Healthy dishes made from oatmeal and cereals

Start your day with oatmeal—a filling and light breakfast without the extra calories.

How to Cook - Healthy Oatmeal and Cereal Dishes

Slow Cooker Oatmeal with Dried Fruit

Start the slow cooker before bed, and a delicious, healthy breakfast awaits you in the morning. Alton Brown adds dried cranberries and figs to the porridge for a sweet, tangy flavor.

Recipe: Slow Cooker Oatmeal with Dried Fruit

Chocolate Banana Oatmeal with Nuts

This isn't just oatmeal—it's more like a dessert you'd eat for breakfast. It uses roasted nuts, sweet banana, cocoa, and chocolate chips, making it sweet yet healthy.

Recipe: Chocolate Banana Oatmeal with Nuts

Chopped oat porridge

Alton toasts steel-cut oats in butter; the natural sugars in the oats caramelize, creating a delicious flavor. Keep an eye on the pan to prevent the oats from burning.

Recipe: Chopped oat porridge

Whole grain pancakes with apple compote

Oats often become gummy in pancakes. But when mixed with whole-wheat flour, they retain a light texture and impart a nutty flavor. Low-fat milk reduces calories and allows for the use of melted butter in the batter. Apple compote replaces syrup, and unrefined natural sugars provide sweetness.

Recipe: Whole grain pancakes with apple compote

Overnight Oats: Blueberry Almond No-Cook Oats

Mix the oatmeal ingredients the night before and enjoy a healthy breakfast the next morning. You can eat it cold, but if you prefer, reheat the oatmeal in the microwave for 1 minute, uncovered.

Recipe: Overnight Oats: Blueberry Almond No-Cook Oats

Slow Cooker Whole Grain Breakfast Porridge

Whole grain porridge is a healthy breakfast. Whole, unprocessed barley takes longer to cook than pearl barley; either type will work in this recipe (fiber content will vary).

Recipe: Slow Cooker Whole Grain Breakfast Porridge

Tropical Oatmeal Smoothie

This tropical-inspired smoothie is packed with fiber (6 grams per serving) thanks to the fruit and oats. Follow our advice and try adding oats (and therefore fiber) to your favorite smoothie.

Recipe: Tropical Oatmeal Smoothie

Oatmeal with ham, eggs and cheese

Of course, oatmeal is delicious with sugar and cinnamon. But try this savory version: oatmeal paired with the classic trio of ham, eggs, and cheese.

Recipe: Oatmeal with ham, eggs and cheese

Whole grain porridge for breakfast

Don't limit yourself to classic oatmeal: add pearl barley, semolina, or farro to your breakfast. Start cooking the porridge in a rice cooker well before breakfast; just set the timer.

Recipe: Whole grain porridge for breakfast

Oatmeal casserole with berries

This breakfast is low in calories and fat, yet looks absolutely delicious. The berries and almond-oat topping make it reminiscent of a tart or sweet fruit cobbler—it's perfect served with Greek yogurt or milk.

Recipe: Oatmeal casserole with berries

Oatmeal with spinach, tomatoes and feta

This hearty dish is a savory version of a traditional breakfast, with a risotto-like texture. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Recipe: Oatmeal with spinach, tomatoes and feta

Oatmeal Smoothie with Peaches

Few things compare to a ripe, juicy summer peach. This smoothie combines peaches with healthy rolled oats, soaked in hot water for added volume and a creamy texture.

Recipe: Oatmeal Smoothie with Peaches

Low-carb baked oatmeal granola

Chef and trainer Eddie Jackson enhances traditional granola with the warming, spicy flavor of curry powder.

Recipe: Low-carb baked oatmeal granola