OATMEAL - GOOD ANYTIME OF THE DAY AND A GREAT WAY TO START YOUR DAY!

TIPS: “Steel-cut oats” is healthiest. (But, preparation is more involved.) Next on the list of “healthy” is Old-fashioned Oats.
Packet oatmeal and quick-cooking oats are okay, but use only occasionally.

49+ TOPPING IDEAS

Pick your favorite healthy toppings. Use alone or in combination with others.
Be creative and enjoy one of nature’s “perfect foods”.
Baked Oatmeal Recipes follow the toppings list.

• Almond butter
• Apple butter
• Applesauce (natural, cinnamon, chunky, “no sugar added”, etc.)
• Bran cereal 
• Brown sugar 
• Butter
• Cheese, grated or shredded
• Chips, regular or mini (chocolate, butterscotch, mint, peanut butter, etc.)
• Cinnamon, ground (sprinkled) or cinnamon sugar
• Cocoa (SF hot chocolate) mix / cocoa powder
• Coconut (plain or toasted)
• Coffee creamer (splash of hazelnut, vanilla, etc.)
• Cooked sweet potato, pumpkin pie spice, and chopped pecans
• Cranberry sauce (whole)
• Crumbled muffin
• Crushed / crumbled cookies
• Dried cherries
• Dried cranberries
• Dried milk powder
• Flax Seed (ground)
• Fruit, dried (apple, banana, etc.)
• Fruit of choice: fresh, canned, frozen (blueberries, chopped apple, sliced banana, pear, peaches, prunes, crushed pineapple, dates, sliced and seedless grapes, figs, etc.)
• Fruit pie filling (low sugar)
• Fruit Spreads: blueberry, raspberry, apricot, orange marmalade, cherry, etc.
• Ginger (crystallized / slivered)
• Graham cracker crumbs
• Granola, low-fat
• Honey
• Ice cream (healthier brands, 1/2 cup)
• Ice cream toppings (such as caramel)
• Maple Syrup (other flavors of pancake syrup)
• Milk / cream / light soy milk / rice milk
• Nutmeg
• Nuts (chopped or sliced)
• Pancake syrup (maple, fruit-flavored, etc.)
• Peanut butter, reduced-fat (“natural” best)
• Peppermint candy (gently crushed)
• Pie fillings (pumpkin, apple, cherry…)
• Protein / Whey powder
• Raisins
• Sliced almonds
• Soy or low-fat milk / cream
• Spices (nutmeg, ginger, pumpkin pie spice, etc.)
• Splenda (refrain from other artificial sweeteners)
• Sugar (limited)
• Sunflower seeds
• Vanilla
• Wheat Germ (regular or honey-crunch)
• Yogurt (pick one that’s healthy!)

BAKED OATMEAL RECIPES FOR ON-THE-GO
(All are 6 servings unless otherwise noted.)

APPLES & RAISINS BAKED OATMEAL
2 cups rolled oats
1-1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup skim milk
1 egg
2 egg whites
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup raisins
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup diced apple

Preheat oven to 325º. In a large bowl combine the oatmeal, baking powder and salt. Mix in remaining ingredients; stir and pour into a greased casserole dish or pie plate. Bake for 45 minutes. Serve hot.

BAKED OATMEAL (Plain)
2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fat-free skim milk
1/2 cup Egg Beaters
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 Tbsp. ground cinnamon

Combine wet ingredients and add dry ingredients. Bake in sprayed 8″ square pan at 350º for 35-45 minutes. Keeps well in refrigerator or freezer.(Good cold or warm.) Makes a great take along breakfast.

BANANA BAKED OATMEAL
2 cups uncooked oatmeal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1-cup fat-free milk
2 mashed bananas
1/2 cup egg substitute
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350º. Combine wet ingredients and add dry ingredients. Bake in sprayed 8” square pan for 45 minutes.

BLUEBERRIES & CREAM OATMEAL
2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fat-free skim milk
1/2 cup Egg Beaters
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup frozen unsweetened blueberries
2 oz. fat free cream cheese

Mix dry ingredients, add applesauce, egg beaters, milk and vanilla. Mix until combined. Add frozen blueberries and cream cheese, cubed small. Pour into an 8” square pan and bake at 350º for 30 minutes.

CARROT CAKE BAKED OATMEAL
2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fat-free skim milk
1/2 cup Egg Beaters
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 T. cinnamon
1 cup shredded carrots
1 small can of crushed pineapple, drained
1/4 cup raisins

Combine wet ingredients and add dry ingredients. Bake in sprayed 8″ square pan at 350º for 35-45 min.

CHOCOLATE BAKED OATMEAL
2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fat-free skim milk
1/2 cup Egg Beaters
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 small package of sugar-free dry chocolate pudding

Combine wet ingredients and add dry ingredients. Bake in sprayed 8″ square pan at 350º for 35-45 min.

CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY BAKED OATMEAL
2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fat-free skim milk
1/2 cup Egg Beaters
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 small package of sugar-free dry chocolate pudding
1 cup chopped strawberries

Combine wet ingredients and add dry ingredients. Bake in sprayed 8″ square pan at 350º for 35-45 min.

CRAN-ORANGE BAKED OATMEAL
6 servings
2 cup uncooked oatmeal
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup fat-free skim milk
1/2 cup Egg Beaters
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup Splenda
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 tsp. orange zest

Combine wet ingredients and add dry ingredients. Bake in sprayed 8″ square pan at 350º for 35-45 min.

PUMPKIN BAKED OATMEAL
2 1/2 cups quick cooking oats
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup skim milk
1/2 cup Eggbeaters egg substitute
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/4 cup Splenda
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup canned pumpkin
1 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350º. Spray an 8″ square baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine wet ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine dry ingredients. Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients. Pour into prepared baking dish.

Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean. Cool completely. Cut into 6 bars.

OTHER OATMEAL RECIPES

CROCKPOT OATMEAL
4 cups skim milk
2 apples, diced
1 cup steel cut oats
Cinnamon, nutmeg and/or apple pie spice to taste
1/4 cup Splenda brown sugar blend
1 tsp Vanilla Extract

Spray inside of crock-pot with cooking spray. Place all ingredients in crock-pot and stir. Cover. Cook on low overnight for 8-10 hrs.

OVERNIGHT RAISIN-NUT OATMEAL
1/4 c. brown sugar, packed
1 T. butter, melted
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. quick-cooking oats, uncooked
1 c. apple, cored, peeled and minced
1/2 c. raisins
1/2 c. chopped nuts
2 c. milk

Place ingredients into a greased slow cooker; mix well. Heat on low setting overnight, about 8 - 9 hours. Spoon into bowls to serve. Serves 4.