Homemade cinnamon spice oatmeal is made with rolled oats, ground cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and brown sugar. It’s quick to prepare, taking just 15 minutes from start to finish, and is great for busy weekday mornings. Our version is infused with warm fall spices, making it the perfect quick breakfast for fall.
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Making your own oatmeal is a quick upgrade from those store-bought instant packets, and you get to control exactly how much sugar and spice goes in. Serve this with fresh fruit, maple syrup, or toasted nuts for extra texture. This cinnamon-spice version is my go-to on cold fall mornings, but I also love chocolate oatmeal and apple pie oatmeal when I’m craving something that feels more like dessert but is actually healthy.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions
Oatmeal uses the simplest of ingredients -oats, water, and salt.
The complete ingredient list and measurements are listed in the printable recipe below.
- Rolled Oats: We prefer rolled oats for that classic oatmeal texture. Steel-cut oats have a coarser, chewier texture and nuttier flavor and take longer to cook, up to 30 minutes. Quick oats are similar to rolled oats, but are steamed even longer in processing and rolled thinner. This allows them to cook in just a few minutes, and their flavor is even milder.
- Ginger, Nutmeg, and Cinnamon: This is the classic spice combination, but if you don’t like any of them, feel free to substitute or leave them out. Some other popular spices include allspice, cloves, cardamom, and, of course, vanilla. Or try some pre-made combinations like pumpkin spice, apple pie spice, or even chai spices for tea.
- Brown Sugar: With its molasses flavor, it is a favorite for oatmeal, but maple syrup is just as common and totally delicious. You can use honey, of course, or, if you really want to watch your calories, you can replace it with your favorite low calorie sweetner.
How to Make Cinnamon Spice Oatmeal
Here are the quick, step-by-step instructions with visuals; you can find the full instructions, including the exact ingredients, in the recipe card below.
Pro-tip: Make a larger batch since oatmeal keeps well in the fridge and heats up in the microwave in 1-2 minutes. Add a splash of milk or a milk alternative to make the texture creamier.
1. Prepare Oatmeal: Bring water and a pinch of salt to a boil over medium-high heat in a large saucepan. After the water has come to a boil, add the oatmeal and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the oatmeal has thickened, add spices, brown sugar, and butter, and reduce the heat to low. Stir to combine and cook for 5 minutes or until the oats are tender.
2. Add Toppings and Serve: Remove from heat and serve immediately. Top with additional spices, brown sugar, or other toppings.
Make-Ahead and Storage
Make-Ahead: Oatmeal keeps well in the refrigerator, and it’s just as easy to make 8 servings as it is 4.
How to Store: Let the oatmeal cool to room temperature, then store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days in an airtight container. Single-serving size containers make it even more convenient to reheat for a quick weekday breakfast on the go.
How to Reheat: Use a microwave-safe container and microwave for 1-2 minutes, depending on your oven’s wattage. Stir in a splash of milk or your favorite milk alternative to recreate the creamy texture, and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar.
Recipe Tips and Notes
- Don’t add too much water. The perfect water-to-oatmeal ratio is 2:1.
- Don’t cook on high heat. To avoid overcooking the oatmeal, reduce the temperature to medium.
- Don’t skip the pinch of salt. The salt helps bring out the nutty flavor of the oatmeal. Salt also helps make sweet foods a little sweeter.
Frequently Asked Questions
More Breakfast Recipes To Try
Try some of our other favorite quick and easy breakfast recipes.
- Hash Brown Breakfast Casserole – Perfect for the holidays or weekend brunch. Crispy hash browns are covered with bacon, egg, and shredded cheese. It can be made ahead of time and is easily customizable.
- Fluffy Silver Dollar Buttermilk Pancakes with Blueberries – Incredibly easy-to-make pancakes bursting with blueberry flavor and ready in less than 30 minutes.
- Spinach, Egg, and Bacon Quesadillas – Stuffed with scrambled eggs, melted cheese, crispy bacon, and fresh spinach, and ready to eat in 20 minutes.
- Cinnamon Granola – A delicious breakfast or snack option that combines wholesome ingredients with warm, comforting flavors. It is completely customizable, making it a versatile staple for breakfast bowls, yogurt parfaits, or on-the-go snacking.
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Cinnamon Spice Oatmeal
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Equipment
- 1 Large Saucepan (4 Quarts)
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 4 cups water
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ½ tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, bring water along with a pinch of salt to a boil over medium-high heat.
- After the water has come to a boil, add the oatmeal and reduce the heat to medium. Cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the spices, brown sugar, and butter to the oatmeal and reduce to low heat. Stir to combine, then cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the oats are tender.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately. Top with additional spices and brown sugar.
