Strawberry Oatmeal

Fuel your day the right way with sweet and creamy strawberry oatmeal. It’s a quick (15-minute), easy, healthy, and satisfying breakfast loaded with real strawberries!

Sweet and Fruity Homemade Strawberry Oatmeal Recipe

Stovetop oatmeal is creamy, hearty, and so simple to make – whether you’re craving cozy, pick-me-up coffee oatmeal or something comforting and satisfying yet summery, like this easy strawberry oatmeal recipe (aka strawberry porridge). It’s loaded with strawberries, and easily made dairy-free, gluten-free, and sugar-free.

How do you make the ultimate strawberry oatmeal? It’s easy! Blend up quick homemade strawberry vegan milk, simmer it with the oats and other ingredients, and stir in extra fresh berries at the end for a sweet and creamy, nourishing, fruity treat in under 15 minutes that will provide energy and keep you feeling full for longer.

Best of all, it’s versatile, customizable, and meal-prep friendly, too! Looking for even more ways to enjoy oats in the morning? Try baked oatmeal, peanut butter oatmeal cups, and strawberry oatmeal bars.

The Ingredients and Substitutes

• Strawberries: We highly recommend using sweet, juicy in-season strawberries where possible. If using frozen strawberries, they’ll need thawing first.
• Oats: Use old-fashioned oats (rolled oats), certified gluten-free if necessary.
• Plant-based milk: Any will work. I.e., oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc. However, for lighter oatmeal, play around with a ratio of plant milk to water.
• Sweetener: I.e., brown sugar, coconut sugar, agave, maple syrup, or even a sugar alternative like Swerve/Erythritol. Adjust the amount based on how sweet the berries are and to personal taste.
• Cinnamon: While technically optional, this adds warmth and tastes amazing.

Flavor Variations

• Vanilla extract: Stir in about ½ tsp, off heat, for wonderful depth.
• Almond extract: Same as above.
• Freeze–dried strawberry: To boost the berry flavor with its concentrated flavor.
• Sea salt: Just a tiny pinch balances and enhances the flavors.
• Other berries: Replace some (or all) strawberries with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, etc.
• Other fruits: Some of our favorite combinations include strawberry peach oatmeal, banana strawberry oatmeal, and strawberry rhubarb oatmeal.
• Protein powder: Add a scoop of your favorite vegan protein powder (plain, vanilla, or strawberry flavor) and add more plant-based milk as needed.  
• Chia seeds: A tablespoon of chia (or flax) adds protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats.
• Cocoa powder: Add 1 tbsp cocoa powder + optional sprinkle of vegan choc chips for dessert-like chocolate strawberry oatmeal.

Topping Ideas

• Compote/sauce/jam (strawberry or other berries, vegan chocolate, Biscoff, etc.)
• More berries (Strawberries or other. Banana slices will pair well, too)
• A dollop of coconut cream/vegan yogurt (for strawberries and cream oatmeal)
• Chopped nuts (for crunch, protein, and healthy fats. I.e., almonds, walnuts, pecans)
• Seed/Nut butter (1 tablespoon for protein & healthy fats. I.e., cashew, peanut, almond butter)
• Coconut flakes/shreds (raw or toasted for texture)
• Dairy-free chocolate (chips or chunks)
• Cacao nibs (for crunch and antioxidants)

How To Make Strawberry Oatmeal

• First, blend the plant-based milk and ¾ cup of strawberries until smooth.

• Then, heat the vegan strawberry milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.

• Once almost boiling, add the oats and cinnamon, reduce the heat to a simmer, and cover the pan with a slightly tilted lid for 5 minutes.

Stir once or twice, if needed, to avoid it scorching/burning to the pan.

• Turn off the heat, fully close the lid, and allow it to sit for a further 5 minutes, then stir in the remaining chopped strawberries, taste, sweeten if necessary, and serve – optionally with any toppings of your choosing. Enjoy!

FAQs

Pro Recipe Tips

• For thicker/thinner oatmeal: To thicken it, either simmer for longer or add a thickening ingredient (like chia seeds or vegan protein powder). To thin the oatmeal, add more water or plant-based milk.
• Sweeten to taste: Taste it at the end and optionally add sweetener to taste so you don’t accidentally over-sweeten the oatmeal.
• Simmer to cook: If the heat is too high, the oats will burn to the bottom.
• Be careful not to overcook it: Otherwise, the oatmeal can become mushy.

Storage Instructions

Leave leftovers to cool, then store them in an airtight container for 4-5 days in the refrigerator or up to 3 months in the freezer.

Leave it to thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in a microwave (in 30-second increments) or on the stovetop, adding water or plant-based milk, if needed, to bring back the creamy consistency.

More Easy Vegan Oat Recipes

• Apple cinnamon overnight oats
• Vegan Overnight Oats [Multiple Ways]
• Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies
• Peanut butter oatmeal balls
• Carrot cake oatmeal

Photos by Alfonso Revilla