Random story from high school: I used to be in SGA, which stands for Student Government Association. My junior year I think I was a representative (or something, I can’t remember), but then my senior year I was vice president. So, basically I was the Joe Biden of my high school.
Anyway, once a month we had a super early morning meeting. And I remember one of the gals in the group always showed up with a coffee mug filled with warm, delicious smelling oatmeal. I don’t know if she woke up and made it or if her mom or dad did, but I totally coveted that oatmeal. I also thought she was a genius to carry it in a mug because it had a handle and just generally seemed less weird than showing up to school with a big cereal bowl.
Even though I totally coveted that oatmeal, I never got up early enough to make it. And I still don’t like waking up early to make breakfast before work. Luckily, there are a few ways to make some pretty delicious oatmeal in about 5 minutes or less! If only I had known this in high school. Regrets!
First, let’s talk flavors, and then I’ll tell you three different ways you can make lightning fast oatmeal. One flavor I’m really digging lately is carrot cake. This is not as sweet as a piece of cake, but it still has all the delicious flavors.
For one serving: 2/3 cup oats*, 2/3 cup milk, 1 teaspoon chopped pecans, 1 shredded baby carrot, 1 teaspoon brown sugar or maple syrup, big pinch of cinnamon, and a little pinch of nutmeg.
*I used old fashioned (rolled) oats in all these but you could easily substitute with quick cooking oats if you prefer. Both work well in this.
This one is even easier to throw together, peanut butter and jelly oatmeal. For one serving: 2/3 cup oats, 2/3 cup milk, 1 teaspoon peanut butter or almond butter, and 1 teaspoon jam.
This is a super easy chocolate oatmeal variation. All you need for one serving: 2/3 cup oats, 2/3 cup chocolate milk, fresh fruit or mini chocolate chips for the top.
The first step to any of these variations is to combine all the ingredients except the milk. You can combine in a heat proof mug or glass jar.
For the PB&J oatmeal, I like to stir in the jam after the oats have softened, but you could do it before. It doesn’t matter all that much. It mostly just keeps the colors brighter if you add it after.
There are two methods to making this just before you head out the door. You can heat the milk on the stove top for 2-3 minutes over high heat. I like to whisk so it gets kind of foamy, like a latte. Or you can microwave the milk on high for 1 minute.
Then pour it over the oats and cover with the jar lid or just a piece of aluminum foil. This will trap all the heat in and help the oats to soften quickly. Let it cool just until it’s cool enough to eat. Then remove the top and dig in.
Or you can make any of these variations using the classic overnight oats method. This will make the oats chilled, since they sat in the refrigerator overnight. But you can pop it in the microwave if you want to warm them up. xo. Emma
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Ingredients
- ⅔ cup oats*
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pecans (chopped)
- 1 baby carrots (shredded)
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar or maple syrup
- big pinch of cinnamon
- little pinch of nutmeg
Instructions
- *I used old fashioned (rolled) oats in all these but you could easily substitute with quick cooking oats if you prefer. Both work well in this.
- The first step to any of these variations is to combine all the ingredients except the milk. You can combine in a heat proof mug or glass jar.
- There are two methods to making this just before you head out the door. You can heat the milk on the stove top for 2-3 minutes over high heat. I like to whisk so it gets kind of foamy, like a latte. Or you can microwave the milk on high for 1 minute.
- Then pour it over the oats and cover with the jar lid or just a piece of aluminum foil. This will trap all the heat in and help the oats to soften quickly. Let it cool just until it's cool enough to eat. Then remove the top and dig in.
Oooo the carrot cake variation sounds amazing! Awesome little trick 🙂
So I was thinking: awesome idea! Looks amazing. I clicked the link to overnight oats because there’s no way I can chop or shred a carrot in the morning, and I thought: what if you made one big batch at the beginning of the week and then took a scoop from it each morning? Would that even work for oats??? I’m new to this whole porridge/oats thing (and loving it!) and would like to know your opinion.
My carrot cake one is in the fridge right now =)
Those look delicious and pretty healthy too! Thanks for sharing! 😀
Just made the PB&J version for lunch, using almond butter and blueberry jam. I also added some chia seeds. Quick and delicious! 🙂
I am always looking for quick and easy ideas for my kids for breakfast, can’t wait to try thjs healthier version of a quick staple
Hi there
While i love the recipes I wish you would not suggest the use of such an environmentally unfriendly product as tin foil. Sure a lid or even a saucer would be a much better alternative. After all, we only have this one planet, right?
cheers
Nora
Do you have any suggestions for if I wanted to add pumpkin, banana, or brown sugar? I’m new to cooking and don’t know how to just wing these kinds of things.
Oatmeal is my absolute favorite meal for breakfast, so I totally need to try these options! Thanks for sharing them! 🙂
ALINA ERMILOVA
This is great! I eat oatmeal every day for breakfast but I use those little packets because somehow I feel like it’s easier?? Anyway I’ve been thinking lately about how easy it would be to just portion out oatmeal like this instead of throwing away a little paper baggie every day but was kind of stumped by recipes. So I am super excited to see this!!! It must be something about fall that makes everyone want oatmeal 🙂
Super cute post. I love oatmeal. It is the perfect breakfast. I make my own “instant oatmeal” packets with rolled oats, oat bran (makes it creamy! plus, adds protein & fiber), chia seeds, nuts, dried fruit, cinnamon.. just put it all together in snack size baggies, and then I have an easy breakfast or lunch on crazy days at work. Or, take them traveling- they are the perfect airport food when the only other options are unhealthy processed junk!
I´m very much of an oatmeal person, and it´s usually my go to-breakfast. I usually have mine done in only a couple minutes, as I simply put oat and milk in a small pan(the trick is to not use too much milk) and just put the stove on full temperature until i´ve reached the desired texture. Voila, ready to go. And, as this is a very basic recipe, I like playing around with adding different kinds of nuts, seeds and dried fruits(basically whatever i have in hand) and top it with fresh berries and honey, along with a little butter and cinnamon! So much healthier and so much better than the regular sugar! This way I have a filling and super healthy breakfast in two minutes!
I am in college and oatmeal is my go to recipe. But I usually keep it simple by just adding a cut up apple or banana with a touch of cinnamon. So glad I saw this..because my day to day routine was getting a bit old, need to try these out asap!
xo Nan – Simply Elegant Blog
Are you using almond milk? Regular milk? And how about for the chocolate?
I’m definitely loving hot porridge oats at the moment. The cold has started to bite here in London and there’s something about hot porridge and sultanas that just makes everything feel better.
CARROT CAKE OATMEAL, I am sold.
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com/
I love oatmeal. Every now and then I have it for breakfast. That’s a nice collection of ideas – I’ll definitely try them!
Katharina // www.ktinka.com
Looks so yummy! I love itwww.shallwesasa.com
carrot cake oatmeal? that sounds absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try it. fall puts me in the mood for carrot cake 24/7, but eating it that often isn’t really a good idea, so thanks for this!
love, arielle
a simple elegance
I’m definitely going to be trying this soon. My husband constantly teases me about eating oatmeal from packets and has tried to get me on the whole oats bandwagon. The carrot cake variation might just do that.
I really love how all your recipes are simple and relatable! So many times I’ll read a blog and the recipes will sound amazing but realistically I’m not going to be making them anytime soon! Ha ha. But yours are always great! Also, I swear you read my mind.. Anything I’m wanting to make the next day you have a recipe up! 🙂