Dinner

Savory Oatmeal with Chili Crisp and Swiss Chard Recipe

Bylina moretti December 7, 2025December 7, 2025

Introduction

Savory Oatmeal with Chili Crisp is a comforting and flavorful twist on traditional oatmeal. Packed with umami-rich miso, tender Swiss chard, and a spicy kick from chili crisp, this dish makes a satisfying breakfast or light meal.

The image shows a white speckled bowl filled with creamy beige porridge, topped with bright green leafy vegetables, finely sliced light green scallions, and a drizzle of rich red chili oil that creates a striking contrast on the surface. The porridge looks thick and smooth with a slightly grainy texture, and the toppings are layered neatly in the center. A spoon is partially dipped into the bowl, holding a scoop of the porridge mixed with the toppings. In the background, there are two more similar bowls, one placed on a white round plate with green scallions scattered around it, and the other resting on a wooden board, all sitting on a white marbled surface with a soft green cloth partially visible at the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 cups (960 mL) filtered water
1 ½ tablespoons white miso
1 ⅓ cups (240g) steel-cut oats
3 tablespoons (15g) nutritional yeast
1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce or tamari
1 medium head (~ 8 oz / 227g) Swiss chard
3 scallions, thinly sliced on a bias (reserve dark green tops for garnish)
1 ½ tablespoons olive oil or neutral-flavored oil of choice
2 tablespoons (30g) Chinese chili crisp
Optional protein: soft or firm tofu cubes, edamame, smoked tofu

Instructions

Step 1: Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Once boiling, whisk in the miso until fully dissolved.
Step 2: Add the steel-cut oats and stir to combine. Reduce the heat to low and simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook until the oats are tender but still chewy. Add a little water if it gets too low.
Step 3: Remove from heat, cover, and let the oats thicken for 5 to 10 minutes. Then stir in the nutritional yeast and soy sauce.
Step 4: Prep the Swiss chard by removing the center ribs using your fingers or a knife. Slice the ribs thinly, wash and dry them, keeping them separate from the leaves. Tear the leaves into roughly 2-inch pieces, then wash and dry them separately.
Step 5: Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add the chard ribs and the white and light green parts of the scallions. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add the chard leaves and a pinch of salt. Stir frequently for 1 to 2 minutes until the leaves soften slightly but the stems remain crunchy.
Step 6: To assemble, divide the hot oatmeal into four bowls. Stir about 1 ½ teaspoons of chili crisp into each bowl, then top with the cooked chard and the reserved scallion greens. Add your choice of protein if desired. Taste and adjust chili crisp to your liking. If the oatmeal is too thick, loosen it with a splash of water.
Step 7: For leftovers, store the oats and greens separately. When reheating, add a bit of water to thin the oatmeal.

Tips & Variations

Use tamari instead of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.
Swap Swiss chard with baby spinach or kale if preferred.
Try different proteins like air-fried tofu or edamame for added texture and nutrition.
Adjust the amount of chili crisp to control the heat level to your taste.

Storage

Store leftover oats and cooked greens separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, stir in a splash of water to loosen the oatmeal and heat gently on the stove or in the microwave until warmed through.

How to Serve

A close-up view of a creamy, beige porridge served in a white speckled bowl. The porridge is spread evenly across the bowl as the base layer, topped with a glossy dark green leafy vegetable mix in the center, layered with thin light green scallion rings scattered on top. There is a vibrant red chili oil drizzle around the greens, creating bright streaks on the porridge. A silver spoon rests inside the bowl, partially scooping the porridge. In the background, two similar bowls with the same dish are faintly visible, placed on a white marbled surface, one on a wooden board. A light green cloth is seen in the lower left corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use rolled oats instead of steel-cut oats?

Steel-cut oats provide a chewier texture and hold up better in this recipe, but you can use rolled oats for a softer consistency. Reduce the cooking time and monitor closely to prevent overcooking.

What is chili crisp and where can I find it?

Chili crisp is a spicy, crunchy chili oil condiment with savory and aromatic flavors. It’s commonly found in Asian grocery stores or online and adds a delicious kick to savory dishes like this oatmeal.