If you're craving a cozy, nourishing breakfast that breaks away from the usual sweet oats, this savory oats recipe template is for you. With a base of creamy steel-cut oats simmered in broth, this recipe gives you the perfect canvas to make it your own. Customize it with ingredients like savory protein, vibrant veggies, or other favorite toppings.
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Table of Contents
Why you'll love these savory oats
- Versatile and customizable: This recipe is a blank canvas. Whether you're a vegetarian, vegan, or a meat-lover, it's easy to adapt to whatever you're craving.
- Nutrient-packed: Steel-cut oats aren't just filling-they're loaded with fiber and protein, giving you a nourishing head start to your day. Throw in your favorite veggies and toppings for an added nutrient boost that'll keep you going strong.
- Comforting and savory: If you're tired of sweet oatmeal, this savory version is a total game changer. It's creamy, cheesy, and bursting with umami, it's everything you didn't know you were missing in your morning routine..
Why is it healthy?
Steel-cut oats are a whole grain superstar, packed with fiber and essential nutrients like iron, magnesium, and B vitamins. Their slow digestion keeps you feeling full longer while helping to stabilize blood sugar levels-perfect for sustained energy.
The veggies and nuts take this dish to the next level! They add extra fiber, vitamins, and healthy fats, turning it into a balanced, feel-good meal that keeps you full and energized all day long. Plus, research shows that increasing fiber intake can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, which supports heart health by reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Can I use rolled oats instead of steel cut oats?
Yes! If you want to use rolled oats instead of steel cut oats, simply up 2 cups of rolled oats and 4 cups of water or broth.
Ingredients you'll need
- Steel-cut oats - The heart and soul of the dish. These oats are wonderfully chewy and heartier than rolled oats, giving your bowl a satisfying texture.
- Broth or water - I personally adore cooking the oats in bone broth for extra flavor as well as a boost of protein and collagen. One of my favorites is Butcher's Chicken Bone Broth with 13 grams of protein per cup.
- Garlic - Freshly minced garlic brings a savory punch that wakes up the flavors in every bite.
- Parmesan cheese - A sprinkle of parm adds creamy, salty goodness that complements the oats beautifully.
- Truffle oil - This luxurious ingredient takes the flavor up a notch. If you don't have truffle oil on hand, no problem. Simply substitute with regular oil, butter, or ghee.
- Nuts or seeds - Add some crunch with your favorite nuts or seeds. Slivered almonds, pine nuts, or pumpkin seeds are all great options.
How to make it
- Cook the oats: In a medium pot, bring 4 cups of vegetable broth or water to a boil. Stir in 1 cup of steel-cut oats, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Let the oats simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 25-30 minutes, until they're tender but still have that satisfying chew.
- Season the oats: Once the oats are perfectly cooked, turn off the heat. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves, a pinch of salt, black pepper, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, and 1 tablespoon of truffle oil. This is where the magic happens, as the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Toast the nuts/seeds: In a separate small skillet, toast 2 tablespoons of your chosen nuts or seeds over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant-about 3-5 minutes. This adds a delicious crunch that really takes the dish to the next level.
- Assemble the bowls: Spoon the seasoned oats into 4 bowls or meal prep containers. Finish by topping with the remaining Parmesan cheese and your toasted nuts or seeds. Enjoy your creation immediately or save it for a nourishing meal later!
Savory oats combos we love
Here's a few of our favorite flavor combos to inspire your next savory oats creation.
Combo #1: Eggs
- For the nuts or seeds, we used sliced almonds.
- For the protein, add a fried egg, scrambled egg, or however you prefer to cook it.
- For the veggies, add a good amount of sauteed kale.
- For the toppings, add creamy, diced avocado.
Combo #2: Bacon
- For the nuts or seeds, we used pine nuts.
- For the protein, add some crispy bacon.
- For the veggies, add chopped cherry tomatoes.
- For the toppings, add nutritious microgreens.
Combo #3: Sausage
- For the nuts or seeds, we used pumpkin seeds.
