Say goodbye to pasty porridge and say hello to fluffy and ultra creamy oatmeal! Made with almond milk, vanilla and cinnamon, this easy homemade oatmeal recipe is silky smooth and delicious. A satisfying and healthy breakfast perfect for the whole family! {Gluten-free, dairy-free, & vegan}
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The trick to the creamiest oatmeal ever!
It’s no secret that I am a huge lover of oatmeal for breakfast. My family and I have it pretty much every single morning because we love it that much.
After some experimentation, I recently discovered the trick to super creamy oatmeal and it’s a total game changer for both oatmeal and non-oatmeal lovers alike!
The secret is to double the amount of liquid that most oatmeal instructions tell you to use. That’s right. It might seem like a lot of liquid at first, but the end result is rich and creamy oats that are silky smooth!
Although you can use regular milk, I typically use unsweetened almond milk as I find it provides the creamiest oatmeal texture while also offering a slight nutty flavour.
Paired with the vanilla, cinnamon, optional sweetener and lots of tasty toppings, it’s seriously the most delicious bowl of oatmeal ever!
This is a great healthy breakfast for the whole family and will keep everyone’s tummies satisfied until lunchtime!
For more delicious oatmeal recipes, be sure to try my Crockpot Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal and Macro-Friendly Oatmeal!
Why we love these creamy oats
- Healthy: Oats are an amazing source of soluble fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants with so many health benefits! This whole grain is slowly digested by your body to help keep your blood sugar levels stable for more energy, better appetite control and less mood swings. Amen to that!
- Easy: You can whip this basic recipe together in a matter of minutes with only a few simple fridge and pantry staples. Perfect for a quick breakfast on those busy mornings!
- Perfect for the whole family: This creamy vanilla oatmeal is a great option for both kids and adults. Not only is it super tasty, it’s also vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free, so it works well for a variety of different dietary requirements.
- Easily adaptable: You can switch up the flavours of this breakfast classic for lots of variety. It’s also easy to make nut-free by using a different plant-based milk like oat or soy, or by subbing in dairy-based milk instead.
Ingredient notes
- Oats: For best results, use rolled oats as these will give you the creamiest consistency. I typically use old-fashioned Quaker oats, but you can sub in whatever you have on hand. You can also sub in certified gluten-free oats if you have celiac disease.
- Almond milk: I generally use unsweetened almond milk for this recipe as it’s a great source of healthy fats. You can also use dairy or other plant-based milks if you prefer.
- Flavourings: Cinnamon, salt and vanilla extract provide additional flavour to the oatmeal. Adapt according to personal taste.
- Sweetener: This is optional, but you can add some maple syrup, honey or brown sugar to sweeten the oatmeal if desired or skip it if you’re looking to avoid added sugars..
- Toppings: Use your favourite toppings to add flavour and texture to your oatmeal. Nuts, fruit, chocolate chips and chia seeds all work wonderfully.
How to make creamy oatmeal on the stove
- To make stovetop oatmeal, add the oats, milk, water, cinnamon, and salt to a large saucepan set over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring every minute or so.
- Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for about 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the oatmeal thickens slightly and has a creamy consistency.
- Remove from heat. Mix in vanilla extract and desired sweetener (if using) until evenly distributed.
- Scoop creamy porridge into bowls and allow it to cool for a few minutes (it will thicken a little more after a couple minutes). Load it up with your favorite toppings such as fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, etc. for a delicious breakfast!
NOTE: The oatmeal will start out fairly liquid-y but once the bubbles start to get a bit bigger, you’ll notice that it will start to thicken more, while still remaining creamy. Keep the oatmeal uncovered the whole time, stir it frequently and watch it carefully so that it doesn’t bubble over.
How to make creamy oatmeal in microwave
I typically make this recipe on the stovetop since it makes a fairly big batch.
If, however, you’re looking to save on time, you can use the microwave. Just make sure that you use an extra large microwave-safe bowl or divide the recipe in half and cook only half at a time so that the oatmeal mixture doesn’t boil over.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, mix together the oats, milk, water, cinnamon and salt.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir mixture to combine. Continue to microwave until mixture starts to boil (about 1 more minute).
- Remove oatmeal from microwave and stir. Allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. Stir in the vanilla and desired sweetener. Add desired toppings.
- Serve warm with additional milk if desired.
Recipe Tips
- This oatmeal does thicken considerably as it sits, so it’s typically best served fresh. If you plan to make it ahead of time, briskly stir in some additional milk or a little water right before serving to thin it out and make it creamy again.
- You can add in some sweetener such as honey or maple syrup to taste, or leave it out altogether. It depends on how sweet you like your oatmeal.
- Feel free to get creative with the add-ins. This is a base recipe for creamy oatmeal, but you can spruce it up with fresh fruit (or frozen), nuts, seeds, nut butter, and chocolate chips!
Storage & reheating guidelines
Refrigerator: You can store this oatmeal covered in the fridge or in an air-tight container for up to four days.
To reheat: The oatmeal thickens up significantly when sitting in the fridge. To thin it out, add in some milk or water and whip quickly with a spoon until the oatmeal becomes creamy and fluffy again.
