Recipe For Creamy Oatmeal (2 Ingredients!)

There’s something uniquely comforting about a warm bowl of creamy oatmeal as a sunrise greeting. 

Eating the creamiest oatmeal is an endearing way to kick off your day, with a delicious, fluffy texture.

This nutritious culinary delight, luckily, can be prepped and ready in no time, making it a perfect selection for those bustling mornings. 

Oats, an essential pantry staple, provide a meal that is both economical and has a long storage life. With its fiber-rich goodness, oats are a surefire way to keep you satiated for a large portion of your day. 

What’s more, this recipe for creamy oatmeal offers a versatile canvas for creating your personalized version of fast, creamy oats.

Are you prepared to hear my secrets behind this recipe for creamy oatmeal? 

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Why Make Smooth Oatmeal

Creamy oatmeal has many benefits. They are:

·         fast to put together for busy mornings

·         nutritious

·         delicious

·         can be customized to your taste

·         high in fiber

·         satiating

·         inexpensive 

Trust me, it’s good and easy! Just don’t use the instructions on the oatmeal package. Instead read on to find out the secret.

Oatmeal And Heart Health

Oats Lower Cholesterol

Oats are one of the 39 foods that lower cholesterol. They are rich in a type of fiber called beta-glucan, which is a soluble fiber. 

Soluble fiber can help reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and increase “good” HDL cholesterol, both of which are beneficial for heart health. Beta-glucan also helps reduce blood sugar levels and promotes feelings of fullness, which can help with weight management.

Check out these 15 oatmeal recipes to lower cholesterol, oat bran recipes to lower cholesterol, overnight oat bran recipe or this 7 day low cholesterol diet plan for more information.

Oats Lower Blood Pressure

They are also one of the 39 foods that lower blood pressure. 

Oats are rich in antioxidants, particularly avenanthramides, which are almost solely found in oats. Avenanthramides have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and may help lower blood pressure levels by increasing the production of nitric oxide.

This gas molecule helps dilate blood vessels, leading to better blood flow. This article explains how the nutrition in oats are good for blood pressure in more detail.

Oats In Dietary Patterns

The versatility of oats allows them to be easily incorporated into a heart-healthy dietary patterns like the Mediterranean diet, DASH diet, post stent diet, PAD diet.

You can add oats to soup, use it as oat water, make a oat smoothie, make baked oats, overnight oats, steel cut oats granola, muffins, pancakes or protein balls.

What Is Oatmeal?

Oats are celebrated for its health benefits, including high fiber content, particularly a type of soluble fiber known as beta-glucan, they are rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, making oatmeal a nutritious way to start the day.

Oatmeal is a type of porridge made from oats, a type of cereal grain. There are different types of oats used to make oatmeal, each offering a different texture, nutrition profile and cooking time.

• Steel-Cut Oats (Irish Oats): These are the whole oat groats that have been chopped into pieces but not rolled. They have a chewy texture and nutty flavor, and take the longest to cook.
• Rolled Oats (Old-Fashioned Oats): These are oat groats that have been steamed and rolled into flakes. This process allows them to cook more quickly than steel-cut oats, while still retaining a fair bit of texture.
• Quick Oats: These are similar to rolled oats but cut into smaller pieces and rolled thinner. They cook in just a few minutes but have a mushier texture when prepared.
• Instant Oats: These are the most processed of the oat varieties. They are pre-cooked, dried, and then rolled. They cook very quickly and have a soft, mushy texture.

	Steel Cut Oats	Rolled Oats Or Old Fashioned Oats	Quick or One Minute Oats	Instant Oatmeal Packages
Serving Size	1/2 cup (40 g)	1/2 cup (40 g)	1/2 cup (40 g)	1 Package
Dietary Fiber	6 g	5 g	4 g of fiber (2 g from soluble fiber)	3 g of fiber (only 1 from soluble fiber)
Glycemic Index	52	55	67	83

Table 1: Key nutritional differences between steel-cut oats and rolled oats (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Read more about the differences between oat fiber vs oat flour or oat bran vs oatmeal or the benefits of oat fiber.

