Oatmeal is one of the healthiest breakfast options you can choose, but it can get a little boring if you eat it every day.
Luckily, there are plenty of great toppings for what to serve with oatmeal to take away the monotony and add variety to your morning meal.
Though Oatmeal may not be the fanciest breakfast, that doesn’t mean it can’t be delicious. Instead of reaching for brown sugar or another sweetener, switch things up by trying one of these delicious toppings of what to serve with oatmeal! These are simple and fast ways to add flavor to your oatmeal.
From fruit and nut butter to dried fruit, seeds, and granola, there are many delicious ways to flavor your oatmeal. Plus, even make it even more nutritious in the process.
So, on what to serve with oatmeal, here are some of our favorite toppings to top your bowl with today!
1. Nuts
Interestingly, Nuts are first on the list of what to serve with Oatmeal. Adding nuts, particularly walnuts, to our diets has been shown to reduce total cholesterol levels.
What’s more: It turns out you don’t have to eat a lot of nuts to reap their heart-healthy benefits. Meanwhile, the reason for their benefit may be that walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
These are thought to help prevent heart attacks by reducing inflammation. Chances are, you’ve had nuts with cereal or granola before, so why not oats?
2. Maple Syrup
It’s a good idea to use maple syrup as what to serve with Oatmeal rather than regular syrup; if you love Oatmeal.
Maple syrup contains antioxidants, minerals, manganese, and zinc, which help lower cholesterol. Additionally, it is rich in fiber which can keep you feeling full longer.
For example, one tablespoon of Maple syrup has 2 grams of fiber. So if you eat a bowl of oats with two tablespoons of maple syrup on top each morning, you will consume four grams or 8% daily value (DV) per day.
Specifically, one serving contains about 50 calories, so it won’t add too many calories to your diet if used in moderation!
3. Cinnamon
This one is perfect if you’re looking for an apple cinnamon taste. If you have a sweet tooth, then I suggest that you give it a try.
It’s great with any kind of oatmeal but works especially well with brown sugar or whole wheat oats. With Cinnamon, look no further for what to serve with Oatmeal!
4. Peanut Butter
If there is something that can make anyone wake up, it has to be peanut butter. The right kind of peanut butter can make even steel beams feel like jelly.
Moreso, this side dish offers all of these characteristics, so it’s definitely worth trying out! So whenever the question “what to serve with Oatmeal” pops into your head, let Peanut Butter pop in, too, as the answer!
5. Yogurt
Now, you’re probably thinking that yogurt doesn’t match perfectly with oats… But wait until you see how delicious it really can be!
As awkward as you may think this combo is, you’ll not go wrong using Yogurt as what to serve with Oatmeal! It will blow your mind!
6. Banana
When you’re craving something sweet, go ahead and top that bowl of oats with a banana. Filled with fiber, potassium, and vitamins A and C, bananas are sure to add sweetness to your morning meal.
Besides, they do this without sending blood sugar through the roof. To sum up, just try banana as what to serve with Oatmeal today!
7. Blueberries
For added antioxidants and fiber that will keep hunger at bay, try topping off those oats with fresh blueberries before digging in. In addition, Blueberries are one tasty fruit that makes an excellent topping for plain oats.
Like strawberries, blueberries pack quite a few nutritional benefits into their small size. Asides from the antioxidants, they also add other important minerals such as manganese, selenium, and potassium.
Wait! Despite its nutritional benefits, do you still not want to give it a try? Don’t doubt Thomas! Go ahead and add this to your next recipe of what to serve with Oatmeal.
8. Applesauce
Looking for what to serve with Oatmeal but aren’t a fan of adding refined sugars (or fruit) on top of your already healthy breakfast food choice?
Then, applesauce is one option worth considering. Also, with this, you can still get a little sweetness in your morning meal, regardless. Refreshing, isn’t it?
9. Nutella and Banana
We’ve discussed using bananas on our list of what to serve with oatmeal. However, a combo of both banana and Nutella hits the taste buds differently; in a great way, actually!
When you’re craving something sweet but don’t want to overdo it on calories, a topping of Nutella or peanut butter can help curb those cravings.
Not only do these taste delicious when paired with bananas or apples, but they also add some protein to your meal so you won’t wake up starving.
