By Lisa Esile, MS,
Last Updated:Affordable, quick-cooking, and ultra-versatile, oats are a darling ingredient in the healthy plant-based cook’s kitchen. Oats can be used whole or ground into oat flour for cookies, cakes, pancakes, waffles, and pie crusts. They’re an excellent binder for burgers and lentil loaves, and oat flour is a great way to thicken soups and stews. Want to level-up a scoop of nice cream or baked fruit? No problem, throw on crunchy granola for a delicious topping that adds contrasting texture and tasty flavor. And if you haven’t tried our nut-free Vegan Queso Sauce, you’re in for a treat. Here are 36 of our favorite vegan oat recipes to get you started. As a bonus, all the recipes are free of oil and processed ingredients, so they’re extra healthy.
Oat flour: You can make oat flour by processing rolled oats in a blender. If you want to save time, blend a large batch and keep it on hand. For more info, check out our Cook’s Guide to Oats: How to Make Oat Milk, Oat Flour, and More.
A note for our gluten-free readers: Oats are naturally gluten-free; however, some are processed in a facility with other gluten-containing grains and are not considered gluten-free. For gluten-free oats, use certified gluten-free brands.
Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins
These golden chocolate chip pumpkin muffins from Julieanna Hever are a breeze to make, disappear fast, and deliver a hint of pumpkin-spiced decadence in every bite. Perfect for mornings, snack time, or an after-dinner sweet treat.
“Wow! The muffins are absolutely delicious. I followed the recipe exactly, and the muffins turned out with the right amount of moisture and a very pleasing texture.” —Tina
“Wow! The muffins are absolutely delicious. I followed the recipe exactly, and the muffins turned out with the right amount of moisture and a very pleasing texture.” —Tina
Sneaky Chickpea Burgers
Chickpeas, veggies, and rolled oats are the primary behind-the-scenes actors in these scrumptious burgers, but flavorings such as tomato paste, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard elevate these hearty patties to something special.
“I have made these burgers many times for my family and everyone loves them!" —Dianne”
“I have made these burgers many times for my family and everyone loves them!" —Dianne”
Oatmeal Breakfast Bake with Berries and Almonds
For a special brunch or weekend breakfast, baked oatmeal is a fun twist on classic oatmeal. You can prepare it the night before if you prefer, then in the morning, add frozen berries and slivered almonds and throw it in the oven. While it bakes, grab a cup of tea and put your feet up as the aroma of fresh-baked oatmeal wafts through the house. Also, check out Gājjar No Halvo Baked Oatmeal.
“Thanks to this delicious recipe, I no longer skip breakfast.” —Rachelle
“Thanks to this delicious recipe, I no longer skip breakfast.” —Rachelle
Bursting with Berries Cobbler
Tangy berries paired with an earthy oat biscuit topping make this cozy dessert from longtime plant-based powerhouse Isa Chandra Moskowitz a crowd-pleaser at any table. The recipe calls for sugar to sweeten the berry filling; you can use date sugar, which retains the fiber of dates, for a more wholesome alternative to cane sugar.
“This recipe turned out incredible! It was a hit with our whole family. —Emily
“This recipe turned out incredible! It was a hit with our whole family. —Emily
Cherry Coffee Cake with Oat Crumble Topping
This tender cherry coffee cake is layered with juicy cherries and topped with a golden oat crumble. Vanilla and almond extracts add warmth, while applesauce, almond butter, and flaxseed meal keep it moist without oil. (Despite the name, there’s no coffee in the cake; “coffee cake” simply means it goes well alongside a cup.)
“I really like this dessert and will make it again. I used frozen cherries (thawed and squeezed as recommended) and whole wheat pastry flour and followed the directions exactly. It's definitely worth making and very suitable for guests.” —JenX
“I really like this dessert and will make it again. I used frozen cherries (thawed and squeezed as recommended) and whole wheat pastry flour and followed the directions exactly. It's definitely worth making and very suitable for guests.” —JenX
Vegan Queso Sauce
Vegans and non-vegans alike adore this creamy, cheese-flavored sauce. Rolled oats and jarred roasted bell peppers are blended with water, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and chopped onion for a surprisingly cheese-like flavor. A little cornstarch is all you need to thicken it. Use this fabulous vegan cheese sauce in Mac and Cheese with Roasted Veggies, pour it over a baked potato or other veggies, or serve it as a dip.
