Homemade Oatmeal

A warm, tasty bowl of homemade oatmeal is the perfect way to start your day! Here are 4 yummy variations filled with fresh fruit, nuts, brown sugar, and more!

Looking for more easy, healthy breakfast recipes? A smoothie bowl, acai bowl, or overnight oats are my go-to breakfasts! They’re so good and will power you through your day!

A bowl of oatmeal topped with almond slices, peanut butter, and blueberries.

Healthy and Delicious Homemade Oatmeal Recipe

Oatmeal, honestly, is one of my favorite breakfasts. I’ve probably had it a million times but something about it is so hearty and comforting! The best part is, you can add so many different toppings, no two breakfasts are ever the same! I’ve got 4 tasty variations here for you, from almond and blueberry to strawberry chocolate and brown sugar cinnamon! Each is equally delicious, and I know you’ll love having them for breakfast! I certainly have. It’s an easy way to upgrade a classic meal.

Another perk of this homemade oatmeal? It’s nice and healthy! Oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, and overnight oats are what I typically have for breakfast and I love that they are things I can feel good about putting in my body. Oatmeal, specifically, is great because it will keep you full, is a great source of fiber, and also helps to lower cholesterol! And with toppings this good? You’ll forget it’s a healthy breakfast! I’ll give you all the ins and outs on making oatmeal from scratch and some great topping ideas to get you started. You’re going to love them!

Ingredients for Homemade Oatmeal

Oatmeal packets are nice, but it’s so much cheaper to buy rolled oats and make servings yourself! Short and sweet, this ingredient list is as simple as it gets. It makes it super easy to throw together in the morning! Measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: I typically have rolled oats on hand, but you can also use steel cut!
Water: Necessary for the oats to absorb.
Milk of Choice: Added for creaminess! Whether it’s dairy, non-dairy, or nut milk, use your favorite here! I like using macadamia milk to keep calories low. You can also use more water if you’d like!
Salt: Just a pinch is needed to enhance flavor.

Making Oatmeal From Scratch

It only takes a few minutes to whip up some homemade oatmeal! It’s the perfect blank canvas for all of your favorite toppings. You’re going to love how quick, easy, and delicious it is!

Combine Oats With Liquids and Salt: In a small saucepan, combine the oats, water, milk, and salt over medium high heat.
Boil, Then Simmer: Once it comes to a low boil, reduce the heat and let simmer until it reaches your desired thickness. To keep the oatmeal from burning on the bottom of the pan, stir occasionally.
Remove From Heat: After the oatmeal has cooked through for about 5 minutes, remove the pan from the heat.
Toppings: Next, add desired toppings and a splash of additional milk if you would like.

Process shots of making oatmeal from scratch.

Tips and Tricks for Making the Best Oatmeal

Homemade oatmeal can easily be up-leveled with just a few simple tricks! Use them to craft the breakfast of your dreams! You’ll love how it turns out.

Toast Your Oats: If you want to make the most flavorful oatmeal possible, you can first toast your oats in a bit of butter. This will give them a rich, nutty flavor.
Stir Occasionally: While it’s important to stir enough so your oats don’t burn on the bottom of your pan, don’t overmix! Stirring too frequently can make your oatmeal slimy.
Make Ahead: This tip is perfect for all of you busy readers out there! For easy meal prep, you can make a large batch of homemade oatmeal and then divide it into jars or airtight containers to be reheated throughout the week. Pop a serving in the microwave for 2 minutes, and it tastes as good as new!

Strawberry Chocolate Chip Oatmeal

This is by far one of my favorite topping combinations. Who doesn’t love a good chocolate-covered strawberry? Contrary to what you’d think, chocolate is actually a beneficial ingredient here! Dark chocolate chips are packed with antioxidants, potassium, and iron! It’s even been linked to lowering blood pressure!

Slice Strawberries: Slice a few strawberries into pieces and place in bowl.
Add Chocolate Chips: Whether it’s milk, white, or dark chocolate, add your favorite here! I always like using dark chocolate chips for their amazing health benefits.
Add a Splash of Cream: I always like to add an extra splash of milk or cream to this combination. It makes it taste like dessert!

Almond Blueberry Oatmeal

For this bowl, I use a mix of blueberries, almonds, and almond butter. The rich, juicy flavor of blueberries pairs so well with nutty goodness! If you aren’t already invested, this mix is loaded with health benefits and will have you feeling great all day! Blueberries, of course, are a superfruit. Low in calories, but high in vitamins and antioxidants! Then, add in protein and healthy fats from almonds and peanut butter and you have a winning combination!

Add Blueberries: First, give your blueberries a quick wash and then add them to your bowl. You can swap these for other superfruits like pomegranate arils or acai.
Add Almonds and Nut Butter: For some tasty texture, add in sliced almonds to your oatmeal. You can also add a dollop of nut butter. I use almond butter here, but peanut butter works great, too!

4 bowls of homemade oatmeal with various toppings.

Banana Coconut Oatmeal

If you want a breakfast that is sweet and delicious, this one’s for you! I use sliced bananas, coconut, a dash of nutmeg, and coconut milk. This particular combination is like a cross between rice pudding and coconut sticky rice. It’s scrumptious! It’s also loaded with potassium and healthy fats.

Slice Bananas: To begin, I like to slice my banana into half-inch pieces. Add them to your oatmeal.
Add Coconut: Next, sprinkle in some shredded coconut. You can use sweetened or unsweetened, depending on your preference.
Spice: Add a dash of nutmeg. This is a great way to add a little extra nutty flavor to your oatmeal.
Add Creamer: To finish up, I like to add in a splash of coconut milk or creamer. It makes it so creamy and sweet!

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal

This one is always a classic. Something about it is so nostalgic to me. Nothing beats a warm bowl of homemade oatmeal with cinnamon sugar sprinkled on top. It’s so delicious and comforting!

Make Cinnamon Sugar Mixture: My ratio is typically 1 tablespoon of brown sugar to ½ teaspoon cinnamon. Mix together and sprinkle over oatmeal.
Adding Cream or Honey: To make your oatmeal a bit sweeter, you can add honey, a splash of milk, or creamer.

Storing Leftover Homemade Oatmeal

Homemade oatmeal is great for making ahead! With proper storage, you’ll be able to enjoy this tasty breakfast over and over!

In the Refrigerator: Your homemade oatmeal will store for up to one week in an airtight container.
Reheating: In a microwave-safe bowl, add a serving of oatmeal and pop in the microwave for 2 minutes. Stir after one minute to ensure it’s warmed through.

A closeup of oatmeal topped with blueberries, almonds, and nut butter.