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If you haven’t tried cheese oatmeal yet, you’re missing out. Skip the soggy bowl of cereal and try something warm, hearty, and energizing instead. This savory cheesy oatmeal recipe is one of my favorite cozy breakfasts for a chilly morning, and you can top it however you like. It’s creamy, comforting, and sure to be a hit with the whole family.
Appetizing creation, Summer! Perfect talisman to fend off the cold. 
– Reader
I know what you’re thinking: is cheese in oatmeal good? If you’d put bacon, eggs, and cheese on a tortilla or toast, why not another grain like oatmeal?
I’m a big fan of non-sweet oatmeal recipes like this one. It’s easy to flavor oats with sugar or honey, but savory oats can be much more satisfying. They’ll also help you cut back on added sugars if that’s one of your goals.
🥣 Cheese Oatmeal Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make cheesy oats:
- ½ cup rolled oatmeal, dry
- 1 cup water (or chicken broth)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (1 ounce/28g)
- Savory oatmeal toppings (see suggestions below)
Get a printable recipe card below!
I’m using rolled oats for this recipe. If you prefer steel-cut oats, you’ll need to add more liquid and cook them longer to get that same creamy texture.
You can use any of your favorite shredded cheeses here. I went with cheddar this time, but pepper jack, mozzarella, or another cheese you love will work just as well. If you choose Parmesan, use a bit less since the flavor is stronger.
I topped my hearty oats with eggs, avocado, wilted spinach, and a sprinkle of crumbled bacon. Check out more oatmeal topping ideas below!
🧀 How to Make Cheesy Oatmeal
Bring the water or broth to a boil over medium heat in a pot on the stove.
Once it’s boiling, add the oats, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more liquid or cook longer if you prefer a creamier texture. While the oats cook, prepare your toppings and set them aside.
Stir the shredded cheese into the hot oatmeal until it melts completely. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.
Microwave Directions
Combine the oats, water, and seasonings in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Stir in the shredded cheese until melted, then add your toppings.
Cheesy Oats Leftovers
Store leftover cheesy oatmeal in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. Reheat it in the microwave, then add freshly cooked toppings just before serving. Plain oatmeal also freezes well if you want to make extra for later.
🥑 Cheddar Oatmeal Toppings
There are so many fun ways to top savory oatmeal, and you can mix and match depending on what you’re craving.
Add More Protein:
- Ham
- Cottage cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Tempeh
- Chickpeas
- Sausage
- Chicken
Load Up on Veggies:
- Green onions
- Tomatoes
- Sauteed bell peppers
- Roasted sweet potatoes
- Caramelized onions
- Roasted cauliflower
- Roasted brussels sprouts
- Shallots
- Salsa
Add Some Crunch:
- Nuts
- Granola
- Sunflower seeds
- Toasted coconut flakes
Boost the Flavor:
- Hot sauce (sriracha)
- Garam masala
- Curry powder
- Chili powder
- Unsweetened coconut cream
Watch How to Make It!
Cheese Oats (Savory Cheesy Oatmeal Recipe)
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oatmeal, dry
- 1 cup water (or chicken broth)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- salt and pepper, to taste
- ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese (1 ounce/28g)
- savory oatmeal toppings (optional; cooked eggs, avocado, spinach, etc.)
Instructions
- Bring the water or broth to a boil over medium heat in a pot on the stove.
- Once it’s boiling, add the oats, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add more liquid or cook longer if you prefer a creamier texture. While the oats cook, prepare your toppings and set them aside.
- Stir the shredded cheese into the hot oatmeal until it melts completely. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.
- Microwave directions: Combine the oats, water, and seasonings in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 2–3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Stir in the shredded cheese until melted, then add your toppings.
Equipment
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 2 recipe (transition or weight maintenance). Savory oatmeal can be a nourishing and satisfying meal choice. It offers complex carbohydrates that are rich in fiber and has a warm, comforting texture that fits well with many different eating styles. Oatmeal itself is naturally gluten free, but it may come in contact with gluten-containing grains during processing. For those avoiding gluten, look for oats that are certified gluten free. Nutrition information is for one serving of cheese oatmeal without toppings.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
👩🏻🍳 More Oatmeal Recipes
- Vegetable Oats
- Egg White Oatmeal
- Baked Protein Oatmeal (with a secret ingredient!)
- Air Fryer Oatmeal
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Hello! I’m Summer, a registered dietitian and home chef who loves to cook, eat, and create recipes for you! Every recipe on this site has been tested by me to help ensure your success in the kitchen. All eaters are welcome here 🙂
Appetizing creation, Summer! Perfect talisman to fend off the cold.
Honestly, I was going to continue those thoughts, until reading the rest of your entry inspired far more than hunger, but awe.
Yes, awe, at your persistence and creativity in seeking out the unique and eclectic, even when they evade. You are a true foodie, boasting not only an appreciation, but determination. Above all, you have the skills to make them sing.
Also, your talent at building all around – and beyond! – the diagnosis is inspiring. You make the healthy appetizing and beautiful. All the more amazing when it’s also a path forward.
Five stars, Summer. just for the story alone. More like ten, or fifteen in reality, and we haven’t even taken the recipe into account.
Thank you so much! I’ve done so much culinary exploring over the past few years, I could make another site just on that topic! Haha
I love trying new foods and that always seems to work its way in when I write about food/nutrition. When I finished cooking a dish from each of the countries my family asked what we were going to be eating next. Luckily, there are endless possibilities for new dishes to enjoy. (This includes the wonderful oxtail stew enjoyed this evening!)