Protein Oatmeal (2024)

Home Recipe Index Meal Type Breakfast Oatmeal Protein Oatmeal

Protein Oatmeal (1)

By Brittany Mullins

3.79

45

Published May 09, 2024, Updated May 20, 2024

This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.

This simple protein oatmeal recipe packs in over 25 grams of protein thanks to the addition of protein powder. It’s easy to make and will keep you full all morning long!

If oatmeal has one fault, it’s that it typically isn’t very high in protein! For those of you that think oatmeal isn’t very filling or you’re hungry one hour after eating it, all you need to do is make protein oatmeal.

There are many ways to add protein to your oats, but for this recipe I’m sharing today we’re adding protein powder to our oatmeal, which will help to keep you full and satisfied all morning long! Not only does the protein powder add a ton of protein, it also adds a nice flavor to the oatmeal as well.

Protein Oatmeal (2)

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Protein-Packed– The addition of protein powder transforms your usual oatmeal into a high-protein breakfast that’s packed with over 25 grams of protein, helping to keep you full and satisfied all morning long.
  • Quick and Easy– This recipe is ready in minutes, making it perfect for busy mornings.
  • Customizable – I love the simplicity of this recipe, but you can easily customize it with different protein powder flavors, mix-in’s or toppings. The options are endless!

Ingredients Needed

Protein Oatmeal (3)

You only need 7 simple ingredients to whip up this protein oatmeal. I bet you already have most, if not everything in your kitchen right now. Here’s what you need:

  • old fashioned rolled oats – the base of the oatmeal, providing a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Rolled oats make for such a creamy bowl of oatmeal. I useBob’s Red Mill gluten-free rolled oats.
  • banana – this adds some natural sweetness to the oatmeal and melts into the oats as it cooks creating some creaminess. You can of course skip this if you don’t want the added sweetness.
  • sea salt – a pinch to balance the flavors.
  • cinnamon – adds a warm, aromatic spice that complements the banana and oats.
  • vanilla – the perfect flavor enhancer.
  • water or milk – I typically cook my oats in water but if you want an extra creamy bowl, you can use regular or dairy-free milk. My preference is unsweetened almond milk.
  • vanilla protein powder – for the protein boost, making the oatmeal more filling and nourishing. I love using vegan vanilla protein powder, but feel free to use your favorite flavor of protein powder. See below for what brands of protein powder I recommend!

How to Make Protein Oatmeal

This protein oatmeal couldn’t be any easier to make! Here’s how to make it:

In a pot, combine oats, sliced banana, sea salt, cinnamon, vanilla and water or milk. Cook over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the oats are thick and the banana has melted in, remove from the heat then stir in your vanilla protein powder.

Serve the oatmeal in a bowl, adding more water or milk if needed for the right consistency. Add toppings of choice and enjoy!

Protein Oatmeal (4)

Recipe Tips!

  • Stirring the oats while cooking helps prevent them from sticking to the pot and helps with even cooking. This also helps the sliced banana to melt into the oats, creating a smoother texture.
  • Make sure to remove the oats from the heat before stirring in the protein powder, otherwise your protein powder might get clumpy from the heat.
Protein Oatmeal (5)

Topping And Mix-In Ideas

You can enjoy this protein bowl as is, or take it to the next level with a few mix-in’s or toppings! Here’s some ideas:

  • Fresh Fruit: Add sliced bananas, strawberries, or blueberries for a burst of freshness.
  • Nuts and Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, chia seeds, or flaxseeds can add crunch and extra nutrition.
  • Granola:Sprinkle on some granola for a crunchy texture and added sweetness.For even more of a protein boost try this protein granola.
  • Spices: A dash of nutmeg or ginger can bring warmth and complexity to the oatmeal.
  • Sweeteners: Want some additional sweetness? Stir in some maple syrup, honey, stevia or date syrup.
  • Nut or seed butter:I love adding a drizzle of nut butter to my oats. My go-to is almond butter or peanut butter, but cashew butter, tahini orsunflower seed butterare all great options.
  • Chocolate: Turn this into a chocolaty protein bowl with your favorite chocolate chips or a crushed chocolate bar.
  • Coconut flakes:Sprinkle on some coconut flakes for a touch of tropical flavor.
Protein Oatmeal (6)

How to Store Leftovers

This protein oatmeal recipe is really best enjoyed right away, but if you find yourself with leftovers or want to double the recipe for meal prep, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for 2-3 days. To reheat, you can warm it over the stovetop or in the microwave adding a little milk or water to maintain the right consistency.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s The Best Kind of Protein Powder to Use?

