This One-Ingredient Trick Gives Oatmeal an Instant Protein Boost

When I first heard of adding an egg to oatmeal, it didn’t sound particularly appetizing. Sorta like the idea of blending raw eggs into a smoothie—yeah, it’s a great idea if you need to get as much protein into a meal as possible, but flavor and taste are definitely not a factor. 

Then I thought about baked goods. Of course they all have eggs incorporated, and are delicious…so, I guess it’s sorta like that? Once I put things in those terms, the thought of adding an egg to a bowl of oatmeal made so much more sense. It’s actually such a smart, healthy choice! 

And turns out, one of our editors at Allrecipes said her mom does this all the time, so I asked her a few questions to get the scoop!

Why You Should Put an Egg in Your Oatmeal? 

In a word, protein! There are lots of different ways to get more protein into a bowl of oatmeal including nuts and seeds, but if you’re not a big fan of those textures or flavors, stirring in an egg is a very flavor-neutral way to double—yes, double—the protein in a typical bowl of oatmeal. 

But what about the taste and texture? The flavor goes virtually unchanged, and “while the egg adds some richness to the oatmeal, you don’t really detect the egg,” our editor’s mom explained. She says it also makes the oatmeal thicker, so she usually adds extra milk and/or water to get it to her desired consistency. 

How To Make Oatmeal With Egg?

Simply beat one egg in a small bowl and set aside—this helps to prevent a scrambled egg situation when you add it. Then make the oatmeal like normal. When the oatmeal is done, take the saucepan off the heat, and quickly stir in the beaten egg. As long as you whisk it quickly, it blends in perfectly.

The best part is that this can still be a deliciously neutral base for whatever else you like to top your oatmeal with, just like your typical bowl of oatmeal would be. This one just happens to have a healthy boost of protein that’ll start your day right!