Name: How To Make the Best Oatmeal
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1 cup water; 3/4 cup milk of your choice; 3/4 cup quick oats; 1/4 teaspoon sea salt; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

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If you're looking for a way to make oatmeal taste delicious, this recipe is for you! Milk, water, and quick oats combine to create a warm and creamy bowl of porridge that you'll want to make again and again.

There's nothing better than a bowl of oatmeal in the morning.

Topped with your favorite fruit, nuts or seeds, maple syrup, and a splash of cold milk, cooked oats can become a truly delicious and satisfying meal.

We eat a lot of oats in my house, alternating between oatmeal, Low Sugar Granola, and Overnight Oats.

Given my blog's name, you know my love is deep, so I wanted to share a classic recipe that you could make anytime a craving strikes!

These oats are creamy and flavorful, and they are the perfect base for any additions you like.

Ingredients needed

Oats, milk, water, salt, and vanilla laid out on a table.

You only need five major ingredients for the base recipe. The toppings and add-ins are up to your personal taste.

Water
Milk of your choice - I've used whole milk, Coconut Milk, almond milk, and Walnut Milk, all with success.
Quick oats
Sea salt
Vanilla extract

Bowl of oatmeal with blueberries and banana slices.

How to make oatmeal

Begin by mixing the milk and water together in a medium saucepan.

Stir in the oats and salt.

Bring the mix to a light boil, then quickly lower it to a simmer. Cook uncovered for 4-5 minutes.

Cooked oatmeal in a saucepan sitting on a blue towel.

Stir in the vanilla and any other additions you like. Cover the pot and let the oatmeal stand for two minutes to let the heat soften your mix-ins and infuse any other flavors.

Toppings and add-ins

My personal favorite combination is raisins and cinnamon, but I wanted to include a few other ideas as well.

Fruit - Fresh banana, apple, and berries are all delicious, as is any dried fruit.
Nuts and seeds - Walnuts, pecans, and pumpkin seeds are some of my favorites.
Nut/seed butter - Mix your favorite nut or seed butter with a little milk and honey to create a delicious addition! Peanut butter is my personal favorite.
Maple syrup or honey are both great for sweetening. I'll often add a few drops of stevia to avoid the sugar, which is fine for me.
Spices - Cinnamon and pie spices are delicious in oatmeal.
Butter or coconut oil can be stirred in if you're looking to make your bowl more luscious or calorie-dense.
Any milk, half and half, or cream cools off the oatmeal and adds a wonderful taste and texture.

Bowl of oatmeal with butter and blueberries.

Recipe notes

To use rolled oats in place of quick, follow the directions, but cook the oatmeal for about eight minutes.

If you prefer steel cut oats, try my easy Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats recipe. I like to make this one when I'm crunched for time, as it's mostly hands off!

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5 from 8 votes