If you love the brown sugar packet oatmeal but are wondering how to make this at home, I have just the Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe for you! This is the perfect way to start your day in a healthy way.
Homemade brown sugar oatmeal is so much better for you as no preservatives are needed! Oatmeal is a wholesome way to get your day started.
If you are looking for other oatmeal recipes, let me share a few I love. Cinnamon spice is a great homemade version of the classic packet oatmeal that is so good! Or what about carrot cake oatmeal? I also love the bright blueberry oatmeal flavor too.
What makes this recipe work?
For one, this is a really easy oatmeal recipe to make. If mornings in your house look like mornings in mine, time is at a premium. I generally do not have time for a big breakfast that takes half my morning. This one is ready in about 5-7 minutes! Most of that is hands-off time and no stress. It also uses simple ingredients, most of which you probably already have in your home and pantry.
Brown sugar is the classic oatmeal flavor. This is a breakfast I grew up on and still love. It is just the right blend of sweetness and subtle molasses flavor.
Oatmeal is a healthy way to start the day. It is loaded with health benefits, including nutrients that are heart-healthy. it has also been proven to lower cholesterol levels and keep blood sugar levels stable too. It is unfortunate that carbs have gotten such a bad reputation, don't listen to the gossip. This is a meal you need!
Ingredients
- Oats- Regular oats are what I recommend, but you can also use quick oats or steel-cut oats. I will give additional instructions for these below.
- Brown sugar- dark brown sugar is my preferred as it gives a rich brown sugar flavor, but you can also use light brown if you want.
- Salt- it only takes a little, but it makes a difference. It will help add a depth of flavor you won't get otherwise. I love using kosher salt.
- Milk- This is optional, but it really makes creamy oatmeal. I like to use almond milk to make mine, but any milk of your choice works.
- Vanilla extract- this is added at the end and is optional, but adds another dimension to the oatmeal.
- Spices- I like to add these in, but they are optional as well. Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger. I will make notes on this below.
- Butter- this is optional as well, but I love it adding it.
How to make brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal
This easy breakfast recipe comes together quickly, let me show you how.
- Bring the milk, salt, and water to a low boil over medium heat.
- Pour in the oats and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Stir in the brown sugar and spices if you are using them. Cook another 2 minutes or until they have thickened and absorbed the liquid.
- Last, stir in the vanilla.
- Serve. I like to add a splash of milk or heavy cream right before serving.
Quick cooking oats recipe
This is very similar to old-fashioned oats, but with a shorter cooking time.
- Bring the liquid and salt to a boil over medium heat.
- Add in oats and cook for about a minute.
- Stir in the brown sugar and spices if you are using them.
- Cook for another 1-2 minutes or so until the oatmeal is cooked and the liquid is absorbed.
Steel-cut oats
This is the longest cooking time, so keep this in mind. These complex carbohydrates are a filling breakfast to start your day if you have time!
- Bring water and milk to a low boil over medium heat.
- Add in the steel-cut oats.
- Cook, stirring occasionally for about 20-25 minutes.
- Stir in the salt and continue to cook for another couple of minutes.
- At the end of cooking, serve, and top as you like.
You can also try these instant pot recipes, but with a quicker cooking time. Instant pot steel-cut oats, and pumpkin steel-cut oats.
Top tips
- As noted above, you can use any type of milk you like. I use unsweetened almond milk, but any other plant-based milk ( soy milk or oat milk) or cow's milk works also.
- For an added creamy texture, stir in a little heavy cream or half and half before serving.
- A great way to get added protein is to add in a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter is really good and tastes delicious with the brown sugar. You can also add a couple of tablespoons of vanilla protein powder. Or a few teaspoons of chia seeds.
- If you want to go refined sugar-free, you can always use maple syrup for your sweetener. This is a personal favorite when I need a little sugar detox. Coconut sugar is also an option and some people consider it healthier.
- The type of oats will determine the cooking time, be sure to check this above.
- Even if you don't want to add the other spices, be sure to add a dash of cinnamon for the authentic brown sugar packets flavor.
FAQ brown sugar oatmeal
I love to cook my oatmeal using BOTH water and oatmeal. The combination makes the perfect creamy oatmeal.
I used 1 cup of water and 1 cup of milk for the oatmeal. If you want to use only water, use 2 cups of water.
Adding oatmeal as a part of your everyday meal plan is a great idea for adding whole grains that will improve your health. It is known to lower cholesterol, improve gut health, and it will also help you fill full longer!
Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups milk I prefer almond milk for mine, but use whatever you like!
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- 1 ¾ cups regular oats
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon butter optional
- ½ tablespoon cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Bring your water and milk to a boil over medium heat. Add the salt and oats.
- Lower the heat just slightly and cook for about 4 minutes.
- Add in the brown sugar and continue to cook another 3 minutes or so until the oatmeal is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed. This is a creamy oatmeal though, so there will still be some liquid.
- Butter and cinnamon are the last things to go in if you are using them.
- Serve. I like to add chopped walnuts to mine, but you can skip this if you want.
- That is it! It is done and ready to eat.
Notes
- As noted above, you can use any type of milk you like. I use unsweetened almond milk, but any other plant-based milk ( soy milk or oat milk) or cow's milk works also.
- For an added creamy texture, stir in a little heavy cream or half and half before serving.
- A great way to get added protein is to add in a couple of tablespoons of peanut butter is really good and tastes delicious with the brown sugar. You can also add a couple of tablespoons of vanilla protein powder. Or a few teaspoons of chia seeds.
- If you want to go refined sugar-free, you can always use maple syrup for your sweetener. This is a personal favorite when I need a little sugar detox. Coconut sugar is also an option and some people consider it healthier.
- The type of oats will determine the cooking time, be sure to check this above.
- Even if you don't want to add the other spices, be sure to add a dash of cinnamon for the authentic brown sugar packets flavor.