- For the protein, add any of your favorite cooked sausage.
- For the veggies, add caramelized mushrooms - here's a guide to making them.
- For the toppings, add chili crunch. If you're sensitive to spicy things, you can swap the chili crunch for crispy flavorful shallots instead.
Recipe tips and tricks
- Serving Tips: For a well-rounded meal, pair this savory oats dish with a fresh green salad or a cup of fruit on the side. Having this with a hot cup of coffee or tea makes for the ultimate cozy morning.
- Troubleshooting Tips: If you find the oats soaking up all the liquid before they're fully cooked, simply add a splash more broth or water until they reach your desired texture.
- Scaling Tips: Got a crowd to feed? This recipe is a breeze to double or triple. Just grab a bigger pot, adjust the ingredients, and you're good to go!
Customize it your way
Just like my other recipes, this savory oats dish is completely customizable. You're in the driver's seat when it comes to picking additional ingredients.
- Protein of your choice: Boost the protein by adding a fried egg, crispy prosciutto, or grilled chicken slices for extra protein.
- Veggies of your choice: Stir in some caramelized mushrooms, roasted asparagus, or sautéed kale for added flavor and nutrients.
- Toppings of your choice: Finish things off with diced avocado, chopped chives, or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for an extra burst of flavor.
Can I make these savory oats ahead of time?
Absolutely! This savory oats recipe is perfect for meal prep. Simply cook the oats as instructed, then let them cool completely before storing in airtight containers. They'll stay fresh in the fridge for up to 4 days, ready to reheat whenever you need a quick, nourishing meal.
Then, you can easily mix and match toppings throughout the week too! Who said meal prep had to be boring, right?!
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you're ready to reheat, simply warm them up in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to loosen up the oats.
We haven't experimented with freezing these oats yet, but they should last for up to 3 months in an airtight container in the freezer. Once thawed, you may just need to add a splash of water or broth to rehydrate them.
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Savory Oats Recipe Template (Steel Cut Oats)
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel-cut oats
- 4 cups broth or water (We personally love using Butcher's Bone Broth for extra protein + collagen!)
- 2 cloves garlic minced (about 2 teaspoons)
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon truffle oil (can also sub for regular oil, butter, or ghee)
- 2 tablespoons nuts or seeds of your choice (slivered almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds)
- Optional: Protein of your choice (fried or poached egg, crispy prosciutto, bacon bits, grilled chicken slices, crispy air fried tofu, Beyond breakfast sausage patty, etc.)
- Optional: Veggie toppings of your choice (caramelized mushrooms, roasted asparagus spears, caramelized onions, sauteed kale, roasted red peppers, chopped cherry tomatoes, steamed broccoli, grilled zucchini, etc.)
- Optional: Toppings of your choice (diced avocado, chopped chives, chopped basil leaves, balsamic glaze drizzle, red chili flakes, chili crunch, microgreens, truffle salt, pickled red onions, etc.)
Instructions
- In a medium pot, bring the water or broth to a boil. Stir in the steel-cut oats, then reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally, for about 25-30 minutes until the oats are tender but still have a slight chew. If the oats absorb all the liquid before they're fully cooked, add a bit more broth or water.
- Once the oats are cooked, turn off the heat. Then, stir in the minced garlic, salt, black pepper, half of the grated Parmesan cheese, and the truffle oil.
- In a separate small skillet, toast the nuts or seeds over medium heat until golden brown and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Spoon the steel-cut oats into 4 bowls or meal prep containers. Top evenly with the remaining Parmesan cheese and toasted nuts or seeds.
- NOW… this is where it gets fun! Feel free to customize with any additional protein, veggies, or toppings of your choice before serving. I don't have specific amounts because you can measure and add with your heart for this part!
Notes
- Fried egg + sauteed kale + diced avocado + toasted sliced almonds
- Bacon + chopped tomatoes + microgreens + toasted pine nuts
- Sausage + caramelized mushrooms + chili crunch + pumpkin seeds
Nutrition
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