Toppings for Oatmeal: 11 Creative Ideas

These fun oatmeal topping ideas will take your simple breakfast bowl to the next level. Try these combos to make your mornings a little more exciting.

Steel cut oats with blueberries bananas and almond butter

Oatmeal is a classic breakfast comfort food. But let’s face it, plain oats can get pretty boring. However, there are many different porridge toppings and add-ins to make it taste better.

These oatmeal toppings are perfect for creating an oatmeal bar at a breakfast or brunch party. They are great additions to rolled, old-fashioned or even steel cut oats.

Fruits, nuts and seeds are great for adding flavor and texture. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and vanilla are great warming spices.

Nut butters can be good sources of protein to add. I personally like almond butter or natural peanut butter. And for added creaminess, add soy or coconut milk.

The choices are nearly endless but here are some creative ideas to get you started:

What to Put in Oatmeal

 1. Banana, Coconut and Cranberry

Banana cranberry coconut steel cut oatmeal toppings

This breakfast bowl is quite the treat as it gives a perfect blend of sweetness, tartness and crunchiness with a hint of coconut flavor.

Add-ins and toppings include coconut milk, cinnamon, nutmeg, banana, coconut chips, dried cranberries, chia seeds and maple syrup.

2. Chocolate-covered Strawberries

Bowl of oatmeal topped with chocolate covered strawberries and dried fruit

If you want to get a bit more creative with breakfast in bed, try adding in some chocolate-covered strawberries. Buy them already dipped or do it yourself at home.

All you need is a bar of dark chocolate and some fresh strawberries. Add the chocolate to a dry, microwave-safe bowl. Melt at 15-second intervals, stirring in between each so it doesn’t burn.

Dip the clean dry strawberries and place on a parchment-lined tray. Place in the fridge to chill until the chocolate is solid.

Top your oatmeal with the strawberries, some dried figs and dried pineapple. Drizzle any remaining chocolate on top.

3. Blueberries and Beets

Beet blueberry steel cut oatmeal toppings

The mild sweetness of the blueberries pairs well with the mild earthy sweetness of the beets. They give a unique flavor combination to this nutritious bowl.

It includes coconut milk, dates, cinnamon, cloves and topped with frozen blueberries, diced beets and raw granola.

To make the raw granola add equal amounts of nuts and oats to a food processor. Add a few pieces of dates (they are sweet so adjust to your tastes) and vanilla. Blend until the mixture becomes crumbly and slightly sticky.

4. Maple, Fig and Cranberry

Dried figs dates cranberries almond butter steel cut oatmeal toppings

This bowl features a combination of different sweeteners for a rich, caramel flavor. The dried figs add a pleasant, nutty texture to the creamy bowl. Delicious and satisfying!

Toppings include cinnamon, nutmeg, coconut sugar, dried figs, cranberries, dates, maple syrup and almond butter.

5. Persimmon and Kiwi

Steel cut oats toppings with persimmon and kiwi

Persimmons are one of my favorite fall fruits. They look like orange tomatoes but when ripened have a sweet, honey-like flavor.

This bowl also gets a bit of sweetness from raw granola and dates, caramel flavor from coconut sugar and some tartness from kiwi.

6. Almond Butter and Chocolate

Dark chocolate coconut dates creamy steel cut oatmeal toppings

No better way to use up the last bit of almond butter in a jar than to pour in some oats. Coconut chips add a tasty crunch and dark chocolate makes it irresistible!

Add-ins include coconut milk, vanilla, dates, coconut chips and dark chocolate.

7. Almond Butter and Jelly

Steel cut oats with almond butter and blueberry jelly

Inspired by the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, this bowl brings out your inner child. Swap almond butter for peanut and add homemade blueberry chia jam in place of the sweeter, store-bought stuff.

To make the chia jam:

  • Add 2 handfuls of frozen blueberries to a pot with 3 tablespoons of water.
  • Heat on low flame until thawed and simmering.
  • Crush with a fork to release more juices. Then stir in 1 tablespoon of maple syrup or agave. Add a bit of lemon juice for tartness if needed.
  • Remove from the heat then stir in 2 tablespoons of chia seeds.
  • All the mixture to cool until the chia seeds start to become jelly-like.

8. Chocolate Peanut Butter

Chocolate steel cut oats with berries in bowl with spoon

Reese’s peanut butter bowl anyone? This chocolatey delight starts with a creamy steel cut oats flavored with vanilla, cocoa powder and peanut butter.

It’s topped with fresh raspberries and blueberries, cacao nibs, more peanut butter and raw granola.

9. Blueberries, Pineapples and Figs

Steel cut oats with blueberries dried pineapple figs almond butter

This fruity bowl is loaded with dried fig, dried pineapple and frozen blueberries. Add in some almond butter for extra creaminess.

It’s also topped with flaxseed and chia seeds for those extra Omega 3s.

10. Persimmon and Bananas

Steel cut oats with persimmon and banana oats

Another fall-inspired bowl with persimmons, bananas, nutmeg and cinnamon. Simple but cozy.

11. Bananas, Blueberries and Almond Butter

Steel cut oats with blueberries bananas and almond butter

Bananas and blueberries add just the right amount of sweetness to make this bowl sugar-free. Stir in some almond butter for extra nuttiness and top with chia seeds for crunch.

Try these other comforting breakfast ideas

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One Comment

  1. Maurice Eason says:

    I can’t believe you didn’t include peaches on your list of fruits. As I’m cooking for one it is much easier to buy one peach rather than a lb. or more of strawberries or a bunch of bananas which will surely end up in wasting a lot of the latter. I’m not a fan of any of the other last five fruits or berries you listed. Also, I do keep sliced almonds on hand, but pecan pieces also go well with oatmeal when added with maple syrup and butter.