This Oatmeal Recipe has my go to base oatmeal plus 3 fun flavors: Banana Peanut Butter, Strawberries & Cream, and Maple Brown Sugar.
author’s note
I Stopped Buying Oatmeal Packets and This Is Why!
In college, I basically lived on oatmeal packets. They were cheap, fast, and dorm friendly, so I always had a box in my cupboard. Breakfast felt handled. But if I’m honest, they were just fine. I always needed two packets to feel full, and I’d still stir in extra milk or peanut butter to make them taste better.
One morning I realized I was “fixing” my convenient oatmeal anyway, so I made it from scratch. I added more milk, a little coconut oil, real maple syrup, salt, vanilla, and cinnamon. I took one bite and immediately knew this was what oatmeal was supposed to taste like. Creamy. Flavorful. Actually satisfying.
This Oatmeal Recipe is what came from that moment. It’s my go to base, plus the fun flavors I’ve built from it over the years, and now oatmeal is something I genuinely crave.
Why This Oatmeal Recipe Is Different
A lot of oatmeal recipes use a 1:2 oat to liquid ratio. Mine uses more liquid on purpose.
That higher liquid ratio is the secret. The oats absorb a lot as they cook and even more as they sit. The result is soft, creamy, luscious oatmeal instead of a thick, dry paste.
What Oats To Use
There are three main types of oats. The difference comes down to how processed the groat is.
- Steel cut oats: Least processed, chewy, take the longest to cook. Try my overnight steel cut oats recipe if that’s all you have!
- Old fashioned rolled oats: Steamed and flattened. Creamy with some texture.
- Quick oats: More processed, softer, cook fast. Perfect for microwave oats.
For my stovetop Oatmeal Recipe, I use old fashioned rolled oats. They give the best balance of creamy texture and structure.
Oatmeal Recipe Ingredients
| Ingredient | Why I Use It + Swaps |
|---|---|
| Old-Fashioned Oats | Hold their shape but turn creamy. |
| Unsweetened Vanilla Almond Milk | Swap with dairy milk, oat milk, or even half water and half milk. I love the flavor of the Vanilla almond milk most! |
| Coconut Oil | It adds a very nice subtle flavor to the oatmeal. |
| Maple Syrup | Natural sweetness with flavor. Adjust to taste or swap with honey. |
| Salt | Essential. Makes everything taste better. Do not skip. |
| Vanilla & Cinnamon | Flavor boosters. Optional but highly recommended. |
Chelsea’s recipe tip
How I Make This Oatmeal Recipe In The Microwave!
When using the microwave, I prefer quick oats. They turn out softer, less defined, but extra creamy. Here’s my easy microwave oatmeal method.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 to 3 tablespoons additional milk or coffee creamer
Optional add ins: chia seeds, chopped nuts, fresh or dried fruit, coconut flakes
Instructions
- Add quick oats, water, and milk to a microwave safe bowl.
- Microwave for 1 1/2 minutes.
- Stir well.
- Stir in sugar, vanilla, salt, and extra milk or creamer to your desired texture.
- Add toppings and enjoy immediately.
Creamy Oatmeal Recipe Top Tips
- Let stand: Oats continue thickening as they cool. Give it a few mins before adding extra milk.
- Adjust: A pinch more salt or a drizzle more syrup can completely change the flavor.
- Customize texture: If you prefer thicker oatmeal, simmer a few extra minutes. If you like it looser, stir in more milk at the end.
More Oat-Filled Recipes:
How to Make Oatmeal
Learn How to Make Oatmeal with this guide, featuring my go-to base recipe and three delicious twists: banana peanut butter, strawberries and cream, and maple brown sugar!
Equipment
- Small pot except for microwave oatmeal
Ingredients
Base Oatmeal Recipe
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup up to 2 tablespoons
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- Optional toppings fresh berries, extra drizzle of maple syrup, chia seeds
Peanut Butter Banana
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/4 cup mashed banana
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/2 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional toppings additional sliced banana, chia seeds, an extra scoop of nut butter, sliced almonds
Strawberries and Cream
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk plus 2–3 tablespoons more milk or coffee creamer if desired
- 1/2 cup diced fresh strawberries
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- Optional toppings additional strawberries, chia seeds
Maple Brown Sugar
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1-1/2 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional toppings extra sprinkle of brown sugar, nuts (I like walnuts), chia seeds
Microwave Oats
- 1/2 cup quick oats
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup milk whatever you prefer, plus 2–3 tablespoons more milk or coffee creamer if desired
- 1-1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Optional toppings chia seeds, crushed or chopped nuts, dried or fresh fruit, coconut flakes
Instructions
- Base Oatmeal Recipe: Add the old-fashioned oats and almond milk to a small pot and bring to boil. Boil for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Once thickened (the liquid won't be all absorbed), remove from heat; the oatmeal will continue to thicken up a bit as it sits. Off the heat, add in coconut oil, maple syrup (start with 1 tablespoon; add more as desired. I usually do 1 and 1/2 tablespoons), ground cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir together until smooth and transfer to a bowl (or 2 bowls). Add any desired toppings and enjoy immediately.
- Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Recipe: Add the old-fashioned oats and almond milk to a small pot and bring to boil. Boil for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Once thickened (the liquid won’t be all absorbed), remove from heat; the oatmeal will continue to thicken up a bit as it sits. While oats are cooking, mash about 1/2 of a ripe banana to get 1/4 cup mashed banana. Off the heat, add the mashed banana, coconut oil, maple syrup, peanut butter, ground cinnamon, and salt. Stir together until smooth and transfer to a bowl (or 2 bowls). Add any desired toppings (additional sliced banana, another swirl of peanut butter, chia seeds, sliced almonds, etc.) and enjoy immediately.
- Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal Recipe: Add the old-fashioned oats and almond milk to a small pot and bring to boil. Boil for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Once thickened (the liquid won’t be all absorbed), remove from heat; the oatmeal will continue to thicken up a bit as it sits. While oats are cooking, dice strawberries to get 1/2 cup. Off the heat, add the 1/2 cup diced strawberries, coconut oil, maple syrup (start with 1 tablespoon; add more as desired), salt, and vanilla extract. Stir together until smooth and transfer to a bowl (or 2 bowls). Drizzle coffee creamer or milk on top if desired. Add any desired toppings (additional sliced strawberries, chia seeds, etc.) and enjoy immediately.
- Maple-Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe: Add the old-fashioned oats and almond milk to a small pot and bring to boil. Boil for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Once thickened (the liquid won’t be all absorbed), remove from heat; the oatmeal will continue to thicken up a bit as it sits. Off the heat, add the coconut oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, salt, and vanilla extract. Stir together until smooth and transfer to a bowl (or 2 bowls). Add any desired toppings (extra sprinkle of brown sugar, nuts, chia seeds, etc.) and enjoy immediately.
- Microwave Oats: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the quick oats with the milk. Microwave for 1 and 1/2 minutes. Remove and stir. Add in the sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and milk/coffee creamer (to texture preference). Top the oatmeal with add-ins of your choice. My favorites are chia seeds, chopped pistachios or almonds, dried blueberries, and coconut. Enjoy immediately.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Note: Nutrition information is for the base oatmeal recipe without extra toppings or variations.
Storage: Enjoy these oatmeal bowls fresh! Just make what you’ll eat, as they’re best right after cooking.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 353kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 8.1g | Fat: 12.5g | Sodium: 374.8mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 12.6g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I loved this post! The four flavor options are fantastic and so easy to customize. I especially love the strawberry version.
Yay! I’m so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Sammie!
I loved this post! The four different flavors of oatmeal are such a great idea to keep breakfast interesting. I can’t wait to try the peanut butter banana flavor tomorrow morning! Thanks for the delicious inspiration!
I’m so excited to hear what you think! Thanks for your comment!
I loved this post! The different flavors for oatmeal are such a great idea to keep breakfast interesting. I can’t wait to try the banana peanut butter version! Thanks for sharing these delicious combinations!
So happy to hear this! Can’t wait to hear what you think! Thanks Baldi!
Oh my, never was one for oatmeal (my bad;-) and used to get my husband the ready-made packets in the past. Made the banana peanut butter variation and it was outstanding! I’m homemade oatmeal converted!!!
Oh my, never was one for oatmeal (my bad 😉 and used to get my husband the ready-made oatmeal packets in the past. Made the banana peanut butter variation ..to start. It was outstanding! I’m an oatmeal convert!!
Loved this oatmeal recipe! Just love oatmeal with fresh fruit on top.
I love homemade oatmeal. It is the best. This recipe was so good. Thanks.
Homemade oatmeal tastes so much better than packaged and it’s much more nutritious! Thanks!
Wow, love these photos! I also love that you’re sharing something so simple yet really useful.
Thanks Tori! I hope you enjoy! 🙂