal that will help keep you full. Though, you might be left thinking about the next time you get to enjoy a bowl of this oatmeal as soon as you eat your last spoonful.

4. Savory Pesto Oatmeal

Want the pesto without the pasta? Try this pesto oatmeal from Street Smart Nutrition. Ready in just minutes, you can enjoy all the freshness that pesto adds to your dishes, plus the nutritional benefits of oats. Simply cook your oats with some freshly chopped spinach, stir in your favorite prepared pesto and some chopped sun-dried tomatoes and top with an egg for a little extra richness!

5. Golden Miso Oats With Sesame Kale

Oats provide the perfect neutral base for the deep umami flavor that miso adds to a dish, and this recipe by Jojotastic utilizes this dynamic duo to create a nutritious and well-balanced dish. The oats are cooked with red miso, garlic and ground turmeric and topped with kale sauteed in sesame oil, and a perfectly cooked jammy egg. To complete the dish, add tamari or soy sauce, chili flakes, scallions or chives and toasted sesame seeds. This Asian-inspired oatmeal bowl is the perfect combination of flavors that will help fuel you for whatever your day has in store!

For more fun food ideas, make sure to read “Add Extra Flavor to Your Dishes Without Adding Salt” and “Looking for a Protein-Packed Spin on a Salad? Try a Dense Bean Salad.”