how to add protein to oatmeal

High protein oatmeal is perfect for post workout or pre workout. It helps keep you feeling full and provides fiber, nutrients, and amino acids.

Protein oats are quite popular nowadays. You can buy it pre-made in little cups, or you can find many recipes online.

It makes a fantastic breakfast or post workout snack with loads of protein and energy from carbohydrates (yes, they are GOOD for you!)

And because you can add so many nutritious and delicious toppings, the varieties are endless!

What I love about adding protein sources to oatmeal is that I still get a creamy, fluffy, warm and filling bowl of goodness but I don't have to worry about eating a separate source of protein with my breakfast or making up for the lack of it provided in oatmeal later in the day.

Protein is important for everything in our bodies. Not just for people who exercise, but for everyone. Growing children, pregnant women, older adults prone to muscle loss and everyone in between.

This is because proteins build and repair our tissues, help make hormones and enzymes, as well as build muscle, cartilage, bone, blood and skin.

It even aids in boosting our immunity to fight infections by building antibodies.

Proteins also transport nutrients through our bodies as well as store iron and milk proteins which are essential for the growth and function of our bodies.

Combining oatmeal and protein powder for weight loss is a great way to get the best value out of your breakfast calories:

Fiber to keep you full
Protein to keep you full and burn calories through thermogenesis
Nutrients
Carbohydrates to fuel you
Slow digesting carbs for lasting energy
Essential amino acids for building muscle and fueling workouts

See my round up of high protein breakfast recipes! Or this roundup of Vegan Overnight Oats

Read more: The 25 Healthiest Foods for Weight Loss

How Do You Add Protein to Oatmeal?

There are several ways to add protein to oatmeal:

egg whites
vegan protein powder
whey protein powder
cottage cheese
greek yogurt
silken tofu
nut butter
nuts and seeds
cook your oatmeal with milk instead of water

You can add any number of these alone or in combination. I typically use egg whites and protein powder and top with nuts, seeds, or nut buter in my high protein oatmeal recipe.

Egg white oatmeal may sound strange if you haven't heard of it but it's actually an amazing way to boost the volume, protein, and nutrient content of your oatmeal.

The neat thing about egg white oatmeal is that egg whites create a creamy texture to your high protein oats that make them seem more rich and buttery, when in reality, you're adding a fat free protein source.

Which Oatmeal Has the Most Protein?

Oatmeal contains protein as well, even though it is mostly carbohydrate.

Quick oats: 5.5 grams of protein per half cup (dry)
Rolled oats: 5 grams of protein per half cup (dry)
Oat bran: 8 grams of protein per half cup (dry)
Steel cut oats: 10 grams of protein per half cup (dry)

Steel cut oats are the clear winner, however, the typical serving size for steel cut oats is listed as lower than for quick oats.

Steel cut oats are less processed and offer more nutrition than other types but they take a lot longer to cook.

How much protein is in a bowl of oatmeal?

If you make your oatmeal with 1/2 cup of dry quick oats and 1 cup of 1% milk, you will get 13.5 grams of protein.

If you add 3 tablespoons of liquid egg white, you will have 18.5 grams of protein.

For my high protein oatmeal recipe, you will get 30 grams of protein. This is with egg whites and protein powder added in addition to the oats and almond milk. That number will be higher if you add nuts, seeds, yogurt, nut butter, etc.

Is Oatmeal Protein Good?

The protein in oatmeal isn't a complete protein source. For a complete protein, you'd have to add another source of complete protein such as eggs, or combine two sources to make up the needed essential amino acids.

What Protein Breakfast is Best?

It depends on whether you eat protein from animal sources or not.

Eggs are the most bioavailable source of protein. Adding whole eggs to your breakfast is the best protein you can add.

However, you can also add other sources, including vegan sources, in combination with oats to make a complete protein meal. This is why high protein oatmeal is so healthy and versatile!

How To Make High Protein Oatmeal

Now, don't be put off by the zucchini in this recipe!

This is a really great way to boost the volume and nutrient content of your high protein oatmeal! I promise you do not taste the zucchini.

Have you ever tried chocolate zucchini brownies? It's like that…. kind of.

The zucchini is totally optional, but I love to eat for volume (large amount of bulk with lower calories) to help keep me full but not over eat.

I have a HUGE appetite and have to be careful to not gain weight when I don't want to.

I talk more about eating for volume in this post: 13 Easy Ways to Eat Healthier .

zucchini, oats, egg whites, protein powder, almond milk ingredients on cutting board

Shred a smallish zucchini. I use 1 zucchini and about 1/3 to 1/2 a cup of oats but you may wish to start with 1 zucchini per cup of oats.
Add 1/3 to 1/2 cup of almond milk or milk of choice.
Place in a cinnamon stick if desired, or use powdered. Nutmeg is good too. It all depends on the add ins and over all flavour combo you are after.
Simmer until oats are cooked through and then reduce heat to low
Add 1/4 – 1/3 cup of liquid egg whites
Add 1/2 scoop of protein powder
Stir to combine and cook until eggs are set, fluff with fork.

Alternatively, cook this in the instant pot using steel cut oats for 3 minutes on high pressure.

PIN me to your Healthy Breakfast or Protein Recipes board!

How to Make Protein Oatmeal

Now the Fun Part - Toppings!

high protein oatmeal with cherries and clementines

strawberry walnut nutella high protein oatmeal

banana strawberry chocolate oatmeal

berry oatmeal in meal prep container

healthy diet grocery shopping list

High Protein Oatmeal

Oatmeal is already a nutritious and filling food high in fiber. However, if you would like to balance out your meals with more protein and nutrients to fuel your day and keep you feeling full, this is how you do it!

Course Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine American

Keyword breakfast, easy, healthy, high protein, kid friendly, oatmeal, snack

Prep Time 5 minutes

Cook Time 5 minutes

Total Time 10 minutes

Servings 1

Calories 305 kcal

Author Rach

Ingredients

1 smallish zucchini
1/3 to 1/2 cup of oats
1/3 to 1/2 cup of almond milk or milk of choice.
1 cinnamon stick
1/4 - 1/3 cup of liquid egg whites
1/2 scoop scoop of protein powder

Instructions

Shred a smallish zucchini.
Add almond milk or milk of choice.
Place in a cinnamon stick if desired, or use powdered. Nutmeg is good too. It all depends on the add ins and over all flavour combo you are after
Simmer until oats are cooked through and then reduce heat to low
Add liquid egg whites
Add protein powder
Stir to combine and cook until eggs are set, fluff with fork.