50 Oat Recipes

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

From healthy breakfasts to delicious desserts, these super-healthy grains are incredibly versatile! Below you’ll find my 10 different ways to use oats – not just for oatmeal – and 50 of my favorite oat recipes! Be it sweet or savory, snacks or desserts, oats take so many recipes to the next level, giving them amazing texture and flavor with added nutrients.

Oats are one of the healthiest grains and bring a crunchy, hearty dimension to many dishes. Not just for breakfast, they can bind savory meals, bump up vegan recipes, make bread, and so much more. These grains take on loads of flavor with a hint of toasted nuttiness. They really are the Swiss army knife of ingredients. Read on for 10 great uses for oats, as well as some delicious recipe ideas.

Benefits of adding oats to recipes

• Bring another layer of texture to recipes. From nice and chewy to satisfyingly crunchy, oats have a range of textures depending on the recipe, without taking away from the other ingredients.
• They are very filling.  Oats are a low-calorie food, slowing digestion and making you feel full for longer.
• Easy way to include healthy vitamins and minerals into your diet. They contain a wide range of nutrients like fiber, vitamin E, essential fatty acids, and more. This makes them a very healthy grain. Oats also offer more soluble fiber and high-quality protein than other grains.

Types of oats

There are 5 common oat varieties that are used most often, and deciding which oat is best depends on the recipe.

• Rolled/Old-Fashioned Oats: To top the list as the most popular form of oats that can be used in just about any recipe and is exceptionally versatile. Use for stovetop or baked oatmeal, overnight oats, baked goods, granola, pancakes, energy bites and bars, and smoothies.
• Quick Oats: Much like old-fashioned oats, quick oats are steamed and rolled flat, the difference being they are processed more, require a shorter cook time, and can be a little mushier than the latter. You can use it for all the same recipes as rolled oats, but the time will likely be less, and have a softer consistency than a chewy one. Instant
• Instant Oats: Often pre-cooked and chopped finer after drying, this version cooks extremely quickly. You’ll find this in the little packets of individual oatmeal servings. They’re great for a super fast oatmeal breakfast but shouldn’t be a substitute for rolled or quick oats because of how quickly they cook.
• Steel Cut Oats: When processing steel-cut oats, the whole oat groat is roughly chopped a few times with a steel blade, hence the name. They take more time to cook, usually up to 30 minutes on the stove. They have an amazing chewy texture and are just as delicious as rolled oats.
• Oat Flour: Rolled oats processed into a finely ground consistency that can be used to thicken sauces and gravies, as a binder in recipes, and for baking.

Tips for using oats in recipes

1. Different oats, different recipes. As elaborated on above, choose the right oat for the recipe. You’ll find that old-fashioned oats are a go-to staple for most recipes, but you have options for texture and cooking time. Where you have steel-cut oats that take longer to cook than rolled oats, you also have instant and quick oats that take minutes to cook, and the texture isn’t as chewy.
2. Make oat flour. For some dishes, like pancakes and savory recipes, you can replace regular flour with oat flour. This is great for gluten-free eaters and a healthier option. Oat flour isn’t quite a 1-to-1 exchange, though. Instead, you’ll need 1 ⅓ cups of oat flour for every cup of all-purpose flour.
3. Make and use oat milk as a dairy replacement. Oat milk is also simple to make yourself and can replace dairy in some recipes. You can also buy it from the grocery store. Add it to your morning coffee, over cereal, or try it in some savory recipes like cornbread or wild rice mushroom soup.
4. Toast for flavor. Oats don’t add much to the flavor department, but you can take the extra step to toast them in a nonstick pan with butter or oil for a nuttier taste. This is especially useful when making steel-cut oats.
5. Don’t over-stir them. If making oatmeal or cooking it on the stove, try not to stir them too much, as it can become gummy. Just let them cook with a cover undisturbed as much as possible for the best texture.

How to use oats in recipes

Using oats in various ways opens the door to so many tasty recipes. Here are 10 different ways to utilize oats, from the classic oatmeal recipes to smoothies, granola, energy bites, and baked goods, or to ground into flour and use as a thickener or binder.

