This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
This protein oatmeal is thick and creamy and packs in over 30 grams of protein per serving! Easy to customize and makes a healthy and filling breakfast.
Love oatmeal recipes? Try my overnight oats, overnight steel cut oats, brownie baked oatmeal, and baked oats.
Adding protein powder to oatmeal is a fantastic way to transform a bowl of oats into something even more satisfying and delicious. These protein oats are a fantastic way to kickstart your morning.
Table of Contents
Why add protein powder to oatmeal
Typically, one scoop of protein powder adds around 30 grams of protein, and I’ve been regularly doing this each morning. Protein is known for keeping you fuller for longer and helping repair muscles after exercise.
What I love about this protein oatmeal recipe is just how easy it is to customize. There are tons of protein powder flavors out there, so you can enjoy chocolate oats, vanilla oats, cookie dough oats, and more.
Like with protein overnight oats, you can make a big batch on the weekends and have breakfast sorted for the week ahead!
Ingredients needed
- Rolled oats. Also known as old-fashioned oats. These have a chewier and more satisfying texture than instant oats. If you only have the latter, you can use them.
- Water. To cook the oats in (with the milk). For extra creamy protein oats, use all milk.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk but any milk works, including soy milk, whole milk, and oat milk.
- Salt. Just a pinch to bring out the natural sweetness of the oats.
- Protein powder. Either flavored or unflavored. See my tips for choosing protein powder below.
- Mix-ins. Like any good bowl of oatmeal, you can flavor it up any way you like.
Best protein powder for oats
Not all protein powders are equal. Many of them are loaded with sugar, fillers, and almost as much carbs as protein. Here are my tried and tested options to choose from:
- Casein protein powder. This protein provides the thickest texture. If you add casein protein, you will need to add an extra 1/2-1 cup of liquid to compensate for it.
- Brown rice protein powder. Vegan and gluten-free protein powder. It’s thick and mixes well, and can come in a variety of flavors. Be wary though, some brands can have an ‘earthy’ texture, meaning it can have a quite distinct taste. Stick to vanilla, chocolate, or plain varieties.
- Whey protein powder. While not as thick as the other two kinds of powder, whey is easy to find at any grocery store and has minimal ingredients.
How to make protein oatmeal
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Cook the oats. Using either the stovetop or the microwave method, combine the oats, water, milk, and salt and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the oats are thick.
Step 2- Add protein powder. Moving quickly, whisk in the protein powder, ensuring there are no clumps throughout. If the oatmeal is too thick, stir through some milk or water.
Step 3- Add toppings. Top with fresh fruit, maple syrup, nut butter, chocolate, or whatever toppings you like.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Adjust the consistency. If you prefer soupy and thinner oatmeal, add more liquid. If you prefer stick-to-your-ribs oats, use less liquid.
- Thicken the oats. Another trick to thicken oatmeal is to add 1-2 teaspoons of chia seeds or ground flaxseed. These not only make the oats heartier, but they also pack in 4-5 grams of fiber!
- Add mix-ins. Fresh berries, bananas, peanut butter, almond butter, walnuts, cinnamon, or Greek yogurt are fabulous additions.
- Make chocolate protein oatmeal. Use chocolate protein powder and add some cheeky chocolate chips.
- Use other protein. If you don’t like protein powder, you can add Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or high-protein milk and still enjoy a high-protein oatmeal.
Storage instructions
To store: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge, covered, for up to five days.
To freeze: Place the cooked and cooled oats in freezer-safe containers and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Reheating: Microwave the oats for 30-40 seconds until warm. Add more milk or water, if needed.
More healthy breakfast recipes
- Almond flour pancakes
- Protein waffles
- Cottage cheese flatbread
- Oatmeal breakfast cookies
- Protein pancakes
- Protein cereal
Protein Powder Oatmeal
Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats gluten-free, if necessary
- 1/4 cup protein powder
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk any milk works
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Add the oats, water, milk, and salt to a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl.
- Bring the oats to a boil then once boiling, reduce to a simmer. Let the oats simmer until they are nice and thick.
- Remove the oatmeal off the heat and whisk in the protein powder.
- Add toppings and enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published November 2013, updated and republished March 2024
Omg this is so good and healthy. My husband’s will even eat this and he is really picky
Easy and yummy. I added all the ingredients to a mason jar with a lid and shook them up and put in the fridge overnight, and enjoyed for breakfast. They make perfect grab and go breakfasts.
I’m gonna add some cheeky chocolate chips lol!
Please do!
The protein clumps up and becomes gummy when added to hot oatmeal. How did you do it?
Hi Greg- I recommend slowly whisking it in to prevent that happening. It could also be the brand you are using- would you mind letting me know which one and I can look into it for you?
I make overnight oatmeal in my slow cooker. I put a glass container with my oatmeal mixture into a water bath and cook it overnight. Would you suggest adding the protein powder at the beginning or after it is cooked. Does cooking affect the protein powder?
I love adding it towards the end. There are rumors that cooking protein powder affects it, but that is not proven.
This one sounds good.
My personal favourite is one I made up and call “apple crumble oats”. I use rolled/porridge oats and add to them (sweet) ground cinnamon, sweetener (to taste), soy milk, Skyr vanilla protein yogurt and a diced apple (Gala apples are my favorite as they are lovely and sweet – you can remove or leave the skin on the apple according to preference). It is gorgeous, I make enough for a week of breakfasts/puddings and the only problem is trying not to eat the lot! 😂
HA! we would be a pair if we were in NYC together… my favorite place too, but if we were both stressed at the same time? nope, it would not be pretty. I whip my hair and freak out too.
chocolate oatmeal might help.
I think chocolate anything helps. Chocolate…tempeh?!
I usually cook oats with water, often add shredded carrot, sometimes shredded zucchini, cinnamon, sometimes cocoa powder and cook until thickened. Usually I put all ingredients in there just right at the beginning and cook until done (except eggs, I stir that in last). I eat it hot! I only eat uncooked overnight oats cold.
I don’t think anyone does not like peanut butter, like everyone is claiming to be the biggest pb addict in the world!
and I just realised that this is a very old post 😀 I thought it’s a new one that I have missed, lol. Your welcome for my oatmeal cooking directions! hahahaha
Haha no worries!
That’s so true- Everyone does claim to be the biggest addict! 😉
Bahaha, Oprah looks sooo scary yet very cute. I might invite her to Zurich and show here where to find affordable handbags (haha….)
I LOVE the spotlight on you Mr. Twerk!!
I am with you on the eggs. I freak out when there’s only one pack left, seriously, I eat so MANY!
I love them as an omelette, but even better combine them with oats – and cook eggy oats. Store them overnight and warm up in the morning – EGGY OAT BAKE here you are and I love you. Throw in a few pieces of kabocha and I am doing a happy dance (not that anyone wants to see that :-))
LOLLLLLLLLLLLLL. I nearly fell of my chair. and speaking of chairs. as Oprah would say- LOOK UNDER YOUR CHAAAAAAAAAAAAIRRRR. A NEWWWWW CARRR.
I can’t wait to meet you, Lucie. All we need are eggs, kabocha and we’d be set!