Experience the ultimate breakfast comfort with our thick creamy oatmeal recipe. Made with hearty rolled oats and simmered to perfection, this velvety breakfast delight promises a satisfying start to your day. When making the perfect thick creamy oatmeal, there are a few things to look out for.
Think creamy oatmeal qualities:
Appearance. The oatmeal should have a smooth and uniform texture with the oats fully cooked and softened. The consistency is thick and pourable, but not overly runny. If the oatmeal is too watery, you may need to add a spoonful of rolled oats and cook a bit longer at low heat. This will help the consistency thicken up.
Texture. It is soft, smooth, and velvety. The oats are tender and well-cooked, with no discernible graininess. When you take your first bite, it should feel luxurious with a slight chew. Think of cooking your oatmeal like pasta. The oatmeal should be a nice al dente. It should not feel squishy or mushy.
Color. The color of creamy oatmeal can vary depending on the type of oats used and any added ingredients. Oftentimes, the color of the oatmeal will be a creamy off-white color. If you add things like cinnamon or vanilla, there will be flecks of darker hues.
Smell. As the oats cook, they release a warm and comforting aroma. The scent of oats, combined with any added flavorings like cinnamon or vanilla, fills the kitchen with a cozy and inviting fragrance that signals breakfast is ready. It’s a warm comforting sweet-like smell.
Taste. Creamy oatmeal has a mild, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of nuttiness from the oats. If you like an even sweeter oatmeal, you can customize it with an additional sweetener like maple syrup or coconut sugar. The creamy texture allows the flavors to meld together harmoniously, creating a delicious and comforting breakfast experience.
Thick Creamt Oatmeal Stovetop Instructions:
Choose the Right Oats: For the creamiest texture, opt for old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick or steel-cut oats. Rolled oats have a softer texture and will cook more evenly, resulting in creamier oatmeal.
Use a 2:1 Liquid-to-Oats Ratio: In a small pot, combine 1/2 cup of rolled oats with 1 cup of water or milk. Using a 2:1 ratio of liquid to oats ensures that the oats have enough moisture to become creamy as they cook.
Cook Over Low Heat: Place the saucepan over low to medium-low heat. Cooking the oats slowly allows them to absorb the liquid gradually, resulting in a creamier consistency. Stir the oats occasionally to prevent them from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Simmer Until Thickened: Let the oats simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until they reach your desired consistency. This usually takes about 5-7 minutes for rolled oats. One thing to remember is that oats will continue to thicken slightly as they cool.
Add Sweetener and Flavorings: Once the oats are cooked, stir in any sweeteners or flavorings you desire. Examples could be, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, or stevia. Adjust the sweetness and flavorings to taste.
Serve Warm: Transfer the oatmeal to a bowl and add your toppings. Things like fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, or a drizzle of additional plant milk for extra creaminess are incredible.
Microwave Instructions:
Combine Ingredients: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the rolled oats, and water. Stir to combine. Remember, oatmeal is a 2:1 ratio. So if you’re cooking 1/2 cup of rolled oats, you’ll need 1 cup of water.
Cook in Microwave: Place the bowl in the microwave and cook on high power for 2 minutes.
Stir: After 2 minutes, remove the bowl from the microwave and give the oatmeal a good stir.
Continue Cooking: Place the bowl back in the microwave and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes, depending on your microwave’s power and desired oatmeal consistency. Keep an eye on it to prevent overflow.
Adding creaminess: To ensure you get the creamiest consistency, after the oatmeal has cooked add a few splashes of your favorite milk. Make sure to add a little milk at a time to maintain the thick and creamy consistency.
How to top it:
While a plain bowl of perfectly cooked oatmeal is delicious, it can always be enhanced with some of your favorite toppings. There are countless delicious topping options to enhance the flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Here are some popular toppings for oatmeal:
- Fresh Fruit: Sliced bananas, berries (such as strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries), diced apples, chopped mango, or sliced peaches add sweetness, freshness, and vibrant colors to oatmeal.
- Dried Fruit: Raisins, dried cranberries, chopped dates, figs, or apricots provide natural sweetness and chewiness to oatmeal, as well as added fiber and nutrients.
- Nuts and Seeds: Chopped almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or cashews add crunch, protein, healthy fats, and a nutty flavor to oatmeal. Additionally, seeds like chia seeds, flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds offer a nutritional boost with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants.
- Nut Butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or tahini can be swirled into oatmeal for a creamy texture, rich flavor, and added protein. Drizzling nut butter on top adds a decadent touch.
- Sweeteners: Honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown sugar can be drizzled over oatmeal to add sweetness and depth of flavor. Be mindful of portion sizes to control added sugars.
- Dairy or Plant-Based Yogurt: Spoonfuls of Greek yogurt, coconut yogurt, or almond yogurt add creaminess, tanginess, and protein to oatmeal, especially when swirled in just before serving.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger can be sprinkled over oatmeal to add warmth, depth of flavor, and aroma. These spices complement the natural sweetness of the oats.
- Granola: Granola provides crunchy texture, flavor, and additional nutrients like fiber and protein when sprinkled on top.
- Syrups: Fruit syrups, such as berry compote or apple cinnamon syrup, add sweetness and fruity flavors to oatmeal. They can be drizzled over the top or mixed into the oats while cooking.
With an endless selection to choose from, you can have an exciting and different-tasting oatmeal each morning. Experiment with different combinations to keep your breakfasts exciting and satisfying!
Meal Prep and Storage Tips
If you are a busy bee in the morning, then meal-prepping your oatmeal will be a game changer. One option is to prepare a large batch of oatmeal ahead of time and portion it into individual containers for easy grab-and-go meals throughout the week. Simply cook the oatmeal as we discussed above, and allow it to cool slightly before adding it to your storage container. You can either store your oats in a large container and portion out your serving in the morning or store them in individual containers.
If you are storing in individual containers, you can add your toppings ahead of time. The oatmeal will last up to five days in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to enjoy your oatmeal, simply reheat it in the microwave, adding a splash of milk to restore its creamy texture if needed. By taking the time to meal prep and store your oatmeal in advance, you can ensure that a nourishing and delicious breakfast is always within reach, even on the busiest of mornings.
