This creamy oatmeal recipe is such an easy, filling breakfast the whole family will love! It is the perfect amount of creamy, with added toppings of your choice to dress it up.
Why I Love This Recipe
I love that my entire family loves oatmeal. It is such an easy, delicious way to fill their bellies to start the day. This recipe in particular has become a recent breakfast favorite and here's why:
- Most oatmeal recipes get clumpy. You know how when you leave regular oatmeal on the stove a few minutes too long and it becomes hard and inedible? That just doesn't happen with this recipe.
- This healthy breakfast comes together in just a few minutes and using a few simple ingredients. It's such a simple recipe!
- This is the creamiest oatmeal you'll ever make. Use whichever variety of milk you have on hand!
- The world is your oyster for dressing up these creamy oats! Top it with all of your favorites (see my topping favorites below), catering to your personal preference.
- This breakfast classic can be both dairy-free and gluten-free if you want it to be!
Recipe Ingredients
Milk - Use any kind of milk for this recipe! Skim, 1%, 2%, whole, oat milk, almond milk, coconut milk or soy milk all work great.
Old fashioned rolled oats - Regular old-fashioned oats work great! Grab a gluten-free variety to make this a gluten free breakfast.
Quick oats may be used, but cook time will be shorter. Expect them to finish cooking within 5-7 minutes.
Brown sugar - Light brown sugar or dark brown sugar can be used interchangeably. Dark brown will give you a deeper flavor.
Cinnamon - Don't limit yourself to cinnamon! If you want to dress it up a bit more, consider using a sprinkling of apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg!
Vanilla extract - Vanilla is a great go-to flavor addition, but any extract will work here. Almond extract is a delicious choice, as well!
Prep Creamy Oatmeal Ahead of Time
- Prep toppings ahead of time, such as washing and/or chopping berries.
How To Make Creamy Oatmeal
Step 1
Bring the milk and water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Watch the pan carefully to avoid milk from boiling over.
Step 2
Add the old fashioned oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla and reduce heat to medium-low. Keep at a gentle simmer for 10 minutes, or until desired consistency has been reached. Stir occasionally to avoid scorching.
Step 3
Let cool for 5 minutes. Add toppings of your choice and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Watch the liquids closely as they get hot in the saucepan (before you add the oats). The milk will foam and bubble over quickly if not watched!
- This recipe calls for half milk and half water. Feel free to change up the ratio, as long as the liquid to oat ratio is 2:5.
- Don't skimp on the liquids! It might seem like you're adding a lot of liquid, but you'll want to have enough liquid in the mix. You'll want to aim for 2 part oats to 5 part liquids.
Oatmeal Toppings
Here are a few of my favorite toppings to put on a bowl of hot oatmeal. Mix and match as you wish!
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Dry fruits such as cranberries, raisins or apricots
- Brown sugar
- Coconut flakes
- Berries such as mulberries, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or blackberries
- Fresh fruit such as banana slices, peaches or pears
- Sesame seeds, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds (for a savory breakfast!)
- Chopped pecans or walnuts
- Nut butters such as peanut butter or almond butter
How To Thicken Oatmeal
If you're wanting to thicken your next batch of oatmeal, try removing it from the heat and letting it sit for 10 minutes. If this doesn't do the trick, consider adding any of the following to the pan and cooking for 5 minutes on medium heat until desired consistency has been reached.
- Applesauce
- Mashed banana
- Peanut butter
- Flax meal
- Corn starch
How Long Does Cooked Oatmeal Last
When stored in an airtight container in the fridge, cooked oatmeal will stay fresh for up to 4 days for best results.
Can You Reheat Oatmeal
Oatmeal can definitely be reheated. Transfer individual servings to a microwave safe bowl and heat in 1-minute increments until hot.
Alternatively, you can add oatmeal to a small saucepan and heat on the stove top over medium heat until warmed through. Add a few tablespoons of milk or water first.
Delicious Breakfast Recipes
- Velvety Olive Oil Scrambled Eggs
- Mulberry Muffins
- Pancake in a Mug
- Perfect Hard-Boiled Eggs
- Instant Pot oatmeal
Easy Creamy Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Bring the milk and water to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Watch the pan carefully to avoid milk from boiling over.
- Add the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and vanilla and reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer for 10 minutes, or until desired consistency has been reached. Stir occasionally to avoid scorching.
- Let cool for 5 minutes. Add toppings of your choice and enjoy!
Notes
- Watch the liquids closely as they get hot in the saucepan (before you add the oats). The milk will foam and bubble over quickly if not watched!
- This recipe calls for half milk and half water. Feel free to change up the ratio, as long as the liquid to oat ratio is 2:5.
- Don't skimp on the liquids! It might seem like you're adding a lot of liquid, but you'll want to have enough liquid in the mix. You'll want to aim for 2 part oats to 5 part liquids.
Leave a Reply