5 Minute Gingerbread Oatmeal

Name: 5-minute Gingerbread Oatmeal
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 7 min
Ingredients: 1 cup rolled oats; 1 3/4 cups milk; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tbsp orange juice; 1 tbsp molasses (unsulphered, not blackstrap) (Grandmother's brand); 1/2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp ground cinnamon; 1/2 tbsp gingerbread spice mix (store bought or 2 tsp ginger, 1/2 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 tsp cloves, 1/4 tsp allspice)

Jump to Recipe

This gingerbread oatmeal, chewy, spicy and rich with molasses, is made in just 5 minutes using creamy milk, oatmeal, rich molasses, and gingerbread spices for a cozy winter breakfast. Make it on the stovetop, in the microwave or as overnight oats.

Why eat oatmeal from an envelope when you can mix this creamy gingerbread oatmeal in minutes? This cozy spicy oatmeal bowl is perfect for the holiday season with warming spices, the deep flavor of molasses, and a sweet brown sugar flavor. Adding a splash of orange juice is my secret weapon to bring out the ginger flavor. Be creative with toppings, including granola, nuts, and even a few vegan gingerbread man cookies.

If you used to love those maple brown sugar oatmeal flavor packets, you can add some maple syrup. Wash this spicy oatmeal bowl down with some hot mulled spiced apple cider.

Why This Recipe Works

A quick and easy oatmeal. Thanks to the short ingredient list, this hot oatmeal breakfast bowl is super quick to throw together, and bubble on the stove for ten minutes.

Stove top oatmeal is richer. The rich flavor of simmered oatmeal comes through when bubbled on the stove as opposed to microwaving a packet. Especially when molasses is involved, this spicy syrup comes alive with the orange juice and after just ten minutes on the stove.

Perfect for all diets. This quick oatmeal is naturally gluten free, and dairy free and vegan depending on the milk and any sweetener you choose. I used oat milk and coconut sugar instead of brown to make it refined sugar free as well.

Ingredients

rolled oats. Use certified gluten free if needed. Quick oats or instant oats are also fine. If using steel cut, cook 10 minutes longer.
milk. I used oat milk to make my oatmeal dairy free and vegan, but you can use any milk of choice.
brown sugar. Use light or dark, or coconut sugar.
Dark sugar is higher in molasses so cut the added molasses in half.
molasses. Use unsulphured, not blackstrap which is too bitter. My favorite is Grandmother's brand.
orange juice. My secret flavor weapon. Just a splash to bring out the ginger.
spices. Either use a gingerbread spice mix or make your own with ground cinnamon, ginger, cloves, allspice, nutmeg.
vanilla.
salt.

See the recipe card at the bottom for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Step by Step Instructions

For more detail, visit the complete and printable recipe at the bottom of this post, but here are general steps.

Step 1: Add the oatmeal and milk to a 1 quart pot or a small saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Stir 1 or 2 times.

Step 2: Quickly turn down the heat to medium, and bubble for about 3 minutes to allow the oats to absorb the milk. Stir only 2-3 times so it doesn't stick to the bottom of the pan.

Step 3: Remove pan from heat and stir in all the other ingredients.

Step 4: Serve hot with a splash of maple syrup or a sprinkle of brown sugar. Oh, and a mini gingerbread man cookie.

Recipe Tips

Measure the oatmeal by spooning it into a 1 cup measuring cup. Do not scoop or you'll measure out too much oatmeal.

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Don't stir too much while it is simmering or you'll make the oatmeal gluey.

Cook it 2 minutes longer to make it more creamy, less chewy.

Add 2-3 tablespoons of milk at the end of the cooking if you prefer a thinner oatmeal.

Taste-test at the end and add more spices or sweetener as needed.

Variations

Sweeten the oatmeal. I added a tablespoon of brown sugar here, but you can use a different sweetener or more to taste. Consider adding sweetened applesauce, maple syrup, chopped softened dates, coconut sugar, and even honey if you aren't vegan.

Top the oatmeal. The best toppings for oatmeal include fruit, coconut, chocolate chips, nut butter, granola, nuts, seeds, and even crushed cookies.

FAQS

Can you make oatmeal in the microwave?

Yes, to make this stovetop oatmeal in the microwave, halve the recipe. Then add all ingredients to a cup, cover, and microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Then let it stand for 2 minutes. Makes 1 serving.

Can I make gingerbread overnight oats?

Yes, mix all the ingredients together, add to a jar, and cover refrigerated overnight. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days.

Can these be made into baked gingerbread oats?

Yes, turn these gingerbread oats by mixing all ingredients in a bowl, except for 1 cup of milk. Spread the mixture in a parchment-lined loaf pan and bake 30 minutes at 350 F. Serve with a 2-ingredient vanilla glaze.