I’m always on the lookout for breakfast ideas that are quick, nourishing and don’t feel like the same old thing, and that’s how I ran across scrambled oats. There are many versions of this breakfast mashup online, but the one I spotted was shared by content creator Sarah Nancox (@sarahshealthykitchen) and it looks so good!
This warm, hearty dish is a magical cross between porridge and granola, with golden, crispy bits of oats clinging to sweet banana and cinnamon. It’s the kind of breakfast you can throw together in 15 minutes, but it feels like you put in way more effort. Plus, you can make it gluten-free without skipping a beat, if you, like me, need to keep things g-free.
Related: We Tried 10 Instant Oatmeals and You Can Buy the Winner at Walmart
😋😋 SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter🍳🍔
View this post on Instagram
So, What Are Scrambled Oats, Exactly?
Scrambled oats are a warm, pan-fried breakfast dish made by mixing mashed banana, egg, oats and spices, then cooking it all in a skillet as you would scrambled eggs. As it cooks, the mixture transforms into golden, toasty clusters that are slightly crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. It’s cozy like oatmeal, but has the texture and chew of granola without the baking sheet or long wait time.
Once cooked, Nancox serves the scrambled oat clusters with creamy Greek yogurt, juicy berries and a drizzle of peanut butter. The contrast of hot and cold is chef’s kiss.
Related: The Surprising Ingredient Jennifer Aniston Adds to Her Oatmeal
How To Make Scrambled Oats
To get started, mash half a banana in a mixing bowl until smooth. Add in an egg, rolled oats, a dash of cinnamon and a pinch of sea salt. Mix it all together until fully combined.
Meanwhile, heat a small amount of butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Once it’s melted and starting to bubble, pour in your oat mixture. Cook it like scrambled eggs and keep breaking it up with a spatula and turning it over so it cooks evenly. After about 10 minutes, you’ll be left with toasty, golden clusters that smell absolutely amazing.
While your oats are cooking, pop some frozen mixed berries in the microwave until they’re soft and juicy. Break them up with a fork and mash them slightly to create a warm berry compote.
In another bowl, stir a bit of vanilla protein powder into some thick Greek yogurt. This adds sweetness and an extra boost of protein to keep you full all morning.
To serve, spoon the yogurt into a bowl, top with the warm scrambled oats, drizzle with peanut butter and finish with the warm berries. That’s it! Now you have a creamy, crunchy, fruity and satisfying breakfast.
If you’re feeling inspired, there are so many ways to customize this recipe. For example, you can swap the banana for applesauce or pumpkin puree for a seasonal twist. Use almond butter or Nutella instead of peanut butter and add chopped nuts for crunch. Stir cocoa powder into the oat mixture to make a chocolate version and try different fruits, like sautéed apples or fresh peaches.
If you’re in a real hurry, you can even meal-prep the oat mixture the night before and keep it in the fridge. Then just toss it in the pan in the morning and you’re good to go.
Scrambled oats are quick and comforting with a great balance of textures and flavors. If you’re craving something new for breakfast, scrambled oats might just become your new favorite thing too.
Up Next:
Related: The Best Thing You Can Do With a Packet of Instant Oatmeal Has Nothing to Do With Breakfast