If you’ve ever wondered what to make with leftover oats, this post has a great list of ideas, including an oatmeal banana cinnamon smoothie!
What to do with leftover oats
It’s oatmeal season!
Oatmeal has always been one of the breakfast staples in my rotation. There were winters when I curled up on my couch with banana whipped oatmeal and summers when I blended overnight oats into batter smoothies. I love how versatile oatmeal recipes can be, and there is no shortage of them on this blog! Whether you dress it with fresh fruit, peanut butter, or mix it with granola, oatmeal checks all the boxes: healthy, filling, and filling.
But let’s be honest: Sometimes it’s hard to figure out exactly how much oatmeal to make or whether the people you’re making oatmeal for will actually eat it (I’m looking at you, Birch and Mazen!) The good news? Leftover oats are far from a waste! In fact, storing it in the refrigerator can even enhance its flavor for the next few days. Instead of throwing away that extra batch, you can get creative and repurpose it into something delicious.
Today, I’m sharing a roundup of recipes you can try with leftover oats, plus a smoothie that’s my easy version of blended oats. These ideas will help you make the most of what you already have in your kitchen and show that oatmeal is much more than just breakfast!
How to reheat oats
Leftover cooked oats won’t have the best texture when you take them out of the refrigerator. It appears gelled and is usually a solid block. The best way to reheat it is to add a little milk and stir it a few times in the microwave or in a pot on the stove while you rehydrate and remix the oats. The heat plus the liquid will produce a creamy result as it was originally!
Oatmeal, banana and cinnamon smoothie
This Banana Cinnamon Oatmeal Smoothie combines leftover cooked oats with the classic flavors of banana and cinnamon. Mixing it brings back all the gelled texture and leaves behind the great taste of your original bowl of oatmeal!
Ingredients
- 1 cup cooked oat flakes
- 1 cup of milk
- 1 small frozen banana
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (sub-brown sugar)
Instructions
Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend!
Top with extra cinnamon.
Oatmeal, banana and cinnamon smoothie
This Banana Cinnamon Oatmeal Smoothie combines leftover cooked oats with the classic flavors of banana and cinnamon. Use cooked oats in no time.
Ingredients
- 1 cup leftover oats
- 1 cup milk
- 1 frozen small banana
- 1/2 teaspoonful cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon maple
Oatmeal and strawberry smoothie by She Wears Many Hats
This fruity oat smoothie combines Greek yogurt and frozen strawberries with cinnamon and vanilla.
Soft Porridge Bread of king arthur
This oatmeal bread is a soft, chewy, whole-grain loaf made with one cup of cooked steel-cut oats (aka oatmeal 🙂
Leftover Oatmeal Muffins from food.com
These muffins are the perfect way to consume cooked oats. The oats give the muffins a tender, moist texture, while the blueberries add a juicy burst of flavor. An excellent snack or breakfast option!
Blender Oatmeal Pancakes by Prepare Meal Mom
Transform your oatmeal into these fluffy and filling pancakes. These were made with oats and blueberries so they are blue! What fun for the little ones!
Leftover Oatmeal Cookies from The Dinner Bell
These classic oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are soft and chewy, with just the right amount of sweetness. The addition of prepared oats makes the cookies more tender and increases their healthy appeal. Mix your favorite dried fruits and nuts.
Oatmeal Empanadas from Don’t waste the crumbs
These burgers look delicious for a different twist on breakfast, kind of like baked oatmeal and pancakes! I had the idea to turn them into these tasty veggie burgers! Combined with shredded vegetables, spices, and breadcrumbs, these burgers are a great plant-based option for dinner or as an alternative to veggie burgers. You can probably store them in the refrigerator between parchment paper to reheat anytime.
