Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Start your day with a bowl of comforting and incredibly satisfying Creamy Peanut Butter Oatmeal. This delightful breakfast is quick to prepare, offering a perfect balance of nutty flavor and hearty texture, making it an ideal choice for a nourishing start. It's a versatile dish that can be customized with your favorite toppings for an extra touch of indulgence or nutrition.
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Total Time
15 minutes
Servings
2 servings
Keywords
Why This Recipe Delivers
- Delivers satisfying nutty flavor in every spoonful.
- Ready in just 15 minutes, perfect for busy mornings.
- Highly customizable with endless topping possibilities.
- Provides sustained energy, keeping you full longer.
- Offers a comforting and warming breakfast experience.
Ingredients
- 355 ml (1 1/2 cups) milk or water
- 30 ml (2 tablespoons) maple syrup or honey
- 1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon) kosher salt
- 90 g (1 cup) old-fashioned rolled oats
- 32 g (2 tablespoons) creamy peanut butter
- Topping options: chopped nuts (like walnuts or pecans), sliced banana, fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries), a dollop of fruit jam, or a drizzle of extra peanut butter
Instructions
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the 355 ml (1 1/2 cups) of milk or water, 30 ml (2 tablespoons) of maple syrup or honey, and 1.25 ml (1/4 teaspoon) of kosher salt. Bring this mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, ensuring the sweetener and salt are fully dissolved.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat significantly to medium-low to maintain a gentle simmer. Add the 90 g (1 cup) of old-fashioned rolled oats to the saucepan and stir gently to ensure all oats are submerged in the liquid.
- Continue to cook the oats, stirring frequently to prevent sticking, until approximately two-thirds of the liquid has been absorbed. This process usually takes about 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 minutes. At this point, the oatmeal will still appear quite runny, but this is intentional for a creamy final texture.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat immediately. Cover the saucepan tightly with a lid and let the oatmeal rest undisturbed for 5 minutes. This crucial resting period allows the oats to fully hydrate and thicken without overcooking, resulting in a perfectly creamy consistency.
- Uncover the saucepan. Add the 32 g (2 tablespoons) of creamy peanut butter directly into the warm oatmeal. Stir vigorously until the peanut butter is completely melted and evenly incorporated, transforming the oatmeal into a smooth, rich, and nutty delight.
- Serve the creamy peanut butter oatmeal immediately while warm. Garnish with your preferred toppings, such as a sprinkle of chopped nuts, fresh fruit slices, or a swirl of additional peanut butter, to enhance both flavor and visual appeal.
Tools You’ll Need
- Medium saucepan with a lid
- Measuring cups and spoons (or kitchen scale)
- Spatula or spoon for stirring
- Serving bowls
Essential Success Tips
- For an extra creamy texture, use full-fat milk or a creamy plant-based milk.
- Do not overcook the oats before the resting period; they will continue to absorb liquid as they rest.
- Adjust the sweetness to your preference; you can always add more maple syrup or honey at the end.
- Stirring frequently during cooking helps prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom of the pan and ensures even cooking.
- Ensure the peanut butter is added off the heat to prevent it from seizing and to integrate smoothly.
Professional Cooking Secrets
- Toasting your rolled oats lightly in the dry saucepan for 1-2 minutes before adding liquid can enhance their nutty flavor depth.
- For an ultra-luxurious texture, whisk in a tablespoon of cream cheese or a dairy-free alternative with the peanut butter at the end.
- Batch prepare the dry ingredients (oats, salt) in small bags for quick grab-and-cook mornings.
Notes
- Storage: Leftover oatmeal can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of milk or water to restore creaminess.
- Variations: Experiment with different nut butters like almond or cashew butter. Add a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla extract during cooking for extra flavor. For a protein boost, stir in a scoop of protein powder with the peanut butter.
- Vegan Option: Simply use plant-based milk (almond, soy, oat) and ensure your maple syrup or honey is vegan-friendly (maple syrup is, some honey is not considered vegan by strict definitions, but for this context, maple syrup is the clear vegan choice).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use instant oats for this recipe?
While instant oats will cook faster, they will result in a different texture, often mushier. Old-fashioned rolled oats are recommended for the best creamy and chewy texture.
How can I make this oatmeal thicker or thinner?
For thicker oatmeal, cook for an extra minute or two before resting, or use slightly less liquid. For thinner oatmeal, add an additional splash of milk or water when stirring in the peanut butter until desired consistency is reached.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prepping?
Yes, you can prepare a larger batch and store it in individual portions in the refrigerator. When reheating, add a little extra milk or water as it will thicken upon cooling.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Calories: 250, Protein: 10g, Fat: 12g, Carbs: 28g, Fiber: 4g (Approximation per serving, using water and no toppings, for general guidance)
Allergy Information
Contains peanuts (peanut butter). If using dairy milk, it contains dairy. For a dairy-free version, use plant-based milk. For a gluten-free option, ensure certified gluten-free rolled oats are used.
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