What can you do to oatmeal to make it appealing? The MOMYS share their time-tested secrets.

Lynn writes: My kids' favorite way to eat oatmeal is chocolate. I just put some chocolate chips on the top of each bowlful, and the kids stir them in as they melt.

Kendra adds:  Last year I surprised my kiddos on Valentine's Day with Red Hot candies atop their oatmeal. They loved it, often tell people about it, and are awaiting it's return in February. The Red Hots melt into the oatmeal and add a cinnamon flavor.

Debbie vdH writes: We had this twice this week, once made the night before, and once made in the morning. We love it, and I'm sure you could do even more interesting things with it. It couldn't be easier, and Mary, you don't have to stand and stir. Today I popped it in the oven and made our bread for the day, played with Kate, helped Hannah unload the dishwasher, and started a load of wash while I waited.

1 1/2 cups quick-cooking oats (I've noticed, if you want to make it the night before, you can use regular oats OR yum-yum Wheat Montana's 7 or 9 grain rolled mix, then let it sit in the frig overnight and bake in the morning...the sitting overnight softens the bigger flakes, I guess)

Mix all this together and pour into a greased 8x8 pan. Bake 350* for 25 minutes. Cut into squares. We put in bowls and pour on a little more milk and "mush it up".

I've tried all sort of ways to do this, and it never fails. I've just mixed it up the night before, put in the pan and put in the frig then baked it in the morning. I've also baked it the night before then in the morning microwaved each bowl after pouring on some milk (takes too long, though,)

I bet apples would be a good addition, or some other dried fruits. I think doubled, this would be OK in a 9x13 pan, but you might have to bake it a bit longer.

And more about this recipe from Joy: 

I make Debbie's Baked Oatmeal, too, since my kids do not like regular cooked oatmeal. You could add dates (with oat flour from the co-op), or chopped bananas, or chopped or grated apple or blueberries before baking, too. I TRIPLE this recipe, Debbie! I also use only a little oil in place of the butter and switch to a little honey from sugar and the recipe still turns out great.

Jodi writes: We always make oatmeal and dried fruit or canned or fresh fruit make a wonderful addition to it. Try dried strawberries, dried peaches, bananas or pineapple, dried blueberries, dates, figs or raisins. Add it when you begin to cook the oatmeal and they soften up very nicely. These were all things we dried ourselves. Canned peaches, pineapple, or fruit cocktail in pear juice are great, also. We cut up fresh pears, apples or bananas. 

Kim writes: I figure it is all in the name. Apple pie porridge is sale rack apples that are too mooshy to eat well chopped up in oatmeal with a little cinnamon. The kids love it :-) sometimes we put a little soymilk on it to cool it too.

Ann adds:  This recipe is from Quick Cooking magazine. I suppose you can use it on lots of things, but we use it on baked oatmeal (got that recipe from these good ladies on MOMYS).

Ruby Breakfast Sauce

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine pie filling, cranberry sauce, syrup, orange juice and butter. Microwave on high for 3 minutes; stir. Microwave 2-3 minutes longer or until butter is melted and mixture is heated through; stir. Yield: about 4 cups.

I'm sure you can do this the old-fashioned way, but I haven't so I can't give you warming up details. They suggest using it on pancakes and French toast. It fancies up the baked oatmeal nicely and we use it for special days. Of course, then everyone wants it all the time!

Caveat:  Most of the information on this site comes from back issues of The MOMYS Digest, an email-only forum for mothers of many young siblings. It is offered in good faith and is not intended to replace medical advice, pastoral counsel, your husband's opinion, or your own good sense.

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