Homemade Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe
This brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal is what you make when you want a breakfast that is cozy, sweet, and filling. The bowl of oatmeal is delicious and is reminiscent of the packets of instant oatmeal, but has a much better flavor. We’re combining nutritious oats with sweet and cozy brown sugar and cinnamon flavors for a simple meal that’s ready in less than 10 minutes and will warm you right up in the fall and winter months. Add a homemade latte or lavender latte for a super cozy and comforting breakfast.
Busy mornings call for an easy, satisfying, and healthy breakfast, so be sure to try avocado toast, peanut butter toast, acai bowls, 5-minute breakfast board, sourdough French toast, or lox and bagels next time.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
What You’ll Love About Homemade Brown Sugar Oatmeal
- Delicious breakfast that’s sweet and cozy
- Nutritious meal with whole grains
- Made with wholesome ingredients
- Perfect breakfast for fall and winter mornings
- Easy to adjust sweetness to everyone’s preferences
- A healthy breakfast is ready in less than 10 minutes
Ingredients
- Milk – I recommend using whole milk for a really creamy texture, but you can use your favorite plant-based milk. Soy milk, almond milk, oat milk, or your preferred milk will all work.
- Water – This is used for cooking the oats – I tested using all milk, and found a combination of milk and water worked best. If you prefer, you can make it with all water and then finish with a splash of milk when serving.
- Oats – I recommend using old fashioned oats, but you can also use quick cooking oats or quick oats, you’ll just need to adjust the cooking time. You could also use steel cut oats, but know it will take a lot longer to cook. Try my pressure cooker steel cut oats and then you can add in the flavor.
- Salt – Salt might seem odd in a sweet breakfast, but a pinch of salt helps bring out the sweetness in this oatmeal and adds flavor.
- Brown sugar – Brown sugar is obviously a must in this brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal recipe and you can use light brown sugar or dark brown sugar. You can adjust the amount to personal taste. You can also sweeten the oatmeal with maple syrup if you prefer.
- Cinnamon – Use high-quality cinnamon for best flavor and adjust to personal taste if desired.
- Chopped nuts – Optional, see below for other topping ideas.
How to Make Brown Sugar Oatmeal
This is an overview on how to make this healthy breakfast recipe, the detailed instructions can be found below in the recipe card.
TIP: If you think this might be too sweet for you, start with half of the amount of brown sugar and cinnamon. Add more to taste.
Additional Topping Ideas
Looking to add some crunchy texture or filling nutrition to your homemade oatmeal? Try some of these topping ideas:
- Chopped nuts – Walnuts, pecans, or almonds
- Seeds – Chia seeds or hemp seeds would add a nutritious crunch
- Peanut butter – Or other nut butter like almond butter or cashew
- Sliced fruit – bananas, apples, pears, strawberries, or blueberries would all be delicious
- Granola – Sprinkle your favorite granola on top
- Maple syrup – For homemade maple brown sugar oatmeal, finish your bowl of oats with a drizzle of maple syrup
- Sweet flavor – Add in a little vanilla extract or top with dried fruit like raisins or cranberries or a few chocolate chips if desired
FAQs
Is oatmeal gluten-free?
Oatmeal is naturally gluten-free, but it is often cross-contaminated with wheat, so if you need to eat gluten-free, be sure to seek out gluten-free oats.
How many carbs in oatmeal?
Per half cup of dry oats, there are 27 grams of carbohydrates and 4 grams of fiber.
Is there protein in oatmeal?
Yes! Even though it’s definitely considered a carb, each half cup of dry oats has 5 grams of protein. Add in some other protein sources for a filling breakfast!
Storage Instructions
Store leftover cinnamon and brown sugar oatmeal in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 2-3 days.
How to reheat
Reheat leftover oatmeal in the microwave or a small saucepan until heated through.
Can you freeze oatmeal?
Yes, you can freeze oatmeal (try using souper cubes!) and freeze for 2-3 months. Reheat until hot before serving.
How to prep oatmeal ahead
You can also prep this oatmeal ahead so that all you need to do is reheat it in the mornings. Simply double or triple the recipe (you can do this right in the recipe card!) and then divide into storage containers. (A big batch will take a little longer to cook as you have more oatmeal.) Store in fridge and reheat in the morning.
What to Serve with Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe
This easy breakfast recipe is enough for a full meal, but try one of these sides or additions to make it even more satisfying:
- Greek yogurt or yogurt parfait
- Hard-boiled eggs or scrambled eggs
- Breakfast sausage or bacon
- Fresh fruit
- Coffee – Latte, lavender latte, cappuccino, sweet cream cold foam, or a dirty chai
More Easy Oatmeal Recipes
If you like this brown sugar and cinnamon oatmeal recipe, you might also like some of these other easy oatmeal recipes:
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Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe
- Prep Time: 0 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Total Time: 7 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Homemade brown sugar oatmeal is reminiscent of the instant packets, but so much more delicious! It’s cozy, sweet, and nutritious.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- pinch of sea salt
- 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon (add more to taste)
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring milk and water to a simmer.
- Add in oats and salt and cook over a low simmer for about 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until desired consistency.
- Remove from heat and stir in brown sugar and cinnamon.
- Divide into bowls and serve.
Notes
- Adjust brown sugar and cinnamon according to your own preferences.
- Add a drizzle of maple syrup for maple brown sugar oatmeal.
Food styling and photography by Loren Runion.
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Wonderful oatmeal recipe with brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans!!! Brought back childhood memories. Thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it! It is reminiscent of my favorite oatmeal packet 🙂