Protein Oatmeal

What Makes This Protein Oatmeal Better Than Other Recipes?

• The protein! Okay, let's start with the obvious: there’s a lot of protein in a single bowl of this oatmeal. In fact, you’ll get much more protein per serving in this homemade oatmeal than those expensive protein oatmeal packets (and making it yourself is way cheaper.)
• Creamy, not chalky. Many protein oatmeal recipes can end up thick, dry, or gritty from the protein powder. This recipe stays rich and creamy thanks to the combination of beaten eggs and chia seeds, which create a smooth, satisfying texture.
• Ready in about 10 minutes. On busy mornings, it can be hard to find the time for breakfast. With this protein oatmeal, you can have a warm and satisfying meal in a snap.
• Room to make it your own. While I love my chocolate protein oatmeal and high protein peanut butter oatmeal, sometimes I want a recipe with a little more versatility. Customize this protein oatmeal by using different flavors of protein powder, stirring in different mix-ins, and garnishing with your favorite toppings. 

What You’ll Need

Here are all the ingredients you’ll need to make this easy breakfast recipe. Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page to see the exact amounts for each ingredient.

• Oats – I use old-fashioned oats (also known as rolled oats) for this recipe.
• Protein powder – Any kind you like or have on hand, either flavored or unflavored.
• Chia seeds – Another excellent source of protein! If you’re not a fan of the texture, try hemp seeds instead.
• Water or milk – Milk or plant milk will give you a creamier consistency.
• Eggs – Eggs are a complete protein, which means they contain all nine essential amino acids.
• Mix-ins and toppings – I share some ideas below!

Tips for Success

Follow these tips for the creamiest, smoothest protein oatmeal every time.

• Whisk the eggs in immediately. Pour the beaten eggs into the simmering oatmeal in a slow stream while whisking constantly. This helps them blend into the oats for a rich, creamy texture instead of scrambling.
• Choose a protein powder you enjoy. Since protein powders vary in flavor and sweetness, use one you already know you like. Vanilla and chocolate are both great choices, and unflavored protein powder lets your mix-ins shine.
• Sweeten after tasting. Depending on your protein powder, you may not need any additional sweetener. Taste the oatmeal first, then add maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar if you’d like it a little sweeter.
• Adjust the consistency. You can add less liquid if you like your oats thicker, or more for a thinner consistency. (And if you accidentally add too much liquid, you can always add some extra oats to absorb it.)
• Add the mix-ins last. Once you take the pan off the heat, you can stir in any mix-ins. Adding them too early will affect their texture, as they’ll absorb more liquid.

Topping, Mix-In and Flavor Combo Ideas

One of the best things about this protein oatmeal is how easy it is to customize. Change the protein powder, stir in your favorite mix-ins, or pile on toppings to create a completely different breakfast every time.

Here are some of my favorite mix-in ideas:

• Fresh fruit: Blueberries, sliced bananas, strawberries, raspberries, diced apples, peaches, or pears.
• Dried fruit: Raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dates, dried cherries, or diced dried apricots.
• Nuts and seeds: Chopped pecans, walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp hearts, or extra chia seeds for added crunch.
• Nut and seed butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.
• Warm spices: Cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, ginger, nutmeg, or cardamom.
• Chocolate: Mini chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate, cacao nibs, or a drizzle of melted dark chocolate.
• Natural sweeteners: Maple syrup, honey, date syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar.
• Extra flavor: Vanilla extract, almond extract, shredded coconut, cocoa powder, lemon zest, or orange zest.

Favorite Flavor combinations:

• Peanut butter + banana + cinnamon
• Blueberries + chopped pecans + maple syrup
• Apples + walnuts + cinnamon
• Strawberries + sliced almonds + vanilla protein powder
• Chocolate protein powder + peanut butter + banana
• Pumpkin pie spice + pecans + maple syrup

How to Store Leftovers

• Store in the fridge: Leftover protein oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• To reheat: Simply add some extra liquid and warm it up on the stove or in the microwave. 
• Can I freeze it? Protein oatmeal can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to use, allow it to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating according to the instructions above.

More Easy Oat Recipes

• Pumpkin Steel Cut Oatmeal
• Blueberry Banana Protein Baked Oatmeal
• Double Chocolate Blended Baked Oatmeal
• Overnight Steel Cut Oats
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Oatmeal