Often overlooked as a dessert ingredient, oatmeal offers a world of possibilities beyond the traditional cookie. While some people may be put off by its texture, I’m a firm believer in the delights of oat-based treats. The crunch and chew of oats can add a satisfying depth to a variety of dishes, from baked goods to smoothies. Not only do oats provide a wealth of essential minerals, vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, but they’re also an affordable and versatile ingredient.
Whether you’re using them as a flour substitute or adding them to your favorite recipes, oats have the potential to elevate your desserts to new heights. Oats can be used in countless ways, from making homemade oat milk to incorporating them into banana pancakes or pie toppings. With so many options available, it’s no wonder that oats are considered one of the healthiest grains on earth.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting out, there’s something on this list of 20 oatmeal desserts to inspire your next culinary creation.
No-Bake Cookies
Varying the texture of your no-bake oats can be achieved in several ways. The absence of baking allows the oats to retain a wonderful chewy texture, but if you’re looking for something crunchier, consider baking them for 5-10 minutes to give them a pleasant toasty texture. Alternatively, using crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth will also add a delightful contrast, while sprinkling chopped nuts on top adds an extra layer of texture and visual appeal.
Apple Crisp
Zestfully, a warm and inviting bowl of apple crisp is often hard to resist, its sweet and spiced flavors paired with the satisfying crunch of oat topping that leaves everyone craving more. While using pre-made apple pie filling can speed up the process, I prefer making my own, as it allows me to carefully balance texture by cutting some apples slightly thicker than others, adding depth and complexity to the filling.
Oatmeal Pie
While oatmeal cookies may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s a good reason why these bars are perfect for fans of the classic treat. The oat-based filling is undeniably present in every bite, but it’s also what sets them apart from traditional recipes. As an economical alternative to pecan pie, this recipe combines the best of both worlds by infusing oats with that same sweet and sticky flavor profile you know and love.
Oatmeal Carmelita Bars
Delightfully rich and indulgent, Carmelitas are a treat that combines the best of textures and flavors. Their foundation is an oatmeal shortbread base, which provides a satisfying crunch and a hint of sweetness. On top of this base, they’re generously sprinkled with dark chocolate chips, crunchy pecans, and gooey caramel, adding depth and complexity to each bite.
As the Carmelitas bake in the oven, the chocolate melts and infuses into the crust, while the caramel seeps through, creating a tender and chewy texture that’s simply irresistible when they’re pulled out of the oven.
Jam Filled Oatmeal Bars
Undoubtedly, my affection for caramel version aside, the jam bars have won me over with their vibrant appearance. The bright color of the jam is what truly catches my eye every time I glance at these tasty treats. When it comes to making oatmeal jam bars, I often prepare double batches so that I can treat myself (or share) by pairing one with a layer of peanut butter for an unforgettable twist – essentially transforming them into peanut butter and jelly oatmeal bars.
Easy Oatmeal Walnut Cookies
Elevate your baking with a recipe that checks all the boxes: convenience and deliciousness. We don’t often enough utilize walnuts, which are sometimes pricey but offer an irresistible combination of mild flavor and smooth texture. When preparing this dish, make sure to use quick oats rather than instant – the difference in texture will be immediately noticeable if you opt for the latter.
Grandma’s Oatmeal Cake
Discovering new desserts has been a thrill of mine lately, and this unusual cake was no exception. Between its tender, lightly spiced interior and the sweet, crunchy coconut topping, I found myself delightfully surprised. To recreate this treat at home, you’ll need to prepare two separate batters. Fortunately, the cake itself is relatively simple, with only a slight twist: mixing oats and butter with hot water, which may seem unconventional but yields impressive results.
As the cake bakes in the oven, you can simultaneously work on preparing the topping. Once the cake has finished baking, take advantage of its still-warm surface to layer on the almond and coconut mixture before placing it under the broiler until golden brown.
Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Varying from the classic cookie, these thick and chewy cookie bars are a game-changer when it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth. The addition of both milk and dark chocolate creates a delightful flavor experience as you indulge. While a single layer of either type would still be enjoyable, combining them allows for a unique taste profile with each bite. To add an extra dimension, I like to include mini chocolate chips throughout the base for added texture.
Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies
Generally speaking, oatmeal raisin cookies are often overlooked in favor of more popular flavors like chocolate chip or peanut butter. However, they offer a unique combination of tender texture and subtle sweetness that’s worth exploring.
Glazed Oatmeal Maple Scones with Pecans & Currants
Judging by the pictures alone, this recipe may not look like your typical scone recipes. They appear to be more akin to ultra-thick cookies rather than traditional scones. However, once you bite into them, you’ll find that the center is indeed fluffy and scone-like, which is why I’m sticking with the original name. To achieve a better shape, it’s essential to manage the spreading of the dough during baking.
One effective method to prevent excessive spreading is to scoop the dough into balls and then freeze them. Once frozen, cook the dough directly from the freezer, and they will retain their shape much more effectively.
5-Ingredient Peanut Butter Energy Bites
You’ll find that adding one of the healthiest grains on earth – oats – is a no-brainer when making healthy energy bites. The humble oat serves as the binding agent, effectively transforming the sticky ingredients into bite-sized morsels that are actually easy to handle. For an added twist, consider incorporating mini-chocolate chips for a delightful texture contrast, or opt for Reese’s Pieces for a burst of color and fun.
