Skip the pricey packet oatmeal! Our Copycat Quaker Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal is an easy and healthy breakfast recipe that gives you all the flavor you love, without the extra cost. While instant oats seem convenient, they don’t actually take much less time to make than old-fashioned oats. Plus, a warm, homemade bowl of oatmeal is the perfect way to start busy mornings with a hearty, satisfying meal.
Mindy’s Recipe Snapshot
Method: Cooked in one pan on the stove top.
Key Ingredients: Oatmeal, brown sugar and maple syrup.
Ease: Such an easy recipe!
Top Tip: Adjust the amount of sugar and maple syrup so these come out just the way you like them.
Jump to:
We love grabbing instant oatmeal packets at hotels when we’re on vacation, but not so much at home. Homemade oatmeal is so simple and affordable that I just can’t justify spending the extra money! Especially since we eat oats for breakfast 3-5 times a week.
Hearty oats are packed with whole grains, making them both healthy and filling—perfect for starting your day off right. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a warm, comforting bowl of oatmeal in minutes. Plus, it’s easy to customize with your favorite toppings, whether you love fresh fruit, dehydrated fruits, nuts, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Ingredients
See recipe card for exact amounts.
Ingredient Notes
- Oatmeal: We use old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe. You can substitute quick oats, which have a shorter cooking time, see below for instructions. Steel-cut oats are not cooked the same.
- Maple Syrup: Pure maple syrup is best for authentic flavor, avoid pancake syrup.
- Brown Sugar: Both light brown sugar and dark brown sugar work, choose based on your personal preference.
- Salt: A small amount balances the sweetness perfectly.
- Milk: Optional for serving.
Old Fashioned Oats Instructions
- Pour water and salt into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Add oats to boiling water, reduce to medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, or until water is absorbed and oats are tender.
- Take off the stove and stir in brown sugar and maple syrup. Serve with milk, if desired.
Quick Cooking Oats Instructions
- Pour water and salt into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Add oats to boiling water, reduce to medium heat and cook for about 1 minute, or until water is absorbed and oats are tender.
- Take off the stove and stir in brown sugar and maple syrup. Serve with milk, if desired.
How to Make Microwave Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
- Old Fashioned Oats – Combine the water, oats and salt in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high 2 ½ – 3 minutes or until thickened, add brown sugar and maple syrup and stir to combine.
- Quick Oats – Combine the water, oats and salt in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high 1 ½ – 2 minutes or until thickened, add brown sugar and maple syrup and stir to combine.
Variations
- Add about ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract to add warmth.
- Sprinkle a little cinnamon onto each bowl of oatmeal, maybe about ⅛-1/4 teaspoon.
- Add walnuts, pecans or almonds for a little crunch.
- Top each serving with a pat of butter.
- Serve with whole milk, low-fat milk, oat milk, soy milk, or cashew milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oats have many health benefits including cholesterol-lowering and cancer-reducing effects. Check out this article at healthylife.com that tells you why oatmeal is a superfood.
While oats are naturally gluten free non-certified oats can be cross-contaminated while being transported and processed. Look for certified gluten-free oats to ensure they are indeed gluten free. There are several brands that are certified gf and, at the time of this writing, Quaker Oats has its Select Starts line that are clearly labeled gluten-free.
Regular sugar, honey, or any sugar substitute can be used.
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Copycat Quaker Maple Brown Sugar Oatmeal
Ingredients
One serving:
- 1 cup water
- ½ cup oats
- dash salt
- ½ tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar
Two servings:
- 1 ¾ cups water
- 1 cup oats
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Six servings:
- 5 cups water
- 3 cups oats
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
Instructions
- Pour water and salt into a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
- Add oats to boiling water, reduce to medium heat and cook for 5 minutes, or until water is absorbed and oats are tender.
- Take off the stove and stir in brown sugar and maple syrup. Serve with milk, if desired.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.