Creamy Cinnamon Spiced Oatmeal (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

This spiced oatmeal makes for a fragrant, sweet, quick and filling breakfast. It includes spices (such as cinnamon), raisins and oat milk, and can be done within 10 minutes. Naturally vegan and gluten-free and perfect to enjoy on chilly mornings.

My go-to oatmeal recipe for busy mornings is this oatmeal with flaxseed, but I also like to change things up a bit by making either matcha oatmeal or turmeric oatmeal.

But on cold mornings or in the fall, there is nothing better than a spiced oatmeal packed with cinnamon flavor. It is actually similar to my maple cinnamon overnight oats recipe, although this version is cooked and warm.

We love its very creamy oats texture and maple-sweetened flavor. The rich aromas coming from the combination of cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg are right on point, but I also share many other spice combos you can try.

Let me know if you give it a try! ❤️

❤️ Why you will love this recipe

• Simple + easy to make, plus can be done within 10 min!
• Perfect healthy breakfast you can make on busy mornings
• Highly customizable and fun to garnish with toppings
• Sweetened to taste using maple syrup, which pairs perfectly with the flavor from the spices
• Make for a filling and wholesome meal to help you start the day just right!
• Packed with nutrition and suits most special diets, such as vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian, nut-free and dairy-free

Ingredients list (+ substitutions)

• Rolled oats: I recommend using old-fashioned oats. This gives the porridge a more interesting texture and boosts the recipe with even more nutrition, such as fiber and plant-based protein. If you only have quick oats, then you can use this instead (start with a little less water). Instant oats or steel-cut oats are not working well for this recipe.
• Spices: I used a combination of ground cinnamon, cardamom and nutmeg, but also try a pinch of turmeric, pumpkin spice mix or ground ginger. For a spicy recipe, then add a little ground black pepper and cayenne pepper!
• Raisins: they add a nice chewy bite and naturally make the oatmeal sweeter. If you don't have them, then simply omit them!
• Plant-based milk: I used the full-fat oat milk from Oatly, but you can use your favorite kinds of milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk or coconut milk.
• Pure maple syrup: so amazing with the warm spices, although you can use any sweetener that you like, such as agave syrup. Granulated sugars (dark brown sugar or coconut sugar) are ok too and dissolve well in warm oatmeal.
• Vanilla extract: it helps deepen the flavor and enhance the sweetness of the oatmeal. Optional.

⭐️ Full list of ingredients down below in the recipe card!

📝 Variations

This spiced oatmeal is an incredibly versatile basic recipe and perfect to customize to your taste. You can easily play around with the spices, but also, there is so much more you can add to it. Here are a few variation ideas to try:

• Nuts: sweet and spiced recipes are great with nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds or hazelnuts. I would advise adding them just before serving to keep their nice crunch and feel free to roast them in a pan while making the oatmeal to enhance their nutty flavor.
• Nut butter (or seed butter): peanut butter, almond butter and cashew butter are an easy ingredient you can add to oatmeals to make them ultra-creamy, but also, to add more protein and healthy fats to help keep you full and satisfied longer. For a nut-free version, then simply use pumpkin seed butter or sunflower seed butter.
• Fruit: this oatmeal would be even better with some apples or pears. Simply dice the fruit and add them to the oatmeal while cooking it for an added flavor and more texture.

💡 Helpful tips

• Adjust the consistency to your liking. I like mine pretty creamy and saucy, so I usually add a little more milk at the end of cooking it. But for thicker oatmeal, then simply adjust the cooking time and keep cooking until the liquid is all absorbed by the oats.
• Feel free to swap the water for more milk for a creamier result.
• If you want to avoid using any refined sweetener at all or simply are looking to add less sugar, then you can mash a ripe banana and incorporate it into the oatmeal. Also, you can chop a few large Medjool dates and then cook them into the oatmeal for a more natural sweetness.

➡️ Favorite spiced oatmeal toppings

The best part about oatmeal is to add more toppings when serving! Here are some of my favorite garnishes for this cinnamon spice oatmeal recipe:

• Nuts and seeds: I like slivered almonds as they are more delicate, which is perfect as a topping. Other seeds, such as chia seeds, flax seeds or pumpkin seeds, also are great to add a crunch and more nutrition.
• Yogurt: if I have any, then I like to add a generous dollop of yogurt over my bowl. The contrast of cold vs warm, plus the added creamy texture and tangy flavor, makes this breakfast even better. I like this plain and unsweetened cashew yogurt from Forager.
• Fresh fruit: other than including fruit while cooking the oatmeal, I like to simply garnish the bowl with pear, apple, banana, mango or berries.

🌱 More oatmeal recipes to try!