The Best Oatmeal for Quick Breakfasts, According to 6 Food Pros

Oatmeal is a no-brainer for breakfast. Whether I opt for a packet, a microwavable cup, or quick-cooking rolled oats, there are plenty of options—and I never have to spend 20 minutes stirring oats at 6 a.m. Each bowl has about 5 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber to keep me full until lunch, so as a dietitian, it's a breakfast I recommend for anyone short on time. The only challenge is finding the right oatmeal.

If you haven't been in the hot cereal aisle lately, I have news: The Quaker Oats man has company. It's hard to tell what oatmeals are good (and good for you) at a glance. To make the task easier, I asked chefs, dietitians, and food writers about their favorite oatmeal for a quick breakfast—and they all named the same brand.

The Experts I Asked

• Christine McMichael: Creator of lifestyle and recipe blog Jar of Lemons
• Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LD: Freelance writer and registered dietitian
• Meggan Hill: Executive chef and CEO of Culinary Hill Inc.
• Alexandra Foster: Editorial assistant at The Kitchn
• Natasha Fischer: Creator of food blog Trader Joe’s List and operator of kitchenware line Pat Cooks
• Brittany Mullins: Creator of the food blog Eating Bird Food

The Expert-Recommended Oatmeal

The experts all agree that Bob’s Red Mill makes the very best oatmeal—especially in the quick-cooking category. Whether you opt for a bag of quick cooking oats, instant oatmeal packets, or convenient on-the-go cups, it’s hard to go wrong.

Foster reaches for Bob's Red Mill Oatmeal Cups in Blueberry Hazelnut and Maple Brown Sugar flavors. “I like how easily they cook, their thick texture (I don't like runny oatmeal), and that they're not too sweet,” she says. Mullins is also a fan of the cups, particularly the Maple Brown Sugar flavor. “They have a hearty, chewy texture with real ingredients—like chia and flax—and are perfectly sweet."

Meanwhile, Fischer often reaches for Bob's Red Mill Instant Oatmeal Packets in the morning. “They give that heartier, almost stovetop texture,” she says.

The rest of the food pros love traditional Bob's Red Mill Quick Cooking Rolled Oats that come together in a flash on the stovetop or in the microwave. “They cook in three minutes with a tender, chewy texture. The flavor is great and there’s only one ingredient: oats,” says Hill.

Manaker agrees, adding, “These oats are perfect for customizing your breakfast. They cook quickly but still have a satisfying, slightly chewy texture. They’re simple, wholesome, and endlessly versatile for any toppings or mix-ins you love.”

I have to admit, I'm a Bob’s Red Mill fan myself, so I’m glad to know that food experts agree with me! You can find Bob's Red Mill near other oatmeals in the grocery store's cereal aisle.

How To Make Oatmeal Taste Better

Speaking of toppings and mix-ins, these food pros were full of creative ideas to make ordinary oatmeal into something special in the morning.

“One of my favorite ways to get creative with oats is to heat them up with water or milk, then add in a spoonful of Greek yogurt, a spoonful of almond butter, and lots of crunchy toppings like pepitas, chopped walnuts, and almonds. Fresh fruit is a must, too,” says McMichael.

“I like to get creative by mixing in protein powder or almond butter, topping with berries, and adding a little crunch with granola. Sometimes I even bake it into a soft, cake-like oatmeal—it’s breakfast that feels like dessert,” Fischer adds. She also sometimes tops it with a pat of butter as a nostalgic nod to childhood.

Hill likes to mix and match many of these toppings—and sometimes even builds her bowl around a theme. “I like to take inspiration from muffins for my oatmeal too, so I’ll do a theme such as banana-nut oatmeal (with sliced bananas and peanut butter), triple berry oatmeal (with strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries), or cranberry-orange oatmeal (with dried cranberries and orange zest),” she explains.

The other foodies follow suit with these sweet topping options, but have also jumped on the savory oatmeal train. Mullins tops hers with an egg and some cheese, while Manaker takes hers a step further with “sautéed spinach, a poached egg, avocado slices, and a dash of hot sauce for a hearty, satisfying meal.”