To ensure you stick with portion control, stir together natural peanut butter (no added sugar) and flaxseed oil.
10. Strawberries and Cream
Strawberries are a great addition to most dishes, especially when you’re eating them as part of a low-calorie breakfast.
Strawberries have antioxidants that help prevent sun damage and vitamin C, which prevents free radical formation in cells. Also, they taste great with cream!
As a plus, you can enjoy these tasty fruits on their own or add some whipped cream to give them some extra flavor. You can add about 6 medium strawberries to plain oats for a wonderful healthy breakfast.
11. Peanut Butter and Honey
Wondering what to serve with Oatmeal? Why not try this combo? The classic combo works just as well over a bowl of oatmeal as it does on toast. The texture is great—creamy and thick.
You could even try some other nut butter, like almond butter or cashew butter. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, try combining two different types! (My favorite combination is peanut butter with a dab of almond butter).
12. Pomegranate
Did you know that pomegranates are one of nature’s most highly antioxidant foods? Antioxidants can protect our bodies against harmful free radicals.
These radicals are produced in every cell of our body as a by-product of various metabolic processes.
Equally important, the antioxidants found in pomegranate juice seem to be particularly good at neutralizing these toxic compounds.
Also, oatmeal is an excellent source of dietary fiber. Pomegranate seeds can be used as a topping on oats.
Furthermore, it adds flavor through dried figs or dates, chopped nuts (pecans or almonds), raisins, and cinnamon. What more benefits can you seek from a dish that is what to serve with Oatmeal?
13. Spinach, Cheese, and Egg
Oats are one of my favorite comfort foods. I could eat it every day if given half a chance. But even after years of eating oats, my husband still doesn’t like it very much.
He likes eggs (though I don’t), and spinach is good. So I thought he might enjoy an oatmeal side dish made from those ingredients.
To make things even easier for myself, I cooked everything in a frying pan to eliminate unnecessary dishes.
The results were pleasantly surprising: we both enjoyed our egg-cheese-spinach version of oatmeal. It was nice to give an old breakfast standby a new twist.
And this was done easily by serving up some cheese, eggs, and spinach with our oats instead of just syrup or sugar. You can also try this the next time you think of what to serve with Oatmeal.
14. Chocolate Chips
Although it may not be the healthiest choice, using chocolate chips as what to serve with Oatmeal sure is tasty! Make sure to stir them in while the oatmeal is still warm.
Again, this adds chocolatey pleasure to every bite and makes the chocolate smooth and melty. I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed trying this dish with your oatmeal.
15. Almond Joy Oatmeal
Mmmm….my mouth is watering. Chocolate Chips, Coconut Flakes, and Almonds are all included to make this dish as what to serve with Oatmeal. Almond Joy Oatmeal made with almond milk is my new favorite way to have breakfast.
Furthermore, it tastes just like an Almond Joy candy bar but without all of those calories. Chocolate chips go on top of plain or vanilla-flavored oats, along with a sprinkle of coconut flakes and some almonds. Yum!
16. Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal
We have listed the condiments of this particular “what to serve with Oatmeal” dish: Brown Sugar, Pecans, Pumpkin Pie Spice, Vanilla, and Cream.
Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal starts with steel-cut oats. Add a bit of oil, water, and brown sugar, plus pumpkin pie spice. Next, cook until thickened. Top with pecans and cream. Deliciously simple oatmeal!
17. Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal
Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Vanilla, and Pecan are all involved. Try adding cinnamon rolls to your next bowl of oatmeal. This is an easy way to satisfy that sweet tooth without all those extra calories or carbs!
18. Pineapple and Coconut
Pineapple and Coconut are on the list of what to serve with Oatmeal. It’s hard to beat pineapple when it comes to producing natural bromelain, an enzyme that aids in digestion.
Also, pineapple contains manganese, a mineral that is needed for healthy connective tissues and helps form sex hormones. The sweetness of pineapple contrasts nicely with saltier toppings like bacon or eggs.
In addition, coconut adds a tropical flair and also contains healthy fats called medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). In fact, coconut has more MCTs than any other food!
While too much-saturated fat is not good, studies have found that when people consume MCTs, they tend to feel less hungry afterward and may eat less overall.
