Breakfast is the most challenging of meals. Between checking e-mail, getting ready for the day and shooing kids out the door for school, this early-morning meal is usually the first thing to fall by the wayside.

But it's true what they say: It's the ~*~most important meal~*~ of the day, so your health , happiness and productivity depend on it.

Finding the time is tough, we know, but these steel-cut oats recipes are so worth it. Steel-cut oats are less processed than rolled or quick oats and they have a low glycemic index , so they're guaranteed to fill you up. Plus, their versatility means breakfast is never boring. You can mix in some cinnamon or top your bowl with baked fruit and a drizzle of almond butter. The possibilities are endlessly delicious. (And we like to make a big batch ahead of time to pack up in mason jars and grab on the go.)

Here are 17 steel-cut oat recipes that will make you weirdly excited to wake up.