Oatmeal is a classic for a reason. The hearty grain remains a top choice for breakfast, and these recipes exhibit what makes them so delicious and nutritious. Each of these dishes is lower in carbs, calories, sodium and saturated fatmaking them diabetes-friendly meals. From cozy baked oats to convenient overnight oats, there are so many delicious options to choose from. Dishes like our Upside-Down Pineapple Cake Baked Oats and our Savory Oatmeal Grain Bowl will help keep your blood sugar in check and leave you satisfied.
Upside-Down Pineapple Cake Baked Oats
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.
These upside-down pineapple cake baked oats are a fun morning twist on the classic dessert. Each serving features a caramelized pineapple ring with a maraschino cherry nestled in the center, just like the cake. The base is made with hearty oats, sweetened lightly with applesauce and baked until set. It’s a cozy breakfast with serious dessert vibes!
Savory Oatmeal Is Underrated—Try This Grain Bowl and See for Yourself
Abbey Littlejohn
Savory oats are an underrated way to enjoy the whole grain—the toppings are endless! Cooking oats in soy milk is an easy way to add protein to this hearty grain bowl. Here, we top the oats with a bright roasted red pepper-olive mixture and a poached egg for richness.
Slow-Cooker Oatmeal
Photographer: Jacob Fox, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Food Stylist: Breanna Ghazali
Here’s an easy way to serve a crowd a hearty breakfast. You can assemble it in the slow cooker in the evening and wake up to a bowl of hot, nourishing oatmeal. The slow cooker eliminates the need for constant stirring and ensures an exceptionally creamy consistency.
High-Protein Strawberry & Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Photographer: Rachel Marek, Food stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop stylist: Sue Mitchell
These overnight oats get a protein boost from Greek-style yogurt, peanut butter and soy milk, combining for 17 grams of protein per serving. We mix it up with chopped strawberries, but any berry or chopped fruit will pair nicely with this easy grab-and-go breakfast.
Passion Fruit Oatmeal Cakes
Photographer: Brittney Cottrell, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley
These fiber-packed passion fruit oatmeal cakes are bursting with tropical passion fruit flavor—a delightful balance of tangy, sweet and slightly floral notes that will instantly brighten your morning. Look for passion fruit in the frozen section of your grocery store. It’s great to have on hand to use here and in smoothies.
Coconut-Mango Oats
Give plain oats a makeover with this quick, five-minute breakfast idea. Adding just a bit of toasted coconut, some vanilla extract and fresh (or frozen) mango provides plenty of flavor. We use oat milk here, but feel free to switch it to dairy or any other plant-based, unsweetened milk too.
Savory Oatmeal with Tomato & Sausage
Oats get a new life in this savory dish, serving as the backbone for a satisfying combo of sausage, greens, tomatoes and herbs.
Quinoa & Chia Oatmeal Mix
Make your own hot cereal mix with this healthy recipe. Keep it on hand and just cook up the amount you need when you’re ready for a hot breakfast. One serving of the warm cereal contains six grams of fiber—almost a quarter of your daily quota.
Old-Fashioned Oatmeal
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Lydia Purcell
Unlike quick-cooking oats, old-fashioned oatmeal has time to turn extra-creamy and luscious with just a few more minutes of cooking time. With a bit of milk and the toppings of your choice, this oatmeal recipe can be your go-to morning staple for a filling, healthy breakfast.
Tiramisu-Inspired Oatmeal Cakes
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Priscilla Montiel
These breakfast oatmeal cakes draw inspiration from tiramisu, featuring a batter infused with the classic flavors of coffee and cocoa powder. A dollop of lightly sweetened mascarpone cheese on top mimics the tiramisu look. Opting for old-fashioned rolled oats ensures a firm, sturdy texture, as quick or instant oats may turn mushy during baking. Enjoy these cakes on the go with coffee or a shot of espresso.
Chocolate-Strawberry Baked Oats
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen
These chocolate-strawberry baked oats are a delicious breakfast that uses the classic pairing of sweet, ripe strawberries with chocolate. This dish gets its protein boost from cottage cheese, which blends beautifully into the oats while adding a subtle tang. For an extra protein punch, a scoop of protein powder works seamlessly into the mixture, making the oats an even more satisfying way to start the day.
Vanilla-Cranberry Overnight Oatmeal
Overnight oats can simplify your morning routine while still providing a hearty, nutritious breakfast. You can prepare this in a 2-cup mason jar or other to-go container if you usually transport your breakfast.
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal
Jason Donnelly
This baked oatmeal recipe features lemon and cardamom with plenty of sweet and juicy blueberries. Baked oatmeal recipes like this one can be prepped on Monday for an easy grab-and-go breakfast for the rest of the workweek.
Breakfast Lemon, Raspberry & Cream Cheese Oatmeal Cakes
Photographer: Jake Sternquist, Food Stylist: Shannon Goforth, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco
Fresh lemon juice and zest add the perfect pop of brightness and acidity to these delightful oatmeal cakes. You can use fresh or frozen raspberries, depending on what you have on hand. Enjoy these oatmeal cakes for a healthy breakfast or snack.
Oatmeal with Fruit & Nuts
Photographer: Alexander Shytsman
This protein-packed healthy breakfast recipe gets a touch of sweetness from apple and crunch from walnuts. Feel free to pick your favorite fruit (try berries or pears) and nuts (maybe almonds or pistachios) to personalize your healthy oatmeal.
Baked Oatmeal with Pears
This comforting baked oatmeal is perfect for cozy weekend mornings and doubles as a make-ahead breakfast that you can meal-prep for healthy grab-and-go meals all week.
Breakfast Peanut Butter-Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cakes
Alexandra Shytsman
Peanut butter is the star ingredient in these oatmeal cakes, providing not only flavor, but a boost of plant-based protein too. Hiding a bit in the center of each muffin is a fun way to ensure that peanut butter makes it into every bite.
Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats
Diana Chistruga
It takes only minutes to assemble this healthy no-cook breakfast, and you’ll have meal-prepped grab-and-go breakfasts on hand for the rest of the week.
Baked Banana-Nut Oatmeal Cups
Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Stylist: Shell Royster
Muffins meet oatmeal in these moist and tasty grab-and-go oatmeal cups.
Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds (Meal-Prep Friendly)
Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle
This easy overnight oats with chia seeds recipe is naturally sweetened with peaches, but any chopped fresh or frozen fruit works well here. Chia seeds thicken the mixture as it sits, and they offer fiber and omega-3 fats. Store these oats in individual airtight containers (like Mason jars) for an easy breakfast on the go.
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