How to Cook Oatmeal on The Stove [+ Flavor Variations]

How to cook oatmeal on the stove in 5 minutes until thick, creamy, and perfect. A healthy, satisfying breakfast staple with endless flavor & topping options!

Quick and Simple Stove Oatmeal Multiple Ways

Several ingredients are a must in any low-budget vegan pantry – pulses, grains, and oatmeal are a few of ours. Oats are a super budget-friendly, good-for-you ingredient that are easy to work with and transform into overnight oats, baked oats, cookies, and delicious oatmeal to give you heaps of morning energy.

Creamy stove oatmeal with plant-based milk is perfect for days you want something cozy and comforting yet nutritious. It’s made with whole grains, loaded with fiber, antioxidants, micronutrients, and boasts benefits for blood sugar, heart health, digestive health, and more.

When cooked properly, oatmeal on the stovetop is thick, creamy, and fluffy but not overly gluey, mushy, or chewy. Plus, following this basic stovetop oatmeal recipe, you have a great canvas for an endless array of add-ins and toppings (a few of which we’ve listed below!).

Best of all, making oatmeal on the stove is quick, simple, and practically fool-proof, following the recipe and tips below.

The Ingredients

The Base Ingredients

• Oats: We’ve designed this recipe for old-fashioned oats (aka rolled oats) rather than instant (check FAQs) or steel-cut oats. Use certified gluten-free oats if necessary.
• Dairy–free milk: Any will work. I.e., oat milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc. This makes an overall creamier vegan oatmeal, though it’s possible to make oatmeal with water if preferred (or play with ratios of combining both).

Adding a tiny pinch of salt will also help to enhance the overall flavor of oatmeal, bringing out the oat’s natural sweet nuttiness, so it is highly recommended.

Flavor Variations

There are almost endless flavor options when making stove oatmeal, but here are just a few of our favorite simplest add-ins.

• Sweetener: Any you’d like in the amount you like it. E.g., maple syrup, agave, rice syrup, brown sugar, coconut sugar, or even a sugar alternative like erythritol.
• Vanilla extract: About ½ tsp at the end.
• Cocoa powder: Add 1-2 tsp cocoa powder for simple chocolatey oatmeal.
• Spices: Add subtle, warm depth with a little cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, etc.
• Berries: ½ cup of fresh or frozen berries add flavor and color.
• Vegan protein powder: Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder (plain or flavored) and increase the plant milk accordingly, adding more at the end if it’s a little thick.
• Nut butter: Add 1-2 tbsp for flavor, creaminess, healthy fats, and plant-based protein. E.g., almond milk, peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, etc.
• Chia seeds: A tablespoon of chia (or flax) adds protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats.
• Zucchini: ¼-½ cup of finely shredded zucchini will be unnoticeable but provide nutrients.

You might also like our simple morning pick-me-up coffee oatmeal or veggie-forward carrot cake oatmeal recipe.

The Best Oatmeal Toppings

Simple stovetop oatmeal is the perfect blank canvas for all your favorite toppings based on your flavor and/or nutrient goals.

• Banana slices (for fiber and to keep you full)
• Chopped nuts (for crunch, protein, and healthy fats. I.e., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
• Coconut flakes/shreds (raw or toasted)
• Other fruits (i.e., berries, shredded apple, mango, pear, peach, plum, etc.)
• Dried fruit (Like raisins, cranberries, apricots, dates, etc.)
• Cacao nibs (for crunch and antioxidants)
• Seed/Nut butter (1 tbsp for creamy richness, protein, and healthy fats to keep you feeling full for longer. I.e., hazelnut, peanut, or almond butter)
• Dairy-free chocolate (vegan chips/chocolate squares – semi-sweet, bitter-sweet, etc.)
• Compote/sauce/jam (fruity, vegan chocolate, Biscoff, etc.)
• Plant-based yogurt (add a dollop for extra creaminess and a little tang)

You can also use savory toppings like vegan cheese, chilies, spices, etc.

How To Cook Oatmeal on The Stovetop

• First, bring the plant-based milk to a boil in a medium saucepan.

Be careful to stir often so the plant-based milk doesn’t scald and porridge doesn’t burn to the pan.

• Then, stir in the oats (and any add-ins, like berries), immediately reduce the heat to a simmer, and cook for 4-5 minutes until they thicken and absorb the liquid. Stir often to prevent scorching/sticking.

• Then, remove it from the heat and add more plant-based milk/water if it’s too thick. Finally, transfer it to a bowl and add your favorite toppings – we used sliced banana and nuts/seeds. Enjoy!

FAQs

Pro Recipe Tips

• If the oatmeal is too thick: Simmer it until tender and thickened, then pour in more water or plant-based milk to thin it as desired.
• To thicken oatmeal: Either leave it to simmer for just a little longer or add a thickening ingredient, like protein powder, ground chia seeds, nut flour, coconut flour, etc.
• Stir often: To avoid the oatmeal scorching/burning to the bottom of the pan. This is also why it’s important to reduce the heat to a simmer once the oats are added.
• Be careful not to overcook it: Otherwise, oatmeal becomes mushy and lackluster.

Storage Instructions

We love making stovetop oatmeal fresh, but feel free to leave leftovers to cool, then store them in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Leave it to thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat oatmeal in a microwave or on the stovetop, adding extra water or plant-based milk, as needed, to bring it back to your desired consistency.

More Easy Vegan Oat Recipes

• Apple cinnamon overnight oats
• Peanut butter oatmeal cups
• Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
• Peanut butter oatmeal balls
• Walnut oat scones
• Strawberry oat bars

Photos by Alfonso Revilla