1. Use oats to make oatmeal and overnight oats

Oatmeal is a popular breakfast for a good reason. They are filling and adaptable and really set you up for the day ahead! It’s also an easy and versatile breakfast food that consists of oats and a liquid, such as water or any milk, and can be served hot or cold.

Overnight oats are another way of preparing oatmeal. Rather than the traditional method of boiling the grain, it is usually mixed with milk and left overnight in the fridge. Soaking lets the them hydrate, absorbing liquid, ultimately softening up and forming a texture that makes for delicious breakfast food. You can add in all kinds of yummy extras, like chia seeds, Greek yogurt, fruit, vanilla, flaxseed, or peanut butter, and have a tasty and healthy breakfast.

• Easy Overnight Oats – A simple and healthy breakfast that’s so great on busy mornings. Customize with your favorite add-ins and toppings for a new flavor every time.
• Baked Cranberry Oatmeal – Full of fresh cranberries, toasty pecans, and warm oats baked with fresh orange zest. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt for a family favorite breakfast.
• Basic Oatmeal Recipe – What I love about oatmeal is that it’s really quick and easy to make, you can keep it interesting with different toppings, and it keeps you full of energy to last through the morning!
• Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal – High in fiber and low in sugar, this breakfast will keep you feeling full until lunch. Cooking steel cut oats in the oven is great for a no-fuss breakfast.
• Baked Blueberry Oatmeal – Baking the oatmeal creates a chewy soft casserole-like dish, and this one is full of fresh blueberry goodness. Just combine the ingredients together and bake!
• Baked Banana Oats – This baked breakfast recipe is viral on TikTok for a good reason! Easy to make and with their cake-like texture, these individually baked banana oats are so delicious and full of protein.
• Overnight Steel Cut Oats – Similar to overnight rolled oats, there are a few differences to making steel-cut oats into that good morning meal with 4 different flavor options.
• Savory Oatmeal with Egg – Plain oatmeal is a great base to build flavor on. Traditionally it’s with sweet and nutty additions, but oats can certainly hold on to some savory flavors. Sauteed mushrooms and spinach with a fried egg on top make for a delicious and new way to eat this commonly sweet dish.

2. To make granola bars & granola

Granola is oatmeal’s crunchy cousin! A crisp and hearty bowl of golden granola is bound to satisfy even the hungriest of appetites. Like oatmeal, granola is super versatile and packed with beneficial minerals and vitamins.

Granola is a toasted mixture of rolled oats, nuts, and sweeteners like sugar, syrup or honey. You can mix in all kinds of ingredients like other grains, dried fruit, puffed rice, spices, nut butters and seeds. If you can make granola, then you can make granola bars, which are simply granola baked into bar shapes for on-the-go snacking.

• Chocolate Granola – Rolled oats and flaxseeds are tossed together with cocoa and chunks of chocolate for a cluster, crunchy, sweet treat.
• Almond Granola – Homemade granola is so easy to make and completely customizable. Make up a big batch for healthy snacking.
• Honey Oat Granola Bars – With easy pantry staple recipes like oat bars, you can prep up your favorite granola recipes for a quick and easy breakfast on the go.
• Caramel Apple Granola Bars – Gluten-free, vegan, and packed with warm spices and apple goodness. Oat bars are full of nutritious and natural ingredients.
• Cranberry Almond Granola Cereal – Crunchy granola, meet cereal. This toasty almond and oat mixture is perfect for pouring fresh oat milk over or with yogurt.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bars – Healthy bars for a quick breakfast or on-the-go snack, this granola bar recipe is just like store-bought.

3. In baking breads, muffins, and cookies

Oats add texture, fiber and a mild nutty flavor to baked goods. They are low in fat, cholesterol free and can help you feel fuller for longer. Muffins that use them are a great as a wholesome snack or tasty breakfast. Oats are also awesome in cookies, giving you a wonderfully hearty and chewy bite.

