This savory oats recipe is going to become your new favorite way to start the day. Only seven ingredients and five minutes to a healthy amazing breakfast!
I was skeptical about my oats not being sweet based, but once I started experimenting with savory oatmeal recipes, I quickly became a huge fan!
This post was originally published on December 5, 2018.
Most of my oat recipes are on the sweet side, like my baked blueberry oatmeal and vegan overnight oats. But I often crave a savory vegan breakfast so these savory oats with spinach always hits the spot!
Ingredients
Here are the items you need to make this simple savory oatmeal recipe:
- Unsweetened cashew milk
- Lemon juice
- Fresh spinach
- Rolled oats
- Vegan Parmesan
- Garlic powder
- Sea salt
How to Make Savory Oatmeal
If I can get this done before my kids ask for something else, you too can make it. I feel like every time I turn around someone needs me. So when I figured out how fast I could actually have a hot savory breakfast, I jumped in excitement.
True story. Full spontaneous jumping. Which when you're a mom of three, may lead to peeing your pants a little. No shame here. This brekkie is totally worth it.
Be prepared, tighten that pelvic floor, and make this. Here's how:
- Sauté the spinach.
- Add the oats and milk.
- Enjoy!
More Savory Oats Flavor Suggestions
The best part of this recipe is that it can be customized any way you want! The simplicity of oatmeal and spinach is great and easy, but it's fun to shake things up! Either add in any of these as a mix in or topping, or create a completely new combination:
Veggies and Greens:
- Mushrooms
- Bell peppers
- Roasted peppers
- Asparagus
- Cabbage
- Sweet potatoes
- Zucchini
- Roasted garlic
- Tomatoes
- Avocados
- Jalapeños
- Sun dried tomatoes
- Artichoke hearts
- Edamame
- Spinach
- Arugula
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Sprouts
- Green Onion
Protein:
- Vegan scrambled eggs
- Chickpeas
- Lentils
- Black beans
- Tempeh
- Tofu
- Falafel
- Sausage (Make your own homemade vegan and gluten free sausage!)
- Chopped nuts: Walnuts, cashews, almonds, peanuts, etc.
- Seeds: chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, etc.
Sauces and Seasonings:
- Pesto
- Tahini
- Vegan Tzatziki
- Vegan buffalo sauce
- Onion Gravy
- Fresh herbs: basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, parsley, or dill
- Spices: paprika, cumin, coriander, oregano, basil, chili powder, turmeric, etc.
- Taco seasoning
Savory Flavor Combinations
Not feeling too creative? Try these savory oat ideas:
- Onions, peppers, celery, and sausage
- Sun dried tomato, basil, and dairy free Parmesan
- Veggies and sweet potatoes
- Pesto, arugula, sun dried tomatoes
- Turmeric and chickpeas
- Kale, spinach, zucchini, green onions, and dill
- Taco seasoning, black beans, peppers, avocado
- Falafel, tzatziki, tomatoes, dill
- Vegan egg, mushroom bacon, and avocado
What to Serve with Savory Oatmeal
If you want a complete breakfast spread, here are some plant based recipes you can serve as well:
Preparation Tips
This super simple savory oatmeal recipe is hard to mess up! Here are a few extra suggestions to help you out:
- To keep this recipe oil free, use veggie broth to sauté the spinach.
- Unsweetened cashew milk is what I like to use, but any dairy free milk will do. Just make sure it's unsweetened and unflavored.
- Or, use veggie broth instead of milk
- For extra flavorful spinach, check out this recipe for Sautéed Spinach.
- Cook a little longer to make the consistency extra thick.
- You can also make this in a microwave.
- Put the ingredients in a microwave safe mug.
- Cook for 2-4 minutes depending on your oats and microwave.
- Start at 2 and keep cooking in 30 second increments
Storage Tips
- Meal prep overnight oats style. In the morning it's simply heat and serve!
- Store prepared oatmeal in the refrigerator for up to three days in an airtight container.
- Reheat in the microwave or on the stove.
- It will likely thicken so you may need to add more milk to thin it back out.
Common Questions
Anything! You can go the savory route like this recipe with spinach, vegan parmesan, and seasonings. Or, go sweet and add berries and date paste like in this recipe for Berry Cobbler Overnight Oats.
Yes, you can put soy sauce in oatmeal. I would recommend adding it to savory flavored oats as opposed to sweet.
Yes! In our house, food is food and time restrictions don't count. Making savory oatmeal is a great way to make it feel more like dinner. Add more veggies or serve with a loaded salad for a complete meal.
Salt enhances flavor, so by adding it to oatmeal you're bringing out the flavor of the oats as well as any additions you've made.
