Once an undistinguished pantry staple, oats have seen one of the greatest glow-ups of our time. As we navigate an era increasingly focused on sustainable, whole foods, oats are not just for breakfast anymore—they’ve become a versatile building block for culinary creativity, essential throughout all meals.
Historically, oats have been a mainstay in the diets of various cultures for centuries. However, originally cultivated in the cooler climates of Europe, they were often deemed fit only for livestock. It wasn’t until the 18th century that oats began to find their place in human cuisine, with recipes ranging from hearty porridge to oatcakes. Fast forward to today, and these grains are celebrated not only for their rich, nutty flavor, but also for their nutritional prowess. In a forbidding landscape of food allergies and dietary restrictions, oats offer a safe haven for all to partake.
In addition to their health benefits, oats have sparked a wave of food innovations. There’s nothing they can’t do, from creamy risottos to decadent frozen desserts, showcasing their adaptability at every turn. Beyond the kitchen, the rise of oat milk has revolutionized the beverage industry, providing a creamy, dairy-free alternative that’s both eco-friendly and delicious. The fact that it’s now the default milk of choice in many coffee shops, even offered before dairy milk, speaks volumes.
There’s no such thing as having too many oats. Should you find yourself with a sizable stockpile, I have just the recipe (or 25) for you.
25 Best Oat Recipes
There's no such thing as having too many oats. Should you find yourself with a sizable stockpile, these recipes will serve you well for inspiration spanning sweet to savory, breakfast to dinner, and of course dessert, too.
Steel-Cut Oat Brûlée
Tender, pleasantly chewy, and creamy all at once, these decadent oats straddle that fine line between healthy breakfast and indulgent treat. A crisp caramelized sugar topping puts standard whole grains on another level, perfect for a holiday breakfast, brunch, or just any day that a hearty morning start is in order.
Granola Pancakes
Boost your breakfast by turning humble granola into a hearty, healthy stack of pancakes. Toasted oats, crunchy nuts, and sweet fruits are built right into this easy formula.
Double Date Chocolate Chip Bars
Packed with wholesome things like oats, wheat germ, and puffed rice, it’s easy to excuse that little handful of chocolate chips and think of these as health food. Plus, the date syrup keeps things from being tooth-achingly sweet, so it’s hard to feel guilty about these simple little squares.
Poppy Seed Milk
A creamy, dreamy, dairy-free drink featuring the subtle nutty flavor poppy seeds. A mixture of oats and almonds lend a richness and body that could rival anything fresh off the farm.
Golden State Granola
Beaming with the brilliant color of turmeric, the three official state nuts, almonds, pistachios, and walnuts, team up in a chunky, crunchy granola blend. Sweetened entirely with dates, the thick and hearty clusters are equally alluring at breakfast and snack time. Spiced with warming ginger, sensuous cinnamon, and exotic cardamom, each bite takes you on trip straight to the west coast.
Pumpkin Struesel Pie
Crisp, buttery streusel turns ho-hum pumpkin pie into the legendary dessert that everyone will crave all year long. The creamy filling is sweetened with a balanced hand and highly aromatic, redolent of cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg.
Elderberry Thumbprint Cookies
Thumbprint cookies get a superfood upgrade with bouncy elderberry gummies instead of plain jam. Softening into a jammy nugget within the gentle slope of a hearty oat and almond butter base, you might forget that such tasty treats are actually powerful immunity boosters.
Easy Oatmeal Bread
Thick-cut, chewy rolled oats added a bit of heft to this simple sandwich bread, adding just enough interest to make it a treat without further embellishment. That said, it's at the peak of perfection when toasted and smeared with a fat knob of vegan butter.
Oat Milk Green Goddess Dressing
Lusciously creamy, vibrantly zesty and herbaceous, this unbelievably simple dressing owes all its richness to the power of oats. No oil necessary to bring together this bold and brilliant blend!
Bakery-Style Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
When you want a genuine cookie and not some healthi-fied granola bar, these are these treats you're looking for. Big, fat, soft, and chewy, they're filled with plump raisins and perfumed with rich, buttery brown sugar crumbs. These are definitely dessert, not breakfast fodder.
Nouveau Fig Bars
Soft and sweet yet made without gluten or refined sugars, you don't need to be a master of physics to know that these homemade fig bars are far better than the average Newton.
Persimmon Oatmeal Cookies
These are not your average oatmeal cookies. Soft, infused with the rich perfume of five spice, and richly flavored with the unique fruity taste of persimmon, they're a special seasonal treat.
Mushroom Meatloaf
Moist, rich, umami, and incredibly meaty, you won't believe this meatloaf is completely vegan!
Banana Pumpkin Spice Muffins
Tender and fluffy yet substantial and satisfying, these muffins are the best parts of banana bread and pumpkin bread combined.
Feetloaf
Hearty, meaty, and fun for the whole family, feetloaf is the best kind of meatloaf you've ever had! Sure, it's perfect for Halloween, but it's a great tasting meal any day of the year.
Brick Bread (Faux-Vollkornbrot)
Thickly built on whole grains and sprouted beans, each bite is a whole new textural experience. Think of each slice as a portable bowl of hot whole grain cereal, perfect for topping with any sweet or savory spread desired.
Hearty Chia Bread
Soft but hearty, with a delightfully crisp but yielding crust, this golden loaf is wonderful sliced thick and toasted or used for sandwiches.
Berry Chocolate Muffins
Sweet chocolate and tart fresh berries join forces in these tender muffins. Call it breakfast, snack, or dessert; they always satisfy.
Oatmeal Cream Cupcakes
Inspired by oatmeal cream pie cookies, these fully grown cupcake versions have all the comforting, nostalgic flavor in a more elegant form.
Coffee Oatmeal Stout Bread
This tender loaf provides a serious dose of caffeine from concentrated cold brew coffee while amplifying the flavor of oatmeal stout beer. Whole oats boost the cereal taste from the brewing process, while date syrup and coconut sugar harmonize with a caramelized sweetness.
Cowboy Cookie Dough Ice Cream
Absolutely loaded with goodies, this ice cream is about half cookie dough. Tender morsels of oatmeal, coconut, and pecan dough are mixed with crisp chocolate stracciatella in a rich coconut milk base.
Muesli Adventure Bread
No kneading, no rising, no resting, and only five ingredients stand between you and a loaf of homemade bread. Choose your own adventure and start baking!
Superfood Muffins
Full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals to power through your day, these muffins are healthier than most, and still plenty tasty.
Apple Crumble for an Army
When you need dessert, and a whole lot of it, this is the crumble recipe for you! Feed a crowd quickly, easily, and cheaply when you break out the big pans.