Cinnamon Spice Oatmeal Recipe

Recipe Ingredients

Old-Fashioned Oats: Personally I love steel-cut oats. But I want this to be a quick and easy recipe so old-fashioned oats it is. They take a bit longer to cook than quick oats or instant oats but retain more of their texture.

Spices: Spices are an easy way to add flavor. Since I like to eat this oatmeal during the colder months I choose spices that will also add some warmth. This oatmeal is sprinkled with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, and cloves.

Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are optional but I like to add a couple to up the protein content of my oatmeal.

Vanilla Extract: Good quality vanilla extract helps to bring out the flavor of the other ingredients.

Salt: I add at least a pinch of salt to all of my recipes. Salt complements and intensifies the other flavors. For all of my recipes, I use Morton Kosher Salt which packs more densely than Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt. If you are using Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt you will want to double the amount of salt you add.

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions and Variations

Milk of Choice: I typically use 2% dairy milk. But you could also use almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or any other non-dairy milk of your choice.

Sweetener: Sweetener choice and the amount is completely up to you. It's one of the best things about making homemade oatmeal rather than relying on premade packets. You can use regular white sugar or brown sugar for some extra caramel flavor or sweeten it with pure maple syrup or honey.

Pumpkin Pie Spice: Pumpkin pie spice contains many of the same spices used in this recipe. Feel free to substitute an equal amount of pumpkin pie spice for all of the spices used in the recipe.

Microwave: Make this Cinnamon Spice Oatmeal even faster by cooking it in the microwave

1. Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker except for the vanilla and milk.
2. Cover and microwave on high for 2 minutes.
3. Let the oatmeal sit for 2 minutes to continue cooking.
4. Stir in the vanilla and milk and enjoy

Slow Cooker: Make this recipe even easier by starting it the night before in your slow cooker and wakeup to a bowl of delicious oatmeal. If you are doubling or tripling the recipe this is a great way to cook it.

1. Add all of the ingredients to your slow cooker except for the vanilla and milk. Stir well to combine. Cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours.
2. Stir in the vanilla and milk, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy.

Overnight Oats: Divide the ingredients evenly between two glass jars. Stir well to combine. Refrigerate the containers overnight.

The next morning add your desired toppings and enjoy.

Serving Suggestions

Consider this recipe a jumping-off point. Feel free to customize it and add additional ingredients to make this recipe your own.

Fruit: There are so many fruits that pair well with cinnamon. Try adding some fresh apples, pears, fresh berries, bananas, or peaches.

Dried Fruit: No fresh fruit on hand? Feel free to add your favorite dried fruit. I love adding raisins, craisins, or chopped dried apricots.

Jam or Jelly: Stir in some jam or jelly like this Roasted Strawberry Jam with Balsamic Vinegar, this Small Batch Blueberry Jam, or this Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup.

Nut or Seed Butter: Stir in your favorite nut butter like cashew or peanut butter for added creaminess and extra protein.

Nuts or Seeds: Add a little crunch to your oatmeal with your favorite nuts and/or seeds. Try adding almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, sunflower seeds, or pumpkin seeds.

Yogurt: Add a dollop of yogurt or Greek yogurt for more creaminess and protein.