There’s nothing quite like a bowl of hearty oatmeal in the morning. Especially during the colder months, I find myself craving something warm and comforting to start the day. Oatmeal with almonds and blackberries are not only packed with tons of nutrients but also keeps you full and satisfied until lunch.
Making oatmeal at home is easy
If you’re still buying the pre-made oatmeal packets to prepare your oatmeal, this is your official invitation to try making it at home. It’s so simple and the best part is that you can customize your bowl with all kinds of delicious toppings.
What type of oats should I use?
I like to use rolled oats (also known as old fashioned oats) for my oatmeal. Quick oats cook faster but tend to be more processed. You can certainly purchase the quick oats to save a little bit of cooking time but quick oats can get a little mushy. I find the additional time spent to be insignificant and not worth the sacrifice in texture.
Steel cut oats are another type of oat you may find at the grocery store. They offer great taste and texture but aren’t flattened like rolled oats and thus can take around 30 minutes or longer to cook.
Costco Organic Rolled Oats
I like to buy the organic sprouted oats by One Degree Organic Foods from Costco. It comes in a 5 pound bag which is more than enough for our four-person household. I store the oats in an air-tight container in my pantry making it easy to access in the mornings. The oats are sprouted which may offer more nutrients and also tend to be easier to digest.
Oatmeal to water ratio
I like to use a 1:2 ratio of oats to water when making oatmeal. Once the oatmeal is almost fully cooked, I like to add in a little bit of cows milk to achieve a creamy texture. Oatmeal with almond milk or other plant based milk can work as well.
How to make oatmeal on the stovetop
To make oatmeal on the stovetop, add your oats and water to a pot and bring the water to a boil. Be sure to add a pinch of salt to help enhance the oatmeal flavor. Reduce the heat to low and allow the oats to simmer for about 6-8 minutes with the lid off. Be sure to stir frequently so the oatmeal at the bottom of the pot does not burn.
Once oats have reached the desired consistency, add syrup and milk. Stir and allow to simmer for an additional minute then turn off the heat.
Spoon oatmeal into bowls and top with your choice of fresh fruit, nuts, and additional sweetener as needed.
Oatmeal toppings
I love the idea of being able to customize my oatmeal based on my mood or preference for the day. It’s also a fun way for kids to be a part of the preparation process. Here are some of my favorite healthy as well as indulgent oatmeal toppings:
- Fruits: Fresh fruit like berries, bananas; dried fruit; sliced stone fruit like apples, pears, peaches
- Nuts or seeds: Chopped almonds, hazelnuts, walnuts, chia seeds, hemp seeds
- Compote: Chopped fruit cooked with a little butter and brown sugar (apple cinnamon and cherry compote are some of my favorites to top over oatmeal)
- Chocolate: Mini chocolate chips or chocolate sauce (great when paired with sliced bananas and nut butter)
- Nut butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, nutella, seed butter
Check out my other oatmeal recipes:
Blackberry Almond Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup milk
- 3 tbsp syrup
- 1/3 cup almonds, toasted and chopped You can use slivered almonds as well
- 12 oz fresh blackberries
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 4 tsp chia seeds *Optional
Instructions
- Toast almonds in a pan under low heat without any oil. Toss or stir frequently with a wooden spoon or spatula to ensure all sides are evenly toasted. Continue to toast for about 5 minutes or until the almonds are fragrant and golden brown. Remove the almonds from the pan set onto a cutting board to cool. Once cooled, chop the almonds into coarse bits and set aside.
- Add oats and water to a medium pot and heat under medium heat until water comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low and allow to simmer for 6-8 minutes with the lid off, stirring occasionally.
- Once oats have reached the desired consistency, add syrup and milk. Stir and allow to simmer for an additional minute then turn off the heat.
- Spoon oatmeal into bowls and top with brown sugar, blackberries, almonds, and chia seeds.
- Enjoy while still warm.
