How to Make the Perfect Oatmeal

Lauren Caris Short

By Lauren Caris Short

Updated

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5 from 2 votes


Master the art of crafting the perfect oatmeal – a delightful blend of warm oats and customizable toppings. This foolproof recipe ensures ideal texture, flavor, and nutrition for a satisfying morning treat.

an image of a bowl containing an oatmeal topped with fresh slices of avocado and raspberries

Ever since I posted my Homemade Pumpkin Spice video, and suggested that the spice mix would make a great oatmeal topping, I’ve had requests for a post on just how I make perfect oatmeal!

Oatmeal is a staple breakfast for me, I eat it at least a few times a week. I notice a real difference in the productivity of my morning when oatmeal is a part of my routine.

I like to use wholegrain rolled oats to make oatmeal and only water. I add a splash of almond milk at the end, but only water during the cooking process. The reason for this is that milk has a very low burning temperature, so it’s easy for your oatmeal to get a nasty burned tang to it.

By adding the almond milk at the very end, you can avoid scalding the milk, so the oatmeal still gets that beautiful creaminess, with none of the burnt flavor.

Oatmeal is a great “blank canvas” recipe. It adapts beautifully to sweet or savory toppings. I love adding slices of avocado because it adds to the creaminess and provides some healthy fats. Raspberries, add some sweetness and a tang. If you want it to be a little sweeter, add a drizzle of honey, or maple syrup to keep it vegan! If you prefer your oatmeal without sugar, I have tips on how to make oatmeal taste good without sugar.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Easy to Prepare. Oatmeal requires no prep and can be cooked in 15 minutes.
  • Budget-Friendly. Is the classic budget-friendly comforting breakfast that never goes out of style.
  • Customizable. Go wild and garnish your oatmeal with your favorite toppings.
close up image of a bowl containing an oatmeal with slices of avocado, chia seeds, and raspberries

How to Make Perfect Oatmeal

Make your morning routine easy with sweet or savory warm oatmeal with the perfect amount of creaminess. You can find the full, printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Key Ingredients 

  • Rolled Oats. This type of oat has been partially cooked so it takes less time to cook and has a milder flavor with a soft texture.
  • Water. Use this to cook the oats to avoid any burnt milk taste.
  • Almond Milk. This type of milk keeps the recipe vegan but you can use any milk you prefer.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Cook the Oats. Add the oats and water to a large saucepan, heat on low heat, and stir often.

2. Add the Milk. Add the almond milk and stir until combined.

3. Garnish. Top with any toppings you like and serve immediately.

close up image of an oatmeal topped with shredded coconut and mixed berries

Recipe Tips, Variations, and Substitutions

  • Use any kind of milk. Oatmeal can be finished with any kind of milk like regular milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc.
  • Prep your garnishes ahead of time. For a quicker breakfast prewash any berries ahead of time and keep them stored in the fridge.
  • Add some protein. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt or cottage cheese to your oatmeal for a little added protein.

Storage Recommendations

Store leftover oatmeal in an airtight container in your fridge for up to 5 days. Reheat the oatmeal in a saucepan and a splash of milk or water. Stir until heated through.

Try These Other Breakfast Recipes

  • Blueberry Overnight Oats – Looking for a no-cook breakfast? These overnight oats are an energizing and nutrient-packed breakfast with rolled oats, chia seeds, and Greek yogurt.
  • Breakfast Chia Pudding – This breakfast requires little effort which is perfect for lazy mornings. Breakfast chia pudding offers a tasty easy breakfast.
  • Breakfast Egg Muffins – These egg muffins are perfect for busy mornings when you need breakfast on the go.
  • Smoked Salmon Omelet – Ready in 10 minutes, this fluffy omelet is filled with smoked salmon and lemony capers that make gourmet eating quick and easy.
  • No-Egg Breakfast Burrito – This burrito is stuffed with scrambled chickpeas and fresh avocado. It’s a filling and flavor-packed breakfast.
a cropped image of a bowl containing an oatmeal topped with fresh slices of avocado and raspberries
Print Recipe
5 from 2 votes

How to Make the Perfect Oatmeal

Master the art of crafting the perfect oatmeal – a delightful blend of warm oats and customizable toppings. This foolproof recipe ensures ideal texture, flavor, and nutrition for a satisfying morning treat.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time17 minutes
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Servings: 4
Calories: 77kcal

Equipment

  • 1 saucepan large

Ingredients

  • 1 cup rolled oats whole grain
  • 3 cups water
  • almond milk

Suggested Toppings

  • avocado sliced
  • berries mixed
  • maple syrup
  • cinnamon
  • banana
  • coconut shredded

Instructions

  • Add the oats and water to a large saucepan and heat on a low heat whilst stirring constantly for 5 minutes.
  • Reduce the heat to minimum and simmer the oatmeal for a further 10 minutes.
  • Add the almond milk and stir until combined. For thicker oatmeal, add less almond milk and for more runny oatmeal add more.
  • Top with any toppings you like, I have made some suggestions above but the list is not exhaustive!
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is measured in volume, not weight. Use 1 cup (your choice of size) for the oats, and add 3 times as much water. This ratio is what you need for this recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 77kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 0.2g | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1mg

Images by Lauren Caris Short.

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