Your morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. Starting the day with a nutritious breakfast, positive thoughts and minimal distractions will set off a powerful domino effect.

Have you noticed how, when you have a calm morning, without rushing to the door or scrolling through your phone, your lunch, afternoon and evening are more peaceful, too?

Opting for a breakfast you like, and one that supports your emotional and physical needs, is a great way to achieve this!

For me, that’s oats. Oatmeal is my favourite breakfast because the options are endless, it keeps me energised and I know it has many nutritional benefits that my body needs.

I used to think oats were a mushy bowl of grains and didn’t know you can make them taste great by simply:

Getting the ratios right
Adding simple flavour-enhancers
Playing around with toppings and preparation/ cooking variations

This post is my fail-proof way to have great-tasting oats every time!

I’ve included options for stove-top, microwave and oven cooking, as well as overnight oats - because different days call for different needs!

Oatmeal Cooking Basics for the Perfect Breakfast

Here’s how to make oatmeal on the stovetop/ hob. Scroll down to find 3 variations of this basic recipe.

Stove-top oats recipe:

Basic ratio:

50g oats
200ml plant milk
1/2tsp vanilla extract
Dash of salt

Cook for: 5-7 mins over low-medium heat*

Rolled oats take less time than steel-cut or jumbo oats. Cooking for longer will make the oats thicker, whilst shorter cooking times will make them creamier.

Here’s how to make oatmeal in the microwave. Scroll down to find 3 variations of this basic recipe.

Microwave oats recipe:

Basic ratio:

50g oats
150-200ml plant milk
1/2tsp vanilla extract
Dash of salt

Cook for: 1.5-2 mins

I personally don’t love using the microwave as it affects the quality and nutritional make-up of the food; however, I know that many people find it a convenient and quick way to prepare food.

Here’s how to make oatmeal in the oven. Scroll down to find 3 variations of this basic recipe.

Oven-baked oats:

Basic ratio:

50g oats
120ml plant milk
1/2tsp vanilla extract
1/2-1tsp baking powder
Dash of salt

Bake for: 20-25 mins at 180C. Let the oats sit for 5 before eating.

Finally, here’s how to prepare oatmeal in the fridge overnight. Scroll down to find 4 variations of this basic recipe.

Overnight oats:

Basic ratio:

50g oats
Yoghurt option: 150g soy/ almond/ coconut yoghurt + 50ml plantbased milk*
- or Milk option: 120ml plantbased milk
1tbsp chia seeds or flaxseeds
1/2tsp vanilla extract
1tsp maple syrup

Leave: Overnight in the fridge

*I recommend experimenting with using anywhere between 100-150g yoghurt and 20-50ml plantbased milk to find the consistency you like.

Oatmeal Variations: Stove-top/ Microwave Oats

Variation 1: Banana and Peanut Butter Oats

Mix the basic ratio in a pot
Cook over the stove for 4-5 mins
Add 1/2 sliced banana and cook for 1-2 mins
Finish with more banana slices and a dollop peanut butter
Optional: Add berries and grated chocolate

To prepare in a microwave, mix in a microwavable bowl

Variation 2: Apple and Peach Autumn Oats

Chop 1 apple and 1 peach into squares; add 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp nutmeg and 1 tsp maple syrup; place in the microwave for 1-1.5 min
Mix the basic ratio in a pot
Add 1/2 of the apple and peach and 1tsp cinnamon
Cook over the hob for 5-7 mins
Top with the other half of the fruit and anything else, such as chopped walnuts and maple syrup

Variation 2: Chocolate Orange Oats

Mix the basic ratio in a pot
Add the juice of 1/2 orange, the zest of 1 orange, 1tbsp cacao powder and 1/2 sliced banana
Cook over the hob for 5-7 mins
Top with the rest of the banana slices, more orange zest and chocolate pieces

Oatmeal Variations: Baked Oats

Variation 1: Double Chocolate Baked Oats

Mix the basic ratio in an oven-proof dish
Add 1tbsp cacao powder
Place 2 squares of dark chocolate in the middle and cover lightly with some of the oat mix
Bake for 20-25 mins at 180C
Optional: Top with banana slices, chocolate pieces or a dollop of peanut butter

Variation 2: Berry-Lime Baked Oats

Mix the basic ratio
Add 1/2 scoop coconut and lime protein powder; or sub with vanilla powder and add zest of 1/2 lemon
Add 1tbsp chia seeds and 100g frozen mixed berries
Bake for 20-25 mins at 180C
Top with peanut butter or flaked almonds

Variation 3: Carrot Cake Baked Oats

Mix the basic ratio
Add 1 grated carrot, 1/2 mashed banana and 1tsp cinnamon
Bake Bake for 20-25 mins at 180C
Top with pecans, walnuts and maple syrup, or with more banana slices and chocolate sauce

Oatmeal Variations: Overnight Oats

Variation 1: Vanilla Berry Overnight Oats

Mix the basic ratio without chia seeds and use vanilla yoghurt instead of plain
Mix in 1tbsp flax seeds and 80g frozen berries
Slice a strawberry and press the slices onto the sides of a glass or jar (really form a vacuum!)
Add your oat mix
Top with more vanilla yoghurt and frozen berries
Leave overnight in the fridge

Variation 2: Berry Layered Overnight Oats

Mix the basic ratio (using yoghurt or milk) and flaxseeds
Layer in a glass with blueberries: layer 1/2 of the oats mix, add blueberries, layer the other 1/2 of the oats, add blueberries
Finish with a layer of banana slices, cacao nibs and fresh berries
Leave overnight in the fridge

Variation 3: Cacao Overnight Oats

Mix the basic ratio (using yoghurt or milk) and chia seeds
Add 1tsp cacao powder
Add your favourite toppings, such as banana slices, cacao nibs and granola
Leave overnight in the fridge

Variation 4: Superfood Overnight Oats

This recipe might seem a little odd but trust me - you can’t taste the spirulina as much as it seems because we use a tiny bit. Yet, even just 1tsp of spirulina is packed with antioxidants, protein, magnesium and other minerals and vitamins. Blue-green algae like spirulina are some of the best superfoods we can add to our diet.