Save money at breakfast time with oats

In an ideal world, your morning breakfast would be healthy, quick and cheap - and you might think that’s hard to find.

So we’re here with good news.

Oats are one of the cheapest, healthiest and most versatile foods you can find in the supermarket.

Whether you want something sweet, savoury, creamy, crunchy or suitable for fussy eaters, oats are your friend.

Yet strangely, they’re often overlooked.

Why oats are so cost-effective

You can easily get around 20-odd servings from a single 1kg bag of oats, and they only cost about 85p in the supermarket.

So if you switch to oats, you can cut the cost of your breakfast to actual pennies.

Compare that to what you could be spending on other breakfast options like cereal, a coffee shop pastry or a protein bar.

Oats will also keep you full for longer, so you’ll be less likely to spend on snacks later in the morning.

What can I make with oats?

There are plenty of budget-friendly breakfasts you can make with just a bag of oats and one other ingredient.

Banana oats

Mash a ripe banana into hot oats and you’ve instantly got a sweet and creamy bowl of goodness without needing to add any sugar.

Rich in potassium and fibre, it’s a great option for fussy eaters and kids.

Peanut butter oats

Stir a spoonful of peanut butter into warm oats, so you can have a hearty, satisfying breakfast full of healthy fats and added protein.

Apple oats

Chop an apple into small pieces and cook it with your oats so it softens and releases its natural sweetness. 

The result is a comforting, lightly sweet breakfast that reminds you of an apple pie, but without the cost or added sugar.

Creamy milk oats

Cook your oats for a bit of extra protein and calcium.

This thick, creamy breakfast tastes and feels indulgent, but is still affordable and nutritious.

Overnight oats

Soak oats in milk or water and leave them in the fridge overnight, along with fillings like berries, bananas, apples or yoghurt.

So by the time you get them out in the morning, they’re soft, creamy and ready to eat.

Fuel up for the day

Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day.

That’s why it’s so important to start the day with the right food inside you.

If your breakfast is high in sugar, low in fibre or comes in a wrapper, it’s likely that you’ll be hungry again pretty soon.

But with a solid oat breakfast, you’ll stay full until lunch and be less tempted to fork out for expensive, unhealthy snacks.

And that’s better for both your health and your wallet.