This recipe for High Protein Oat Bran quickly became a go-to for me when I discovered the thick, creamy texture of oat bran. By amping up the amount of protein in this high protein oat bran bowl, I noticed myself feeling satisfied for longer in the mornings, making this a great go-to breakfast to keep on your radar when you find yourself looking for something nutrient-dense and filling to start your day.
As a kid, I felt like a bit of a weirdo because I was a huge fan of Cream of Wheat for breakfast. For those of you who never hopped on the Cream of Wheat train (a lot of you, I’d imagine), Cream of Wheat is a breakfast cereal that reminds me a lot of grits but with a smoother texture. I loved my Cream of Wheat topped with brown sugar and berries but as I grew up, I somehow forgot about Cream of Wheat and went on to gravitate toward oatmeal on the days I wanted a hot bowl of something comforting for my morning meal.
Fast forward a decade (or two) and oat bran entered my life. Nostalgia hit me in droves as it reminded me so much of Cream of Wheat. Oat bran has the same thick, creamy texture of Cream of Wheat but with a nutritional profile that puts my childhood favorite to shame. Nutritionally, oat bran is similar in carbs and fat to oatmeal but provides additional protein and fiber. (For me, personally, I feel fuller longer when I eat oat bran and I have a feeling this might be the reason why!) Oat bran is also high in beta-glucan, a soluble fiber linked to improving heart health and cholesterol levels.
I began making myself bowls of oat bran for breakfast multiple times a week after Rhett was born and I haven’t looked back since. It’s now a breakfast staple in my life and one I look forward to eating anytime I whip up a bowl. It’s the perfect neutral base for a variety of toppings and takes on the flavor of any nut butter I stir into the mix. I also love adding some fresh berries, nuts or seeds to my bowls of oat bran for additional texture and flavor.
My go-to recipe for oat bran is one I created when I was looking to further increase the protein content in my breakfast. I naturally gravitate toward more carb-heavy breakfast foods which can leave me feeling hungry within two hours of eating breakfast, so anytime I can bump up the protein in my morning meal, I’m all about it!
This rendition of high protein oat bran doesn’t rely on protein powder but instead incorporates cottage cheese into the mix for increased creaminess and protein. For those who find themselves weirded out by the texture of cottage cheese, this recipe is a great way to use it since the cottage cheese melts into the oat bran and mixes into a satiating, creamy delight.
If you give this recipe a try, I hope you love it so much that it becomes a breakfast staple for you like it has for me. Enjoy!!
High Protein Oat Bran
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High Protein Oat Bran
Ingredients
2 cups water
2/3 cup oat bran
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons maple syrup
1/2 cup cottage cheese
Instructions
- In a medium-size saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add oat bran and cinnamon and stir continuously (<– this is important to prevent clumping!) for approximately 2-3 minutes until oat bran thickens.
- Remove oat bran from heat. Quickly stir in maple syrup and cottage cheese until thoroughly combined.
- Top with desired toppings (fresh berries, crushed nuts, banana slices, a drizzle of nut butter, etc.) and enjoy!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 336
- Sugar: 14g
- Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 69g
- Fiber: 20g
- Protein: 27g
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I absolutely love cream of wheat and always have a box in my cupboard. I totally gravitate towards it when I’m sick, but sometimes pop it out for a quick lunch as well! So I’ll have to give this a shot
YES!! This oat bran is actually a favorite of mine for dinner on crazy busy nights, too.
I used to love Ralston instant whole wheat hot cereal when I was younger (similar to Cream of Wheat I think). Like you I now gravitate to oatmeal, but I’ll give this a shot if I find myself looking for something different. Thanks for the great recipes!
Hope you enjoy it if you give it a try! I’ve never heard of Ralston instant whole wheat but yes it definitely sound similar!
I LOVE cream of wheat!! I am going to have to try this very soon.
It was a fav of mine for years!! Hope you love this recipe!!
MMMMM YUMMM I love oat bran! Have loved it since having my daughter and wanting to make it for her – turns out we both like it more than oatmeal.
I love the creamy consistency. It’s such a delicious way to change things up from traditional oatmeal.
Can’t wait to try it! Love cottage cheese. Thanks!
Just made this for breakfast and loved it! I’ve never had oat bran but I like cream of wheat…very similar. And I love cottage cheese!
I thought it made quite a bit so I saved half for tomorrow. Hoping it will reheat okay!
Will definitely be making this a bunch this winter!
So glad you made it and enjoyed it, Amanda. And thanks so, so much for the review — that helps more than you realize!
Okay, I was really skeptical about this one because of the cottage cheese, but you were absolutely right – it’s wonderful! I didn’t need to add maple syrup, as I added some blueberries and peanut butter and that sweetened it up perfectly for me. Thank you for this recipe! Will definitely be making this again. How easy, delicious, and inexpensive! Was just what I needed on this chillier Michigan morning 🙂
I tried this and my cottage cheese didn’t melt completely, so it looks a bit weird, but it tasted good. I divided it into 2 servings since it made a lot!
Oh yes cottage cheese can be hiiighly unattractive — haha!! Glad you liked the taste of this recipe!! <3
Delicious! Although I think the 1x is more than enough for 2 servings; so filling. I blended the cottage cheese with a stick blender and a half of a ripe banana before adding to the oat bran. This made the texture nice and creamy. Topped with the remaining 1/2 banana, frozen wild blueberries, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, hempseeds, flaxseeds, coconut, and a tsp drizzle of maple syrup. I really like toppings! haha Anyway, this is a great, tasty breakfast that packs a good punch of protein and good micronutrients depending on those toppings. Will definitely keep this recipe in my rotation, Thanks!
Did the leftovers warm up well the next day?
Could you do this recipe and soak overnight instead of cooking in the morning?
Was not expecting to love this, but I did! I halved it and added both bananas and blueberries with some melted almond butter and chopped almonds and hemp hearts. So good!