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GET IT NOWThe Protein Oatmeal Recipe My Kids Are Obsessed With
My kids’ go-to breakfast is anything with oats — oatmeal bars, baked oatmeal, muffins, you name it. But the problem with regular oatmeal? It never kept them full until lunch.
So, I threw together a couple high-protein ingredients I’ve been using a lot lately, and came up with this protein oatmeal that tastes just like the classic, but with enough staying power to actually fuel them through the morning. Here’s why this one hit the mark:
- 24 grams of protein per bowl – This combo packs in serious staying power. The amount of protein in oatmeal isn’t much by itself (around 5 grams per serving), but with these add-ins, it turns into 24 grams! Even I, someone who usually prefers eggs for breakfast, have been choosing these protein oats lately.
- Fluffy, ultra creamy texture – As a bonus, these high protein ingredients make my protein oatmeal recipe even creamier than the regular kind! I usually make that with just milk, but this ultra version is creamy and fluffy without watering it down.
- Comes together in 10 minutes – This is quick and easy enough even for busy weekday mornings.
- Easy to customize – I love that the protein in the actual base rather than any particular toppings, because it means I can load it up with my favorites. You can add ones for even more protein, or not — see all my add-ins and topping ideas below.
If you need a comforting, filling, and kid-approved breakfast, this high protein oatmeal checks all the boxes. Make it with me!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Here I explain the best ingredients for my protein oatmeal recipe, what each one does, and substitution options. For measurements, see the recipe card.
- Rolled Oats – I use regular rolled oats because they cook fast and have the best texture. (If you’re gluten-free like me, just choose a GF brand.) Quick oats work too but turn out a little mushy. You can use steel cut oats if you want, but I don’t like them because they take too long and stay chewy.
- Cottage Cheese – Cottage cheese oatmeal might sound strange, but trust me when I say blending it makes the whole bowl creamy and totally different. And I don’t even like cottage cheese in regular form! See my tips if you don’t have a blender. I’ve tried these protein oats with Greek yogurt and that was good too, but the tangy flavor was noticeable.
- Unflavored Protein Powder – For an extra protein boost. I use this kind of protein powder because it’s high quality without fillers and doesn’t mess with the taste, but any kind you like will work.
- Water & Sea Salt – For cooking the oats.
- Flavor Boosters – I like a splash of vanilla extract and a drizzle of my Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Honey to sweeten it up. (As a bonus, my honey adds extra fiber.) Feel free to choose other add-ins and toppings!
How To Make Protein Oatmeal
I have step-by-step photos here to help you visualize the recipe. For full instructions with amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card.
- Cook the oatmeal. Toss your oats, water, and a pinch of salt into a small saucepan, and cook until they’re thick and creamy. I used this pan (pictured below), which is the perfect size for one serving and also small-batch sauces, like my lemon butter sauce.
- Blend the protein. While the oats cook, I blend the cottage cheese and protein powder together, until the mixture is smooth and has a few bubbles.
- Stir the blended mixture into the oats. Finish off your protein oatmeal with vanilla, honey, and any other toppings you like. Last time, I used my zero sugar orange honey, bananas, berries, and hemp hearts for an extra protein boost!
My Tips For The Best Texture
- You’ll need a very small blender, or triple the recipe if yours is larger. Otherwise the cottage cheese mixture can end up lower than the blade and not blend well. I have and love this twister jar with this blender, which I find very helpful because it scrapes down the sides as you blend.
- Scrape down the blender as needed. The protein powder tends to settle in pockets and you want it fully mixed with the cottage cheese. The twister jar I mentioned above eliminates this step!
- Blend it long enough so the cottage cheese gets totally smooth. That’s what makes my protein oatmeal recipe so creamy! I tried just stirring it in, and it’s not the same effect if the curds are intact.
- Don’t have a blender? Ricotta works as an alternative to cottage cheese, and you don’t necessarily have to blend it. It’s less smooth but I’ve made this option when I didn’t feel like washing my blender.
- Want to make an overnight oats version of this recipe? Just combine the dry oats with the blended cottage cheese mixture, and stir in 1/4 cup of water. Refrigerate overnight. Or try my peanut butter overnight oats instead.
