Ultimate Oatmeal Toppings Bar Ideas

One of my favorite ways to entertain is with food stations, especially breakfast buffets. This oatmeal bar is a crowd pleaser that makes a great start to your day during winter months, holidays, or weekend gatherings. 

Follow my tips and ideas for setting it all up, and hosting with ease. And for more self-serve brunch ideas check out the ultimate bagel bar brunch and this donut toppings bar. 

Why You’ll Love This Idea

• Hot oatmeal is filling and provides a blank canvas for a variety of flavors and textures that range from healthy to indulgent. It’s fun to create for overnight guests, family, and friends!
• Nothing brings people together in a more natural way than a self-serve food bar. It’s a conversation starter as guests mingle over the selections. Great for meetings or church groups.
• It’s easy on the host, and can be prepped ahead. Set things up the night before so all you have to do in the morning is cook the oatmeal and fill the serving bowls. As for guests, they get to create their own custom meal.
• A DIY oatmeal bar can be integrated into almost any brunch occasion from showers, to birthday celebrations, to holidays. Incorporate one into Christmas morning or Easter brunch.

What You Need

• Oatmeal. My favorite brand is Bob’s Red Mill and you can get it in 1-pound or 2-pound bags which will feed about 8 to 15 people respectively. I’ve provided instructions for cooking in the recipe card below, but the best thing to do is follow the directions on the package for your specific brand. You can make more or less depending on your crowd. 
  • Look for “Old Fashioned Rolled Oats’. You do not want to use instant oatmeal! 
  • Using a multi-grain “Hot Cereal” is also a terrific option. I used 5-Grain Hot Cereal here. It contains a blend of oats and other delicious whole grains.
• Liquid. I like to use water to cook the oatmeal for a crowd because you know it will fit into everyone’s diet and it’s readily available. However, if you’re making small batches and want to add some creaminess, you can use milk or milk substitute instead.
• Toppings. The assortment can be as big or small as your budget allows. Most people are partial to sweet toppings but there are a few savory options as well. See the full list below, and remember you’ll need enough bowls, jars, and other vessels to place them in.

Best Toppings

This list includes my favorite items to create your oatmeal bowl. Some are on the healthy side while others are more indulgent. In addition you could include a small pitcher of nut milk, soy milk, cream, or half and half for guests to add.

Sweeteners

This includes pourable and stir-in ingredients that can act as a base to sweeten the oatmeal. 

Fresh Fruit

For quick and simple preparation, provide fresh berries that don’t need to be sliced.

• Berries. Blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, cherries. I suggest you choose 1 to 3 fresh berries so there are choices but not overwhelming.
• Bananas. I recommend getting smaller bananas and make sure they have a bit of dark coloring on the peel. That way you know they’ll be soft and sweet.
• Apples. I prefer to cut them into small chunks, but thin slices also works. Honey Crisp apples are good to use because they don’t turn brown after being cut. For other apples you can toss the chunks in lemon juice to stop the browning.
• Peaches, sliced
• Kiwi, diced or sliced

Dried Fruit

Add 2 or 3 options with different flavor profiles. For example, dried cherries, dried pineapple, and banana chips. However, if you’re already serving the fresh variety, there’s no need to double up with the dried variety of the same fruit.

Crunchy 

I’m a big fan of texture so adding these crunchy toppings brings the dish alive!

• Granola. Make it homemade or purchase.
• Coconut. Toasted flakes or shaved coconut.
• Trail mix. Any combination you like will work.

Nuts & Seeds

These add crunch and savory balance to the sweet toppings. When lightly toasting the nuts, heat them in a 375º F oven for about 7 to 10 minutes or until they start to turn a shade darker and become fragrant. Do this several days ahead and store in an airtight container.

Spices

A little pinch or a sprinkle of spices can add depth to the flavors in your bowl.

• Cinnamon
• Pumpkin spice
• Ground Nutmeg
• Ground Ginger

Indulgent Toppings

These toppings are a category all their own as it includes items not typically served on oatmeal (or breakfast in most cases). However, they certainly add a special touch and are a winner with kids!

• Chocolate chips or chunks
• Peanut butter chips
• Apple pie filling in lieu of fresh diced apples; also cherry or blueberry filling can work.
• Chopped candies. Peanut butter cups, Snickers, Kit Kat, Twix, etc.
• Crushed cookies. Oreos, Nutter Butters, Biscoff cookies, etc.
• Cereal. Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Captain Crunch, Fruit Loops, etc.

Savory Toppings

As I mentioned above, sweet toppings are where it’s at for topping plain oatmeal. But if you want to delve into the savory side, here are some good choices.

Topping Combinations

The ideas for flavor combos are endless! Here are some suggestions to get you started.

• Classic PB&J – peanut butter, jam or preserves, nuts.
• Elvis Presley – peanut butter & bananas.
• Peanut Butter Cup – peanut butter & chocolate chips.
• Peanut butter & honey.
• Banana Nut bread – sliced bananas, walnuts, cinnamon, brown sugar.
• Bananas, coconut, chocolate chips, chopped apricots.
• Almond Joy – chocolate chips, almonds, coconut.
• Apple Pie – diced apples, brown sugar, cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, pecans or walnuts.
• Tropical Island Vibes – banana, coconut, dried pineapple, seeds.
• Peaches & Cream – peaches, cinnamon, pecans, milk or half and half.
• Strawberries & Cream – fresh strawberries, honey, walnuts, cream.
• Bacon & Maple Syrup.
• Blueberries, dried pineapple, coconut, almonds.
• Banana & Nutella.
• Blueberries, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, almond butter.
• Strawberry, Nutella, and Coconut. 
• Blueberries, bananas, pumpkin seeds, honey.
• Freeze Dried Strawberries, granola, walnuts, Nutella.
• Fresh strawberries, bananas, honey or maple syrup, milk. 

PARTY TIP: Lay out all the bowls for toppings the night before. Then you just have to fill them in the morning.

What To Serve With Oatmeal

When you start your day with carbs, you need to balance it with plenty of protein. Here I’ve set out individual yogurt cups on a bed of ice to keep them chilled. All the toppings for the oatmeal can double as toppings for the yogurt too!

You can also fill a medium-size bowl with hard boiled eggs. These are simple to prepare ahead, refrigerate, and serve when ready. To save time you can buy a package of hard boiled eggs already peeled.

Other good protein options are bacon or charcuterie meats, chicken quiche or vegetarian quiche, and scrambled eggs kept in a chafing dish or slow cooker to stay warm.

How To Set Up A Toppings Bar

Use an area in your home that’s near an outlet. A kitchen counter or island works well, or a dining table that you can push against a wall. Lay a foundation with a pretty fabric that coordinates with your theme or occasion.

Place a slow cooker on the table where it can be plugged in, and provide a large serving spoon or ladle so guests can help themselves. 

Add bowls, spoons, and napkins for guests, bowls and spoons for toppings, mini pitchers or jars for liquid items, and spice shakers.

Add fresh flowers and any seasonal decorations to make it special.

Use cakes stands, tiered servers, or footed compotes to add height and make items in the back easier to reach.

Place juice or milk in bottles, carafes, or pitchers to eliminate commercial packaging. Provide glasses and mugs as needed. Adults may want coffee or mimosas, while kids enjoy orange juice, apple juice, or sparkling cider. 

You and your guests are going to love this oatmeal toppings bar idea, and it’s perfect for hosting a weekend brunch or special occasion.