Copycat Panera Oatmeal with Strawberries, Pecans & Cinnamon

Traveling for work can be a bit of a slog if you're a routine lover. I am a creature of habit and typically have the same breakfast on rotation everyday so traveling to a new city, in a different timezone with new restaurants rocks the routine apple cart. Getting enough fiber while traveling takes a concerted effort and having familiar foods and menus can help keep things moving and regular even while the routine is not.

One of my go-to breakfasts I depend upon while traveling is oatmeal from Panera Bread. The scrumptious toppings of fresh fruit and nuts come on the side, allowing control of how much sugar and fat you choose to consume. Panera Bread's oatmeal is unique in that it is made with hearty steel cut oats rather than quick or instant oats. Panera oatmeal's tasty additions (the most important part!) include fresh strawberries, pecans and a cinnamon crunch topping which is a mixture of cinnamon and brown sugar. All in all, if using a minimal amount of the cinnamon sugar topping, it's a nutritious breakfast, packed with fiber that keeps you full for a day of travel, meeting with clients or just living life.

Ingredients for Panera Bread Oatmeal Recipe

For this Panera Bread Oatmeal Copycat recipe, you'll just need a few staples. 

Steel Cut Oats - these oats take longer to cook but have a chewier and heartier texture than instant oats or the old-fashioned rolled oat variety.

Water - cooking steel cut oats take about 3.5 cup of total liquid to 1 cup of oats. That can be all water or a mixture of water and milk.

Milk *optional - Feel free to use dairy or non-dairy milk. I use either nonfat milk or unsweetened almond milk to make our oats.

Pinch of salt - The salt enhances the flavor of the oats and doesn't make them taste savory or salty.

Strawberries - Fresh strawberries halved or quartered are so delicious. You can easily swap out strawberries for blueberries, apples, peaches or raspberries - whatever is in season!

Pecans - The pecans pair perfectly with the brown sugar and cinnamon. Walnuts or almonds are great options too.

Brown sugar - I only use a tiny bit of brown sugar and go heavy on the cinnamon. A sugar free brown sugar substitute can be swapped here. Coconut sugar, maple syrup or honey are also great options.

Cinnamon - Don't skimp on the cinnamon. It has loads of health benefits and adds so much flavor.

Easy Steps to Make This Panera Bread Oatmeal Recipe

While steel-cut oats are a piece of cake to make, they do take a pinch of patience compared to their rolled oats cousin. The key is to ensure the oats are cooked enough and seasoned with a little bit of salt. Don't worry, the oats won't taste salty as this just serves to enhance the oats' flavor. The general rule is to start with 3.5 cups of liquid per 1 cup of steel cut oats. I like to use 2.5 cups of water and 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk or nonfat milk. Feel free to use your favorite type of milk, either dairy or nondairy works perfectly well. 

Add the 3.5 cups of liquid and a pinch of salt to a medium size pot and bring to a boil. Stir in 1 cup of steel cut oats and reduce heat to low. No need to cover as you'll be stirring frequently. Simmer for a minimum of 20 minutes, stirring regularly so oats don't begin to stick to the bottom of the pot. After 20 minutes, if the oats are still runny and not thick and creamy looking, keep cooking. When the oats are thick and a creamy whitish-brown, remove from the  heat and let sit 3-5 minutes. 

As the oats are cooking, dice 3-5 strawberries, mix together 1 teaspoon of brown sugar with ½ a teaspoon of cinnamon and set aside 1 tablespoon of chopped pecans. 

​Measure out ½ to 1 cup of cooked oats and top with strawberries, cinnamon sugar mixture and pecans. Enjoy! 

What are Steel Cut Oats vs. Rolled Oats?

Steel cut oats come from chopped whole oat groats which are the interior kernel of the inedible hull of the grain stalk. Whole oat groats are chopped into small pieces by steel blades, producing a coarse textured oat. Steel cut oats have a subtle nutty flavor and remain a staple breakfast item in Europe, where they are called porridge and across the US and Canada. 

Steel cut oats differ from rolled oats in many ways beyond appearance and production method. While steel cut oats are cut and never cooked during production, rolled oats are steamed and flattened. Due to this difference, rolled oats take far less time to cook and have a softer, more mushy texture than heartier and chewier steel cut oats. Steel cut oats are best enjoyed as a warm breakfast dish and are not suitable for adding to baked goods. 

Health Benefits of Steel Cut Oatmeal

As far as whole grains go, steel cut oatmeal is packed with dietary fiber and is a great protein source. Per ¼ cup, steel cut oats clock in at 4 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. The soluble fiber in oats is called beta glucan, which has been shown to positively impact blood glucose and cholesterol while promoting healthy gut bacteria.

Fiber often translates to feeling fuller longer which could help with overall weight loss and weight management. Whether steel cut, rolled or instant oats, all are a prime source for many vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, copper, thiamine and zinc.

Variations for This Panera Oatmeal Recipe

A bowl of steel-cut oats is truly a blank canvas and is a perfect, healthy base to add yummy, nutritious toppings to. Switch out strawberries for your favorite seasonal fruit including raspberries, apples, blueberries, peaches or even a mixture. For adding a hint of sweetness, swap out brown sugar with maple syrup, a drizzle of honey, agave nectar, date syrup, monk fruit or stevia.

Consider leaving out any sweetener and go heavy on the cinnamon, nuts and fruit instead. Add almonds, pistachios, sunflower seeds or nut butters to boost heart healthy fats. Pump up the fiber even more with a sprinkle of ground flaxseed or chia seeds. Get creative and build your steel cut oats bowl to match your favorite flavors. 

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