Can oatmeal be savory? Combinations based on spices and seasonings instead of sugar will have you questioning which you like best. If you’re searching for how to make oatmeal savory, this article includes the top savory oatmeal recipes (including savory oatmeal with egg). 

Read on for answers to all your savory oatmeal questions, including “Is oatmeal sweet or savory” and “What does savory oatmeal go with?”

How to Make Oatmeal Savory

Savory oats may seem intimidating at first. However, you likely already have some staple ingredients in your fridge or pantry! 

Try these ingredients to take your oats to the savory side: 

• Top with a fried egg (or cook the eggs as desired, such as scrambled, over-easy, and even hard-boiled eggs) 
• Season with salt and pepper
• Add in healthy fats (i.e. avocado, olive oil, seed and nut butters)

Another pro tip for adding subtle savory flavors to your oatmeal is to use steel-cut oats instead of quick-cooking (instant) oats. Steel-cut oats have a slightly nuttier taste, making them a great companion for more savory counterparts. 

As a note, you’ll want to look for gluten-free oats if you have a sensitivity. While oats themselves are gluten-free, many companies have manufacturing processes that introduce cross-contamination. So unless your oats are certified gluten-free, they may have come in contact with the following: 

• Barley
• Rye
• Wheat 

Luckily, brands like Bob’s Red Mill offer gluten-free steel-cut oats that perform perfectly as a base for savory oats.

7 Savory Oatmeal Recipes & Ideas

Looking to boost your bowl of oats? Try the following flavor combinations to add variety to your morning meal, midday snack, and even dinner. 

1. Garlic With Greens

Savory garlic and greens oats are the perfect breakfast-for-dinner solution. SImilar to Buddha bowls, oatmeal bowls provide plenty of nutritious foods in one sitting (all while maintaining a balanced meal). 

In addition to garlic and greens, this dish contains savory ingredient favorites like olive oil, red pepper flakes, and sun-dried tomatoes. 

2. Cheese & Cherry Tomatoes 

Prefer cherry tomatoes to sun-dried ones? Try savory oats with brie, a Mediterranean-inspired meal made from rolled oats. 

Brie and tomatoes are obviously the superstar ingredients here, but fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, and garlic help add dimension to the dish as well. 

3. Caramelized Onion & Chickpeas

Still want a hint of sweetness in your savory oats? Caramelized onion and crunchy chickpea oatmeal will be a treat to your taste buds. 

Capitalize on the nutty flavors you love by utilizing spices like cardamom, chopped dates, and sunflower seeds. 

4. Bacon & Mushroom 

Another recipe that makes use of caramelized onions is baked oatmeal with bacon and mushrooms. Baked oatmeals really allow the flavors to meld and simmer during the baking processing. 

Mushrooms add a meaty texture to this dish, making it a must-have if you’re searching for a hearty breakfast. 

5. Figs, Pine Nuts, and Feta 

Eager for crumbled feta, but don’t want to wait for your lunchtime salad to enjoy? Savory oatmeal to the rescue, once again! 

Figs, pine nuts, and feta will make you feel like you’ve got an entire charcuterie board in a bowl.

6. Indian-Spiced Steel Cut 

Indian-inspired spice blends are perfect for pairing with savory flavors. Thanks to coconut milk and golden raisins, Indian-spiced oats will remind you of your favorite curry dish. Plus, nothing beats the warm, golden-yellow color that comes from yellow curry powder. 

Feel free to tailor the spice level to your preference, since curry powder ranges from mild to medium heat. 

7. Broth, Black Pepper & Parmesan 

Black pepper can add a bit of unexpected spice to your breakfast. Start with rolled oats, then simply add broth, butter, black pepper, salt, and grated parmesan to create tasty black pepper and parmesan oats. 

This simple dish is great if you’re recovering from sickness, considering bone broth has unique health benefits. 

In Summary On Savory Oat Recipes 

Savory oats are a trend worth incorporating into your daily routine. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacktime, savory oatmeal can add fiber and protein to your day without piling on the sugar. Make oatmeal part of your regular meal rotation, starting today!

Related Questions

Is oatmeal sweet or savory?

Oatmeal itself isn't particularly flavorful. However, it makes a great base for other added ingredients. Fruit and natural sweeteners (like honey or maple syrup) can make oats taste sweeter. 

On the other hand, additions like eggs and herbs can create a savory flavor profile. Even greens can be added, which contribute extra nutrients to the meal. You can even utilize savory items in overnight oat recipes like cheddar and herb overnight oats, miso overnight oats, or sriracha overnight oats. 

Can oatmeal be savory?

While store-bought oatmeal is traditionally sweetened, the possibilities with homemade oatmeal are nearly endless. Oatmeal may seem boring, but adding savory ingredients creates an entirely new experience. 

Plus, savory ingredients are often lower in added sugar and add a different variety of nutrients to your day. 

What does savory oatmeal go with? 

Savory oatmeal pairs well with almost any blend of flavors. For example, stirring in taco seasoning can create a Mexican oatmeal bowl in mere minutes. There isn’t a “right” way to do savory oats, so feel free to experiment with different flavor combinations. 

References:

Anderson J. Is Oatmeal Gluten-Free? Verywellfit.com. Published September 2022. 

Kubula J. Rolled vs Steel-Cut vs Quick Oats: What’s the Difference? Healthline.com. Published May 2018. 

Sarkar PV. What Is Curry Powder? Thespruceeats.com. Published August 2022.