Oats are one of Mzansi’s favourite breakfasts, popular with families and people on the go. It’s loved for being quick and convenient, helping people save time while fuelling their day.
However, there’s no single way to enjoy it. Some prepare overnight oats with seeds, others cook it with sugar and butter, some eat it plain with fruit, others prefer it with yoghurt and fruit, and some enjoy it with just milk.
Morning bowls, made your way
A mother, wife, and businesswoman, Onwabile Soga from Cape Town, says that at home, oats are usually done the usual boiled way, up to the stage of mixing in.
With a mix of picky eaters and some who just eat what’s available, she has learned to be creative. Having different toppings helps everyone get their bowl just how they like it.
“The kids are always excited to pick their toppings, whether it’s a spoonful of jam, a sprinkle of granola, or a few marshmallows for a treat,” she says.
“My partner and I like adding some crunch with nuts or seeds, and sometimes a bit of nut butter for creaminess. We also play around with spices like nutmeg or cardamom to make it taste different. And of course, a splash of milk finishes it off.”
Meanwhile, Hlumisa Ncetani (a qualified chef, Advanced Diploma student at the Cape Town Hotel School, CPUT, and founder of Cuisine By Hlumie) says she chooses oats as a go-to breakfast because it keeps her full longer and gives her fibre and energy.
She usually adds berries and bananas to get extra vitamins and more nutrients on top of the nutrients the oats already have.
“In my big family, I add a bit of cinnamon with the usual sugar and milk.”
She also uses honey or sweeteners instead of sugar, and oat or soya milk for those who can’t have dairy. “You can also boil oats with cinnamon sticks and star anise to get those aromatic flavours.”
Related stories
- Homegrown: TUT turns traditional grains into modern medicine
- Mpho Majeng honours heritage through hops-infused drinks
- Golden goodness: How to make your own granola
- Amaranth: Can this supercrop move beyond niche markets?
Elevate your oats
Where there are kids, it’s common to have unfinished bowls of oats, and with food security in mind, you need to have a plan, explains chef Mbasa Brook, based in Parktown, Johannesburg.
He advises, “You can take your leftover oats and make a smoothie by adding almond milk, peanut butter, banana, nutmeg, oats, and seeds of your choice, preferably chia seeds. This gives you a nutritious smoothie to start the day with. For standard cooking, three minutes of boiling is enough.”
When cooking, Brook recommends adding milk instead of water, honey instead of sugar, and butter if you like. Stir and let it simmer for 8 – 10 minutes, covered.
“When done, taste for seasoning and take it off the stove. Toppings depend on individual taste, but for me, slices of banana, yoghurt, and berries are the best,” Brook says.
According to Siphe Ntsabo, founder of Ntsabo Cuisines from Parklands, Cape Town, bechamel oats, which are a type of overnight oats, usually work well when serving a larger group.
You can add grated green apples, raisins, fresh milk, fresh cream, and some sugar. This mix, says Ntabo, gives the right balance of flavour, nutrition, creaminess, and satisfaction.
“The best way is to separate your bowls before refrigerating; it makes things easier to serve,” she adds. “In the morning, you can just add sliced strawberries on top and a sprinkle of cinnamon.”
Fuel your day with this oats recipe
Try this oats recipe by Zintle Mayekiso, a chef from Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup milk (or any plant milk)
- ½ cup water
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- Pinch of salt
- 2 boiled or poached eggs
- 1 small banana or ½ apple
- 1 handful of roasted nuts or seeds
- Optional: 1 spoon yoghurt for creaminess
Method
- Cook the oats with milk, water, salt, cinnamon, and chia seeds for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until creamy.
- Simmer for an additional 3 minutes. Stir in the honey.
- Plate the oats and top with sliced fruit.
- Add the eggs on the side (or on top if you enjoy a sweet–savoury combination).
- Sprinkle nuts or seeds for crunch and healthy fats.
- Optional: Add a spoon of yoghurt for extra creaminess.
READ NEXT: Pearl barley: Explore the unsung hero of grains