For this recipe I used plant-based protein powder. I loveNuzest, which has a minimal, clean ingredient list. Plus, the vanilla flavor is delish. You can use my code eatingbirdfood for 15% off your order. I also love Truvani and Sun Warrior.

I have a more detailed guide on thebest protein powdersout there if you’re interested in learning more.

Are There Other Ways to Add Protein to Oatmeal Without Protein Powder?

Yes! If you’re not a fan of protein powder or just don’t have any there are a variety of different ways you can add protein to your oats from nut butter and nuts to Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and eggs! Check out some of my other protein oatmeal recipes: Cottage Cheese Oatmeal, Greek Yogurt Oatmeal, Egg White Oatmeal and Peanut Butter Overnight Oats.

Can I Cook This Oatmeal in The Microwave?

I prefer to cook my oatmeal on the stovetop, but you can also microwave this oatmeal if you want. Just add your oats, liquid, banana slices, salt, cinnamon and vanilla into a microwave-safe bowl with plenty of room for the oats to bubble up. Microwave for 1 minute, stir and then microwave at 30 seconds increments, stirring between each one.

Cook until the oatmeal is the consistency you like – I typically cook mine for about 3 minutes but you’ll know it’s ready when most of the liquid is absorbed and the oats are hot. Remove from the microwave and stir in your protein powder.

More Oatmeal Recipes

Be sure to check out all of myoatmeal recipesas well as all of theprotein recipes here on EBF!

If you tried this Protein Oatmeal or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.

3.79 from 461 votes

Protein Oatmeal

This simple protein oatmeal recipe packs in over 25 grams of protein thanks to the addition of protein powder. It's easy to make and will keep you full all morning long!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 1

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add oats, banana slices, sea salt, cinnamon, vanilla and water or milk to a pot and stir to combine.

    Protein Oatmeal (8)

  • Heat over medium-high heat for 8-10 minutes or until all the liquid has been absorbed. Be sure to stir the oats several times while cooking to make sure the banana slices melt into the oats. You’ll know the oatmeal is done when all the liquid is absorbed and the oats are thick and fluffy.

    Protein Oatmeal (9)

  • Remove oats from the heat and stir in protein powder. If the consistency of the oats gets too thick, add in a little more water or milk. Transfer oats to a bowl and top with your favorite oatmeal toppings.

    Protein Oatmeal (10)

Notes

  • Feel free to skip the banana if you don’t want the added sweetness.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowl | Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 49g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 206mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 11g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: protein oatmeal

Did you make this recipe?Mention @eatingbirdfood and tag #eatingbirdfood!

This post was originally published on April 26, 2019, updated on June 12, 2023 and republished on May 9, 2024.

Protein Oatmeal (2024)

FAQs

How can I add protein to my oatmeal? ›

Sprinkle Flax, Hemp, or Chia Seeds on Your Oats

Flax and chia seeds both have 1.5 grams of protein per 1 tablespoon (10 grams), and hemp seeds have 3 grams. If you do not want to change the texture or consistency of your oatmeal, adding ground seeds is a great way to get more protein.

Is oatmeal high in protein? ›

Oatmeal is a healthy way to start the day. It has high fiber content, which has positive effects on digestive health and cholesterol levels. Oatmeal isn't a high-protein food. Each half cup serving only has about 5 g.

How to make oatmeal a complete protein? ›

So, if you consider that one cup of cooked oatmeal made with water has 5 g of protein, per the USDA, to get the most out of the proteins found in oats, you'll need to combine them with other sources, such as protein powder, peanut butter, nuts, and seeds for the added protein-packed punch in the morning to last you ...