Raspberry Crumb Bars
Just like many homemade recipes, this one is remarkably simple and can be prepared in approximately thirty minutes. Joining the world of DIY jam-making, I’ve found that using frozen raspberries allows for a more cost-effective and convenient approach. Adding half as much sugar as the traditional recipe calls for, along with a squeeze of fresh lime juice, results in a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
During the cooking process, which takes around 10 minutes over low heat, the fruit will release its natural moisture content, eliminating the need to add any additional liquid. Once the sugar has dissolved, the mixture will thicken beautifully, achieving the ideal consistency for spreading on toast or using as a topping for yogurt or ice cream.
Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
Zeroing in on the perfect muffin texture is a challenge many bakers face. Flat, soggy, and sad muffins are not exactly what you’d want to start your day with, no matter how good they taste. The key to achieving that light, fluffy middle lies in soaking your oats, a simple process that requires just 20 minutes of your time.
This recipe takes it up a notch by substituting honey for sugar and offering the option to make it dairy-free using coconut oil instead of butter and oat milk as a replacement for whole milk.
The Ultimate Chocolate Granola
Eagerly consuming homemade granola is not only cost-effective but also allows for total customization. Excessive granola consumption is often attributed to its addictive crunch and sweet flavor profile, which can quickly become expensive when purchased in stores. Fortunately, whipping up a batch at home is an effortless process.
To create this mouthwatering chocolate granola, you’ll start by mixing together oats, almonds, coconut flakes, unsweetened cocoa powder, and pure maple syrup to form the base. Once the mixture has reached a perfect toasted consistency, you can add in semi-sweet chocolate chips, which will begin to melt into the crunchy granola, infusing it with an intense chocolate flavor.
The finishing touches involve sprinkling a pinch of flaky sea salt and turbinado sugar over the top, adding a touch of sophistication and balancing out the sweetness.
2-Ingredient Banana Oatmeal Cookies
Keeping in mind that this recipe has some similarities to traditional banana pancakes, it’s actually quite different when it comes to texture. The addition of more oats gives the mixture a thicker consistency, almost cookie-like, making it easy to handle and shape.
3-Ingredient No-Bake Peanut Butter Oat Squares
Starting the day with a satisfying breakfast or mid-morning snack has never been easier thanks to oatmeal desserts. I find that combining peanut butter and oats with a hint of honey is all I need to kick-start my morning. These no-fuss treats make perfect grab-and-go breakfast bars, providing a quick energy boost without any fuss.
Crunchy peanut butter adds an extra layer of texture for those who like a bit more depth in their snacks, while storing them in the fridge helps maintain a firmer consistency. Experimenting with add-ins is also encouraged – nuts and dried fruits are great options to bulk up these tasty bars with a variety of flavors and textures. Feel free to get creative and play around with different ingredients to suit your taste preferences.
Strawberry Oatmeal Bars
Just as many have claimed, the primary concern with traditional oatmeal desserts is their perceived lack of sweetness. This notion holds some truth, especially when compared to other classic desserts that typically pack a sweeter punch. However, it’s essential to note that the level of sweetness in these treats largely depends on the specific recipe being used. If you’ve found yourself agreeing with this sentiment, then I recommend giving this particular recipe a try.
It skillfully balances the dense, chewy texture of oatmeal cookies with the natural sweetness of sliced strawberries and an extra helping of sweet glaze for added indulgence.
Oat and Pistachio Sandies
Besides my recent pistachio obsession, I must say that these nuts bring more to the table than just their great taste. Not only are they visually appealing, but their sweet chili flavor has me hooked! As for these cookies, one of the things I adore is how the pale color of pistachios adds a pop of color without overpowering the overall look. For an extra-special texture, I highly recommend keeping half of them back and rough chopping to achieve that delightful crunch.
With their delicate edges and slightly tender centers, these cookies are perfect as they are – but why stop there? Dipping them in some rich dark chocolate takes them to a whole new level.
Oatmeal Jammys
Many people can’t deny how visually appealing a plate of these cookies looks, and the versatility of this recipe is one of its greatest strengths. One batch can yield a multitude of unique flavors, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy experimenting with different taste combinations.
For instance, you might have some raspberry jam in the fridge sitting beside apricot or blueberry jam, apple butter, or even leftover caramel, just waiting to be paired with this humble oatmeal cookie dough. The possibilities are truly endless, and it’s a testament to the flexibility of this recipe that it can accommodate such diverse flavor profiles.
Oatmeal Scotchies
Often my enthusiasm for caramel flavors leads me to experiment with different sweet treats, yet I find myself drawn back to the simplicity of a good butterscotch morsel. This cookie recipe is a perfect example of how well the chewy texture and subtle sweetness of a brown sugar cookie pair with the rich creaminess of butterscotch. The flavor combination may seem straightforward, but it’s the delicate balance that makes it truly exceptional.
In fact, I’ve discovered that adding chocolate chips can be overpowering, so I prefer to let the butterscotch shine on its own, but feel free to experiment and find your perfect balance of flavors.
20 Best Oatmeal Dessert Recipe Collection
Zeroing in on the versatility of oatmeal desserts is a delightful endeavor. Beyond the classic cookie, there’s an array of creative and scrumptious options waiting to be explored. Think pie, bars, and even cakes – each one offering a unique twist on this beloved ingredient.
Instructions
Making a quick and delicious oatmeal treat is easier than you think. Most people have all the necessary ingredients on hand, but to be sure, select your favorite recipe that fits within a 30-minute time frame. Next, organize all the required ingredients in one place so they are easily accessible when needed. Then, with your ingredients ready, prep an oatmeal treat in no more than 30 minutes.
