There is nothing like a bowl of warm oatmeal in the morning and Cranberry Orange Oatmeal is a great combination for the fall and winter season. This healthy breakfast is easy to make this time of year and well worth the effort. This vegan oatmeal is a perfect start to your day and would be a good addition to a holiday brunch or a nice breakfast on Christmas morning.
Not only is this a delicious combination, but it’s also packed with nutrients. Oats are known for their heart-healthy benefits, while cranberries offer a good dose of antioxidants. The orange zest, besides being flavorful, contains a significant amount of vitamin C.
Cranberry Orange Oatmeal will be ready to serve in under 10 minutes cooking time. The honey makes it very slightly sweet contrasting with the tart cranberries and the almond milk makes it nice and creamy.
If you are a fan of oatmeal and you would like to try some other oatmeal recipes for a delicious breakfast check out Banana Cinnamon Oatmeal, Brown Sugar Cinnamon Oatmeal, Savory Spinach Avocado Oatmeal, Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes, and Banana Cocoa Oatmeal.
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal, and Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal are made in a baking dish the night before. They would be good for breakfast guests on special occasions. You could also make a big batch of this on the weekend and have breakfast pre-made for the rest of the week.
If you like overnight oats check out Morning Glory Overnight Oats. They are great to wake up to the next morning.You might also like Oatmeal Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Cookies.
If you like the cranberry orange combination in cranberry sauce check out Cranberry Orange Sauce. If you would like to try another orange recipe for breakfast check out this Orange Muffin recipe.
SOME THINGS TO KNOW:FAQ’S
INGREDIENT TIPS:
- Old-fashioned oats are flat and flaky. They absorb more liquid and cook faster than steel cut oats. Read about the 6 Type of Oats to learn more about them so you can make a good choice at the grocery store.
- Old fashioned oats are preferred for their chewy texture and ability to absorb the flavors well. If you prefer a smoother consistency, you can opt for quick oats but reduce the cooking time to avoid overcooking. Make sure not to use instant oats for this recipe.
- Eating oatmeal can help to regulate blood sugar, lower cholesterol and promote weight loss. It is a good idea to make it part of your diet on a regular basis.
- Make sure that the dried cranberries you use are free from added sugars or preservatives. You can use also fresh cranberries. Just be mindful that they will be tart, so you might need to adjust the sweetness.
SPECIAL EQUIPEMENT NEEDED:
- Medium-sized or large saucepan: This is needed for cooking the oatmeal. It’s best to use a non-stick saucepan to ensure the oatmeal doesn’t stick to the bottom, especially as it thickens.
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: These are ideal for stirring the oatmeal as it cooks, ensuring an even consistency and preventing any sticking or burning at the bottom of the pan.
- Zester or Microplane: While you can use a regular grater, a zester or microplane makes it easier to get fine shreds of orange zest without catching the bitter white pith of the orange peel.
SUBSTITUTTIONS:
- Old fashioned oats can be substituted with quick oats or steel-cut oats. Remember, the cooking time and texture will vary. Steel-cut oats take longer to cook and have a chewier texture, while quick oats cook faster and give a softer consistency.
- The unsweetened almond milk can be substituted with whole milk, coconut milk, soy milk or oat milk.
- Pure maple syrup, agave nectar, or brown sugar are other sweetener products to use in place of honey.
- Raisins, dried cherries, dried blueberries, or dried currants can be good alternatives to the dried cranberries.
HOW TO STORE CRANBERRY ORANGE OATMEAL:
- Oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Transfer the cooled room temperature oatmeal into an airtight container into a bowl covered with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap.
- Properly stored, frozen oatmeal can last up to 3 months.Always let the oatmeal cool completely before freezing to prevent ice crystals from forming.
- If you’d like to have individual portions, divide the oatmeal into muffin tins or silicone molds. Freeze until solid, then transfer the oatmeal to a zip-top freezer bag. For larger quantities, freeze the oatmeal in airtight containers, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for expansion.
- Defrost the oatmeal overnight in the refrigerator.
HOW TO REHEAT CRANBERRY ORANGE OATMEAL:
- To reheat the oatmeal in the microwave, transfer a portion of oatmeal to a microwave-safe bowl. Add a splash of milk or water to restore the creaminess. Oatmeal thickens upon cooling. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
- To reheat the oatmeal on the stovetop, place the oatmeal in a saucepan, adding a little milk or water. Warm it over medium low heat, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Place the oatmeal, almond milk, salt and cinnamon into a small sauce pan. Cook uncovered for 8-10 minutes.
Remove the cooked oatmeal from the heat and stir in the cranberries, orange zest and honey.
Cranberry Orange Oatmeal
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Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups old fashioned oats
- 3 cups unflavored almond milk (or whole milk)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- 1 teaspoon orange zest.
Instructions
Combine the oats, almond milk, salt and cinnamon in a medium size saucepan. Stir well.
Heat over medium heat until the mixture comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer the oatmeal uncovered stirring often until the milk is almost completely absorbed into the oats. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
Stir in the honey, cranberries and orange zest. Serve with some additional orange zest on top of the oats.
