Cinnamon Spice Oatmeal Recipe

Why you'll love this

• Comforting & cozy breakfast
• Bursting with flavor from natural ingredients
• Sweetened with pure maple syrup
• A nourishing breakfast that will keep you full
• You can get creative with toppings!

How to make your own instant cinnamon spice oatmeal packets

1. Combine ¼ cup raw instant oats, a pinch of sea salt, a pinch of cinnamon & a pinch of pumpkin pie spice in a snack-sized plastic bag. You can make a bunch of them so they are ready to use on busy mornings or when traveling.
2. Add instant oats mixture and ½ cup boiling water in a bowl and let it sit for 1 minute. Or you can microwave the oat mixture and water for 60 seconds (be sure to use a medium microwave-safe bowl).
3. Add maple syrup or sweetener of choice and enjoy your quick bowl of oatmeal!

Buying instant oats: If you want to make your own instant oatmeal mix, make sure you are buying quick oats that only have 1 ingredient - instant oats. Most instant oat packets are LOADED with processed sugar.

Note on texture & flavor: instant oats are more mushy and a little less flavorful than the stovetop cinnamon spice oatmeal recipe. But sometimes the connivence is kind.

Simple Ingredients

• Old-Fashioned / Rolled Oats
• Water
• Salt
• Cinnamon
• Pumpkin Pie Spice
• Pure Maple Syrup
• Vanilla (optional)

See the recipe card below for exact quantities.

Ingredient Substitutions & Variations

• Different types of oats: If you use a different type of oats the cooking time and oats to water ratio may vary. Follow the oat packaging for cooking instructions. Add the spices and salt when you add the oats into the water. And add the maple syrup and vanilla towards the end of the cooking process.
• Maple syrup substitute: slowly add your preferred sweetener (sugar, stevia, honey) tasting the mixtures while adding to ensure they are the perfect amount of sweet. All sweeteners have different concentrations of sweetness.
• Sea salt substitutes: if you are using a different type of salt refer to this salt conversion chart. If you are sensitive to salt, you may want to use less salt. However, salt is important because it enhances all the flavors we are adding to the flavorless oats.
• Want it more or less sweet? Add more or less maple syrup.
• Sugar free? Omit the maple syrup.
• No pumpkin pie spice? Make your own blend or replace with more cinnamon.
• Use milk (or dairy free milk alternative) instead of water: simply replace all or some of the water with your milk of choice. Almond milk, pea milk, coconut milk...
• Overnight oats: substitute the water for dairy free milk. Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate overnight.

Oatmeal Topping Ideas

My favorite topping combo on this cinnamon spice oatmeal is chopped pecans and blueberries. The pecans add a crunchy texture and are an excellent source of healthy fats. The blueberries bring a sweet and tart burst of flavor to each bite. It's a fall blueberry pie vibe.

My partner loves to add peanut butter, banana and raw walnuts.

It can be fun to create a build your own oatmeal bar - lay out a bunch of healthy toppings, it's a great way for everyone to get creative!

More topping ideas:

• Fruit: any dried, frozen or fresh fruit
• Nuts & Seeds: sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds, chia seeds, walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts
• Nut Butters: peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter
• Jam & Jelly
• Chocolate Chips
• Sweeteners: extra maple syrup, honey, dates

How to make cinnamon spice oatmeal

1. Boil water with salt.
2. Add oats and spices. Reduce heat to medium and cook uncovered for 5 minutes.

1. Turn off the heat, add vanilla extract (optional) and cover the pot. Cook for 10 more minutes or until your desired consistency is reached.
2. Add maple syrup and your favorite toppings.

Meal Prep & Storage

• Make ahead: Oatmeal can be cooked ahead of time and left at room temperature for up to two hours. After two hours it should be refrigerated. Add a dash of (dairy free) milk or water and reheat when ready to eat.
• How to reheat in microwave: Add a splash of milk (dairy free) or water and reheat in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Stir after each increment to ensure it heats evenly. Remove when fully warm.
• How to reheat on stovetop: Add oatmeal and a splash of milk (dairy free) or water in a pot and cook over low heat until fully warm (~5 minutes). Stir along the way to prevent burning and to ensure it heats evenly.
• How to store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 days. Cooked oatmeal needs to be kept below 40℉ to reduce spoilage.
• How to freeze: Let the cooked oatmeal cool for at least 15 minutes. Freeze in air tight container or bag for up to 3 months. Pro tip: create individual portions in storage cubes or muffin tins before freezing.