Are you tired of the same old sweet fruit and yogurt bowls every morning? Me too! I’m Emma, and in my kitchen, we believe breakfast should be exciting, filling, and genuinely easy. That’s why I am absolutely thrilled for you to try my recipe for Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach. Forget everything you thought you knew about oatmeal; this high-protein, warming alternative is a game-changer for meal prep sanity. This recipe is all about practical comfort food that packs a serious nutritional punch to kickstart your day!
Why You Need Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach In Your Meal Prep
Listen, I get it. Sometimes you just don’t want sugar first thing in the morning. That’s exactly why this savory little powerhouse was born! If you’re into meal prep or just need something that actually keeps you full until lunch, this is your new go-to. It takes about ten minutes total, tops, and it cooks itself right on the stove before going into the fridge, or you can eat it right away!
I’ve gathered so many of my favorite go-to quick options over in my healthy breakfast ideas category, but this one really stands out for practicality and flavor.
High Protein Power for Sustained Energy
This combination of old-fashioned oats and that happy little egg gives you staying power. We’re focusing on complex carbs and solid protein here, which means no 10 AM crash! It’s perfect for your early morning workout or just surviving a long stretch of meetings. Seriously, try leaving the egg out just once—you’ll notice the difference right away.
Breaking the Sweet Breakfast Cycle
If you’re someone who stares longingly at the toaster while eating oatmeal loaded with maple syrup, this is for you! We swap the sugar for umami-rich broth, soy sauce, and savory greens. It’s wonderfully comforting, like a miniature hug in a bowl, but it tastes like something you’d order at a trendy brunch spot. No more sweet overwhelm when all you want is something flavorful!
Essential Ingredients for Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach
Okay, let’s talk what actually goes into this magic pot. Unlike a lot of recipes where you have a huge ingredient list, this one is super focused. We rely on simple pantry staples to build flavor, which is why it’s so great for quick weeknight cooking. I always keep everything in stock for these high-protein recipes!
- 1 small shallot, minced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup (40 grams) old-fashioned oats
- 1 1/2 cups (350 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 generous cup baby spinach leaves
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter, optional
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) white miso paste, optional
- Sriracha, for serving, optional
- 1 7-minute egg, optional
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
You absolutely must use old-fashioned rolled oats here. Trust me, the quick oats turn to mush too fast, and we want a heartier texture that keeps you full longer. If you don’t have spinach on hand, don’t panic! Frozen peas or baby arugula work beautifully too. Just toss them right in with the oats and broth mixture—it’s all about keeping things easy around here.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Preparing Your Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach
This is where the magic happens, and honestly, it’s so fast you barely need to put on an apron! We are cooking this right on the stovetop, which gives us a much creamier texture than the cold, soaked version. We are aiming for a rich, comforting porridge that still feels light enough for morning energy. If you’re learning to cook or just need a solid easy recipe that works every time, pay close attention to the timing here.
Cooking the Base of Your Savory Overnight Oats
First things first, gather your shallot, oats, broth, soy sauce, and spinach, and pop them all into a small pot together. We’re going high heat to start—we need this mixture to come right up to a boil quickly. As soon as it hits that rolling boil, immediately drop your heat down low. You want a gentle simmer now. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, for about five minutes until those oats have plumped up and absorbed most of that flavorful broth, turning into a nice, thick porridge.
Once it’s cooked down, take the pot completely off the heat. This is important! Now is the time to stir in your optional butter and that little bit of white miso paste if you have it. Miso adds such a deep, savory note that makes you think you cooked this all morning long!
Plating and Adding the Optional Egg
Now it’s time to eat, or pack it up for later! Transfer your hearty oats into your favorite serving bowl. This is where you customize it to your liking. If you want a little heat, drizzle on some Sriracha—I can’t skip it! And if you’re going for the high-protein bomb, top it with one perfectly cooked, soft-boiled egg. That gorgeous, runny yolk mixing into the savory, brothy oats? Pure heaven. Enjoy it while it’s warm!
Tips for Perfect Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach Every Time
Even though this recipe is super straightforward, the little tweaks are what move it from “good” to “I need this every week!” Since this is such an easy base recipe, it begs for customization. Think of it like a canvas for your flavor cravings! I always have a few additions ready to toss in for extra staying power or just to keep things interesting. You know how much I love making things adaptable; check out my ideas for savory dinner twists—the same principle applies here for breakfast!
Flavor Variations and Add-ins
The magic is in what you decide to layer on top or stir in right at the end. If you want serious richness, shredded cheese is your friend. I love using sharp extra-sharp cheddar because it melts beautifully into the hot oats, or a sprinkle of salty grated Parmesan packs a huge flavor punch with just a little bit. Don’t be shy!
