It is 16 degrees in New York City. As in, so-cold-I-want-to-punch-the-snow, which is completely irrational and foolish, but frost-induced rage does that to a person. When the temperature dips this low, there’s only one acceptable speedy and sweet breakfast for me: instant oatmeal.
But like that hilarious new roommate who only knows two jokes, instant oatmeal gets boring by day 3. It’s all, “knock knock!”
“Who’s there?”
“A griege swirl of brown sugar and semi-crunchy oats because you forgot to use enough water…again.”
Total letdown. That’s why you need oatmeal mix-ins. Flavorful, exciting, sundry mix-ins to make your tastebuds quiver with glee. They’re just as incredible swirled into Overnight Oats (recipe below; to try the original Honey Blueberry version — with bonus flax seeds, click here). Maybe even more so. Try these 9, and be sure to tell us your favorite concoctions:
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Oatmeal: Oatmeal + 2 tablespoons chocolate chips + 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract + 1 teaspoon brown sugar + 1 teaspoon peanut butter
- Hot Cocoa Oatmeal: Oatmeal + 1/2 packet hot chocolate mix + sprinkle of mini marshmallows
- Brownie Batter Oatmeal: Oatmeal + 1/2 packet hot chocolate mix + 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
- Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal: Oatmeal + 1/2 banana, sliced + 1 tablespoon melted peanut butter + 1 teaspoon honey
- Cranberry Crunch Oatmeal: Oatmeal + 1 teaspoon maple syrup + 1 handful dried cranberries + sprinkle of cereal (your choice)
- Raisin Flax Oatmeal: Oatmeal + 1 handful raisins + 1 teaspoon ground flax seed + 1 teaspoon honey
- Blueberry Pie Oatmeal: Mix 1/2 cup blueberries, 1 teaspoon sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch and microwave for 1 minute. Stir in three drops lemon juice, then microwave the mixture for 2 more minutes. Stir into oatmeal.
- Pancake Breakfast Oatmeal: Oatmeal + 1 teaspoon maple syrup + 1 strip bacon, crumbled
- Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal: Oatmeal + 1 tablespoon pureed pumpkin + 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon + 1 teaspoon honey
By the way, here’s a glimpse of the mix-in tasting (this is what brownie batter overnight oats and cookie dough overnight oats looked like). We’re pretty much addicted.
- 1 cup Greek yogurt, vanilla or plain (5.3 to 6 ounces)
- 1 cup steel cut or rolled oats
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds (optional)
- Combine all ingredients, stirring thoroughly. Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
- Add in any mix-ins (berries, granola, chocolate chips, etc.) and a teaspoon of sweetener (honey, agave nectar, sugar, etc.), adjusting the amounts to your taste.