7 Ways to Wake up Morning Oatmeal


fresh ideas for morning oatmeal, kid-tested recipes to try for breakfast

Our girl loves oatmeal for breakfast and it is our go to for a quick and easy start to the day.  But my basic recipe for oatmeal was really getting old for me.  I am used to making something new almost every time I cook, so the same-old, same-old, just seemed…OLD!

So I started brainstorming a list of mix-ins for oatmeal that are kid friendly and tested them on G.

I started with homemade oatmeal packets.  Each packet has 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats, 1 Tbsp. brown sugar, and a dash of salt. You could also use the unflavored instant oatmeal packets from the store.  Most of these recipes require you to cook the oatmeal first and then add the mix-ins.  To cook this particular packet of oatmeal: pour packet into a microwave safe bowl, add about 2/3 cup milk (use more or less based on your preference in oatmeal texture), and microwave for 2 minutes 30 seconds.

Here are the mix-ins that made the cut:

Peanut Butter and Jelly – This is the most requested in our home.

  • 1-2 Tbsp. peanut butter chips
  • 1 Tbsp. strawberry preserves or fresh strawberries.

Pancake – This is really good!

  • 1-2 Tbsp. maple syrup
  • 1 tsp. butter

Baked Apple – G ate the entire bowl!  Most of the time she shares with me, not with this recipe!

  • reduce milk by 1/4 cup
  • 1/4 cup applesauce
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • a dash of nutmeg (freshly grated is best)

S’more – To be honest G does not like this one because she does not like chocolate, but I liked it!

  • 1-2 Tbsp. semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1-2 Tbsp. mini marshmallows

Banana Nut – a go-to favorite to use slightly over-ripe bananas

  • 1/2 mashed banana
  • 1 Tbsp. very finely chopped pecans or walnuts

Blueberry Cobbler 

  • 1/8 cup blueberries, lightly mashed (fresh is better)
  • 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp. very finely chopped pecans (optional)

Strawberry Cheesecake

  • 2 Tbsp. cream cheese
  • 2 Tbsp. strawberry preserves or fresh strawberries
  • 2 tsp. powdered sugar

These are seriously so yummy!  And you don’t have to have the same oatmeal twice in one week!  How’s that for a wake-up? Which one are you going to try first?

fresh ideas for morning oatmeal, kid-tested recipes to try for breakfast


This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Stephanie

    Thanks for sharing! My kids LOVE oatmeal, but I often get tired of the same “old” thing each day.

  2. Kimberly H. Smith

    Love this! Been trying to get my son to eat oatmeal again. Must try this. Visiting from #LOBS

  3. Joan Merrell

    Thanks for sharing these! They sound delicious, and I am looking forward to trying these out with my school-age daughter. 🙂

    1. ussleah

      We love them, Joan! I just had pecans and cinnamon in my oatmeal this morning – love having a little bit of texture in my oatmeal. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment!

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