Here's an all-inclusive guide, How to Make Oatmeal, with four of the best oatmeal recipes ever! I'm sharing my go-to base oatmeal recipe plus three variations: banana peanut butter oatmeal, strawberries and cream oatmeal, and maple brown sugar oatmeal.
BASE OATMEAL RECIPE: Add 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats and 2 cups almond milk to a small pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Once it's thickened (the liquid won't be all absorbed), remove the pot from the heat; the oatmeal will continue to thicken up a bit as it sits. We do want the oats quite creamy though, so they shouldn't absorb all the liquid. Off the heat, add in the 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup (start with 1, add more as desired, I usually do 1 and 1/2 tablespoons), 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir together until smooth and transfer to a bowl (or 2 bowls). Add any desired toppings of choice and enjoy immediately.
PEANUT BUTTER-BANANA OATMEAL RECIPE: Add 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats and 2 cups almond milk to a small pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Once it's thickened (the liquid won't be all absorbed), remove the pot from the heat; the oatmeal will continue to thicken up a bit as it sits. We do want the oats quite creamy though, so they shouldn't absorb all the liquid. While the oats are cooking, mash about 1/2 of a ripe banana to get 1/4 cup mashed banana. Off the heat, add in the mashed banana, 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1/2 tablespoon peanut butter, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt. Stir together until smooth and transfer to a bowl (or 2 bowls). Add any desired toppings of choice (additional sliced banana, another swirl of peanut butter, chia seeds, sliced almonds, etc.) and enjoy immediately.
STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM OATMEAL RECIPE: Add 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats and 2 cups almond milk to a small pot and bring to a boil. Once boiling, boil for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Once it's thickened (the liquid won't be all absorbed), remove the pot from the heat; the oatmeal will continue to thicken up a bit as it sits. We do want the oats quite creamy though, so they shouldn't absorb all the liquid. While the oats are cooking, dice the strawberries to get 1/2 cup. Off the heat, add in the 1/2 cup diced strawberries, 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup (start with 1, add more as desired), 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir together until smooth and transfer to a bowl (or 2 bowls). Drizzle 2-3 tablespoons coffee creamer or milk on top if desired. Add any desired toppings of choice (additional sliced strawberries, chia seeds, etc.) and enjoy immediately.
MAPLE-BROWN SUGAR OATMEAL RECIPE: Add 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats and 2 cups almond milk to a small pot and bring to a boil. Boil for 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, or until thickened, stirring occasionally. Once it's thickened (the liquid won't be all absorbed), remove the pot from the heat; the oatmeal will continue to thicken up a bit as it sits. We do want the oats quite creamy though, so they shouldn't absorb all the liquid. Off the heat, add in the 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 1 and 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Stir together until smooth and transfer to a bowl (or 2 bowls). Add any desired toppings of choice (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 2-3 tablespoons coffee creamer (to texture preference). Top the oatmeal with add-ins of your choice. Our favorites are chia seeds, chopped pistachios or almonds, dried blueberries, and coconut. Enjoy immediately.
Notes
Nutrition information is for the base oatmeal recipe without extra toppings or variations