"hands down, the best vegan cheese sauce I’ve ever had. Whatever alchemy this simple list of ingredients does is remarkable. My non-vegan friends have no idea it’s not dairy cheese." —Li
"hands down, the best vegan cheese sauce I’ve ever had. Whatever alchemy this simple list of ingredients does is remarkable. My non-vegan friends have no idea it’s not dairy cheese." —Li
Gluten-Free Fig Bars
“Best fig bar recipe ever,” writes one reader about these irresistible three-layer fig bars from Katie Simmons. The crust combines oat flour with almond flour for extra richness. A creamy vanilla-simmered fig filling sits in the middle, all topped off with a crunchy walnut-oat crumble.
“Most delicious fig bars I've ever had in my life!!” —Livia
“Most delicious fig bars I've ever had in my life!!” —Livia
Perfect Vegan Carrot Cake
One of our most popular recipes, this gorgeous vegan carrot cake makes a great special occasion cake or family favorite. Oat flour combines classic carrot cake ingredients such as carrots, walnuts, and raisins to create a rich, sweet, and moist cake. You’ll savor every bite of this one.
“I made this for my birthday to serve as dessert. Even the least adventurous people who teased me about the cake being boring because it lacked gluten, sugar, dairy and egg went crazy about it. They all asked to take a piece home." —Andrea
“I made this for my birthday to serve as dessert. Even the least adventurous people who teased me about the cake being boring because it lacked gluten, sugar, dairy and egg went crazy about it. They all asked to take a piece home." —Andrea
Blueberry Oat Breakfast Muffins
Mashed sweet potato and banana step in for eggs in these tender breakfast muffins, which have been delighting readers for years. Gently spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, and naturally sweetened with maple syrup, these wholesome muffins are healthy enough to eat freely.
“I have been making these muffins for 10 years and eat one every day for a mid-morning snack.” —Kelly
“I have been making these muffins for 10 years and eat one every day for a mid-morning snack.” —Kelly
Southern-Style Banana Pudding Parfaits
This cozy, creamy treat features layers of vanilla pudding, sweet banana slices, and crunchy, vanilla-kissed oats. These are simple and comforting enough for family nights, yet polished and elegant enough to serve to guests.
“I make this a lot! My grandkids love it and do we!” —Cindy
“I make this a lot! My grandkids love it and do we!” —Cindy
Steel-Cut Oat Risotto with Leeks and Artichokes
With their hearty texture, steel-cut oats make an easy, no-fuss base for a cozy risotto-style dish. Mild leeks add a gentle onion flavor, while radishes soften and turn pleasantly sweet as they cook. Comforting and ready in under an hour.
Wholesome Oat Snackles
Need a sure-to-get-eaten snack for your kiddo's lunch or a tidbit to get you through the morning? These cute snack balls from Dreena Burton are just the ticket. Applesauce, maple syrup, rolled oats, and oat flour produce a ball that really holds together! Add vegan chocolate chips and raisins for a crowd-pleasing sweet treat.
Key Lime Oat Bites
Sweetened with dates and raisins and enriched with creamy sunflower butter, these raw oat balls get a bright, tangy punch from fresh lime zest and juice. They firm up beautifully in the fridge and travel well, making them a great go-to for snacking on at work or sharing at a picnic or potluck.
“The taste is amazing also, and mouth feel is nice.” —Tara
“The taste is amazing also, and mouth feel is nice.” —Tara
Blueberry-Tangerine Oats
Want to add variety to your morning oatmeal routine? In this fruity variation on a classic breakfast, rolled oats absorb tangerine juice and zest as they cook, yielding a delicate citrusy flavor. To serve, top with tangerine slices, fresh blueberries, and slivered almonds.
“Wow - what a flavor burst! Simple recipe that delivers amazing results for a gourmet experience.” —Niraj
“Wow - what a flavor burst! Simple recipe that delivers amazing results for a gourmet experience.” —Niraj
Wild Mushroom Soup with Rosemary
Perfect as a starter to a special meal, this light soup makes excellent use of wild mushroom varieties found in farmers markets and some supermarkets. Oat flour works well as a thickener, as its mild earthy flavor complements the savory umami notes without taking over.
Apple Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are prepared the night before and are a great way to start the day quickly. This recipe showcases the classic fall flavor combination of apple, cinnamon, and raisins.
