Cinnamon Spice Oatmeal

Cinnamon oatmeal is a creamy and satisfying hot breakfast with plenty of cinnamon! Homemade oatmeal is quick and easy to make, plus it's full of whole grains and fiber.

Why you'll love it

Cinnamon oatmeal is an easy and cozy way to customize your morning oats! I love a hearty bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, especially on cold, busy mornings.

I know I'm starting the day off right with a good balance of complex carbs, fiber, and plant-based protein.

Oats with cinnamon is a killer combo and super simple too! All you need are oats, cinnamon, a sweetener, and a liquid. I used regular sugar, but you can use honey, maple syrup, or light agave too!

Key Ingredients

Here's what you need for cinnamon oatmeal:

Old fashioned oats - Be sure to use rolled oats! Steel cut oats need more liquid and a lengthy cooking time. Instant oats come out soft and slightly mushy.

Milk - I used almond milk, but any type of milk works! Plant-based or regular. Just choose a milk you like the taste of. Or you can use all water if you prefer.

Sugar - To sweeten the oatmeal. Feel free to swap the sugar with brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or light agave. If you like your oats less sweet, reduce the amount to one tablespoon instead of two.

Cinnamon - For that warm spice! In the fall, I like to swap the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice.

How to make cinnamon oatmeal

Homemade oatmeal is super simple! I use the same method, then add the mix-ins right after I cook the oatmeal (but before I steam it).

Boil liquid: In a small saucepan, bring the water and milk to a boil.

Add oats: Reduce the heat to medium-low then stir in the oats.

Cook oats: Cook the oats, stirring occasionally, until they soften and absorb the liquid. This takes roughly 10 minutes or so.

Add mix-ins: Remove the saucepan from the heat. Add the cinnamon and your sweetener of choice. I like sugar for this one because it doesn't overwhelm the flavor of the cinnamon.

Steam oats: Cover the saucepan with a lid and let it sit for 4 minutes. This steams the oats for the perfect texture!

Serve: Transfer the oatmeal to a serving bowl and add your favorite toppings! I like to sprinkle more cinnamon sugar on top.

Recipe Tips

• For chewier oatmeal, use less liquid. I find the perfect ratio to be 1 ¼ cups of liquid to ½ cup of oats. If you like chewy oatmeal, reduce the liquid to 1 cup.
• For the best texture, use old fashioned oats. Steel cut oats won't cook properly. You need to follow a recipe specifically for steel cut oats, since they take longer to cook AND need more liquid.
• Double or triple the recipe for more servings. Simply change the amounts as needed. You may need to cook the oats for longer than 10 minutes if you double the recipe.
• Adjust the sweetness to your liking. For less sweetness, bump down the sugar. For sweeter oats, add an extra tablespoon.

Variations

• Liquid: You can use water, milk, or a combination. Any kind of milk works great - plant-based or regular. Just be sure to use one you know you like the taste of!
• Oats: Technically, you can use rolled oats or quick oats for this recipe! It's more of a personal preference. If you like soft oats without texture, use quick-cooking oats. If you like a slight chew, use rolled oats.
• Sweetener: Swap the sugar with brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or light agave.
• Gluten-free: If you're gluten-intolerant or celiac, purchase oats with a gluten-free certification on them. Oats are grown and produced in facilities with gluten-containing grains, which makes the risk of cross contamination almost certain.

Cinnamon Oatmeal Toppings

I always add toppings to my oatmeal. It's my favorite part, no matter what flavor I made. Here are a few topping ideas for cinnamon oatmeal:

• Nuts: Chopped pecans, walnuts, slivered almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts.
• Fruit: Sliced bananas
• Dried fruit: Raisins, golden raisins, or dried cranberries.
• Seeds: Chia seeds, flax seeds, or hemp hearts.
• Chocolate: Mini chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate, or cacao nibs.
• Granola: I'm a big fan of Purely Elizabeth's cinnamon granola (or any flavor of theirs!).

Storage Tips

• Store leftover cinnamon oatmeal in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
• Reheat leftover oatmeal in a heat-proof bowl in the microwave until hot throughout. You may need to add a splash of milk or water if it's too thick.

FAQs

More Oatmeal Recipes

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• Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
• Overnight Oats without Yogurt
• Maple Walnut Granola
• 17 Oatmeal Recipes Worth Waking Up For