5 Oatmeal Recipes to Welcome Spring (Deliciously)

Spring is my FAVORITE season. All the bad parts of winter literally melt away, and the sharp pains of bitter cold mornings are left behind. Warmer days come along, and an exciting anticipation of summer takes hold. I think the anticipation is even greater than summer itself, which comes with scorching hot days, sweat, and steep electricity bills. But not spring. It exists in a perfect little vacuum of mild temperatures, sunshine, and rebirth. Naked trees become green again, and Washington Square Park turns its mesmerizing fountain back on.

Another fabulous part of spring is the food. By the time March comes along, the prospect of spring produce can shake us free of our invisible contracts with potatoes and squash and let us explore greener things again. When the first day of spring snuck up on me yesterday (winter was such a whirlwind!), I couldn’t wait to start thinking of what would go in my bowl.

Here are my favorite recipes featuring spring produce (at least in the northern, western hemisphere).

Lemon Asparagus Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Inspired by a popular risotto, this oatmeal features the king of spring vegetables (asparagus!!!!!) and its favorite flavor enhancer, lemon. There’s also peas, another springtime leader. A dusting of dairy-free parm and black pepper garnish this savory beauty perfectly.

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Poached Strawberry-Rhubarb Reduction Sauce

If you love the idea of rhubarb (which explodes in gardens during the spring months) but aren’t a big fan of its intense tartness, try cooking it down in a reduction sauce. By pairing it with strawberry (another spring fave), you’ll tame that tartness AND capture that classic strawberry-rhubarb pie flavor. Add this to a simple oatmeal base or pancake!

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Savory Citrus & Arugula Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Arugula (along with spinach) hits its prime during spring. Enjoy it in this savory oatmeal that gets a touch of sweetness from another spring royalty, oranges. This steel-cut porridge hits every taste bud with its sweet, savory, tart, and bitter flavors. Highly recommended!!

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Rhubarb Mango Oatmeal

Another way to sweeten that tart rhubarb stalk is by pairing it with a hyper-sweet fruit like mango. Apparently, mango is also in season during spring months. Since I live nowhere near a tropical region, it’s hard for me to conceptualize this, but this is what the interwebz tells me. This is a super simple recipe that can also be prepared using frozen mangoes!

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Orange, Cherry, & Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal

Feeling frisky? Chocolate for breakfast is always a great choice. Orange and cherries, both springtime fruits, pair beautifully with chocolate on their own, and altogether the three make an enticing combo of sweet, tart, and luscious that is hard to beat. The recipe can use fresh, frozen, or even dried cherry, so whatever you can find will do!

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