Gingerbread Oatmeal

This Gingerbread Oatmeal is deliciously sweet, creamy, and filled with wonderful seasonal flavors. It's a super simple breakfast made with wholesome ingredients and without processed sugars. Oats, dark molasses, and spices make this warm oatmeal porridge perfect for winter mornings.

Jump to:

• Why do you need to make this?
• Ingredients used
• How to make Gingerbread Oatmeal
• Substitutions
• Tips for storing
• Recipe variations
• Recipe tips
• Reheating oatmeal
• Recipe
• More recipes to try

It's almost Christmas and my house smells wonderful. Gingerbread aroma spreads throughout my kitchen, making me cozy and warm around my heart. Every meal is gingerbread-spiced and that's uplifting my mood and spirit even more.

Lately, I've been starting my mornings with Gingerbread Matcha Latte followed by my favorite meal - oatmeal. Oatmeal is warming, filling, super healthy and delicious. Perfect breakfast, especially during colder days.

This Christmassy Gingerbread Oatmeal is absolutely gorgeous. Creamy, sweet, and packed with lovely seasonal flavors. Energizing and so nutritious. Amazing breakfast and beautiful treat to have in the mornings upon waking up.

Ingredients used

This Gingerbread oatmeal recipe is very simple. You will need only basic pantry ingredients: 

• Rolled oats. Oats are whole grain, meaning they are rich in fiber, especially beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that keeps our heart healthy. They also support healthy digestion, which is essential for strong immunity. I used rolled oats.
• Milk of choice. I used oat milk, but you can use whatever milk you prefer. Note that coconut milk won't work well here.
• Blackstrap molasses. Dark, sticky with a distinctive taste and subtle sweetness, molasses is the signature ingredient in all festive drinks and treats.
• Sweetener. Honey or pure maple syrup are the best. See "Recipe tips" for more suggestions.
• Gingerbread spice. I love my homemade Gingerbread spice mixture. It features super spices like ginger and Ceylon cinnamon known for their anti-inflammatory properties. (1).

I always like to add something to boost my meals. In this gingerbread oatmeal, I added:

• Goji berries. They are sweet, nutritious, and so healthy, loaded with vitamin C, powerful immune-boosting antioxidant. (2) 
• Hemp seeds. They are an excellent source of Omega-3s, but also a great source of proteins. Great addition to oatmeal porridge.

I topped the oatmeal with pecans and goji berries. This is optional.

How to make Gingerbread Oatmeal

Making this oatmeal porridge is very simple, and it takes 10 minutes to complete. You can use the classic stovetop method or make it in a microwave.

Equipment used

• Measuring cups.
• Small saucepan.
• Whisk.

Substitutions

• You can substitute oat milk with any milk - organic soy milk, cashew milk, or almond milk. Cow’s milk works well too. Coconut milk won't work well here.
• You can substitute rolled oats with quick oats. Note: quick oats will turn very mushy if you cooki it too long. But if you like creamier, softer texture, then quick oats are the way to go.
• You can use honey or maple syrup. See "Recipe tips" for more suggestions.
• You can substitute hemp seeds with chia seeds or ground flax seeds.
• For 1 teaspoon gingerbread pie spice, substitute: ½ teaspoon cinnamon + ½ teaspoon ginger + a dash of allspice, and nutmeg, with just a touch of cloves.
• See "Recipe variations" for more suggestions.

Tips for storing

• You can double the portions and cook extra.
• Store leftovers in a container and cover them with the lid.
• Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days. 

Recipe variations

• Dried fruit suggestions: raisins, sultanas, dried chopped plums, or chopped dates, dried chopped figs.
• Toppings suggestions:
  • Fresh fruits: plum, peach, apple, fresh cranberries, cherries.
  • Nuts: hazelnuts, chestnuts, pecans, pine nuts, cashew nuts, Brazil nuts.
  • Seeds: poppy seeds.
• Make it weight loss friendly: Use low-fat milk and low-carb sweetener. Omit adding dried fruits to cut down the sugars.
• Make it protein-packed: Add a scoop of protein powder. I recommend vanilla protein powder. Add protein powder after you cook oatmeal.
• Make it gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats.

Recipe tips

• Rolled oats are the best for making the oatmeal. Instant quick oats are also ok but can turn out mushy. Steel-cut oats will need longer cooking time, about 20 minutes.
• If you're using flax seeds, make sure you grind them before using them. Using ground flax seeds is the best way to make the most of their health benefits. You will probably need to add a little more liquid too, because flax seeds will soak a lot of moisture.
• When adding toppings, add ONE fruit and ONE nut of your choice.
• Sweetener recommendation:
  • You can use honey or maple syrup. Make sure you use honey in liquid form.
  • Date syrup or molasses are great options too. Note that they can make oats darker in color.
  • Use stevia or any low-carb sweetener for a low-calorie option.
• For Gingerbread Protein Oatmeal: If you're adding protein powder, then omit adding sweetener. Protein powder will give oats enough sweetness.

Reheating oatmeal

• In the microwave: Simply add a splash of milk, give it a stir, then pop it in the microwave for about 1 minute, or until heated through.
• On the stovetop: Add a bit of milk just to loosen it a bit, then warm it up, stirring on low heat.

Recipe

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