Savory Oatmeal
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Last updated on Feb 07, 2024
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Make savory oatmeal in less than 10 minutes! Rolled oats are topped with an egg, avocado, tomatoes and feta cheese for a healthy and delicious breakfast.
If you haven’t tried savory oatmeal before, you’re in for a treat.
This oatmeal truly hits the spot when you’re craving something savory but also don’t have time to whip up a full breakfast hash or frittata. If you think it’s weird to have savory toppings on your oatmeal, think of it more like a breakfast grain bowl. Or think about oats as you would grits, which are usually served in a savory fashion. Don’t knock it ‘til you try it!

Why You’ll Love These Oats
- Easy to make – This recipe comes together in under 10 minutes with simple ingredients for a quick and easy breakfast option!
- Nutritious – This bowl is packed with protein, veggies, healthy fats and fiber for a balanced meal.
- Customizable – Feel free to top your oats with your favorite toppings!
// ★★★★★ REVIEW //
“Tried this bc I’m looking at healthier breakfast options and I was surprised by how much I liked it. I thought there’s no way I would go for savory oatmeal but I was wrong! I used vegan Parmesan bc I don’t eat dairy. Thx for coming up with this!” – Sharon K
Ingredients Needed
Rolled oats, water and an egg are the three main ingredients for this bowl. From there, feel free to customize your toppings based on your preference and what you have on hand.
- rolled oats – can’t have oatmeal without the oats! Old-fashioned rolled oats will work best for this recipe, but quick oats or steel-cut oats will work too! Just remember that steel-cut oats take much longer to cook compared to rolled oats. You can use my steel cut oats recipe as a guide.
- water – for cooking the oats, creating the perfect consistency. Feel free to use your favorite milk if you prefer your oats a bit creamier or vegetable broth for more flavor!
- egg – adds protein and a savory element to this bowl of oats. I prefer a fried egg, but you can prepare your egg anyway.
- feta cheese – adds a creamy, tangy and salty element to this bowl. Goat cheese or freshly grated parmesan cheese would also be great options.
- grape tomatoes – adds a juicy, fresh element. Cherry tomatoes work too!
- avocado – adds creaminess and some healthy fats.
- everything but the bagel seasoning – this is my favorite part! It gives this bowl a burst of flavor with its blend of seeds and spices. My go-to is the Trader Joe’s everything but the bagel seasoning, but there are many other brands available at most grocery stores.
- sea salt and pepper – to taste, for seasoning.
- fresh herbs – I love adding fresh herbs to these oats! I like parsley, but fresh basil, cilantro or chives would all be great options.
- hot sauce – I love adding hot sauce to my savory oats! It brings the bowl to a whole new level so I highly recommend, but if you aren’t a spice lover, you can definitely skip it.
How to Make Savory Oatmeal
This recipe is so easy to whip up! It’s perfect for those busy weekday mornings when you’re short on time, but still want something filling and nutritious for breakfast. Here’s how to make it:
Step 1: Add oats, water and sea salt to a pot and cook over medium heat, stirring until creamy, about 5-7 minutes.
Step 2: Fry or poach an egg. Then put your cooked oats in a bowl and top with egg, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, seasoning and herbs. Add hot sauce if you like and serve warm.
Savory Oatmeal Tips
- Cook your oats in broth for more flavor!
- Adjust the amount of water to get your preferred oatmeal consistency. Add more for a soupier texture and less for thicker oats.
- Feel free to cook your egg to your liking. Fried, poached, scrambled, etc… they’re all delicious!
Dietary Substitutions
- Vegan: Replace the egg with a tofu scramble or vegan egg substitute and use a dairy-free cheese option.
- Gluten-free: Oats are naturally gluten-free, but often contaminated so make sure you grab certified gluten-free rolled oats if needed. I love using Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free organic rolled oats.
- Dairy-free: Use a dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
Savory Oatmeal Topping Ideas
I love topping my savory oats with a fried egg, feta cheese, tomatoes, avocado, herbs, seasonings and hot sauce, but the options are endless when it comes to the toppings. Here are some ideas:
- Eggs: I prefer a fried egg, but a poached egg, soft boiled egg, scrambled eggs or hard boiled eggs are all great options!