• Healthy Banana Nut Muffins – Made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour and whole grain oats with no butter or refined sugar – this muffin is a great morning treat and is moist & fluffy!
• Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies – You can never go wrong with a good oatmeal raisin cookie recipe. Made with common pantry items, this is a favorite in our house!
• Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies – These combine tart cranberries, sweet white chocolate chips, and chewy oatmeal cookies for a delicious treat. Easy to make and different than the usual oatmeal cookie recipe.
• Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft, chewy, and chocolaty, this is a quick and easy old-fashioned oats recipe ready to indulge in just 30 minutes.
• Banana Oatmeal Cookies – It doesn’t get easier than this 3-ingredient cookie recipe that’s gluten-free, kid-friendly, and vegan!
• Oatmeal Banana Bread – This breakfast bread uses two key ingredients for the most perfectly moist and delicious banana bread loaf.
• Vegan Trail Mix Cookies – Everything you love about trail mix is loaded into this chunky vegan cookie recipe.

4. In desserts

Oatmeal makes a delicious addition to desserts due to its chewy texture and nutty flavor. There are so many wonderful oatmeal dessert recipes and it’s a great way to sneak in more fiber into your diet!

• Pecan Date Bars – These buttery oat pecan bars are filled with a sweet and chewy texture for a gluten-free date bar that hits the spot when you get a sugar craving.
• Strawberry Oat Bars – Crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside, fresh strawberries and oats combine for one tasty treat.
• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups – Think muffin meets baked oatmeal formed into convenient hand-held cups. I love to smear on some peanut butter for extra protein and creaminess.
• Lemon Bars – These vegan lemon bars have the best burst of fresh citrus in a creamy custard layered on top of the best chewy oat and walnut crust.
• Cinnamon Baked Apples – Baked apples are made much better with a toasty oat pecan topping. Spoon over some caramel sauce for the ultimate apple oat dessert.

5. To make crumble toppings

Crunchy crumble is the perfect topping for ice cream sundaes, crumbles and crisps. The crisp texture compliments the fruity fillings and ice cream so well. Oats bring a great taste and a crunchy texture that contrasts with sweet and smooth fillings. Plus they pacs that nutrient rich punch!

• Very Berry Crisp – This mixed berry bake is topped with a buttery oat crumble and is extra delicious, served warm with ice cream melting over.
• Peach Crisp – Juicy fresh peaches baked with a crunchy streusel oat topping are so easy to make and perfect as a dessert to feed a crowd.
• Easy Apple Crisp – This is a fantastic beginner recipe full of classic flavors of apples, cinnamon, and crunchy oat topping. Drizzle over some caramel and serve with ice cream for an over the top dessert.
• Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp – Sweet and tart with the best buttery golden crisp topping, this rhubarb recipe with strawberries is like a crustless pie.

6. To thicken smoothies & smoothie bowls

Oats are a seriously underrated smoothie ingredient! They are perfect in smoothies and smoothie bowls because they add heft and fiber and make smoothies satisfyingly thick and super filling. For a delicious way to power up for the day, try adding ¼ cup of oats to any smoothie recipes you like.

• Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie – Adding oats to smoothies is a great source of fiber and will keep you full throughout the morning. This smoothie is too yummy, combined with a ripe banana and peanut butter for a sweet, nutty, and nutritious snack.
• Smoothie Bowls – Eat all the fruit you can think of with thick smoothie bowls made in these 3 different ways. They’re all high in protein and fiber, and mixing some oats makes it a refreshingly wholesome meal.
• Morning Coffee Smoothie – Start your busy morning with coffee and breakfast blended into a thick and rich protein smoothie with oats.
• Banana Date Smoothie – Frozen bananas, dates, almond butter and milk, and a handful of oats make this a super nutritious beverage full of sweet, nutty flavor.

7. To make energy bites

Oats are perfect for energy bites! Oats break down to become energy, which is slowly absorbed by your body. This means these grains are an awesome addition to energy snacks. Combine them with all kinds of protein-packed ingredients for an all-around punch of power!

• No Bake Energy Bites – 6 ingredients, one bowl, and some wholesome, good-for-you, energizing superfoods, and you have a mid-day snack full of protein, fiber, and good fats to keep you full longer.
• Protein Oat Balls – Try 4 different flavors with these bite-sized oat balls: cake batter, chocolate chip, cinnamon raisin, or lemon coconut.
• Chewy Oat Protein Bars – These bars are packed full of energy-boosting ingredients that are ideal for a post-workout snack or a quick bite to keep you going – protein-rich, gluten-free, and dairy-free.
• No-Bake Pumpkin Balls – These pumpkin spice balls are made with pure, simple, superfood ingredients that are actually good for you, making for a great mid-day snack or even dessert!

