Savory Oat Patties with Onion and Egg

Savory oat patties with onion and egg are a home-cooking classic, a lifesaver when you need a hearty meal from pantry staples. The secret to their popularity lies in the amazing ability of oats to absorb the aromas of spices and meat broth, taking on a texture that is easily mistaken for tender minced chicken. A golden crust hides a soft, melt-in-your-mouth center, where the sweetness of sautéed onions harmonizes perfectly with the warm notes of curry. This dish proves that even without an ounce of meat, you can create a wholesome lunch that fills the house with a comforting aroma and gathers the whole family around the table.

Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking: 30 minutes
Quantity: 4 Servings
Per serving
Calories: 216 kcal
Proteins: 5.8 g
Fats: 10 g
Carbohydrates: 24.8 g

Ingredients

  • 120 g (1 1/4 cups) quick-cooking oats
  • 200 ml (3/4 cup) water
  • 200 g (7 oz) onions
  • 1 large egg
  • 35 g (1.2 oz) fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp dry soup seasoning or bouillon powder
  • Your favorite spices, salt, black pepper, and neutral cooking oil

How to Make Savory Oat Patties with Onion and Egg

Pour boiling water over quick-cooking rolled oats, stir well, and let rest for 10 minutes. For an extra flavor boost, swap the water for chicken or beef broth.

Pouring liquid over quick-cooking oats in a bowl to soak

Pour boiling water or broth over the oats and let them soak for 10 minutes until they reach the right consistency.

While the oatmeal is soaking, let’s prep the onions—the more you use, the tastier the result. Finely chop the onions. Heat 2 tablespoons of neutral cooking oil in a skillet, add the onions, and sprinkle with salt. Sauté over low heat for about 7 minutes until the onions are almost translucent.

Finely chopped onions cooking in a skillet until translucent

Sauté the onions until translucent. The more onions you use, the juicier and more flavorful your patties will be.

Fold finely chopped fresh parsley into the sautéed onions, stir, and cook for another couple of minutes.

Stirring chopped fresh parsley into sautéed onions in a skillet

Fresh parsley gives the oat patties a pleasant aroma and makes their flavor much richer.

Add the sautéed onion mixture to the soaked oats. Mix well and let it cool slightly—if you crack an egg over piping hot onions, the egg white might scramble.

Mixing soaked oats with sautéed onions and herbs in a bowl

Thoroughly mix the soaked oats with the onions and let the mixture cool slightly so the egg won't scramble.

Crack an egg into the bowl, season with salt and pepper to taste, and add your favorite spices. I love adding a chicken curry powder blend; it is incredibly aromatic.

Adding an egg and curry spices into the soaked oat mixture

Add the egg and aromatic spices. A curry blend perfectly complements the flavor of these oat patties.

Mix the patty base thoroughly. It will be thick and smell delicious, somewhat resembling minced chicken, just gray in color.

Thick savory oat patty batter mixed in a bowl ready for frying

The thoroughly mixed batter turns out thick and smells a lot like minced chicken. Now it is time to fry.

Heat a skillet and pour in a little oil. Grease your hands with oil, shape the mixture into oval patties, and place them in the hot skillet. Fry over medium-low heat until golden brown. If you don’t want to get your hands messy, simply use a spoon and drop the batter like pancakes.

Shaped oat patties frying in a hot oiled skillet

Place the shaped patties into a preheated skillet. Fry until a nice golden crust forms.

While the patties are frying, prepare the broth—dissolve soup seasoning in half a cup of boiling water, or use half a chicken bouillon cube.

Mixing seasoned broth in a clear glass measuring cup

For extra juiciness, prepare a small amount of broth using spices or soup seasoning.

Flip the patties and fry on the other side until beautifully golden, about 4 more minutes.

Flipped golden brown oat patties cooking in a skillet

Flip the patties and fry on the other side for a few more minutes until they reach an appetizing color.

Pour the prepared broth into the skillet with the patties. Let it simmer and reduce for a few minutes, cover with a lid, turn off the heat, and leave for 10 minutes. During this time, the patties will absorb the seasoned broth—a well-known magic trick of oats.

Oat patties simmering in seasoned broth inside a skillet

Pour in the broth and let the patties soak it up. Thanks to the oats, they will absorb all the liquid and become incredibly tender.

Serve these savory oat patties hot, paired with fresh vegetables or a crisp side salad. Bon appétit!

Plated oat patties garnished with fresh bell peppers and tomatoes

These cooked oat patties pair beautifully with a light side of fresh vegetables or a vibrant salad.

To make these savory oat patties look even more appetizing, serve them with thick smetana (sour cream) mixed with finely chopped dill and a touch of minced garlic. Fresh seasonal vegetables or a light cabbage slaw make an ideal side dish, perfectly complementing the tender texture of the patties. For a more refined twist, try folding some grated hard cheese or finely diced mushrooms into the mix—this will give the flavor profile rich, savory undertones. Leftover patties can be stored in the fridge and easily reheated in a covered skillet with a splash of water to maintain their juiciness. They are actually quite delicious cold, making them a great option for a quick midday snack. Don't be afraid to experiment with spices: a pinch of smoked paprika or dried basil will help you discover a new gastronomic result every single time.