High Protein Oatmeal
This high protein oatmeal recipe is the perfect way to start your day! With over 22g of protein and less than 300 calories, this is a super filling plant-based breakfast!

Oatmeal is one of my go-to breakfasts, but Iโve been trying to make an effort to eat more protein. A serving of rolled oats has about 5g of protein and I usually top my bowl with some peanut butter or almond butter for another 5g of protein. But I wanted to see if I could bump it up a little more, since I often eat my oatmeal after a workout. I added 1/2 scoop of plant-based vanilla protein powder plus 2 tablespoons of PB2 and it turned out great! This was an easy way to start my day with tons of protein.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Rolled oats: Also known as old-fashioned oats, these oats have a hearty, chewy texture. You can also use instant oats. Do not use steel-cut oats as they take much longer to cook.
- Protein powder: I used a vanilla plant-based protein powder. Be sure you like the taste of your protein powder!
- Peanut flour: I used PB2, which is made from peanuts that have had the oil pressed out. It’s a great way to add more protein to the oatmeal.
- Chia seeds: This is a great way to add fiber and healthy fats to the oatmeal. It also makes it super thick! You can skip this if you don’t have chia seeds.
- Toppings: I added fresh fruit, a drizzle of peanut butter, and chia seeds โ but you can use any topping you like.
How ot Make Protein Oatmeal
Tips for Making Oatmeal in the Microwave
- Use a very large bowl as oatmeal will expand rapidly while cooking. To be safe, I use a bowl that holds about 6 cups when cooking 1/2 cup of oats.
- Youโll want to add about one cup of water for every 1/2 cup of rolled oats.
- Microwave for 2 1/2-3 minutes on 70% power. You may need to adjust slightly based on your microwave. You can avoid the oatmeal boiling over by not cooking at full power.
- After 2 1/2 minutes, use oven mitts to remove the oats from the microwave and stir. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to let it thicken.
- If the oatmeal is still runny, microwave for another 30 seconds for a thicker consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make oatmeal without protein powder? Yes! Try adding extra PB2 or add a scoop of Greek yogurt or cottage cheese to add extra protein.
- Can I make these into overnight oats? Yep! Try my high protein overnight oats recipe.
- Can I make my oats on the stovetop? Yes, just follow the directions on the package as cooking times vary by type.
- Are oats healthy? Oats are a whole grain which means theyโre a good source of fiber and protein. Theyโre a great option for a healthy breakfast!
High Protein Oatmeal
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Microwave
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
This high protein oatmeal recipe is the perfect way to start your day! With over 22g of protein and less than 300 calories, this is a super filling plant-based breakfast!
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 scoop (16g) vanilla protein powder (about 2 tablespoons)
- 2 tablespoons powdered peanut butter
- Optional toppings: Fresh berries, peanut butter, granola, etc.
Instructions
- Add the oats, chia seeds, and salt to a very large bowl. Add one cup of water and stir to combine.
- Microwave for 3-3 1/2 minutes on 70% power. You may need to adjust slightly based on your microwave. You can avoid the oatmeal boiling over by not cooking at full power.
- Use oven mitts to carefully remove the oats from the microwave and stir in the protein powder and powdered peanut butter.
- Add a splash of water or almond milk to thin, if needed.
- Add your favorite toppings and enjoy.
Notes
Use a very large bowl as oatmeal will expand rapidly while cooking. To be safe, I use a bowl that holds about 6 cups when cooking 1/2 cup of oats.
Are protein powder scoops standard? Curious how much you use in tsp/tablespoons as thatโs whatโs the rest of the recipe is in. Thanks!
1/2 of protein powder is typically 16g or about 2 tablespoons!