8. To make pancakes and waffles

Pancakes and waffles main ingredient is flour, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy them on a gluten-free diet. Switch the flour for oat flour (1 cup flour to 1 ⅓ cup oat flour) For every cup of all-purpose flour, exchange it for 1 ⅓ cups oat flour. you can also mix in rolled oats for a chewy bite with a fluffy texture.

• Oat Flour Strawberry Pancakes – These are dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and oil-free! You might think there’s no way this is still a pancake, but they are thick and fluffy and such a delicious pancake recipe that’s healthy and so satisfying!
• Chocolate Protein Pancakes – Eating healthy doesn’t mean you have to go without some of your favorite foods! These chocolate pancakes are low in calories and fat but loaded with protein to get your day off to a great start.
• Blueberry Pancakes – Switch up your brunch with these delicious pancakes full of fresh blueberries made with greek yogurt and rolled oats. They’re light in texture, high in protein, and so tasty.
• Sweet Potato Waffles – This recipe uses cooked sweet potatoes and oats for a hearty textural waffle recipe that is extra tasty topped with toasted pecans.

9. Oat Flour instead of flour

Oat Flour is a gluten-free form of whole-grain flour made from old-fashioned oats or whole oats that have been ground into a powder-like consistency. It’s a great alternative to wheat flour and so easy to make too!

Oat flour is loaded with antioxidants and has more protein than most traditional flours and up to 8g of fiber per half-cup serving. 

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars (No Bake) – Just 4 ingredients to make these easy no bake bars: peanut butter, oat flour, maple syrup, and chocolate. Easy, healthy, and so delicious!
• No Bake Cookie Dough Bars – This recipe has the best flavor that taste like real deal cookie dough with some nutty flavor made healthy-ish.
• Oat Flour Pancakes – These gluten-free pancakes make for a delicious, easy, healthy breakfast that the whole family will love! It’s so easy to make your oat flour, and it has a neutral taste that’s sweetened with banana and chocolate chips.
• Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cookies – Loaded with many nutritious ingredients that come together to create that idyllic chewy, creamy, and lightly sweet cookie that satisfies.
• Double Chocolate Chip Muffins – This recipe swaps the butter for applesauce and uses oat and wheat flour to replace all-purpose. This makes it a healthier option that tastes like an indulgent chocolate treat.

10. To bind savory meals

Oats can be a great way to bind loads of meat and even veggie meals. They can often mix in with your ingredients instead of eggs. Just throw in a handful to add a wonderful texture and binding power. As they absorb moisture, it will help the recipes set and make them less crumbly and more tender.

• Chickpea Burger – This tasty vegetarian chickpea burger is filled with Mediterranean flavor and uses oats to bind everything together.
• Vegan Meatballs – Meatless ‘meatballs’ have some really great texture. It takes healthy ingredients and blends them together for a protein-rich vegan meat replacement using oats, chickpeas, flaxseed, and walnuts.
• Crispy Quinoa Patties – Substitute the breadcrumbs for oat flour with this vegetarian appetizer made from leftover quinoa. They’re cheesy and make for a great freezer recipe.
• Lentil Cakes – Using oats combined with lentils is a great way to add bulk to these appetizer bites. Pair with a creamy fresh dill yogurt dip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Using oats in recipes is so easy to do and a healthy alternative for other ingredients. Whether you’re on a gluten-free diet, looking for more healthy ways to include oats in your recipes, or just love how tasty and chewy they are, you’ll love the many recipe ideas shared here with 10 different ways to use oats.

More recipe roundups to check out:

• Breakfast Ideas with Kids
• Recipes with 5 Ingredients or less
• Canned Chickpeas Recipes
• Easy No Bake Desserts
• Non-Boring Salad Recipes
• Fresh Spring Recipes
• Easy Pantry Meals

Full List of Recipes

Check out the picture cards for all the recipes listed above. You can click on any of the recipes cards to take you directly to those recipes.

If you found this recipe roundup for Oat Recipes helpful or if you try any recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipes! It helps others who are thinking of trying out this tutorial and we would love to hear about your experience. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!