If you made extra the night before or have some leftovers hiding in the fridge, tossing in pre-cooked veggies is a fantastic choice. Crispy roasted broccolini adds a wonderful textural element that you just don’t get from raw greens. Sautéed mushrooms? Yes, please! They bring an earthy depth that pairs perfectly with the broth base.
And for those days when you need serious fuel, you can absolutely add more protein here. If you have leftover shredded chicken from dinner, just stir a tablespoon or two into the hot mixture when you add the miso. It instantly turns this into a complete, hearty meal that will keep you going strong all day long. It’s amazing how versatile simple oats can be!
Make-Ahead and Storage for Your Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach
This might be the best part about this recipe! Since we are cooking it instead of soaking it raw, it’s perfect for make-ahead batches. If you’re trying to streamline your mornings, these fit right in with my other make-ahead breakfast casseroles and grab-and-go meals. You can totally knock out five servings on Sunday night and be set for the entire work week.
The key here is storage and reheating, because you definitely don’t want to eat this cold first thing in the morning.
Pop the cooked oats into an airtight container—I love using small glass jars for these—and they keep wonderfully in the fridge for up to a week. Yes, a full week! That’s some serious convenience right there.
When you’re ready to eat, you have two options for reheating, depending on how thick they got overnight. If they look a little too stiff, just add a splash of extra broth or even water onto the top before microwaving. Microwave it in 30-second bursts until it’s perfectly hot throughout. If you prefer the stovetop method, no problem! Just heat it over medium-low heat, stirring constantly so it doesn’t catch on the bottom, and add that extra broth to loosen it up again. It comes back to life beautifully!
Serving Suggestions for Breakfast Overnight Oats
Since we’ve already made this an awesome high-protein, vegetable-packed meal all on its own, a lot of the time I just eat it straight out of the bowl with that lovely soft egg. But sometimes, you want a little something extra on the side to make it feel like a real brunch spread, right? I’ve got a couple of easy ideas that complement the savory, brothy oats without adding a ton of extra cooking time. Think about texture contrast!
If you are looking for inspiration on pairing flavors, sometimes I look at what goes well with soups or broths—that’s where I found this great inspiration for complementary flavors. Here are my two favorite ways to dress this up for a weekend breakfast that still feels fast:
First, try serving it alongside some crispy, salty elements. A slice or two of toasted sourdough bread brushed lightly with garlic oil is a serious treat. You can use that toast for dipping right into the remaining yolk and oat mixture when you’re done—it’s fantastic!
Second, for an extra burst of freshness, grab just a few slices of ripe avocado. If you mash it slightly with a tiny squeeze of lemon juice and a sprinkle of flaky salt, it adds a cool, creamy element that cuts through the richness of the miso and broth perfectly. It’s simple, healthy, and feels gourmet without any extra effort!
Frequently Asked Questions About Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach
I know you probably have a few questions buzzing around, especially if you’re used to making the sweet versions of overnight oats, or what people call those classic healthy overnight oats that just soak overnight in the jar. Don’t worry, I’ve heard all the questions! Here are the ones I get the most about preparing this savory breakfast alternative.
Can I make Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach truly cold, like traditional overnight oats?
That’s a fantastic question, and honestly, it gets right to the heart of *this* recipe! For these savory oats, especially because we are introducing spinach and we are aiming for that creamy, almost risotto-like texture combined with the egg, I really prefer the stovetop method. Cooking it for five minutes makes the oats perfectly tender and dissolves the miso beautifully. While you *could* put these ingredients into a jar and skip the heat, the texture won’t be quite the same—it won’t achieve that comforting warmth that makes it so good.
If you are specifically looking for a true soak-and-eat recipe for when you work late, then stick to my standard Overnight Oats In A Jar recipes which use cold milk or yogurt. But for this specific savory blend, cooking is the key to success!
How do I boost the protein content further in these Easy Overnight Oats Healthy?
I love that you’re thinking about maximizing the staying power! This recipe already packs a decent protein punch thanks to the oats and the optional egg, but if you need more fuel, we can tweak it easily. If you are making a larger batch ahead of time, you can stir in a little unflavored or vanilla protein powder right when you dissolve the miso paste off the heat. Make sure the mixture is piping hot, and whisk it in quickly so it doesn’t clump!
If you don’t like protein powder, remember those add-ins we talked about? Shredded chicken or even a tablespoon of cottage cheese stirred in at the very end works wonders. These are such easy overnight oats healthy upgrades that make a huge nutritional difference without adding much fuss to your morning routine!
Why does the recipe call for broth instead of milk?
