When we think of oats, it’s common for our minds to turn to sweet porridge, fruit and yoghurt-topped overnight oats, and creations like sweet oat pancakes. But this is just one side of oats’ incredible diversity as an ingredient.
If you’ve ever eaten oats on their own, then you know that they have a relatively neutral flavour profile, somewhat nutty and earthy. While they have a hint of sweetness, it’s very subtle and does not overpower other flavours oats are mixed with.
This makes oats just as suitable for savoury dishes as they are for sweet dishes. So let’s dive in and take a look at some of the fantastic savoury creations oats can lend themselves to.
Savoury Oats for Breakfast
Oats can be worked into various savoury breakfast meals, often by adding oats to common staples (avocado toast, savoury pancakes, etc.) or spinning traditionally sweet oat dishes into their savoury counterparts.
For example, did you know you can make savoury oatmeal by cooking oats in vegetable or chicken broth? You can add extra nutrition in the form of sauteed spinach and shaved cheese.
Savoury oat pancakes are another delicious option. While methods can differ between recipes, you’ll typically make these pancakes with a mix of oats, flour, egg and milk. To give it its savoury edge, you can add things like grated cheese, chopped herbs, and diced veggies like capsicum or zucchini.
Savoury muffins are another great breakfast treat that can be made with the use of oats, usually in the form of oatmeal.
Savoury Oats for Lunch or Dinner
Just like breakfast, oats can be used in a wide variety of lunch and dinner meals. They can be used as substitutes for other savoury ingredients or added to classic savoury dishes.
One such example is risotto. Instead of using rice in your risotto, you can use oats as the base ingredient. You cook the oats with a savoury broth (depending on the flavour you want) and add the ingredients you like, such as sauteed mushrooms, peas, and parmesan cheese.
When it comes to soups, oats can be a fantastic addition that provides extra texture and nutrition. Oats work particularly well with vegetable or chicken soups but are a great addition to almost any savoury soup you like.
If you’re a fan of veggie burgers, then you may already know that oats are a top ingredient to use for veggie patties. They can be used as a binder to help hold the patties together, often mixed with other ingredients like beans, other vegetables (corn, onion, etc.), and spices.
Oats are also ideal as an ingredient in crusts for quiches or savoury pies and can even be used as a pizza base.
What Kind of Toppings Can I Add to Savoury Oats?
Thanks to their neutral flavour profile, oats can be matched with a wide range of savoury toppings to make some truly delicious meals.
With savoury oatmeal alone, you can add so many different toppings and other ingredients. Consider the following:
- Vegetables like sauteed spinach and kale, roasted mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, diced capsicum, sweet potato, and avocado slices.
- Proteins such as eggs, grilled chicken, smoked salmon, etc.
- Cheeses, including feta, parmesan, and cheddar.
- Herbs such as parsley, coriander, basil, and chives.
- Sauces and condiments like hot sauce, pesto, and hummus; and spices and seasonings like paprika, cumin, turmeric, and ground pepper.
- Other additional flavourings, including kimchi, lemon zest, caramelised onions, etc.
You have plenty of options to experiment with, giving you ample opportunity to find a mix of flavours that work with your palate.
Hearty, Healthy & Nutritious
No matter the savoury combinations you put together with oats, they’re all hearty, healthy, and nutritious. Oats are renowned for their health benefits, which include promoting digestive health, providing rich essential nutrients, and boosting immune function.
That’s the beauty of oats: they’re not just delicious, they’re nutritious.
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