Stovetop Oatmeal with Brown Sugar & Cinnamon

I absolutely love making oatmeal in the morning – it’s such a simple, quick breakfast. My recipe for creamy brown sugar oatmeal is made with regular rolled oats, a dash of cinnamon, and milk (or almond milk). Made stovetop in a saucepan, this homemade oatmeal is ready in just 12 minutes.

This simple stovetop oatmeal recipe is the perfect for a busy morning or even slow weekends.

If you are looking for more oatmeal inspiration, I have you covered. What about Recipe Ideas With Oats? Maybe you are looking for other whole grain breakfast recipes? I have those too. Or for a hands-off oatmeal recipe, let me share my crockpot apple cinnamon oatmeal.

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.

1. Bring the milk, salt, and water to a low boil over medium heat.
2. Pour in the oats and cook for about 3 minutes.
3. 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.
4. Last, stir in the vanilla.
5. 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.

1. Bring the liquid and salt to a boil over medium heat.
2. Add in oats and cook for about a minute.
3. Stir in the brown sugar and spices if you are using them.
4. 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.

1. Bring water and milk to a low boil over medium heat.
2. Add in the steel-cut oats.
3. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 20-25 minutes.
4. Stir in the salt and continue to cook for another couple of minutes.
5. 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.
• 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.

• Breakfast
• Oats