I’M NOT A FAN of oatmeal unless it is sweetened with brown sugar, moistened with heavy cream, and topped with toasted pecans. But the year-old Albuquerque-based 5oat5: The Savory Oat Company is changing my mind. When partners and founders Lauren Witwicki and Saddia Bhatty worked in an office together, they both yearned for affordable, quick meals they could whip up on the job. They set out to create high protein, no-sugar-added foods infused with local ingredients they both love, and figured the blandness of oats could make a fine vehicle for great flavor. “Our oat bowls are more similar to a hearty bowl of soup or porridge,” says Bhatty. Green Chile Stew and Mushroom Adovada varieties are vegan, while Broccoli Cheddar makes the cut for vegetarians.
Each of the three boasts a whopping 20 to 21 grams of protein. Folks who need a little extra fuel, like me, can enjoy a double serving to get through the day. Oats just got a lot more interesting!
Read more: Old-school burritos were eaten on the go, not plated and smothered.
Find 5oat5 instant oat bowls at Albuquerque’s Rail Yards Market from May through October, and order online.