7 Ways to Spice Up Your Oatmeal That Aren't Boring

From average to awesome: Oatmeal is a prime example that a simple classic might never get old. With so many add-ons like proteins, spices, sweeteners, healthy fats, and fibrous produce, it's easy to spice up your oatmeal and enhance its flavor. As someone who loves oatmeal, I often experiment with new ingredients to add to oatmeal to switch things up. The great thing about oatmeal is that it's incredibly versatile and mixes well with so many different flavors. Having a repertoire of sweet and savory oatmeal recipes can be helpful for busy mornings when you know which flavors you're craving but aren't sure what to choose. So take a peek at this guide for new oatmeal ideas which is sure to help out both sweet oatmeal and savory oatmeal lovers.

Salsa can be an easy way to add a bit of heat to a bowl of oatmeal. Mark Miller, Vice President of Marketing at Simply Fresh Foods and creator of Rojo’s restaurant-style salsas and dips says that "a great way to add a kick of flavor to your morning oatmeal is to create something a bit more savory." Salsa immediately adds a hint of freshness that will transform any plain oats.

According to running coach and personal trainer Susie Lemmer, adding eggs or egg whites to cereal can increase protein and satiety, while also increasing the flavor. Eggs can make oatmeal more savory, and it provides a great source of choline, which boosts brainpower and concentration in the day.

Adding in spices is another way to take the heat and flavor up a notch, advises Lemmer. She recommends including spices, such as cinnamon, paprika, black pepper, vanilla, ginger, cayenne, and apple pie spice. These spices can transform a standard oatmeal and offer both sweet and savory flavor options for a healthy oatmeal recipe.

While Lemmer doesn't advise using artificial sweeteners, adding a bit of natural sweetness to oatmeal can make it more satisfying. Lemmer recommends trying maple syrup, vanilla stevia, and natural fruit, as these are all healthy alternatives to sugar.

Adding fresh fruit, such as berries, apples, bananas, pomegranate seeds, and kiwi, among others, is a terrific way to oatmeal's boost flavor. Lemmer adds that fresh fruit provides antioxidants and fiber to increase nutritional content and keep your brain and heart healthy.

Lemmer suggests adding healthy fats to oatmeal, as the healthy fats increase satiety and help fuel the brain. While almond or peanut butter are delicious and creamy choices, healthy fats can be found in avocado, raw nuts, or seeds, such as hemp, flax, or chia seed.

For all the sweet tooth breakfast eaters out there, having a bowl of dark chocolate oatmeal can conquer any morning craving and provide an energy boost that can increase productivity, creativity, and mental awareness, advises Lemmer. Plus, who can ever say no to chocolate in the morning, right?