5 Methods to Use Up Your Oats That’ll Enhance Your Breakfast and Baking Routines Instantly

For years, I at all times saved a container of oats round the home, tucked into the again of my pantry for chilly-morning breakfasts and the occasional batch of cookies. However as a rule, I might wind up tossing the questionably stale cereal lengthy earlier than I reached the underside of the canister.

I am thriftier with my components lately, and extra dedicated to discovering methods to make use of them up. Fortunately, it did not take a lot experimenting to comprehend that, like most complete grains, oats are remarkably versatile. You may mostly discover them rolled—steamed and flattened for oatmeal—or bought because the longer-cooking steel-cut, or Irish, oats, which nonetheless have their fibrous bran connected. In both case, their nutty taste and chewy texture make them a simple addition to sweeter preparations, like cookies and breads. However that is simply the tip of the iceberg. From creamier smoothies to savory, satisfying twists on the breakfast staple, listed here are a few of my favourite methods to plow by way of a tin of oats very quickly in any respect.

Higher-Than-Common Oatmeal

Certain, you possibly can combine some rolled oats with water, stick it within the microwave, and name it breakfast. However you can even add a couple of additional prospers to make your morning meal really shine. In case you’re feeding a crowd, attempt baking your oatmeal—it is a hands-off methodology that is simple to whip up in large batches, with no matter components you might have readily available. Suppose sweetly spiced cinnamon-apple, juicy strawberry-almond, or a warming batch of maple-banana.

Going the stovetop route? From bananas Foster–impressed oatmeal to savory variations stirred with ricotta and sage, soy sauce and scallion, or squash and bacon, now we have nice mix-in concepts to shake up your routine.

And OK wonderful. In case you’re nonetheless dedicated to doubling down on outdated common breakfast, this is a implausible recipe for ultra-creamy Scottish oatmeal.

Nutty-Candy Batters and Doughs

Let’s be actual: There is a good motive why oatmeal cookies are the poster baby for rolled oats. Our recipe yields thick cookies with a crisp crust and a chewy, moist heart. Higher but, you may want just one bowl to make them occur, which suggests they need to in all probability be occurring on a regular basis. In case you’re a fan of thick cookies, do not cease on the strictly oatmeal selection—a splash of oats blended into any recipe will assist issues alongside, because the oats will swell and soften due to the moisture within the dough.

However cookies apart, oats can improve a complete vary of batters and doughs. Attempt them in hearty-but-fluffy oatmeal–brown butter pancakes; a tangy, buttermilk-infused banana oatmeal bread; bite-size bitter cream and chocolate chip oatmeal muffins; or these tender and flaky spelt and oat cookies, which get their molasses richness from muscovado sugar.

No-Roll Pie Crust

In case you like a graham cracker crust, it’s best to positively meet its salty-sweet cousin, the oat crumble crust. Throwing rolled oats in a meals processor produces a granulated oat “flour” that we mix with all-purpose wheat flour and a sprinkle of salt earlier than mixing it with creamed butter and brown sugar. Then the dough is evenly baked for a toasty taste and golden-brown hue, earlier than it is processed with a bit extra butter and pressed right into a pie plate. The result’s a pleasantly crisp-crumbly crust with the flavour of an oaty shortbread cookie. Attempt it with this tart-sweet no-churn lime ice cream pie and your thoughts simply could also be blown.

Superior Smoothies

I do know what you are considering: oatmeal, in a smoothie? Yup, it sounds sorta bizarre, however boy, does it work. You possibly can add a couple of tablespoons of cooked rolled oats to nearly any smoothie—candy or savory—for an extra-creamy texture. You may be stunned by simply how for much longer it’s going to fill you up, too. In case you want proof, look no additional than The Maine Squeeze, a vivid, summery mix of contemporary blueberries, tart lemon, spicy ginger, a contact of honey and milk, and, in fact, oats. However you hardly want a recipe to make an oat smoothie work: The grains pair properly with no matter taste strikes your fancy. Try our professional suggestions for making superior smoothies to get began.

Crunchy Granola and Streusel Galore

Home made granola is not only a scrumptious, long-lasting snack—it is a ridiculously simple, hands-off course of that may be tailor-made to your tastes with just some minor tweaks. Merely combine your oats with some favourite grains, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit (unsweetened coconut flakes make a terrific addition); add a binding syrup, like butter-enhanced maple, agave, or honey; and bake all of it in a 300°F oven. Add additional binder to make a sliceable tray of chewy granola bars, or hold issues mild and free for a toss-able granola, like this honey-almond rendition or our coconut- and matzo-spiked Passover take. In case you’re feeling extra experimental, attempt toying with extra savory components, like citrus zest, chopped herbs, and even chili powder.

Oh, and after getting that granola, you possibly can incorporate it anyplace you’ll a streusel, from fruit crisps to easy baked apricots to a lightweight and refreshing Greek yogurt panna cotta.

April 2016