So consider adding a teaspoon or two of coconut oil to your oatmeal while you’re topping it with fresh fruit.
19. Pistachios, Dates, and Salt
First, grind some nuts, slice up a date, and finally, sprinkle with some salt. And you’ve got a sweet, salty, crunchy topping. It may sound like an odd combination, but it works perfectly on a warm bowl of oatmeal.
Plus, pistachios are packed with fiber and vitamin B6, while dates also offer plenty of nutrients (especially if they’re Medjool dates).
And since dates are high in natural sugars that can boost immunity, they make a great go-to sweetener! Just remember to stick to one or two per serving.
Anyways, if you have any extra leftover ground pistachios or dates, be sure to store them in separate containers.
This is, so they don’t get soggy when stored together. Meanwhile, remember this trio when you are thinking of what to serve with oatmeal.
20. White Chocolate, Nuts, and Cranberries
Speaking of what to serve with Oatmeal, we love a good old-fashioned bowl of oats topped with fresh fruit. But occasionally, it’s fun to shake things up with something different.
Particularly, topping a bowl of oats with white chocolate, nuts, and cranberries is an amazing way to spice up your morning meal.
This combination adds new flavors without altering those you already enjoy from plain old oats if you like them extra sweet, top them with maple syrup or honey before adding these extras!
21. Sriracha and Egg
Still on our list of what to serve with Oatmeal is Sriracha and Egg. Start with a bowl of plain, unflavored instant oats, which you can stir in some almond milk to make it creamier.
Then crack a whole egg into it, and add sriracha hot sauce. Next, stir everything together until it’s cooked through—about 45 seconds to one minute.
The eggs will puff up like little round clouds. Then, add salt if needed (you probably won’t need much, most instant oatmeals are quite salty).
Finally, serve with warm bread or toast on the side to sop up all that delicious egg yolk! This is also great with a couple of slices of avocado or any leftovers from last night’s dinner in there too. Experiment! It’s fun!
22. Berries
Always a classic, berries are a wonderful complement to warm, creamy oats. Add some toasted nuts or seeds (walnuts or flax seeds) for even more fiber and protein.
However, if you’re not a fan of cold fruit on your oatmeal, try warming them up with some lemon juice. Don’t use sugary preserves — they add unnecessary calories.
Instead, sweeten with a drizzle of honey or maple syrup if desired (or both). Wanna try this next as what to serve with oatmeal?
23. Bacon and Maple Syrup
Start off with a sprinkle of brown sugar (for extra flavor), then add a couple of slices of bacon. When you are done cooking it, drizzle on some maple syrup! Yummmmmm!!!!!!
Add some blueberries to make it even tastier! Are you sure you don’t want to make this your “what to serve with oatmeal” dish as soon as possible?
24. Pumpkin Spice
To spice up your breakfast, why not try pumpkin spice? This is one of my favorite flavors of fall. I love pumpkin pie, so I would also love pumpkin spice.
Moreso, it is made from cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, which gives it an amazing taste! You can put a little bit in your oatmeal(or preferably make it what to serve with oatmeal) or eat it with pancakes or waffles!
25. Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Simply wash, hull, and slice a pint of fresh strawberries. Melt chocolate chips over medium-low heat. Add oil or butter if it’s too thick to stir.
After, stir in strawberries until coated, about two minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes before spooning onto each bowl of breakfast oats.
Sprinkle it with powdered sugar to make it pretty—and to make them extra sweet! Top with vanilla ice cream…delicious!
26. Elvis Oatmeal
One of my favorite ways to make overnight oats is with peanut butter, banana, and brown sugar. That sounds like a weird combination, but it’s amazing!
Moreover, oatmeal with brown sugar is a nice baseline. We aren’t done with our list of what to serve with oatmeal. Let’s continue!
27. Pecans and Maple Syrup
All that is needed to make this what to serve with oatmeal is pecans, maple syrup, and water. First, heat up the water in a pan until it simmers. In another bowl, mix pecans with maple syrup.
Then, add pecans to warm water, cover, and let boil for about 4 minutes (or until soft). Serve over instant oats or regular oats with milk. Bon appetit!
