As soon as I feel that first chill in the autumn air, I get an irresistible craving for my favorite cold weather breakfast – cinnamon oatmeal. This hearty, warming bowl of goodness just seems to hit the spot on crisp fall mornings.
I remember my grandma making a big pot of oatmeal on the stove early in the morning, the cinnamon aroma wafting through the house and rousing everyone from sleep. She’d add a pat of butter, a sprinkle of brown sugar, and a dash of milk once it was dished into bowls. It was the perfect fuel to warm us up before heading out to play in the fallen leaves.
As an adult, cinnamon oatmeal brings back nostalgic memories of weekends at grandma’s house. It’s a comforting, old-fashioned breakfast that just feels right as the seasons change from summer to fall. The cozy spices and whole grain oats provide lasting warmth and energy on even the coldest morning.
While stovetop oatmeal is great, I’ve started making mine in the slow cooker or Instant Pot for ease and convenience. The hands-off approach allows me to prep it at night and wake up to perfect oatmeal, no need to stir and watch a pot in the early morning! The cinnamon perfumes the whole house, acting as my aromatic alarm clock.
Whether you’re a seasoned oatmeal lover or new to the cinnamon oats game, you’ll adore this recipe. It’s customizable to your tastes and so simple to throw together. Let’s get started!
Tips for Cinnamon Oatmeal:
- Use full fat milk or half and half for a richer oatmeal.
- Top with fresh fruit like bananas, berries, apples, or pears.
- Sweeten with honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or fruit jam.
- Add nuts like pecans, walnuts, almonds or peanut butter.
- Stir in vanilla yogurt or Greek yogurt for extra protein.
- Garnish with additional cinnamon.
- For variety, use part whole rolled oats and part steel-cut oats.
- Make it dairy-free with almond milk, coconut milk or water.
This cinnamon oatmeal is a great make-ahead breakfast too. I’ll often prepare a big batch on the weekend to reheat throughout the week. It holds up well for several days stored in the fridge. The oats continue soaking up liquid as it sits, resulting in an even creamier bowl of oatmeal each day.
I hope this easy cinnamon oatmeal recipe becomes your new favorite comfort food this fall and winter. It’s a healthy, filling breakfast that will warm you up on even the coldest days. So snuggle up with a hot bowl of oatmeal and embrace the crisp mornings! Let me know if you have any other favorite oatmeal add-ins or toppings.
Cinnamon Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 cups milk dairy or non-dairy
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
- Optional toppings: sliced bananas, chopped nuts, and a drizzle of honey
Instructions
- Prepare Your Ingredients: Gather all the ingredients before starting. This ensures a smooth cooking process.
- Measure the Oats: Using a measuring cup, scoop out 1 cup of rolled oats. Oats are the heart of this recipe, offering a wholesome source of fiber and complex carbohydrates.
- Heat the Milk: In a medium-sized saucepan, pour 2 cups of milk. You can use any type of milk you prefer, whether it's dairy, almond, soy, or oat milk. Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the milk to a gentle simmer.
- Add Oats and Cinnamon: Once the milk begins to simmer, stir in the 1 cup of rolled oats and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon. The cinnamon will infuse the oats with a delightful, warm flavor that is perfect for breakfast.
- Simmer and Stir: Reduce the heat to low and let the oatmeal simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the saucepan. This step typically takes around 5-7 minutes, depending on the desired thickness of your oatmeal. If you like it thicker, simmer a bit longer, or for a creamier texture, add more milk.
- Sweeten It Up: Drizzle 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup into the oatmeal, along with 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a hint of sweetness and extra flavor. Add a pinch of salt to balance the flavors. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Serve and Garnish: Once your oatmeal reaches the desired consistency, remove it from the heat. Ladle it into serving bowls, and it's ready to enjoy. If you like, add some optional toppings like sliced bananas, chopped nuts (such as almonds or walnuts), and an additional drizzle of honey for extra texture and flavor.