4.26 from 47 votes

Savory Oats With Egg

Name: Savory Oatmeal with Egg
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 10 min
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)

Brittany Mullins, Certified Health CoachUpdated Oct 16, 2026

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33 Comments

Servings: 1

10 mins

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A savory breakfast grain bowl: rolled oats cooked in salted water, topped with a fried egg, avocado, tomatoes and feta. 17g protein and 9g fiber per bowl, ready in 10 minutes.

A serving of oatmeal in a bowl topped with cherry tomatoes, feta cheese, avocado slices, chives, salt, pepper, and a sunny side up cooked egg.

If you’ve only ever had oatmeal with cinnamon, maple syrup and fruit on top, let me introduce you to savory oatmeal. I know oatmeal with egg and feta might sound a little strange at first, but trust me, it works! Think of it as the breakfast version of a grain bowl: creamy oats topped with a jammy egg, creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, briny feta and a dash of hot sauce. It’s such a satisfying way to switch up your usual breakfast routine.

One trick I’ve learned after making this on repeat is to cook the oats in water with a little salt and skip the cinnamon or vanilla you’d normally add. You want a simple, savory base that lets all those delicious toppings shine. And if you’re still craving something sweet, my Greek yogurt oatmeal and pumpkin oatmeal are two of my favorite classics.

Why You’ll Love This Savory Oatmeal Bowl
Ingredients for Savory Oatmeal
Savory Oatmeal Bowl Variations
What Are the Best Oats for Savory Oatmeal?
How to Make Savory Oatmeal
Tips for This Savory Oats Recipe
Savory Oatmeal Topping Ideas
How to Store Savory Oatmeal with Egg
Savory Oatmeal Recipe FAQs
More Oatmeal Recipes You’ll Love
Savory Oatmeal with Egg Recipe

“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.

32 More Reviews

Why You’ll Love This Savory Oatmeal Bowl

Woman (Brittany Mullins) wearing a white shirt and sipping a green smoothie.

Ready in 10 minutes: Rolled oats cook quickly, and you can make your egg while they simmer. It’s a warm breakfast that fits into a busy morning.
A satisfying combination: Oats, an egg, avocado and feta bring together fiber, protein and fats, with an estimated 17 grams of protein per bowl.
Easy to make your own: Try a different cheese or add leftover roasted broccoli for an easy way to use what’s already in your fridge.
A head start on breakfast: Cook a few servings of the oat base ahead of time, then reheat a portion and add your egg and toppings when you’re ready to eat.

Ingredients for Savory Oatmeal

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.

Ingredients measured out to make Savory Oatmeal: avocado, water, grape tomatoes, oats, sea salt, pepper, feta, egg, hot sauce, everything but the bagel seasoning and herbs.

rolled oats – old-fashioned rolled oats give this bowl a creamy base and cook in just 5–7 minutes. Steel-cut oats need a different cooking time and liquid ratio, so don’t substitute them directly.
water – keeps the base simple so the toppings shine. Vegetable broth also works if you want more savory flavor.
egg – I love a fried egg with a runny yolk that mixes into the oats, but poached, scrambled or hard-boiled eggs work too.
feta cheese – adds a salty, tangy bite. Goat cheese or grated parmesan are delicious alternatives.
grape tomatoes – bring a juicy contrast to the warm oats. Cherry tomatoes work just as well.
avocado – adds creaminess. Choose a ripe avocado that gives slightly when gently pressed.
everything bagel seasoning – my favorite finishing touch! The sesame seeds, garlic and onion give the bowl plenty of flavor. My go-to is the Trader Joe’s everything but the bagel seasoning.
fresh herbs – parsley, chives, cilantro or basil add a fresh finish. Use whichever you have on hand.
hot sauce – a few dashes bring everything together. I like Cholula, but use your favorite or leave it off for a mild bowl.

Savory Oatmeal Bowl Variations

Vegan bowl: Replace the egg with a tofu scramble or vegan egg substitute and use a dairy-free cheese option.
Dairy-free: Use a dairy-free cheese alternative or nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
Mediterranean-style: Swap the avocado for chopped cucumber and add kalamata olives, fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon juice. Keep the tomatoes and feta.
Southwest-style: Add black beans, sautéed peppers and salsa, and use cheddar instead of feta. Finish with avocado, cilantro and hot sauce.

What Are the Best Oats for Savory Oatmeal?

