20 Creative Oatmeal Topping Ideas (with free printable)

Oatmeal is like an art canvas just waiting for you to create on it! I’m sharing creative oatmeal topping ideas that will have you excited for your next bowl of whole grain goodness.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post on behalf of Bob’s Red Mill

I’m an oatmeal loving girl.

It started when I was a kid. Oats are cheap, and while they are definitely healthy, it was most likely the frugality of them that prompted my parents to buy them. I’ve always considered oatmeal to be a delicious, comforting treat. My favorite oatmeal topping is pretty typical: a sprinkle of sugar, with either a pat of butter or a splash of milk. Or maybe both if I’m feeling sassy.

But while my usual bowl of oatmeal is satisfying and delicious, it doesn’t have to always be the same thing. I’ve had a lot of fun lately playing with some creative oatmeal topping ideas and it’s totally opened my mind to how much you can do with a bowl of oatmeal.

The folks at Bob’s Red Mill — a stone milling manufacturer of whole grain and gluten-free flours, cereals and baking mixes — sent me a wonderful assortment of different oats to cook with and enjoy.

If you are anything like me, you have probably heard of Bob’s Red Mill and maybe even bought their products, but did you know that they were a family owned company? I don’t know how I missed that important fact! Not only are they family owned, but all of the milling, testing, packaging, and distributing is done all under ONE roof. Quite impressive.

Up until my Bob’s Red Mill Oat delivery, I had only used two types of oats. Quick Cooking Rolled Oats and Steel Cut Oats. I use the rolled oats a lot in baking, but the steel cut oats are a favorite of mine for breakfast.

Two of the varieties Bob’s Red Mill sent me — their Extra Thick Rolled Oats and their Scottish Oatmeal — have given some serious competition to my usual favorites. I’m totally in love with the texture of the extra thick oats, which is probably why I am almost out of the 1 pound bag they sent me.

All of the Bob’s Red Mill oats are great for a hot and healthy breakfast, but I think the real fun comes into play with the toppings. Oatmeal is like an art canvas just waiting for you to create on it!  Bob’s Red Mill is sharing 20 Creative Oatmeal Topping Ideas that you’re going to love. For any of the ideas , just pick the Bob’s Red Mill oats that you like best, make them according to the package instructions, and then get started on your porridge masterpiece!

One of my favorite oatmeal topping ideas is called “The Elvis”. To create this, you’ll top your favorite oatmeal (I used the Bob’s Red Mill Extra Thick Rolled Oats), with some peanut butter, 1/2 of a banana (sliced), and some cooked bacon. My 12-year-old son goes crazy for this combo too.

Another favorite oatmeal topping idea is called “The Hang Loose”. It’s got plenty of tropical flair with coconut flakes (I used sweetened), pineapple chunks, and chopped macadamia nuts. If you are someone who usually uses sugar on your oatmeal, I encourage you to give this a try without added sugar. I think you get more than enough sweetness from the coconut and the pineapple.

Here’s an oatmeal topping idea that the kids go crazy for — and who can blame them? This idea is called “The Camper” and proof that s’mores aren’t just for the campfire. Top your oats with some crumbled graham crackers, chocolate chips, and mini marshmallows.

That’s only 3 of the ideas, but there’s still 17 more! Here’s the full list of oatmeal ideas from Bob’s Red Mill. If you’d like to print these ideas for easier reference, I’m also sharing these ideas in a printable calendar of the 20 creative oatmeal topping ideas.

1. The Old School: brown sugar, a pat of butter, and a sprinkle of salt
2. Peaches and Cream: fresh peaches, heavy cream, and toasted pecans
3. The Power Lift: 5 scrambled egg whites, steamed spinach, and toasted hemp seed
4. Doctor’s Orders: blueberries, a big dollop of non-fat Greek yogurt, and ground flax seeds
5. The Alaskan: smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, and fine red onion
6. Oat Couture: dried cherries, crème fraiche, and balsamic reduction
7. The Gilgamesh: pistachios, chopped dates, a drizzle of honey, milk and a dash of cardamom
8. The Jet Setter: a shot of espresso, chocolate covered espresso beans, and whipped cream
9. The Elvis: peanut butter, sliced banana, and crispy strips of bacon
10. Carrot Cake: shredded carrots, walnuts, raisins, brown sugar, and a scoop of cream cheese frosting
11. Get Your Goat: goat cheese, sliced pear, walnuts and honey
12. The Truck Stop: fried egg, ham or sausage, shredded cheddar cheese and hot sauce
13. Romancing the Bowl: Nutella, halved strawberries, and a dollop of whipped cream
14. The Hang Loose: coconut flakes, pineapple chunks, and chopped macadamia nuts
15. Oats-Over-Parma: prosciutto, Parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes
16. Thai-Me-Up: red pepper flakes over a dollop of peanut butter and a healthy helping of shredded coconut
17. The Crunchy Granola: chia seed, goji berries, and a drizzle of agave nectar
18. The Camper: crumbled graham crackers, chocolate chips, and marshmallows
19. The Ice Cream Social: vanilla frozen yogurt, chocolate syrup, whipped cream, chopped peanuts, and a maraschino cherry
20. The Texan: crumbled chorizo, black beans, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream, a drizzle of BBQ Sauce, and top it off with a fried egg

printable calendar of the 20 creative oatmeal topping ideas

What’s your favorite oatmeal toppings?