Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal

A hot breakfast in less than 15 minutes! Brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal is comforting, nutritious, and easy to make. Gluten-free, dairy-free & vegan.

Why you'll love it

I'm nothing if not a breakfast person! It's my favorite meal of the day. If I'm not flipping homemade pancakes and fried eggs, then I'm whipping up some homemade oatmeal.

This brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal is a fave combo with its cozy spice. It's just oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and milk or water. The warmth of the cinnamon is key!

Cinnamon and brown sugar oatmeal is ready in less than 15 minutes. And since Monday mornings are a mad rush to get out the door, quick is necessary!

Key Ingredients

Old fashioned oats - This recipe is for rolled oats, not quick or steel cut oats. Rolled oats have a great texture without being too chewy. If you have celiac disease, be sure to buy gluten-free rolled oats.

Water - Or milk! The oats absorb the liquid and they soften. You can use water, plant-based milk, regular milk, or a combination.

Brown sugar - To sweeten the oats! I used 1 ½ tablespoons. For less sweetness, bump it down to one.

Cinnamon - For added warmth and spice. You can swap the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice during the fall.

How to make brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal

Combine oats: In a small bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt.

Boil water: Pour water into a small saucepan. Bring the water to a boil over medium-high heat.

Cook oats: Reduce the heat to low then add the oat mixture. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the oats absorb the liquid and soften, about 10 minutes.

Cover oatmeal: Remove the pan from the heat, cover, and let sit for 4 minutes.

Serve: Transfer oatmeal to a bowl and top with crushed nuts and more brown sugar. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• For chewier oatmeal, use 1 cup of liquid instead of 1 ¼ cup. The oats absorb less liquid and end up chewier. They will cook quicker as well!
• For the best texture, use old fashioned oats. Steel cut oats won't cook properly and quick oats come out mushy. If you prefer the softer texture of quick oats, you can use quick oats in place of rolled oats.
• You can double this recipe for more servings! Just double the amounts and follow the recipe as directed. The oatmeal may take a bit longer to cook.

Oatmeal Toppings

Oatmeal is a perfect base for crunchy or sweet toppings! For the healthiest option, use whole foods like nuts, fruit, and seeds. All these topping options pair well with brown sugar and cinnamon!

• Nuts: Walnuts, pecans, slivered almonds, pistachios
• Fruit: Sliced bananas or strawberries
• Dried fruit: Raisins, golden raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates
• Seeds: Flaxseeds, chia seeds, pepitas.
• Chocolate: Chopped dark chocolate or mini chocolate chips
• Sweeteners: Maple syrup, brown sugar, or agave
• Granola: In any flavor!

Variations

Oatmeal is super easy to customize! Try one of these simple variations:

• Liquid: You can use water, milk, or a combination. Plant based milk works great too! The more milk you use, the creamier the end result will be.
• Oats: You can use rolled oats or quick oats for this recipe! Rolled oats have more texture and quick oats are much softer. It's a personal preference.
• Sweetener: You can swap the brown sugar with maple syrup, honey, or light agave if you like!

Storage Tips

• Store leftover brown sugar oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat oatmeal in a heat-proof bowl in the microwave until hot throughout. You may need to add a splash of milk or water so it doesn't get too thick.

FAQs

More Oatmeal Recipes

• Overnight Oats without Yogurt
• Overnight Oats With Water
• Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
• Protein Powder Overnight Oats
• Maple Walnut Granola