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!
Servings: 1 serving per recipe
Cost: $0.76
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.
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