Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal

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What’s better than a piping hot bowl of maple and brown sugar oatmeal? A piping hot bowl of homemade maple and brown sugar oatmeal. There’s something so comforting about a warm bowl of oatmeal when it’s made from scratch. Especially one that’s as nostalgic as this is.

The combination of brown sugar and maple syrup gives this stovetop oatmeal a rich sweetness, while the vanilla and cinnamon add spice and warmth. It’s everything you remember about maple and brown sugar oatmeal, only better (come on, I know you loved the Quaker packet oatmeal too, didn’t you?).

A big bowl of maple and brown sugar oatmeal, drizzled with maple syrup and a few pecans.

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    The Short List Of Ingredients

    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • 1 cup milk
    • 3/4 cup water
    • 2 tablespoons brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
    • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
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    Cooking Up Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal

    1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine the rolled oats, milk, water, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, sea salt, and cinnamon. Mix it up well.
    2. Cook: Heat the mixture over medium heat until it comes to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 10-ish minutes. Make sure to stir it occasionally to prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
    Oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, sea salt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup in a sauce pan ready to be cooked.
    Cooked maple and brown sugar oatmeal in a pan.
    1. Serve: Once the oatmeal has reached your desired consistency (I love mine creamy with a slight bite), remove it from the heat. Serve immediately with a drizzle of extra maple syrup, a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or pecans, and a splash of milk.
    • Be sure to check out the full ingredient list and recipe instructions below.
    A bowl of maple and brown sugar oatmeal with a spoon laying next to it.

    Tips for Extra Maple Flavor

    1. Use Pure Maple Syrup: Make sure to use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup, which is often made from corn syrup with artificial flavoring. The authentic taste of pure maple syrup is key in this recipe. For the richest taste, choose a Grade A dark color 100% maple syrup. It has the most robust taste.
    2. Maple Extract: For an even stronger maple flavor, you can add a few drops of maple extract in addition to the syrup. Be careful with the amount though—it’s potent. A drop or two will do ya.
    3. Maple Sugar: If you have maple sugar, you can substitute part or all of the brown sugar with it to enhance the maple flavor further. It’s a really yummy addition and if you’ve never tried maple sugar, you should add that to your to-do list.

    Ways To Make It Even Better

    • Crunch: While the oatmeal itself is creamy and smooth, adding a bit of crunch can take it to the next level. Top your bowl with chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans for a satisfying crunchy texture.
    • Fruit: Fresh or dried fruit can add a burst of flavor and nutrition. Try adding sliced bananas, fresh berries, or even some chopped dried apricots or raisins.
    • Spice: If you’re a spice lover, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom along with the cinnamon. These spices complement the maple and brown sugar beautifully and add a bit of extra warmth.
    • Creaminess: For an extra creamy texture, use half-and-half, real cream, or even a dollop of Greek yogurt when serving. This adds richness and makes the oatmeal even more creamy.
    A bowl of maple and brown sugar oatmeal without any toppings and a spoon in it.

    Leftovers and Reheating

    One of the best things about oatmeal is that it stores really well, making it perfect for meal prep. If you have any leftovers, simply store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll keep for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy another bowl, add a splash of milk or water to restore the creamy texture and reheat on the stove or in the microwave.

    Tip

    To add extra flavor to this (or any) oatmeal, toast the oats in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes before adding the rest of the ingredients to the pan. This extra step really enhances the nutty flavor of the oats.

    There’s something really special about starting the day with a meal that’s made from scratch. So, next time you’re in the mood for a cozy, homemade breakfast, give this maple and brown sugar oatmeal a try. It’s easy, it’s delicious, and it’s sure to become a favorite in your house, just like Quaker. Happy cooking and happy mornings, my friend.

    A big bowl of maple and brown sugar oatmeal, drizzled with maple syrup and a few pecans.

    Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal

    By: Kristine Underwood
    This hearty maple and brown sugar oatmeal is both satisfying and delicious. You can make it from scratch in just 15 minutes. It's a warm and cozy breakfast that's makes the perfect sweet start to your day.
    5 from 5 votes
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 10 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Course Breakfast & Brunch
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 bowls
    Calories 319 kcal

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup rolled oats
    • 1 cup milk (any kind)
    • 3/4 cup water
    • 2 TBS brown sugar
    • 2 TBS 100% maple syrup
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract
    • 1/4 tsp sea salt
    • 1/4 tsp cinnamon

    Instructions

    • In a medium saucepan, combine the rolled oats, milk, water, brown sugar, maple syrup, vanilla extract, sea salt, and cinnamon. Stir well to combine.
      1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup milk, 3/4 cup water, 2 TBS brown sugar, 2 TBS 100% maple syrup, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp sea salt, 1/4 tsp cinnamon
    • Heat oatmeal over medium heat until it boils, then reduce the heat and simmer for 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
    • Once the oatmeal reaches your desired consistency, remove it from the heat and serve immediately with a drizzle of maple syrup, chopped walnuts or pecans, a splash of milk or cream.
    • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Add a splash of milk or water when reheating to restore the creamy texture.

    Notes

    The nutritional information does not include toppings. It’s only for the prepared oatmeal.
     
    **The nutritional information was calculated using 2% milk.
     
    ***You can use 2 cups of milk instead of 1 cup milk and 1 cup water if you prefer. Using all milk will yield a thicker and stickier oatmeal.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1 bowlCalories: 319kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 9gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 9mgSodium: 358mgPotassium: 377mgFiber: 4gSugar: 30gVitamin A: 121IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 200mgIron: 2mg

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    Recipe Rating




    10 Comments

    1. This oatmeal is easy to make and delicious. Thanks for a great recipe!5 stars

      1. Thank you so much Heather! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. ๐Ÿ™‚

    2. I love that hint of cinnamon with the caramel flavors of maple and brown sugar! So good!5 stars

      1. Thank you so much Adri! Me too, just a tiny hintโ€”haha! Thanks so much for the sweet review!

    3. Loving the combination of maple syrup with brown sugar. Love that I can make it in like 10 minutes too. Fantastic!5 stars

      1. Thank you so much Charla! I totally agree, a hot, homemade breakfast in 10 is a huge winner! ๐Ÿ™‚

    4. I added pecans for crunch. So delicious! Very easy to make too.5 stars

      1. That’s my favorite way to eat this too Seema! Those pecans are ๐ŸคŒ๐Ÿป. So glad you enjoyed the oatmeal, my friend!

    5. Looove this classic flavor combo! and it’s so much better than the version from the packets ๐Ÿ˜‰5 stars

      1. Gah! Me too, Paulaโ€”SO MUCH! And boy oh boy is it, it’s almost so good that once you make your own, you can’t ever go back. LOL!