Creamy steel-cut oats, warming spices and a little sweetness from molasses and brown sugar, this gingerbread oatmeal recipe makes for such a delicious holiday breakfast the whole family will love!
What is it about oats that makes you feel all cozy inside?
I think just the nature of the food, with it being warming, filling and simply delicious!
These gingerbread steel-cut oats are so much better than any store-bought flavour packet oatmeal you can buy and they make for such a yummy start to any morning!
Speaking of which, how do you like to start your morning? Are you a coffee or tea person? Do you enjoy breakfast?
I know I do! I go to bread dreaming of breakfast and when I’m eating breakfast, I plan lunch. You get the picture.
These festive gingerbread steel-cut oats make ya feel like you’re starting your day with something extra special, but there’s very little effort required.
You know what that means (well, at least for me anyway)? A delicious breakfast can be made while still trying to come alive in the morning.
Fan of gingerbread? You may enjoy this gingerbread coffee creamer!
Why We Love These Gingerbread Steel Cut Oats
- With lots of warming spices and flavours, it has all sorts of warm, cozy holiday vibes.
- These oats can be garnished to taste with fun, tasty toppings.
- The recipes comes together in about 25 minutes.
- Of course, it tastes yummy!
Tips for Making This Recipe
- The longer the oats sit after cooking, the thicker they’ll become. You can thin out this oatmeal with a little milk or water.
- For me, these oats are not overly sweet. If, however, you like things sweeter, you can certainly add more brown sugar. Alternatively, if you prefer things less sweet, just add a little less.
Garnish Ideas
This gingerbread oatmeal is delicious on its own, of course. However, you can totally amp up the fun (and flavour) with some toppings. Some delicious ideas are:
- Cocoa nibs
- Shaved chocolate
- Chocolate chips
- Raisins
- Chopped nuts
- Sugared cranberries
- Sliced banana
- Orange wedges
- Festive gingerbread cookies
More Fun Holiday Recipes
If you make these gingerbread steel-cut oats, be sure to leave a comment below!
Gingerbread Oatmeal (With Steel-Cut Oats)
Ingredients
- 3.5 cups water
- 1 cups steel-cut oats, regular or gluten free (whatever you prefer)
- 2 teaspoons ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 tablespoon molasses, I used fancy molasses
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- milk (dairy or non-dairy), to taste and to achieve desired consistency
Garnish Ideas (optional)
- Sliced banana
- Cinnamon or other favourite spices
- Gingerbread cookies
- Fresh, dried or sugared cranberries
- Chopped nuts
- Orange wedges
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Then add steel cut oats, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, ground cloves, molasses and brown sugar. Stir to combine.
- Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 15 to 20 minutes until the oats are tender and cooked.
- Once done, stir in milk (a little at a time) to make creamy and loosen (or thin) the oatmeal to reach the consistency you like best.
- To serve, divide the oatmeal into bowls and garnish to taste (if desired) with any of the garnish ideas. Enjoy!
Notes
- The longer the oats sit after cooking, the thicker they’ll become. You can thin out this oatmeal with a little milk or water.
- For me, these oats are not overly sweet. If, however, you like things sweeter, you can certainly add more brown sugar. Alternatively, if you prefer things less sweet, just add a little less.
A note on times provided: appliances vary, any prep and/or cook times provided are estimates only.
© Girl Heart Food Inc. Photographs and content are copyright protected.
Tried this recipe?
If you do make this recipe, thank you!! It would mean so much if you could leave a comment below. Love to know how you enjoyed it, and it helps other readers too!
Emily Woodward says
This recipe had too much ginger for me. It overpowered all the other flavors. My gut said to half it, but I followed the recipe and really regret it. I’ll try again with only 1 tsp of ginger.
Dawn | Girl Heart Food says
Hi Emily! Sorry to hear it was too gingery for you! You most certainly can use less ginger if you prefer. If you do give it a try again with less ginger, I’d love to know how it turns out for you. 🙂
Marissa says
Talk about a delicious, festive breakfast for the holidays. This is wonderful, Dawn! And love that it’s nutritious too!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Thanks so much! We love to start our day with these oats!
Valentina says
Dawn, this certainly the most adorable “breakfast bowl” I’ve ever seen. Who wouldn’t love this? I know my day would be off to a great start with it! Delicious AND cute! 🙂 ~Valentina
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Thanks so much, Valentina!!
Katherine | Love In My Oven says
So incredibly cozy, Dawn!! It’s like a Christmas hug in a bowl 😉 We eat a lot of oatmeal in the mornings and this would really jazz things up! Delicious!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Thank you Katherine!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop says
Breakfast has always been my thing! I love starting the day out with a delicious breakfast. This looks perfect. I love that it’s good for you but filled with all the flavors of gingerbread! This is a great way to start the day!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Definitely! Thanks Kathy!
David @ Spiced says
I am a HUGE fan of gingerbread – that flavor just screams holiday season to me. 🙂 As far as breakfast, I think I might look forward to breakfast more than any other meal during the day. (Let’s be real, though – I look forward to every meal!) I’ve been on a real oatmeal kick lately due to the cold mornings, and I’m thinking a gingerbread version might be perfect for the holiday season. Great recipe, my friend!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Thanks David! This one is so fun, especially this time of year. Hope you enjoy!
Michelle | Sift & Simmer says
Such a festive oatmeal, Dawn! And those gingerbread men are so cute! It’s time to switch out my regular oats for this gingerbread-spiced one! 🙂
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Thank you Michelle! For sure!
Jennifer @ Seasons and Suppers says
It’s been snowing all day here today, so this one is definitely speaking to me right now 🙂 Such great flavours to start the day!
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
Thanks so much, Jennifer!
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
What a delicious cozy breakfast for the holiday season Dawn! My husband would love it! So festive!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
So I’m one who has to start with a cup or two of coffee, then oats are usually the breakfast of choice (on weekdays, anyway…). These oats are definitely the way to start the day off right! Have a great week, my friend! XO