“I eat this often and I love it! It’s great for breakfast or lunch.” —Roberta
“I eat this often and I love it! It’s great for breakfast or lunch.” —Roberta
Lentil and Rice Loaf
This robust lentil loaf features hearty green lentils, earthy brown rice, and umami mushrooms for a meaty flavor. Tomato paste adds moisture and a background tanginess, while a medley of herbs (fresh or dried) augments the flavor. Quick rolled oats help hold the loaf together, but if you only have “slow” oats, pulse them first in the food processor. For a memorable meal, serve with a green salad and a dollop of Creamy Mushroom Gravy.
Made this for my husband and it was a hit especially since we are newly vegan/plant-based.” —Ashley
Made this for my husband and it was a hit especially since we are newly vegan/plant-based.” —Ashley
Five-Ingredient Veggie Burger
A little lime juice and chili powder are all you need to transform rolled oats, black beans, and onion into these delectable plant-based patties. These are easy! Combine the ingredients in a food processor, shape the cakes, then let them chill for 20 minutes before cooking.
“These burgers are great, and so easy to make. I make 3-4 batches at a time and they freeze wonderfully.” —Kathy
“These burgers are great, and so easy to make. I make 3-4 batches at a time and they freeze wonderfully.” —Kathy
Pumpkin Pie Tart with Oat Crust
Healthy and easy to make with pantry staples, this vegan pumpkin pie with oat crust is a great recipe to have up your sleeve. A little almond butter gives the crust richness without raising the fat content as much as an almond flour crust would. There is no need to struggle to manhandle the crust into the pan (don’t you hate that); just press it in with your fingers.
“The crust was perfect and held up—my husband and I ate the pie over four days. The filling was great!” —Terry
“The crust was perfect and held up—my husband and I ate the pie over four days. The filling was great!” —Terry
Outrageously Healthy Black Bean Brownies
One of our all-time most popular recipes, these rich, densely chocolaty brownies from Chef AJ are so simple and absolutely divine. Black beans keep them moist, while rolled oats add bulk, and date syrup, which you can make yourself or buy at the store, gives them a caramel-like sweetness. These freeze well and are great for snacks, make-and-take lunches, or an after-dinner sweet treat.
“I’ve made these several times and they are always a hit.” —Denise
“I’ve made these several times and they are always a hit.” —Denise
Dreamy Zucchini Breakfast Cookies
These munchable cookies from Carleigh Bodrug suit all ages and are excellent for adding to lunches or as a mid-morning snack with tea. With almond butter stepping in to replace the butter found in traditional oat cookies, these are much healthier and still have that creamy oat flavor. Shredded zucchini keeps them moist, while oats add chewiness. Got a kitchen full of hungry kids? No problem. These are ready in 20 minutes!
“Excellent! And so quick and easy to make.” —Mariah
“Excellent! And so quick and easy to make.” —Mariah
Apple Dessert Pizza
Granola on pizza? Yes, please! These comforting mini dessert pizzas are a luscious sweet treat, perfect for entertaining or munching on yourself. Top with cinnamon- and maple-infused apple slices and hearty granola that crisps up perfectly in the oven.
Easy Oat Waffles
These banana-sweetened vegan oat waffles are the perfect way to start the day. Ground rolled oats lend a nutty flavor, lemon zest adds subtle citrus notes, and cinnamon gives a sweet, woody undertone. Top with sliced bananas, fresh or frozen berries, or other fruits. For a healthy alternative to pancake syrup, blend fresh berries into a smooth purée. Another stellar oat waffle recipe is Maple-Cinnamon Oatmeal Waffles.
“The lemon zest really added brightness to the waffles! We drizzled them with a little bit of date syrup and with bananas on top it was delish!” —Didi
“The lemon zest really added brightness to the waffles! We drizzled them with a little bit of date syrup and with bananas on top it was delish!” —Didi
Vegan Apple Pie
Rolled oats do double duty in this sensational vegan apple pie, first in the date-sweetened oat crust and second in the almond-oat crumble topping. A precooked, tender, fruity apple filling overflowing with fall flavor tastes heavenly paired with the nutty oat flavor.
“Great vegan pie and simple to make. Enjoyed by all.” —Carl
“Great vegan pie and simple to make. Enjoyed by all.” —Carl
Southwestern Savory Oatmeal
Discovering savory oatmeal is like finding a new food group. These quick-cooking savory oat bowls meld rolled oats with hearty black beans, tender sweet potatoes, and warming spices. Top with avocado, salsa, lime juice, or jalapeño slices for a tasty Southwest flavor. Also, check out Savory Oats with Asparagus and Peas and Savory Oatmeal Recipe.
