Oats are an excellent food for breakfast and baking. They’re healthy and so versatile. Read about the benefits of oats and how to make oatmeal in a hurry. Plus, get my recipe for homemade oat cluster cereal.

Oats are a staple in my house. We eat them a lot. I use them in everything. Okay, not everything, but what other ingredient can you use so diversely? They’re also really good for you.

Most instant oatmeal packets have other stuff added that isn’t as healthy, so read those labels. I use rolled oats, which cook up pretty quick on the stove even if you are in a hurry. You can prepare add-ins ahead of time or choose things that are quick, like a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of raisins.

I buy my oats in bulk at Sprouts. They regularly go on sale for 69 cents per pound, so I usually stock up with about five pounds. If you don’t have a bulk option, a paper canister is just as good, although probably not as cheap.

{If you buy the canisters, save them to make this kids desk organizer.}

Benefits of oats

They have both soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber keeps your cholesterol low; insoluble fiber keeps your blood sugar steady.
Although soy has a rep for having phytoestrogen (which imitates estrogen in your body, reducing your risk for related cancers) it is also found in other foods, including oats.
They are also high in iron.
Even if you buy the instant kind, they are a whole grain. The grain has just been broken down so it will cook more quickly.

For those trying to drink more water, oatmeal is a great option that you probably don’t even realize. When you cook a bowl of oatmeal, the water doesn’t evaporate, it gets absorbed into the cereal. Eat a bowl for breakfast and you can check one cup of water off your list.

Hot oatmeal for breakfast

All you need to cook up a bowl of oatmeal is rolled oats and water. You can also use milk or a non-dairy alternative. For a single serving, heat one cup of water in a small saucepan on the stove. When it comes to a boil, add in a half-cup of oats. If you like your oatmeal with more liquid, simmer and stir for 2-3 minutes. If you like your oatmeal drier, cook it a little longer.

This makes a single serving, but it’s easy to make it for more people. Use a half-cup of oats per person and use twice as much water as oats. You can top your bowl of oatmeal with just about anything. When I was a kid, brown sugar and raisins were a must. Now I like a combination of honey, dried coconut, raisins, dried cranberries, or flax seeds.

Oat cluster cereal

My favorite store-bought cereal includes honey and bunches of clusters. It also includes a lot of sugar, artificial flavors and preservatives. With a little inspiration from 100 Days of Real Food, I came up with my own version that is delicious.

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
5 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup honey
2 teaspoons vanilla
pinch of salt
1 cup almond slivers
1 cup dried cranberries
4 cups flake cereal

Instructions

Combine the first four ingredients in a mixing bowl. Combine the next four in a saucepan and heat until the butter melts. Pour the liquid over the dry and mix thoroughly. Spread mix on a large baking sheet and bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for an hour. Allow to cool a bit and remove to a bowl. You may need to break up bigger chunks into bite-sized pieces.

In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of the granola clusters with the last 3 ingredients. Stir carefully to combine without breaking.

Store in an airtight tub or zip-top bag. I recently purchased a Rubbermaid plastic 1 1/2 gallon cereal box because I make so much of my own.

Oats can be used in lots of other recipes too, like cookies or fruit crisp. Do you cook with oats often? What is your favorite recipe?