Can I eat protein oatmeal everyday? ›

Yes, it is good to eat oatmeal every day considering its nutritional profile and health benefits, including weight control and heart-healthy effect. As a breakfast food and mid-meal snack, oatmeal is potentially a better option than the majority of foods available in the market.

Which has more protein, eggs or oatmeal? ›

Eggs are a rich source of protein and have minimal carbs. On the hand, oatmeal is a carb-rich food and does provide some protein to our body. According to USDA, a breakfast with 2 medium eggs will yield approximately 13g Protein and 1.1g Carbs whereas a bowl of oatmeal will give you 2.4 g Protein and 12g Carbs.

How do you add protein to oatmeal without clumping? ›

Instead of adding your protein powder to your oats, mixing in liquid (water, milk or alt milk), and then heating, may we suggest cooking your oats in the liquid and, once it's been removed from the heat, stirring in your protein powder.

Is peanut butter a complete protein? ›

Nut butter is also a source of protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscles. Although peanut butter is not a complete protein — meaning it does not contain all of the essential amino acids the body needs — it does count toward a person's daily protein intake.

How do you extract protein from oats? ›

An alkaline extraction process was developed to produce protein isolates and starch from defatted flour or defatted groats of high-protein oats. Optimum extraction was at pH 9.2 in 0.02N sodium hydroxide with a solid:solvent ratio of 1:6.

Why does Dr. Gundry say not to eat oatmeal? ›

Did you know that oats in oatmeal are packed with lectins which poke holes in your gut lining and can lead to health issues in the future, according to Dr. Gundry. One great way to avoid this is by using sorghum in your breakfast bowl rather than oats.

Is there a downside to eating oatmeal? ›

What are side-effects of oats? Oats are a good source of carbohydrates and overeating may lead to an increase in your weight. As it is bland in nature, overconsuming oats may lead to an increase in sugar intake. Opting for an oats-only diet may deprive your body of getting nourishment from other healthy food sources.

What is the 7 day oatmeal diet? ›

To follow this 7-day diet, people start off with eating just oatmeal for all three meals of the day for the first two days, followed by eating oatmeal for at least two meals of the day for the next two days. Finally, dieters consume oatmeal for just one meal of the day for the remaining three days.

Should I add protein powder to my oatmeal before or after cooking? ›

Mix the protein powder into your oats immediately after cooking and stir thoroughly. For a super smooth experience, try stirring protein powder into a paste with a little milk or water before adding it to your oats.

How do you add protein powder to oatmeal without clumping? ›

Whisk the protein powder with the milk and water before adding the oats. The protein powder can clump up sometimes when added with the oats and chia seeds. It helps to whisk first with the liquid for a smoother consistency. Reheat with the a splash of water or milk.

What can I add to oatmeal to make it more nutritious? ›

6 Easy Ways to Make Breakfast Oatmeal Even Healthier
  1. Add pureed spinach. ...
  2. Top with antioxidant-rich fruits. ...
  3. Add a protein boost. ...
  4. Choose natural sweeteners. ...
  5. Try steel cut oats. ...
  6. Spice it up.
Jan 8, 2021

How do you add protein to your breakfast? ›

There are a variety of ways you can add protein to your breakfast; some of the best protein-rich breakfast ingredients are eggs, nuts, nut butter, beans, and cheese. Whether you're a savory food lover or you have a sweet tooth, there's a protein-rich breakfast option for you! U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Laurine Ryan

Last Updated:

Views: 6197

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (77 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Laurine Ryan

Birthday: 1994-12-23

Address: Suite 751 871 Lissette Throughway, West Kittie, NH 41603

Phone: +2366831109631

Job: Sales Producer

Hobby: Creative writing, Motor sports, Do it yourself, Skateboarding, Coffee roasting, Calligraphy, Stand-up comedy

Introduction: My name is Laurine Ryan, I am a adorable, fair, graceful, spotless, gorgeous, homely, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.