More Vegan Oatmeal Recipes
Oats are so versatile! Check out all these plant based recipes:
Savory Oats Recipe
Ingredients
- ⅔ cups unsweetened cashew milk , can sub another milk of choice
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 2 cups fresh spinach , measure packed
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- Drizzle of veggie broth or oil to sauté
- ½ cup rolled oats
- Grateable Vegan Parmesan , optional for topping
Instructions
- Mix the lemon juice and milk and set aside.
- Sauté the spinach with the garlic powder and salt using oil, or broth if you don’t use oil, until slightly wilted. About 2 minutes
- Add in the milk mixture and the oats and stir until thick and you’ve reached desired consistency. About 2-3 minutes.
- Top with Parmesan if using and enjoy!
Notes
- Make this as thick and cooked as you prefer.
- The Parmesan is optional but highly recommended.
- You can also make this in a microwave by putting the ingredients in a microwave safe mug and cooking for 2-4 minutes depending on your oats and microwave. Start at 2 and keep cooking in 30 second increments.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Carine Steenkamp
I prefer savoury to salty food, especially for breakfast. I made this recipe this morning and LOVED it!! Thanks so much for sharing.
Sophia DeSantis
So happy you liked it!
Erin
I loved your savory oats recipe. I especially loved how you used pecans. I always find that oatmeal recipes that use nuts or seeds are the best.
Sophia DeSantis
Hi Erin! I am so glad you liked the savory oats! About the pecans, do you mean in my regular oatmeal recipe? I love nuts in my oatmeal too!
Jamie
I am trying this recipe this week. Do you think it would work made ahead of time?
Sophia DeSantis
Hi Jamie! Yes it would work but the texture will thicken up a bit as it sits. And it will be softer. But it will still taste good!
Debbie B
Yum, yum, yum! I am trying to work more veggies in my diet, and this is a tasty way to do that. Quick & easy to make - it is a great comfort food on a chilly, rainy morning! Thanks for the recipe.
veggiesdontbite
I'm so thrilled you liked it Debbie!! Thank you!!
Summer Joy
I woke up this morning craving oatmeal but not sweet oatmeal this really hit the spot. I topped it with hot sauce, avocado and cherry tomatoes, along with the vegan parmesan of course. I see a lot of opportunity for variations with different greens or grains. Thanks for the recipe and the inspiration.
veggiesdontbite
Hi Summer! I'm so happy you liked it! I too crave savory something and it hits the spot.
annabelle
this was so quick and easy to make and a fun twist on my morning oats. SO GOOD!
veggiesdontbite
I'm so happy you liked it Annabelle! Thanks for the great review!
Vin
I feel like you must have read my mind. I was looking for a savory breakfast but was low on supplies and this popped into my feed. I subbed 2 cloves of chopped fresh garlic because there is no such thing as too much garlic and used apple cider vinegar instead of lemon juice. I also added lots of cracked black pepper. At the end I mixed in so delicious cheddar flavored shreds. It was perfect. Will make again.
veggiesdontbite
Thanks for the great review Vin!! So happy you liked it!
Summer Joy
I definitely agree that there is no such thing as too much garlic.
Anne
As always your recipe is fabulous. It is a cold and rainy weekend morning and this absolutely hit the spot! A definite make again!!!
veggiesdontbite
So happy you liked it Anne! Thank you so much!
Mimi
So good for brunch! I was out of a lot (corona), including milk. So, I just used veggie broth. I used nutritional yeast instead of the parmesan topping. Added a little a little extra spice because I like a little heat. It was awesome!!
veggiesdontbite
So happy you liked it Mimi!! Your subs sound great!
Ksenya
Good recipe overall, but definitely very bland. I recommend adding more salt and garlic powder, plus pepper, basil, and oregano. Just dump your whole spice cabinet in.
veggiesdontbite
Hi Ksenya! You can definitely make it your own, I prefer it simple and don't find it bland at all. Especially with my vegan parmesan!
Chrissy
My first reaction was "What? Spinach oats?" and my second was "I need this right now." I can't wait to make this! Vegan parmesan would be a perfect topping.
veggiesdontbite
Haha! I felt the same...but it really is good!
Amy
I REALLY don’t like oatmeal but for some reason the temptation to try this kept popping into my head so I figured what the hey? and gave it a shot. (Yeah, Sophia’s just THAT GOOD.)
Now I’m not gonna overhype it and say it’s made me a convert or anything, but it’s pretty darn good for oatmeal. The flavor was amazing, and if you like oatmeal already I think you’d love this dish. I personally wouldn’t make it again for myself because I just can’t stand the texture, but I plan to recreate it just subbing polenta for the oats.
veggiesdontbite
Wow Amy! That's a true testament, LOL. I am a texture person too so I make my oatmeal pretty al dente, but I have had oatmeal before that I can't handle. Ha! Thanks so much for giving it a shot!
Amy
Lol. Thank you for making it! 💜
veggiesdontbite
Ha! Thanks so much for being here Amy!
JD
I love how fast and easy this is for the morning!