Heat in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or until desired temperature is reached. You may need to stir in additional milk or water if the oatmeal is still too thick. Add in preferred toppings and serve.
Recipe FAQs
You can make it in advance, but it will thicken up quite a bit as it sits. To thin it out again, briskly stir in some additional milk or water until smooth and creamy.
I prefer to use rolled or old fashioned oats as I find that this makes for the creamiest texture. Using quick oats will result in a thinner porridge, but it will still taste good. They will also require less cooking time.
Steel cut oats may result in a chewier texture and will require a longer cooking time.
Yes! Simply add all of your ingredients (apart from the toppings) to your pressure cooker and cook on manual for 3 minutes. Naturally release the pressure before serving.
It’s most likely because you didn’t add enough liquid or didn’t allow the oatmeal to cook long enough. The creamiest oatmeal is made by doubling the amount of liquid you would typically use and stirring frequently while it cooks until slightly thickened. You can add more almond milk if you want a creamier consistency.
I prefer to add half water and half milk since the milk is what gives the oatmeal its creamy consistency, but you can use just water if preferred.
First of all, definitely don’t skip the pinch of salt and cinnamon as this brings out the natural nutty flavor of the oats and makes them less bland. You can also stir in a sweetener like honey or maple syrup if you like.
For me, it’s all about the toppings. Adding fresh or frozen fruit is a great way to naturally sweeten the oatmeal and add a burst of flavour in each bite, while nuts, nut butters and seeds can add more texture.
Toppings for oatmeal
This creamy oatmeal is even better when jazzed up with some delicious toppings. Pick and choose a few from the list or get creative with your own flavour combos!
Try these oatmeal add-ins:
- Fresh or frozen berries
- Sliced banana
- Diced or shredded apple
- Nuts (i.e. pecans, walnuts, sliced almonds)
- Drizzle of nut butter
- Sprinkle of coconut
- Chocolate chips
- Dried fruit (i.e. dried cranberries, raisins, etc.)
- Extra sprinkle of cinnamon
- Hemp hearts
- Chia seeds
- Drizzle of pure maple syrup or honey
Recipe variations
- Use a different milk: Try coconut milk, cashew milk or regular milk instead of almond milk.
- Switch up the flavour: Instead of vanilla extract, try almond or maple extract. You can also use nutmeg, pumpkin pie or apple pie seasoning instead of or in addition to the cinnamon.
- Add a chocolate twist: Try adding some cocoa powder to the oatmeal along with your desired sweetener for a rich and chocolatey twist!
- To make protein oatmeal: Add a couple tablespoons of protein powder. You may need to add some extra liquid if the protein powder thickens the oatmeal.
More Healthy Oatmeal Recipes
- Healthy Baked Apple Oatmeal
- Healthy Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
- Raspberry Banana Oatmeal Muffins
- Vanilla Protein Powder Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter Banana Baked Oatmeal
- Oatmeal Waffles
Did you make this recipe? Scroll down to leave a star rating and review!
Creamy Oatmeal with Almond Milk
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 3 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons desired sweetener (i.e. maple syrup, honey, etc.) optional
- Desired toppings
Instructions
- Add the oats, milk, water, cinnamon, and salt to a large saucepan set over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring every minute or so.
- Once simmering, reduce the heat to medium-low and continue to simmer for about 12-15 minutes, stirring frequently, or until the oatmeal thickens slightly and has a creamy consistency. The oatmeal will start out fairly liquidy but once the bubbles start to get a bit bigger, you'll notice that it will start to thicken more, while still remaining creamy. Keep the oatmeal uncovered the whole time and watch it carefully so that it doesn't bubble over.
- Mix in vanilla extract and desired sweetener (if using) until evenly distributed.
- Scoop into bowls and allow oatmeal to cool for a few minutes (it will thicken a little more after a couple minutes). Stir in desired add-ins such as fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, etc.
Notes
- This oatmeal does thicken considerably as it sits, so it’s best served fresh. If you plan to make it ahead of time, briskly stir in some additional milk or water right before serving to thin it out and make it creamy again.
- You can add in some sweetener such as honey or maple syrup to taste, or leave it out altogether. It depends on how sweet you like your oatmeal.
- Feel free to get creative with the add-ins. This is a basic recipe for creamy oatmeal, but you can spruce it up with fruit, nuts, seeds, nut butter, and chocolate chips!
Oh my freaking God!! I was skeptical at first because meeeh oatmeal with almond milk (not my go to choice) but it was the only milk left in my pantry so I decided to give this a go, because I was craving oatmeal. But never never never I would have thought that this would be the best oatmeal I have ever made. (Not joking)! I followed the recipe for only one person, made the adjustments and it was spectacular. It was the most creamiest and satisfying oatmeal recipe. I took it very seriously to turning the heat to low for about 6-8 minutes and stirring occasionally and let me say, game changer! Now this recipe is going to be the one I will be making until my end of time. So thank you so much for this recipe, from a fellow RDN, this is 100% approved.
This is the best comment EVER! Who knew oatmeal could be so tasty, right?! So happy you found a new favorite way to make oatmeal! I always appreciate another RD’s stamp of approval ;)