Oatmeal is a staple breakfast food at our house. But we don’t do instant… anything, really. However don’t quote me on that, because I’d have to think about it. Anyway, there are tons of ways to spruce up your oatmeal, so I’m going to show you what to put on top of oatmeal to make it the best you’ve ever had.
About 11-12 years ago we moved to Arizona for a job offer for my husband. Well, they rescinded the offer ~ 2 weeks after we got there. We were thousands of miles from family with no jobs. And the economy there was not good. We ended up homeless for 2 1/2 months, but we didn’t live on the streets, thankfully.
In the background, our ‘stove’ of sorts. 
We even had a ‘shower.’ 
And, we were there long enough, we ended up with 2 tents.
Instead we stayed in a state park. And it was there, amidst campfire living, that I learned to add different things to our oatmeal. To make the most out of a most unpleasant situation. And to this day our two oldest daughters reflect on that time period with nostalgia. I reflect on it with relief, that we didn’t have to stay there indefinitely. But I was thankful that we had a ‘place’ to stay.
Ingredients for basic oatmeal
- 5 cups of old fashioned oatmeal
- 7 cups of water
- 5 tsps Truvia
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- pinch of allspice
Instructions for basic oatmeal
- Add your water to a saucepan and turn the burner on.
- When the water begins to boil, add your oats.
- Then stir in the remaining ingredients.
- Lower the temperature of the burner to low.
- Continue stirring from time to time to prevent over cooking.
- The oatmeal will be cooked when it’s light and fluffy.
- Then turn off the burner.
What to Put on top of Oatmeal
At this point, the oatmeal isn’t bland and flavorless, because you’ve added Truvia. Which is a blend of sugar and Stevia, and it’s what I normally use as a sweetener, unless I have to use white or brown sugar. And there are some spices in the oatmeal as well.
So now it’s time for some toppings. You could add raisins, which are always great, unless you don’t like them.
Other toppings you could try, which are favorites in my house, are sliced bananas and drained pineapple.
If you like dried fruit, you could also try dried apple slices, but cut them up, or put them in a food processor so they’re in smaller pieces.
Pumpkin, chopped almonds or other nuts, and coconut flakes are also great, because not only do they taste amazing, but they’re very healthy.
Fresh fruits, chia seeds, yogurt, and granola are more options that not only taste awesome, but are also good for you.
Honey, maple syrup, and butter. These last three are what my husband and children add to their oatmeal, no matter what kind I make. You might say they have “sweet teeth”?
Some people even top their oatmeal with vegetables. Or eggs and it looks more like ramen than oatmeal. Though I’ve never tried it, so it might be delicious.
This list is certainly not exhaustive, so if you want more decadent and/or healthy ideas, then check this out.
And don’t forget to add milk. I put almond milk in mine, and that’s to make it creamier and to cool it off. But you can add whatever kind of milk you prefer.
Thanks for stopping by! Please feel free to ask a question or leave a comment!
Chicken Girl 