Oatmeal is a popular breakfast food that can be customized in many ways. Panera Bread offers steel cut oatmeal and other hot cereals on their menu. Customers can choose different toppings and mix-ins to create their perfect bowl of oatmeal at Panera.
Steel Cut Oatmeal
The base of Panera’s oatmeal is steel cut oats. Steel cut oats are whole oat groats that have been cut into smaller pieces rather than being rolled. This makes for a chewier, nuttier oatmeal.
According to Panera’s website, their steel cut oatmeal is made with:
- Steel cut oats
- Filtered water
- Sea salt
The oats are cooked for several hours before being served hot and creamy. No artificial flavors or preservatives are added.
Toppings
Panera offers a variety of fresh toppings that customers can add to their oatmeal to customize it.
Fruits
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Raisins
- Dried cranberries
The fruits are unsweetened, providing natural flavor and sweetness.
Nuts
- Pecans
- Walnuts
The nuts add crunch and texture.
Seeds
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Chia seeds
- Flaxseeds
Seeds boost the nutritional value of the oatmeal with healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins.
Sweeteners
- Brown sugar
- Honey
These sweeteners allow customers to control the sweetness level of their oatmeal.
Dairy
- Milk
- Yogurt
Milk and yogurt add creaminess, calcium, and protein.
Other
- Cinnamon
- Granola
Cinnamon provides warmth and spice, while granola adds crunch.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information for Panera’s steel cut oatmeal made with water and no toppings is:
| Serving size | 1 bowl (280g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 160 |
| Total fat | 2.5g |
| Sodium | 160mg |
| Total carbs | 29g |
| Dietary fiber | 4g |
| Sugars | 0g |
| Protein | 6g |
The oatmeal itself is low in calories, fat, and sugar. It provides carbohydrates, fiber, and some protein. Toppings will change the nutritional breakdown.
Cinnamon Crunch Oatmeal
In addition to the regular steel cut oatmeal, Panera offers some oatmeal combinations with pre-selected toppings.
One of these is the Cinnamon Crunch Oatmeal, made with:
- Steel cut oats
- Cinnamon crunch topping (oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, soybean oil, salt)
- Raisins
- Walnuts
The cinnamon topping adds sweetness and crunch to balance the creamy oats. Raisins and walnuts also provide texture and flavor.
Nutrition
The nutrition facts for Cinnamon Crunch Oatmeal are:
| Serving size | 1 bowl (368g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 410 |
| Total fat | 12g |
| Sodium | 290mg |
| Total carbs | 69g |
| Dietary fiber | 7g |
| Sugars | 29g |
| Protein | 10g |
With the toppings, the calories, carbohydrates, and sugars increase compared to the plain oatmeal. But fiber is also higher thanks to the oats, raisins, and walnuts.
Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Another pre-topped oatmeal choice at Panera is the Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal. It contains:
- Steel cut oats
- Apples
- Cinnamon
- Brown sugar
- Milk
The apples and cinnamon provide classic fall flavors. Brown sugar adds sweetness to complement the tart apples. Milk lends creaminess and protein.
Nutrition
Here are the nutrition facts for Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal:
| Serving size | 1 bowl (368g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 300 |
| Total fat | 5g |
| Sodium | 190mg |
| Total carbs | 57g |
| Dietary fiber | 5g |
| Sugars | 23g |
| Protein | 9g |
With milk and no nuts/seeds, this oatmeal has less fat and fiber compared to Cinnamon Crunch. The sugars are also lower due to less added sweetener.
Maple French Toast Oatmeal
For a fun twist, Panera offers a Maple French Toast oatmeal with:
- Steel cut oats
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Milk
Maple syrup and vanilla provide sweet maple flavors, while the cinnamon balances it out. Milk gives creaminess again.
Nutrition
| Serving size | 1 bowl (368g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 330 |
| Total fat | 5g |
| Sodium | 190mg |
| Total carbs | 63g |
| Dietary fiber | 5g |
| Sugars | 29g |
| Protein | 9g |
Maple French Toast Oatmeal is higher in calories and carbs than Apple Cinnamon, owing to the maple syrup. But it contains about the same amount of fat, fiber, and protein thanks to the milk.
Conclusion
Panera’s oatmeal starts with a base of simple steel cut oats cooked in water and salt. Customers can then personalized their oatmeal with fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, spices, and other toppings. Pre-mixed options like Cinnamon Crunch and Maple French Toast include flavored drizzles and mix-ins for variety.
While the steel cut oats themselves are relatively low in calories, the toppings can increase the calories, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, sugars, and protein substantially. Overall, Panera’s oatmeal provides a warm and customizable breakfast option using high quality ingredients.