“I make this at least once a week! My husband and I really enjoy the different flavors that are in this recipe! Sweet and savory! I never just cook plain oatmeal anymore!” —Joan
“I make this at least once a week! My husband and I really enjoy the different flavors that are in this recipe! Sweet and savory! I never just cook plain oatmeal anymore!” —Joan
Chewy Apple-Raisin Oatmeal Cookies
This fan-favorite rolled-oat cookie recipe is a cinch to make and features apples and raisins for fruity flavor and sweetness. All ages enjoy these beauties, which are great for snacking at home, work, or school. Going on a hike or a multiday car trip? Make a large batch and munch on them as you go.
“Best of its kind! Freezes well too.” —Leslie
“Best of its kind! Freezes well too.” —Leslie
Pumpkin Seed Granola with Millet and Oats
Looking for an almost-instant hearty breakfast or snack? This delicious granola is a lifesaver and worth keeping a stash in the cupboard in an airtight jar. The secret to getting the sweet and crunchy flavor without oil or processed sugar is to coat the rolled oats, pumpkin seeds, and millet in a date-sweetened flax paste before baking. Ginger and cinnamon add warmth, while raisins give bursts of sweetness. Also, check out this delicious Banana Almond Granola.
“This is a great recipe and so easy to do. It is great with some healthy yogurt and berries as a great start to the day.” —Sharon
“This is a great recipe and so easy to do. It is great with some healthy yogurt and berries as a great start to the day.” —Sharon
Jerk Grain Bowls with Air-Fried Plantain Chips
Sorghum, wild rice, and steel-cut oats form the base of this hearty grain bowl. Arugula adds green goodness with a peppery bite, fresh pineapple chunks lend juicy notes to every mouthful, and coconut flakes and crunchy air-fried plantain chips perfectly round out the tropical flavor profile. This impressive grain bowl comes together in 35 minutes if you have cooked grains on hand. Feel free to use another combo of mixed grains.
Silky Vegan Chocolate Ganache Tart
Combining an earthy oat and almond crust with the melt-in-your-mouth, date-sweetened chocolate filling, this decadent tart is perfect for a special occasion. The crust uses both rolled oats and oat flour, with almond butter for extra richness.
Frozen Banana Treat with Chocolate (Better Than Ice Cream!)
A cross between vegan ice cream and a bliss ball, these tasty frozen chocolate treats from Ann Crile Esselstyn are an ideal snack or dessert for a warm day. Rolled oats give the balls a chewy center, maple syrup and ripe banana lend sweetness, and cocoa gives them chocolatey goodness. Roll the mixture into balls and coat in Grape Nuts Cereal. You could also coat them in semi-blended rolled oats or nuts.
“I made these last night, and they are really good! Easy to make (a little sticky on the fingers), and just the right amount of sweet, chocolate, and crunch when I tried a couple today after freezing them.” —Cindi
“I made these last night, and they are really good! Easy to make (a little sticky on the fingers), and just the right amount of sweet, chocolate, and crunch when I tried a couple today after freezing them.” —Cindi
Berry-Stuffed Breakfast Sweet Potato
Up your breakfast game with these stuffed baked sweet potatoes. Prebake the sweet potatoes the night before or over the weekend as part of your meal prep. In the morning, scoop out the flesh and mix it with maple syrup and almond butter. Top with fresh or frozen berries, hemp seeds, and rolled oats for a satisfying breakfast that seems too good to be true.
“This is our favorite breakfast recipe! I pregame sweet [potatoes] on the weekend to have on hand for this. It’s just delicious!” —Elaine
“This is our favorite breakfast recipe! I pregame sweet [potatoes] on the weekend to have on hand for this. It’s just delicious!” —Elaine
Everything Muesli
Light and tasty, this healthy no-bake vegan muesli mixes rolled oats with puffed whole-grain cereal, freeze-dried fruit, chopped peanuts, dried fruit, and whole-grain cereal flakes. Serve with your favorite plant-based milk. Feel free to mix and match the fruit and grains to suit.
Chocolate Cherry Vegan Cobbler
In this crowd-pleasing cobbler, a chocolate oat biscuit sits atop a sweet and tart saucy cherry filling. Be sure to make plenty, as one commenter notes, “I really enjoyed this recipe. I probably should have doubled it for our group of six. Sadly there were no seconds or leftovers.”
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Grated carrot, chopped dates, cinnamon, and nutmeg give these overnight oats that melt-in-your-mouth carrot cake flavor, while flaxseeds and pepitas add crunch and extra oomph. Feel free to sprinkle with other goodies, such as hemp seeds, chopped pecans, and raisins.
