DIY Oatmeal Bar

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It’s easy (and fun!) to make your own diy oatmeal bar at home and you’ll never get bored with all of the different oatmeal toppings!

Who is currently getting reacquainted with chilly early-spring midwest mornings? ME! (Oh, and snow last week. And this week. Because sometimes it snows in April.)

What is the perfect breakfast for said mornings? OATMEAL!

What makes oatmeal super fun? ALL THE TOPPINGS!

If you love oatmeal, be sure to try out my Fruit Soaked Oatmeal and Caramelized Banana Oatmeal – both SO SO good!

DIY Oatmeal Bar: How to Build Your Own Oatmeal Bar

Ok, my oatmeal-for-breakfast cheer is over, but my obsession with this fun breakfast is not. It seems fitting that one of my first posts back in the midwest revolves around a warming, comforting meal like oats. Wholesome and satisfying – just like life in the midwest! (If you are new around here, my husband and I are both from Wisconsin, and are in the process of moving back to Minneapolis after six years in LA.)

Oatmeal is obviously a great meal for babies, kids, and adults alike. It’s a great source of whole grains and is full of fiber. But on its own, it’s very boring. This is where the toppings come in! I love to get out an assortment of toppings to round out the oats and then let everyone choose their own toppings. (It’s one of those “feeding toddler tricks” that works quite well. You know, let them feel like they are in charge of a few things. ;))

I like to add a variety of toppings, but pulled from about four categories: some are a great source of protein; others full of healthy fats; some are just for flavor; and some are fruit! And some of these items fall under a few of the categories. This ensures a filling bowl of oats, AND an endless amount of flavor combinations.

So set out a few dishes, and let everyone create their own DIY oatmeal bowl. Food like this is nutritious, delicious, easy, and FUN!

Protein Toppings for Oatmeal:

• whisk in egg whites or whole egg on low heat so they don’t curdle (adds no taste and makes them really fluffy!)
• scoop of greek yogurt
• scoop of cottage cheese

Fat Toppings for Oatmeal:

• hemp seeds
• chia seeds
• chopped nuts (almonds, peanuts, cashews, walnuts, etc.)
• nut butter (almond butter, peanut butter, mixed nut butter, etc.)

Flavor Toppings for Oatmeal:

• maple syrup
• honey
• brown sugar
• apple sauce
• dried fruit

Fruit Toppings for Oatmeal:

• sliced bananas
• fresh berries
• frozen berries, thawed
• grated apples or pears
• sautéed fruit: simply heat a small pan and add butter or coconut oil and fruit, seasoning with cinnamon, and stirring occasionally until soft