This brown sugar maple oatmeal is made with 6 ingredients, including pure maple syrup and vanilla, for a special start to the day. Oats make a great breakfast and are one of the best options for a morning meal, and this recipe is no exception.
For some more sweet and savoury breakfast porridge recipes, try my pre-biotic bircher muesli, easy quinoa congee, Ayurvedic kitchari, or creamy steel cut oats.

Ingredients
Just a handful of simple ingredients needed here, and you probably have all of them already. There are some topping suggestions below but this is just as good as is.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Oats: rolled oats will give the best texture, but quick cook can be used in a pinch.
- Brown sugar: light or dark. Substitute coconut sugar if preferred.
- Milk: this can be any milk you like. Soy and oat are my favourites.
- Maple syrup: use pure maple syrup, of any grade. Darker ones will have a stronger taste.
- Toppings: top the oatmeal with a little more sugar, milk, nuts and seeds, soft fruit like peaches or raspberries, or stewed apples or pears.
How to Make Maple Oatmeal
Step 1: add all of the ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
Step 2: cook, uncovered and stirring often, for about 5 minutes, or until thickened. Serve hot.
Top Tips
- Stir frequently: for the creamiest oatmeal and to prevent it sticking to the pot, stir often while cooking.
- Sweeten to taste: the amounts listed in the recipe card for the sugar and syrup are guidelines, but with any less, you won't get that brown sugar maple flavour. If you want it to be sweeter, top with extra sugar.
- Don't omit the salt: this won't make the oatmeal taste salty. A tiny pinch of salt just makes everything else taste better.
How to Store
Storage: this is best eaten fresh, but can be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for a couple of days. Reheat with a splash of milk.
Freezing: while oatmeal can be frozen, I don't really recommend it.
FAQ
Do you really need to refrigerate maple syrup?
It's best to refrigerate maple syrup for the longest shelf life, as it will spoil eventually at room temperature, unlike honey.
How can you tell if maple syrup is real?
The best way is to check the label. Real maple syrup has just one ingredient, boiled-down maple sap. Over 80% of the world's maple syrup is produced in Canada, so it will probably say that, too.
Is porridge the same as oatmeal?
Yes, the terms can be used interchangeably, and it's mostly just a regional difference to call it one or the other.
More Vegan Breakfasts
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Recipe
Brown Sugar Maple Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup milk of choice
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a saucepan and heat over medium-high to bring to a boil. Once the mixture has boiled, reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until thickened.1 cup rolled oats, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 2 tablespoons brown sugar, 1 cup water, 1 cup milk, ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 pinch sea salt
- Turn off the heat, cover, and let the oatmeal rest for 2-3 minutes, then scoop into bowls and top with whatever you'd like. Serve hot.