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Recipes

17 Ways To Use Oats (That Aren't Oatmeal)

Give your breakfast bowl a break, and try oats in a hearty risotto, healthy chocolate muffins or fresh, chewy cookies.
17 Ways To Use Oats (That Aren't Oatmeal)

Photo, Erik Putz.

There's nothing wrong with a hot bowl of oatmeal, but there are a lot more ways to use oats. They're incredibly versatile — you can throw them into a granola (watch how it's done below), use them in an apple crisp, homemade crackers, squares, breakfast muesli and more. Whole oats can last for up to a year in a well-sealed container (kept in a cool, dark place). Oatmeal and rolled oats are best when used within 3 months. Get more out of that bag of oats with the recipes in our gallery below:

Oatmeal-raisin cookies

There’s no better use for oats than the classic oatmeal and raisin cookie (at least in our humble opinion). Get this oatmeal-raisin cookie recipe.

Oat recipes: Oatmeal-raisin cookies Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Classic apple crisp

There’s nothing more perfect on a brisk fall day than a batch of classic apple crisp — just like Grandma used to make! Get this classic apple crisp recipe.

Classic apple crisp Photo, Erik Putz.

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Slow cooker almond and cherry granola

Oats are the star of the show in this crunchy granola, which is a healthy alternative to sugary breakfast cereals. Get this slow cooker almond and cherry granola.

Bowl of granola topped with blueberries and raisins. Photo, Erik Putz.

Peach crumble pie

Oats in this crumbly pie topping give the soft filling a crunchy boost. And best of all, it comes together in a flash. Get this peach crumble pie recipe.

Peach crumble pie Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Cherry and almond energy balls

Boost your afternoon slump with a sweet and simple energy ball snack. Filled with cherries, almonds and oatmeal, they’re sure to get you moving. Get this cherry and almond energy balls recipe.

Cherry and almond energy balls

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Brown Sugar Chocolate-Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Warm, chewy and delicious. Everything a classic cookie should be. Get this brown sugar chocolate chip oatmeal cookies recipe.

A black plate with brown-sugar oatmeal chocolate chip cookies on it, one broken, also holding. white and blue enamel cup of coffee (Photo: Roberto Caruso)

Old-fashioned date squares

Delicious date squares are a simple blend of brown sugar, oats, butter and sweet dates — a comforting treat for a cozy winter afternoon. If there’s a baked-goods equivalent to a hug, this is it. Get this old-fashioned date squares recipe.

a batch of date squares sitting on parchment paper, freshly cut into squares, with a knife to one side and two squares to the side on a cooling rack

Risotto

Consider this an easier, nuttier version of rice-based risotto. Steel-cut oats maintain a slight chewiness even when fully cooked, similar to grains. We used store-bought beef broth; if you use homemade, season the risotto generously with salt. Get this risotto recipe.

Steel-cut oat risotto Photo, Sian Richards.

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Everything bagel crackers

Yes, you can make your own healthy crackers at home — it’s really easy, we promise. (and they’re perfect for dipping in our broccoli hummus.) Get this everything bagel crackers recipe.

everything bagel crackers Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Apple & Blueberry Oat, Pepita & Walnut Crumble

Add heart-healthy walnuts, fibre-rich flax and crunchy pepitas to the traditional oats and sugar topping. Get our apple & blueberry oat, peptic & walnut crumble recipe.

A blueberry apple oat flax and peptic crumble in a white baking dish next to a bowl of the crumble topped with vanilla ice cream and a spring of mint (Photo: Erik Putz)

Chocolate muffins with marshmallow frosting

Satisfy your sweet tooth — and your inner health nut — with our superfood cupcake. It’s full of all things good for you, like oats, flax, applesauce, Greek Yogurt and, yes, a little antioxidant-rich dark chocolate. Get this chocolate muffin with marshmallow frosting recipe.

Chocolate cupcake with marshmallow frosting Photo, Roberto Caruso.

Apple & Blueberry Oat, Pepita & Walnut Crumble

Add heart-healthy walnuts, fibre-rich flax and crunchy pepitas to the traditional oats and sugar topping. Get our apple & blueberry oat, peptic & walnut crumble recipe.

A blueberry apple oat flax and peptic crumble in a white baking dish next to a bowl of the crumble topped with vanilla ice cream and a spring of mint (Photo: Erik Putz)

Granola bars

We thought homemade granola bars took hours to make and bake. Then we discovered this easy stovetop method. Make a batch for an easy weekday! Get this granola bars recipe.

easy snack foods - homemade granola bar

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Pumpkin ale muffins

These seasonal pumpkin ale muffins are topped with a sweet glaze, and an oat and pepitas streusel-crunch. Get this pumpkin ale muffins recipe.

Pumpkin-Ale Muffins topped with crunchy streusel and a glaze in a muffin tin on a blue placemat (Photo: Erik Putz)

Yogurt parfait with toasted muesli

For a new twist on a healthy, satisfying breakfast, try this homemade toasted muesli. It’s lower in fat and sugar than granola, but higher in fibre and protein. Get this yogurt parfait with toasted muesli recipe.

A stemless wine glass full of layered toasted oat muesli, layered with yogurt and fresh fruit, being drizzled with honey from a wooden honey server, on a blue napkin on a wood table (Photo: Erik Putz)

Pecan cranberry granola

You can make it in just 10 minutes! This autumn-inspired granola is a great yogurt topper or snack; and — becuase you’re making it at home — it’s not loaded with extra sugar. Get this pecan cranberry granola recipe.

Pecan-cranberry granola

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Overnight chia oats

Rolled oats and chia get an overnight soak in almond milk for an easy weekday breakfast. They will last up to 5 days in your fridge, and you can substitute with any type of milk you want - oat, soy or dairy. Get this overnight chia oats recipe.

Overnight chia oatmeal in three different mason jars—two short and one tall—on a yellow table beside a sliced banana and yellow spoons and a carton of oat milk (Photo: Christie Vuong; Food Styling: Sage Dakota; Prop Styling: Andrea McCrindle)

Peanut butter apple crisp

Adding a twist to the classic apple crisp with some crunchy peanut butter. Get this peanut butter apple crisp.

Peanut butter apple crisp recipe: single serving in a white bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, all on a pink background Photo, Erik Putz.

Blueberry granola breakfast cookies

With the right ingredients, you CAN have cookies for breakfast. Here we've mixed a homemade granola of oats, pumpkin seeds, coconut and flax, and turned it into a breakfast cookies recipe that helps you take on the day well-fed and with a smile on your face. Get this blueberry granola breakfast cookies recipe.

Blueberry granola breakfast cookies recipe - cookies resting on cooling rack Photo, Erik Putz.

How to make homemade granola

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