To make the creaminess, fluffiness oatmeal, I prefer to use rolled oats as steel cut oats are chewier, and instant oats result in a thin mushy consistency. Check out the creamy oats recipe below!

How To Cook Creamy Oatmeal

As a Registered Dietitian, I often recommend oatmeal to my clients for their numerous health benefits, but I am often met with resistance and the “mushy”, “dry”, “watery”, and “chewy” expectation.

That is until I spill my secret trick for achieving silky smooth oatmeal – and that’s overcooking them!

Overcooking them? Yes! 

Don’t be a skeptic and try it for yourself.  

Overcooking the oats break down the oat fibers and cook the starches making a perfect creamy consistency. This recipe for creamy oatmeal utilizes heat and soaking that thickens and creates the desired creamy texture. 

Don’t have 15 minutes? Soak your oats in water in milk overnight in the fridge to hydrate the oats and reduce cooking time without sacrificing the creaminess.

Not only do you want to double the cooking time, but you also want to double the liquid. My recommendation is choose half milk and half water. 

I know, it’s tempting to merely abide by the instructions on the oatmeal packet. Still, with these minor adjustments, you’ll unlock an entirely fresh perspective on this timeless breakfast staple.

The Best Creamy Oatmeal Recipe

Texture plays a critical role in our overall eating experience, especially our perceptions of taste and satisfaction.  This creamy oatmeal recipe takes into consideration the following: 

1.    Enjoyment: The right texture can greatly enhance the enjoyment of a meal. Some people prefer a creamier texture because it feels more satisfying and indulgent on the palate. Creamy oats can seem richer and more decadent, even if it’s made with healthy ingredients.

2.    Variety: Having different textures can add variety to your meals, making them more interesting. In the case of oatmeal, while the base might be creamy, adding toppings with different textures (like crunchy nuts or fresh fruits) can create a pleasing contrast.

3.    Digestion: Foods that are cooked to the right texture can also be easier to chew and digest. Oatmeal that’s been cooked to a creamy consistency is typically easier to eat than if it’s too dry or too runny.

Incorporating both health and creaminess into this classic oatmeal recipe can offer the best of both worlds. You can have a meal that’s nutrient-rich, heart-healthy, and also satisfyingly creamy. 

Ingredients For Creamy Oats

• Rolled oats – I’d use this over instant to achieve the ultimate creamy consistency, and still cook in a short amount of time
• Water
• Milk – I love using soy milk for its creaminess and cholesterol lowering properties since it is recommended in the Portfolio diet
• Toppings of your choice – this extremely customizable and can have either savory or sweet toppings depending how you feel.  
• Sweetener – optional of course, I usually skip this to reduce the amount of added sugar consumption and instead enjoy the flavor of the toppings

How To Cook Creamy Oatmeal On The Stove Top

Here is the recipe for creamy oatmeal: 

Step 1 – Add everything to the saucepan and bring it to a boil.  Then turn it down to low heat and stir consistently to achieve the ultimate creamy consistency.

Step 2 – Stir about every minute or so to prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan and burning.

Step 3 – After about 15 minutes, remove from heat, distribute between the bowls and top with favorite items.

Tips And Tricks For The Creamiest Oatmeal

• Letting the oats and milk soak together in the refrigerator overnight helps to make this creamy and reduces the cooking time if you are short on time in the morning.

• Be sure to cook the creamy oatmeal recipe on low heat. Yes this takes longer and is more hands on with extra stirring, but it creates an optimal creaminess.

• The microwave can also achieve this result, but you would want to reduce the portion to one serving and microwave on high for 1-minute intervals, stirring and repeating until the oatmeal has cooked.

• Cooking your oats in water and milk provide creaminess and extra nutrition.

• Adding a ripe banana while cooking can also add to the creamy texture while naturally sweetening the oatmeal.
• Bear in mind is regarding your choice of milk. Although the richness of coconut milk or coconut cream might seem enticing, it’s wise to steer clear of these ingredients due to its high levels of saturated fat, which could spike your LDL cholesterol. Trust me, the creaminess you desire is achievable without it! 