- Prefer runnier protein oats? Add a splash of milk. Any kind works, but cow’s milk is higher in protein than plant-based options.
- Want it extra creamy, with even more protein? Double the amount of cottage cheese.
- Save time in the morning by blending in advance. I just keep the blended cottage cheese mixture in the fridge to make the protein oatmeal faster in the morning.
Protein Oatmeal (24g Protein!)
My protein oatmeal has 24 grams of protein per bowl, with just a few ingredients! These protein oats are creamy, filling, and easy to make.
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Instructions
Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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Combine the oats, water, and salt in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until thickened.
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Meanwhile, combine the cottage cheese and protein powder in a small blender. Blend until smooth.
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Stir the cottage cheese mixture into the cooked oats. If you like, stir in vanilla to your taste.
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Transfer the protein oatmeal to a bowl. You can enjoy it plain, topped with fruit, and/or drizzled with honey.
LAST STEP: Leave a rating to help other readers, or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram. I’d love to hear from you!
Maya’s Recipe Notes
Serving size: 1 bowl (entire recipe)
- Tips: Check out my tips above to help you get the best texture in your protein oatmeal, plus a few variations.
- Storage & meal prep: Feel free to scale up the recipe and make a double batch (or more). The leftovers keep well for up to 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
- Reheat: You can warm up these protein oats in the microwave or on the stove, but I recommend adding a splash of milk or water so they don’t dry out.
- Note on nutrition info: The numbers here are for the base recipe only and don’t include optional ingredients, like honey or toppings.
I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy.
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Protein Oatmeal
Add-Ins & Toppings
You can top this protein oatmeal with any toppings you normally like on regular oats! Here are some of my favorites:
- Sweetener – I used my Wholesome Yum Zero Sugar Orange Honey above, but you can use dry sweeteners too as long as they blend well. When I want a completely neutral flavor, I use either Besti or powdered Besti, both of which dissolve easily for a completely smooth consistency. Note that many other sweetener brands don’t do that and can leave a gritty texture.
- Spices – My favorite combo is cinnamon and Besti brown sweetener, which reminds me of a cinnamon roll! For fall, you can also try a dollop of pumpkin puree with a teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice.
- Fruit – I used bananas, blueberries, and raspberries above. My kids also love dried cranberries in their protein oats.
- Nuts & Seeds – For extra high protein oatmeal, top it with hemp hearts, which are the highest in complete protein! I tried blending them in but they got a bitter flavor that way, so I recommend just sprinkling them on top like I did above. You can also try nuts, like almonds, walnuts, or cashews, for more crunch.
- Chocolate Chips – Swirl some in for dessert-for-breakfast vibes! My family likes these sugar-free ones.
- Drizzles – I use zero sugar honey most often, but if you’re feeling fancy, drizzle your bowl of oatmeal with nut butter, sugar-free caramel sauce, or sugar-free chocolate syrup.
10 Comments
Sandy
0Looks scrumptious
Wholesome Yum D
0Thank you, Sandy! I hope you get a chance to try it!
Ashleyn Scott
0This was amazing and kept me full for hours!
Wholesome Yum D
0Thanks so much for the kind words, Ashleyn! I’m so happy to hear it kept you full and satisfied, that’s the best kind of recipe!
Mary Anne Scarborough
0Could one use an immersion blender on this recipe?
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Hi Mary Anne, Yes, you can. I would use it in a tall, narrow container that fits the blender, like a jar (or even the original container it came in). Please let me know how it turns out!
Margaret
0My family did not like this. We love cottage cheese, but even with it creamed up, it was not a good idea to add it to Oatmeal. I am the only one that finished my serving.
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0Sorry to hear that, Margaret! My kids do like this but everyone is different. Does you family normally like dairy in their oatmeal, such as milk or cream? Maybe the whole creamy concept is just not their thing?
Krista Skar
0Great idea to blend the cottage cheese with the protein powder. I have added cottage cheese to a lot of things, but never considered adding it to my oatmeal.
thanks!
Wholesome Yum D
0Krista, thanks so much! I’m so happy you enjoyed the oatmeal, love hearing that the protein version is working for you.