28. Reese’s Oatmeal: Peanut Butter and Chocolate
Since Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are already a perfect combination of two great tastes, why not take it to another level? In fact, peanut butter is an ideal ingredient for creating new flavors.
Add a small amount of peanut butter to warm oatmeal just before serving. M&M Oatmeal: Chocolate makes everything better. Warm up some oatmeal in the microwave.
Next, add a few chocolate chips or M&M candies (preferably both). Top with whipped cream or ice cream. You now have what to serve with oatmeal.
29. Cinnamon-Raisin Oatmeal
Like cinnamon rolls without the time commitment! Make hot cereal as usual, but leave out any other ingredients (milk, brown sugar, etc.) – just cover with cinnamon and raisins when done.
For fun: top with vanilla ice cream! If you are looking for a simple dish regarding what to serve with oatmeal, here’s one!
30. Almond Butter and Chocolate
Almond butter makes a great alternative to traditional peanut butter. And who doesn’t like chocolate? Simply add almond butter to a small bowl along with milk, mix well, then microwave for 30 seconds before adding it to your oats.
Plus, you can top it with chocolate chips or nuts (if desired), and you have an easy yet satisfying side dish that can be prepared in less than five minutes.
And at just around 300 calories per serving, there’s plenty of room left in your day for snacks later on! Another great option when it concerns what to serve with oatmeal!
31. Almond Butter and Jelly
If you love PB&J sandwiches, it makes sense that you’d enjoy almond butter with jelly on top of plain oatmeal.
Mixing in a bit of peanut butter is also popular; some people even opt to go all out, adding another slice of bread as well.
However, serving almond butter with jelly on top of oatmeal doesn’t just taste great—it can also make for an interesting texture combination.
The jiggly texture of plain oats contrasts nicely with both creamy and crunchy elements from PB&J.
32. Banana Bread Oatmeal
The ingredients are Bananas, Walnuts, Cinnamon, and Maple Syrup. And here’s the simple procedure to follow to prepare it: Mix mashed banana, chopped walnuts, cinnamon, maple syrup (or brown sugar if you’re out of maple), milk, and oatmeal.
Top with more walnuts and a splash of milk. Enjoy! Lacking ideas on what to serve with oatmeal? Try this first!
33. Chewy Apple Crumble Oats
The Ingredients included are Apples, Coconut Oil, Vanilla Extract, All-Purpose Flour (Can Substitute Almond Meal), Brown Sugar & Cinnamon.
The procedure involved goes thus: firstly, chop up an apple into small squares and saute in coconut oil until soft.
Meanwhile, mix all-purpose flour (you can also substitute almond meal) with brown sugar & cinnamon to taste in a large mixing bowl.
Next, place cooked apples and half of the oats into a bowl. Mix thoroughly, then add the other half of the oats into the pan with melted butter over medium-low heat.
34. Peanut Butter and Honey
The classic peanut butter and honey combination is a sweet way to start your day. Try stirring in a bit of cinnamon, cloves, or vanilla extract to give it an extra kick.
Honey isn’t just sweet—it also has great antibacterial properties that can help keep you healthy!
Equally important, make sure you use real peanut butter, not one that comes mixed with sugar or corn syrup. Peanut butter can also be incredibly filling (hence its high protein count).
However, it’s possible to overdose on it, though; so if you’re looking for something lighter, try chia seeds instead.
These little seeds have lots of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which help keep us full! Do you want an all-around dish for what to serve with oatmeal? You are on course with Peanut butter and Honey!
35. Blueberry and Banana
Last but not least on the list of what to serve with oatmeal is the Blueberry and Banana combo! To begin with, preheat your oven to 350°F.
Afterward, in a bowl, mix together blueberries with a mashed banana. Lastly, spread half of it over top of a microwaved bowl of oatmeal and enjoy! (Or save half for later.)
Adding banana adds creaminess while bringing out all the fresh flavors from the blueberries. Don’t have blueberries? Try raspberries or strawberries instead!
Conclusion
Use these topping ideas for what to serve with oatmeal to add a little variety to your breakfast routine. With all of these options, you can make oatmeal every morning without ever getting bored. If you try any of these suggestions, be sure to let us know what you think!