• Don’t forget to – OVERCOOK THE OATS – instead of medium heat for 5 minutes, try low heat for 10-15 minutes. TRUST ME! I’ve tried all of the combinations and this works.

Leftovers

The cooked creamy oats can be stored for 3-4 days in the fridge, and guess what? The leftovers are even creamier!

The longer your cream oats recipe sits in the fridge, the thicker it becomes as it absorbs more liquid.  When reheating be sure to add more liquid (water, milk or both) and stir every minute in the microwave or stove top until it is heated completely.

Video Tutorial

Variations

• Top with yogurt
• Add nuts like walnuts or pecans or nut butter like almond butter
• More omega 3 with chia or hemp seeds
• Extra protein with hemp protein powder
• Chocolate chips for sweetness
• Fresh fruit like berries, figs, apples, pears, peaches or dried fruit like currants, raisins
• More flavor it cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract, coconut, cocoa powder
• Try to limit added sugars like dark brown sugar, honey, and maple syrup
• Experiment with savoury oatmeal by topping it with a fried egg, pesto, sundried tomato, asparagus, cheese, avocado and tomatoes!

Gluten free 

Oats are gluten-free, however not all oats are gluten-free because of where they are processed. If you are following a gluten-free dietary pattern be sure to confirm your oats are processed in a gluten-free facility and are gluten-free certified.

Vegan 

This recipe for creamy oatmeal is vegan as is!

Dairy Free

This creamy oats recipe is dairy free as is! 

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do You Keep Oatmeal Creamy?

To keep oatmeal creamy cooking your oats with milk and water.  Also, cooking at a lower temperature, while stirring can help prevent them from getting too dry. 

After cooking, you might choose to add a bit more milk or a spoonful of Greek yogurt to increase creaminess.

Lastly, the type of oats you use can also influence the texture; rolled oats often yield a creamier result than instant oats.

How To Cook Creamy Oatmeal?

To cook creamy oatmeal you will want to double the cooking time that is recommended on the back of the oatmeal package, as well as the liquid. Cook the oatmeal on the stovetop over low heat and stir often.  Use this recipe for creamy oatmeal below for specific instructions. 

Why Doesn’t My Oatmeal Come Out Creamy?

There could be a few reasons why your oatmeal doesn’t come out creamy. Firstly, you may be using too little liquid or the wrong type. Using milk (either dairy or non-dairy) instead of water will typically yield creamier oats. 

Secondly, the cooking method can make a difference. For a creamy result, it’s important to cook your oats slowly over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally. 

Also, the type of oats can make a difference. Instant oats, for instance, tend not to be as creamy as rolled oats.

How To Make Oatmeal Like Restaurants?

Restaurant-style oatmeal is often all about the toppings and flavorings. Here are some steps to recreate that at home:

• Start with good quality oats. Steel-cut oats are often used in restaurants for their creamy, hearty texture.
• Use milk (dairy or non-dairy) for creaminess.
• Cook the oats slowly over low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Add flavor with a pinch of salt and some vanilla extract or cinnamon.
• Top with a variety of tasty and visually appealing toppings. Restaurants often use a combination of fresh fruits, nuts, a splash of milk or dollop of yogurt, and an extra sprinkle of spices or sweetener. Try to balance textures and flavors in your toppings for the most satisfying bowl.
• Serve immediately while it’s warm and the toppings are fresh.

 Other Oatmeal Recipes

 Final Thoughts 

Get set to have your oatmeal repertoire taken up a notch with this recipe for creamy oatmeal. Despite oatmeal not being a favorite for many, I firmly believe that’s about to change. Are you ready to give these tricks a whirl and create your version of creamy smooth oatmeal? The journey to a delectable, fiber-rich, satisfying meal awaits!

If you found any of these tips helpful be sure to share this post with friends and family so they too can enjoy the creamiest oatmeal to start their day! 

Recipe and photo by Zoe Wilson, Nutrition Student. Article was written by Veronica Rouse, MAN, RD, CDE.