Add This Juice To Your Oatmeal For A Sweeter Bowl

Everybody knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so it's obviously crucial that you make that meal as epic as possible. When it comes to oatmeal, you may spring for honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar to sweeten up your bowl, but have you ever considered other alternatives for a fresh take? Kyle Taylor, recipe developer and content creator at He Cooks, recommended adding some orange juice for both brightness and acidity. "It makes for a lighter, fruit-forward sweetness," he said. While perhaps not the first ingredient that comes to mind, OJ has even been used to elevate scrambled eggs, as well as a secret ingredient to upgrade banana bread. Additionally, he noted that the orange juice won't give the oatmeal as gooey a texture as honey or sugar can, so it's perfect for people who are looking for a smoother consistency.

While some recipes cook the oats in the orange juice (typically along with another liquid, like water or non-dairy milk — dairy may curdle in citrus after all), Taylor recommended using it as a finishing touch by stirring it into your oatmeal towards the end of the cooking process instead. When deciding on how much to use, you'll want to start with a smaller amount, depending on how much oatmeal you're making. It's best to begin with just about a tablespoon or two in order to see how you like it, but feel free to use less (or more!) to ensure you get just the right taste and texture.

If you're looking to jazz up your bowl with some additions, there's plenty you can do for texture, flavor, and beyond. Since you're already adding orange juice to this oatmeal, you'll want to consider flavors that play well with those citrusy notes. Kyle Taylor recommended chopped nuts, figs, dates, and raisins for some bulky add-ins. You could also go with some classic sliced bananas, strawberries, pomegranate seeds, sliced oranges, peaches, or blueberries. You could even top it with some vanilla wafers for a crunchy twist that works with citrus.

Since oranges are known for complementing warm spices, you could also let the oatmeal simmer with some whole cloves, allspice berries, or cinnamon sticks. Similarly, you could stir in some ground spices, like nutmeg or cardamom, or add a splash of vanilla extract for some depth. Various syrups could also work as a finishing touch, like a maple or ginger syrup to play up the warm notes, or something lighter and fruitier, like strawberry syrup.