“I love this recipe, easy, nutritional, and delicious. I can easily prepare 7+ servings at a time, leaving out the carrots and milk.” —Shirley
“I love this recipe, easy, nutritional, and delicious. I can easily prepare 7+ servings at a time, leaving out the carrots and milk.” —Shirley
Cranberry Orange Pumpkin Muffins
These are not the quickest muffins to make compared to some other recipes, but they are some of the best and well worth the effort. There is no flour; instead, rolled oats absorb the flavor of orange juice and orange zest, and raisins and mashed bananas create a moist meal-in-a-mouthful. Pro tip: For recipes you love that require more prep time, double or triple the recipe and freeze the leftovers for easy-to-grab snacks.
“These are the perfect bread replacement. Super moist and the taste is fantastic. I shared these with quite a few people, and they all love them. Definitely a keeper recipe.” —Lori
“These are the perfect bread replacement. Super moist and the taste is fantastic. I shared these with quite a few people, and they all love them. Definitely a keeper recipe.” —Lori
Blooming Baked Apples with Cinnamon Nice Cream
A crunchy cinnamon-infused granola featuring earthy walnuts and sweet dried cranberries is the perfect topping for these crowd-pleasing tender baked apples. Not sure you can master the “blooming” presentation? No problem: It’s just a few simple knife strokes, and using the directions in the recipe, it’s a lot easier than it looks. For summer, try these drip-down-your-chin delicious Baked Peaches with Granola Topping.
Apple-Raspberry Crisp
Rolled oats do it again, creating a golden and crispy topping for this fruity dessert. Perfect for cold nights, this crazy-good crumble is ready in 35 minutes and is excellent for entertaining and a spur-of-the-moment family dessert.
“Really good! Love that it isn’t overly sweet. But still seems decadent.” —Sandra
“Really good! Love that it isn’t overly sweet. But still seems decadent.” —Sandra
Grapefruit Nice Cream with Maple-Pecan Skillet Granola
An earthy homemade toasted granola adds sweetness and nutty flavor to this show-stopping grapefruit and strawberry nice cream. The nice cream uses plant milk and maple syrup instead of frozen bananas and has a sorbet-like texture. This memorable dessert is perfect for a special occasion or to surprise a loved one.
Peanut Butter Granola Bars
For breakfast on the go, a snack, or an after-dinner sweet treat, these nutty, just-sweet-enough oat bars are ideal.
“So easy and positively fantastic. My husband—who likes almost nothing—ate most of this first batch in one sitting.” —Jess
“So easy and positively fantastic. My husband—who likes almost nothing—ate most of this first batch in one sitting.” —Jess
Oatmeal-Lemon Pancakes with Raspberry-Date Syrup
These mouthwatering vegan oat pancakes have a subtle nutty flavor and they’re light enough so that you don’t leave the table feeling like you had cake for breakfast. The raspberry-date sauce is an excellent option if you’ve got raspberries, but feel free to get creative and top with your favorite nourishing pancake toppings like maple syrup, fresh or frozen berries, slices of bananas or other fruit, or a delectable date-sweetened chocolate sauce.
“I don’t normally care to eat pancakes, but these were really good! Easy to make and a great alternative to get your oats in when you don’t feel like having a bowl of oatmeal! The syrup was perfect and this recipe satisfied my husband’s craving for pancakes!” —Christina
“I don’t normally care to eat pancakes, but these were really good! Easy to make and a great alternative to get your oats in when you don’t feel like having a bowl of oatmeal! The syrup was perfect and this recipe satisfied my husband’s craving for pancakes!” —Christina
Fabulous Un-fried Falafel Burgers
These robust vegan falafel burgers are family-friendly, delicious, and wickedly healthy. Chickpeas give them an earthy, nutty base, while rolled oats bind them together, and plenty of herbs and seasonings add mouthwatering falafel flavor. Serve with a creamy-tangy tahini sauce, lettuce, onion, and a slice of tomato for a tasty meal that will keep you powered up for hours. To save time later in the week, make extra and reheat them for lunch or dinner.
About the Author
About the Author
Lisa Esile, MS
As an author, Do Nothing meditation instructor, and wellness coach, Lisa Esile combines her love for food and nutrition with her mental health background and delights in helping people find a stress-free way to make lasting lifestyle changes. Esile has a master’s degree in human nutrition and is the co-author/illustrator of Whose Mind Is It Anyway? Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life. Learn more at lisaesile.com.
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