Ah, this is where we ditch the sweetness entirely! Milk—even unsweetened versions—bring a subtle sweetness and tang that fights against the savory profile we are building with soy sauce and shallots. Broth, whether chicken or vegetable, is essentially your savory flavor base—it seasons the oats as they cook! It works just like cooking rice or risotto. It’s the foundation, so skipping the broth means you’re missing out on that deep, comforting flavor that separates this from being just ‘plain oatmeal with cheese.’
Can I use less soy sauce if I’m watching my sodium?
You absolutely can, and you should always adjust salt to your own needs! The soy sauce gives us fantastic umami flavor, but it does contribute sodium. My favorite way to handle this is to use a low-sodium soy sauce, which takes care of a lot of that. If you really need to cut back further, dial the soy sauce down to just half a tablespoon, and then compensate by adding a tiny bit more white miso paste (if you’re using it). Miso still has salt, yes, but it adds a more complex, fermented flavor profile than plain soy sauce, so it tricks your palate into feeling like it’s tasting richer overall.
Nutritional Estimates for Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach
I know a lot of you are tracking macros or just trying to keep things lighter in the morning, so I pulled the estimates for the base recipe! Remember, this is just a guide based on the oats, broth, spinach, shallot, and soy sauce. If you add that butter, the optional miso, or—especially—that glorious soft egg, those numbers will definitely bump up. It’s like my low-calorie recipes—the toppings always change the final count!
I always say, don’t get bogged down in the numbers, but it’s good to know you’re getting a great amount of fiber and staying low on the sugar front!
Here are the general estimates for one serving of the base recipe:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 serving |
| Calories | 183 |
| Protein | 6.5g |
| Carbohydrates | 32.4g |
| Fiber | 5g |
| Sugar | 0g |
| Fat | 0.1g |
| Sodium | 400mg |
See? Zero sugar! That’s what I love about swapping out sweet toppings for savory ones—you get incredible flavor payoff without the glycemic roller coaster. Just keep an eye on that sodium level if you’re using regular soy sauce, but otherwise, this is a fantastic, filling base to start your day!
Share Your Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach Creations
Okay, my friend, you’ve got the secret to breaking out of that sweet breakfast rut! I’m so excited for you to try these Savory Overnight Oats with Egg & Spinach. This has become such a staple for me, and I love knowing that readers like you are finding comfort and quick nutrition in these savory little bowls!
I’m always tinkering and learning, and your feedback truly helps me fine-tune these recipes. Did you take my advice and toss in some crispy broccolini? What cheese did you use on top? Or maybe you skipped the egg entirely and went for a dollop of plain Greek yogurt instead? Let me know your favorite ways to customize it!
Please take a second to leave a star rating right below this post. It helps other people who might be hesitant to ditch their sugary breakfasts realize this is a truly easy, healthy alternative. I love seeing your cooking come to life, so drop a comment below!
Happy cooking! I hope this savory oatmeal keeps you full and happy until lunchtime!
Print
Savory Overnight Oats with Egg and Spinach
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A simple, savory, and high-protein breakfast recipe using oats, broth, spinach, and optional egg.
Ingredients
- 1 small shallot, minced (about 1/2 cup)
- 1/2 cup (40 grams) old-fashioned oats
- 1 1/2 cups (350 ml) vegetable or chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) reduced-sodium soy sauce
- 1 generous cup baby spinach leaves
- 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter, optional
- 1 tablespoon (15 grams) white miso paste, optional
- Sriracha, for serving, optional
- 1 7-minute egg, optional
Instructions
- Place shallot, oats, broth, soy sauce, and spinach in a small pot.
- Bring to a boil over high heat.
- Reduce heat to simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, until oats have softened into a porridge.
- Off the heat, stir in butter and miso paste.
- Transfer to a bowl and top with a drizzle of sriracha and a boiled egg if you like.
Notes
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats for a heartier texture that keeps you full longer.
- You can swap in other quick-cooking vegetables like baby arugula, frozen peas, or corn.
- Layer in pre-cooked vegetables like crispy roasted broccolini or sautéed mushrooms.
- Add cheese, like shredded extra-sharp cheddar or grated parmesan, or more protein like shredded chicken.
- If you need to make this ahead, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop with extra broth.
- Leftovers keep well in an airtight container in the fridge for a week.
- Prep Time: 5 min
- Cook Time: 5 min
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop Cooking
- Cuisine: General
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 183
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 0.1
- Saturated Fat: 0
- Unsaturated Fat: 0
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 32.4
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 6.5
- Cholesterol: 0
Keywords: Savory Overnight Oats, Egg and Spinach Oats, Healthy Breakfast, Meal Prep, High Protein Oats, Savory Oats Recipe