I reach for rolled oats for an everyday breakfast, but you can make a delicious savory bowl with any of these options:

Rolled oats: The best balance of creamy and chewy, with enough texture to hold up to the toppings. Use the amounts and cooking method in the recipe card.
Quick oats: Choose these if you like your oatmeal extra soft. Cook one serving according to the package directions, then finish with the egg and toppings.
Steel-cut oats: My pick for a heartier, chewier bowl. They take about 10–20 minutes to cook on the stovetop, so they’re also a great option to prep ahead. Follow my steel-cut oats recipe, leaving out the cinnamon, vanilla and sweet toppings.

How to Make Savory Oatmeal

Follow the step-by-step photos below to see how this savory oatmeal recipe comes together. For exact measurements and detailed instructions, check out the recipe card below or jump straight to the recipe.

Step 1: Add the oats, water and a pinch of salt to a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 5–7 minutes until creamy.

Bowl of oatmeal topped with an egg, tomatoes, avocado, feta and everything bagel seasoning.

Step 2: Meanwhile, cook your egg however you like. Spoon the oats into a bowl and top with the egg, feta, tomatoes, avocado, everything bagel seasoning and herbs. Finish with pepper and hot sauce, if using.

Tips for This Savory Oats Recipe

Keep the oats creamy: Oatmeal thickens as it sits. If it gets too thick while you finish the egg, stir in a splash of water before serving.
Season in stages: Start with a little salt in the oats, then taste after adding the feta and everything bagel seasoning. Both bring saltiness, so you might not need much more.
Have your toppings ready: Slice the avocado and tomatoes and gather your toppings while the oats cook. That way, you can assemble the bowl while the oats and egg are still warm.

A serving of oatmeal topped with a cooked egg, avocado slices, cherry tomatoes, and sesame seeds.

Savory Oatmeal Topping Ideas

Once you’ve tried the egg, avocado and feta combination, here are a few more ways to top your bowl:

Extra veggies: Add sautéed mushrooms, wilted spinach or leftover roasted sweet potatoes. Readers have enjoyed all three, and Sue paired her sweet potatoes with parmesan and everything bagel seasoning.
Something crunchy: Sprinkle on toasted pepitas, sunflower seeds or chopped walnuts.
A different protein: Try baked tofu, chickpeas or crumbled tempeh bacon. A sliced hard-boiled egg is also handy when you already have some in the fridge.
A little heat: Add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes. One reader used sriracha lime seasoning instead of hot sauce and loved it.

Bowl of oatmeal topped with an egg, hot sauces, tomatoes, avocado, feta and everything bagel seasoning.

How to Store Savory Oatmeal with Egg

Make ahead: Double or triple the oat base and portion it into individual containers. Keep the toppings separate and cook your egg when you’re ready to eat.

Storage: Refrigerate the cooked oats in an airtight container for 3–4 days.

Reheating: Warm the oats in the microwave or in a saucepan over low heat, stirring in a splash of water to loosen them. Add your freshly cooked egg, avocado and remaining toppings just before serving.

Savory Oatmeal Recipe FAQs

Are savory oats healthy?

They can be a balanced breakfast, depending on what you add. This bowl combines oats, an egg, avocado, tomatoes and feta, with an estimated 17 grams of protein and 9 grams of fiber per serving. Those numbers will change if you use different toppings.

Can I eat savory oatmeal for lunch or dinner?

Absolutely! Think of the oats as a grain-bowl base. Keep the egg and toppings as written, or make a heartier meal with black beans, chickpeas or roasted vegetables. It’s an easy way to use what’s already in your fridge.

Is savory oatmeal gluten-free?

Yes! Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they can come into contact with gluten during processing. If you’re gluten-free, be sure to choose oats labeled gluten-free. I love using Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free organic rolled oats.

What do you add to oatmeal to make it savory?

Start by cooking your oats with water and a pinch of salt instead of adding sweeteners. From there, you can add savory toppings like a fried egg, sautéed veggies, avocado, cheese or your favorite seasonings. Check out my topping ideas above for even more combinations!

Is savory oatmeal a thing?

Absolutely! While most people think of oatmeal as a sweet breakfast, it’s just as delicious savory. Think of it like a grain bowl, but with creamy oats as the base. Instead of cinnamon and sweetener, I cook my oats with a pinch of salt and add toppings like eggs, avocado, veggies and cheese. It’s such a satisfying way to switch up your usual breakfast!