Blueberry Oatmeal

A hearty bowl of blueberry oatmeal will provide you with the energy you need to get through the day. Naturally sweet wild blueberries taste the best, though any blueberries—frozen or fresh—will work in this recipe.

Simple, delicious blueberry oatmeal is packed with filling fiber, vitamins and antioxidant-rich blueberries for a healthy breakfast or afternoon snack.

For as long as I can remember, I have loved oatmeal. Whether sweetened with maple and brown sugar or blueberries, as in this recipe, oatmeal is a meal all itself. Blueberry oatmeal has the additional nutritional benefits of fresh fruit. 

You can read Healthline’s article expounding the health benefits of eating oatmeal. Be assured there are many reasons to love oatmeal.

Ingredients

With only a handful of ingredients, it is difficult to mess up this recipe. Depending on the type of oats you use, as well as fresh vs frozen blueberries, you could be enjoying this blueberry oatmeal in a matter of minutes.

• Oatmeal, 1 packet (about ⅓ cup) - you can use whatever type of oats you prefer. I used 1 packet of plain organic instant oatmeal in this recipe. To me, they taste great and are quick to prepare.
• Vanilla extract, ¼ to ½ teaspoon - a bit bitter, savory and sweet all at the same time, vanilla extract enhances the subtle flavors in this recipe.
• Blueberries, ½ cup, fresh or frozen - the star ingredient, blueberries make or break this recipe. I always use frozen organic wild blueberries. I believe they taste significantly different and much better than the fresh larger blueberry variety. You can use whatever blueberries you prefer.

• Granulated sugar, 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons - you may want to add a little sugar, taste the oatmeal and add more if needed. The natural sugar from the blueberries may be sweet enough for you that you may not need to add any additional sugar.
• Brown sugar, 1 to 1 ½ teaspoons - the same is true with the brown sugar as it is for granulated sugar. Add a little, taste the oatmeal and add more if need be.
• Water, ⅔ cup - instant oatmeal calls for water, which I prefer. You can use cow’s milk or any plant-based milks you like, but be aware milk of any kind may introduce additional sugar, which will make taste testing while adding granulated and brown sugar that much more important.

Variations and Substitutions:

• Some people add a little salt to their oatmeal. While I am not one of those people, if that is your normal process, add it and see what it tastes like.
• Add a little lemon zest for a tart flavor.
• Use maple syrup instead of granulated and brown sugars.
• Top with walnuts or shaved almonds if you want a slightly nutty flavor.

Instructions

1. Prepare oatmeal according to package directions.

2. When the oatmeal is cooked and ready, add the vanilla extract. Stir to combine.

3. Add the granulated sugar and brown sugar. Stir to combine. Note: as mentioned earlier in the ingredients section, you may want to add a little sugar, taste the oatmeal and add more if needed. Because natural sugar from the blueberries, and if you used any type of milk, may be sweet enough for you as is.

4. Fold in the blueberries.

5. Serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

Oatmeal tastes great anytime of year, but especially in the cold depths of winter. Then again, nothing comes close to the comforting feeling of a warm bowl of blueberry oatmeal on a hot summer's morning.

• Breakfast - Make blueberry oatmeal for breakfast any day of the week. Serve this recipe alongside eggs and bacon for a filling meal.
• Snack - Oatmeal is traditionally a breakfast meal, but I think blueberry oatmeal makes a great afternoon or late night snack as well.

Looking for more?

Check out the buttered noodles recipe or perfectly creamy deviled eggs.

---