- Protein: If you want more protein, feel free to add breakfast sausage, bacon, turkey bacon or grilled chicken. For plant-based options try tempeh bacon, baked tofu or chickpeas!
- Veggies: Add tomatoes, cucumber, sprouts, broccoli, edamame, caramelized onions, sautéed spinach or sautéed mushrooms. Another great option is to add roasted veggies like roasted sweet potatoes, broccoli, brussels sprouts or summer squash.
- Cheese: Feta cheese, goat cheese or parmesan would all be great options. Opt for a dairy-free option if needed or try this hemp parmesan.
- Spice: Add hot sauce, diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of chili flakes for a spicier version.
- Nuts/seeds: For some crunch, add almonds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, pecans or walnuts.
- Herbs: Add some fresh parsley, cilantro, basil or thyme for some freshness.
- Other toppings: Experiment with other toppings like avocado, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, or roasted red peppers for added flavor!
How to Meal Prep & Store
This recipe serves one, but if you want to meal prep the oats for the week you can double or triple the recipe, portion them out into individual airtight containers and store in the fridge for 3-4 days. In the morning reheat the oats in the microwave or on the stovetop (or eat them cold) and add your favorite toppings!
More Oatmeal Recipes
- Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal
- Blueberry Oatmeal
- Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
- Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
- Cauliflower Oatmeal
Be sure to check out all of the oatmeal recipes as well as the full collection of breakfast recipes on EBF!
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Savory Oatmeal
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup water
- 1 cooked egg
- 2 Tablespoons feta or grated parmesan cheese, dairy-free, if needed
- 3-4 grape tomatoes, halved
- ¼ avocado
- Everything But The Bagel seasoning
- Sea salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh herbs, parsley, for topping
- Cholula hot sauce, optional
Instructions
- Heat water and oats in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add a little sea salt to the oats. Cook the oats, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes or until the oats are creamy and the consistency you like. Remove from heat.
- Meanwhile cook your egg however you like, poached or fried is my favorite.
- Once both the egg and oats are finished cooking grab a bowl (I like using a shallow, wide bowl) add oats and top with cooked egg, cheese, avocado, EBTB seasoning, fresh herbs and hot sauce, if using. Enjoy warm.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I tried this today and it was great! I had to substitute some ingredients that I didn’t have on hand, but I’m looking forward to making it again.
Great! I am so glad this recipe turned out great for you, Ang. Thanks for sharing your review + star rating, I truly appreciate it!
I was very sceptical for some time since I always have sweet porridge… this blew me away with how delicious it was!!!! Definitely worth trying if you like porridge and eggs❤️
WOO! This seriously makes me so happy, Mia. I am glad you gave this recipe a try and are loving it. Thank you for sharing your review + star rating, I truly appreciate it!
Customized with what I had on hand. While oatmeal cooked in microwave, I sautéed an egg with some leftover roasted sweet potato cubes. Topped with EBTB and parm. DELISH!
Oh YES! This sounds absolutely delicious, simply the best, Sue. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I truly appreciate it!
Tried this bc I’m looking at healthier breakfast options and I was surprised by how much I liked it. I thought there’s no way I would go for savory oatmeal but I was wrong! I used vegan Parmesan bc I don’t eat dairy. Thx for coming up with this!
Yay! I am so happy that you are loving this recipe, Sharon! Thank you so coming back and sharing your review, I really appreciate it!
Outstanding!
Thank you, Katie! So glad you are enjoying this recipe. Thanks for the review!
I’ve been wanting to try savory oatmeal and this recipe did not disappoint!!! I used sriracha lime seasoning instead of hot sauce and it was delish!!! Thanks for the great recipes Brittany.
Woo! This makes me so happy to hear, Shelley! I love the addition of sriracha lime. Thanks for the review. I so appreciate it!
Hi! Just tried this recipe but subbed the avocado for cooked spinach, plus I didn’t have the everything seasoning. I even added hot sauce!! This was delicious. 🙂 i think i slightly overcooked the egg so some of the yolk was slightly firm and not runny. First time trying a savory oatmeal recipe and I liked it alot!
So glad you enjoyed this recipe, Danny! Thanks for the review. I so appreciate it.