Recreating a childhood breakfast favorite!
There was a time in second grade I remember eating the Quaker Maple Brown Sugar oatmeal packets EVERY morning for breakfast. They were full of hearty oats, super filling, and tasted oh-so-good! (And my secret way for sneaking in another tablespoon of sugar on top! lol)
Even as an adult I still crave that same bowl of oatmeal on the weekly. So after quite a few taste test rounds (not complaining here!) I finally mastered the right balance of sweet to savory (a little salt and butter are key!) and the correct ratio of liquid to oats (a mix of water and milk does the trick.)
And believe it or not, it’s actually so incredibly simple to do, even on the busiest weekday mornings!
If you want an easy meal prep version, try these Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats. These Blueberry Overnight Oats and Peach Overnight Oats are also delicious!
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
- Oats. Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best to use. You get a creamy texture along with that classic, chewy bite. Quick-cooking oats can be used and are very similar to the texture you’d get from the Quaker packets. However, quick oats need less liquid so adjust according to your preference. This recipe will not work for steel-cut oats.
- Liquid. Use water or milk (regular low-fat or whole milk or a plant-based version such as oat milk, almond milk, or cashew milk.) I prefer to use a mix of half water and half milk, so you get the creaminess without making the oatmeal too thick.
- Maple Syrup. Pure maple syrup is key. Avoid the pancake syrup kind since these don’t give you that bold maple flavor.
- Brown Sugar. Light or dark can be used. If you’re trying to recreate the Quaker Oats packages, use light brown sugar. White sugar or coconut sugar can also be subbed.
- Cinnamon. A little cinnamon goes a long way. Add, taste, and then adjust.
- Butter. This is part 1 of a secret trick I learned from Justin that takes your oatmeal to the next level! It adds just the right oomph of umami to balance out all of the sweetness.
- Salt. And… part 2 of the secret. A pinch of salt really helps to balance out, and also enhance, the other sugary ingredients.
- Vanilla. While not absolutely essential, I think a little hint of vanilla is what really distinguishes homemade oatmeal from a packet!
Have extra oats? Try these Almond Butter Oatmeal Cookies next!
Step-by-step Instructions
Please see the recipe card below for ingredient amounts and more detailed instructions.
Combine ingredients in a pot.
Add the oats, milk, half of the water, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt to a small pot or saucepan. Turn the heat to medium-high and stir until it’s all combined.
Simmer the oats until thickened.
Let the oatmeal mixture heat up for about 2 minutes, until you start to see bubbles. Stir every so often while it’s cooking so it doesn’t clump together.
Reduce to medium-low and continue cooking for another 2 to 3 minutes, until most of the liquid has absorbed.
If you want the oatmeal a little thinner, add the rest of the water.
Pro Tip: The oatmeal WILL thicken more as it cools, so it’s okay if it’s a bit runnier in the pot.
Serve it up and dig in!
When you’re ready to enjoy, add some to a bowl and top with a little butter for extra creaminess along with roasted pecans and cinnamon, if desired.
For extra flavor, bump it up a notch with some peanut butter, almond butter, or even chocolate chips!
FAQs
The best way to ensure homemade oatmeal tastes better is to add salt when cooking to balance out the sweeter ingredients.
You can make your oatmeal with either milk or water, depending on your desired flavor and thickness. Or, go with a combination for the best of both worlds.
For the best results, stick with close to a 1:1 ratio of water to oatmeal for quick-cooking oats and a 1.5:1 ratio for old-fashioned. You can always add extra liquid after cooking to thin the oatmeal out.
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Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal Recipe
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Ingredients
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats (see note)
- ½ cup milk (see note)
- ¼-½ cup water
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon butter optional
- Roasted pecans optional
Instructions
- Add the oats, milk, ¼ cup water, maple syrup, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Mix until combined.½ cup old-fashioned oats, ½ cup milk, 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, 1 tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon salt
- After roughly 2 minutes the liquid should start to bubble. Give everything a good stir and reduce the heat to medium-low. Continue cooking and stirring occasionally for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until the oats have absorbed most of the liquid and thickened to your desired consistency.
- If you would like them to be a little thinner, add the remaining water, 1 tablespoon at a time. (Remember, the oats continue to thicken as they cool, so err on the side of them being a little more runny in the pot.)
- Serve the oats with butter, toasted pecans, and additional cinnamon, if desired.1 tablespoon butter, Roasted pecans
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Notes
- Nutritional info: Calculated without butter or additional toppings.
- Oats: Old-fashioned oats are recommended. Quick-cooking oats can be used but will need a little less liquid.
- Sugar: Light or dark brown sugar or a sub, like coconut sugar, all work.
- Liquid: You can also use all milk or all water, if preferred.
- Storage: Keep leftover oatmeal in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 to 5 days. Warm the oatmeal back up in a pot, adding extra liquid as needed.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
More Oatmeal Recipes
If you are a lover of all things oatmeal, try any of these recipes next!
For a fruity twist: Check out these Strawberry Overnight Oats and these Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats.
Like your oatmeal baked? This Baked Oatmeal with Berries and Baked Apple Oatmeal with Cinnamon are delicious.
Or you can try out these other quick Overnight Oats: Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats, Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats, and Almond Butter Banana Overnight Oats!
What to Serve with Maple Cinnamon Oatmeal
Oatmeal is super healthy on its own or combined with any of these delicious recipes for the perfect breakfast.
Add some protein with Sheet Pan Breakfast Hash, Egg White Bites, Chicken Sausage, or Air Fryer Bacon.
Or, stick with something sweet like Chocolate Banana Muffins, Lemon Poppy Muffins, or Blueberry Muffins.
