This oatmeal bowl is made in 5 minutes using old-fashioned rolled oats (no instant packs here!) and a pop in the microwave. The warming flavor of added cinnamon topped with juicy berries is everything you want first thing in the morning!
Table of Contents
Healthy 5-Minute Breakfast Oat Bowl
A cozy bowl of oatmeal is the best! Especially in cooler weather. I can’t say I have a favorite way to eat oats, as I love everything from overnight oats and baked oatmeal, to Instant Pot steel cut oats. But, when I’m in a hurry, this yummy 5-minute oatmeal bowl is my go-to!
It’s a quick and easy way to have a warm, healthy breakfast and picking and choosing the toppings is the best part. On days when I want to up the nutrition factor, I’ll add toppings like flax and chia seeds for added fiber and omega 3’s or nut butter for good fat and protein.
Then there are days when I feel like loading it up with chocolate chips and maple syrup. Because, balance!
Recipe Ingredients
For the perfect bowl of oatmeal here are the base ingredients I always add. The best part though is that you can customize and top the finished oatmeal how you like!
- Old fashioned rolled oats: The directions I provide for this oatmeal bowl are specifically for rolled oats. Instant oats will be mushy and steel cut oats too tough.
- Water: For extra soft oats, you can add up to 1/4 cup more water.
- Salt: For taste.
- Cinnamon: Adds a warm taste, you can use a different warm spice blend or omit.
- Frozen blueberries: Frozen blueberries thawed slightly on the warm breakfast bowl of oats is so good, mixed berries can be used as well.
How to Make an Oatmeal Bowl
Follow these directions to make your oatmeal bowl like a pro!
- Combine: In a microwave-safe bowl mix together the oats, water, cinnamon and salt. Add chia seeds, flaxseed, nut butter, brown sugar, or honey if desired.
- Microwave: Microwave your oat bowl for 1 minute then pour frozen berries on top. Pace in the microwave for an additional 15 seconds. You don’t want the berries hot, just thawed enough that they start to create a sauce on top of the oats.
- Top: I love to add almond butter, fresh berries, sliced bananas, sliced almonds and a drizzle of honey. See below for topping variations!
Oatmeal Bowl Toppings
Thinking of all the ways you can jazz up a bowl of oatmeal is part of the fun! There are limitless ideas for oatmeal toppings and add-ins so you can try something new every time!
- Fresh or frozen fruit – Strawberries, peaches, apples, raspberries, blackberries, and fresh or caramelized banana slices.
- Sweetener – Brown sugar, coconut sugar, or powdered monk fruit extract.
- Liquid sweetener – Honey, maple syrup, or agave.
- Nut and seed butter – Almond butter, cashew butter, pumpkin seed butter, and peanut butter. This recipe for peanut butter overnight oats is another favorite way to eat oats!
- Nuts – Chopped pecans, walnuts, cashews, and almonds for added crunch and texture.
- Coconut flakes for delicate sweetness and delicious coconut flavor. You could also use shaved chocolate or raw cacao nibs.
- Greek yogurt – Any flavor tastes great in an oatmeal bowl!
- Milk or cream – For a non-dairy version try oat milk, almond milk, or cashew milk.
- Sprinkle in some chia seeds, flax seeds, or hemp hearts for added health benefits in your breakfast oatmeal bowl.
An Easy Yogurt Twist
Take this healthy oatmeal recipe and swap out the oats for yogurt and make a yogurt bowl for a twist!
FAQs
You can. Just know that because quick oats are softer and more processed, they absorb more water. This means they’ll become much softer and mushier. If you’re looking for softer oats, try adding 1/4 cup more water to your old-fashioned rolled oats.
The ingredient in this recipe are all gluten-free, however, you have to be careful with oats. Trace amounts of gluten that happen from cross-contamination in processing plants can affect someone highly sensitive or allergic. To be certain, use oats that have a label stating they are certified gluten-free.
Absolutely. Boil water on the stove-top and cook the oats according to package directions, adding in any seasoning you’d like. Depending on what you’re adding in, you may want to add in it while cooking (apples, for example, to get nice and soft) or wait until it’s done to stir it in after.
Yes! Leftover oatmeal can be reheated. You can keep oatmeal leftovers covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days. This is a great make ahead option for busy mornings! Just reheat in the microwave with a splash of water or milk and wait to add any toppings until heated.
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Oatmeal Bowl
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Ingredients
- ½ cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- ¾ cup water , add an extra 1/4 cup if your prefer extra soft oats
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup frozen blueberries , or mixed berries
Optional add ins
- ½ Tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ Tablespoon ground flax seeds
Optional toppings
- fresh fruit
- brown sugar
- honey
- peanut butter , or almond butter
- coconut
- greek yogurt
- milk or cream
Instructions
- Mix together the oats, water, cinnamon and salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Add chia seeds and flaxseed if desired. You can also mix in a Tablespoon of nut butter, brown sugar and honey here as well if desired.
- Microwave oats for 1 minute. Pour frozen berries on top. Then place in the microwave for an additional 15 seconds. You don't want the berries hot, just thawed enough that they start to create a sauce on top of the oats.
- Top with your favorite toppings. I love to add almond butter, fresh berries, sliced bananas and sliced almonds. Then I like to drizzle honey across the top.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Breakfast, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, Nut-Free, Sweet Breakfast, Vegan, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.
Thank you for this fantastic and healthy recipe! I love oatmeal and I’m always on the lookout for excellent recipes and this is one of the recipes that I loved!
I love starting my day with a big bowl of oatmeal; this bowl was so tasty and flavorful!
Such a really comforting breakfast!! My kids loved it! Thanks for the recipe!