Breakfast just got an upgrade! Wholesome old-fashioned oats cooked with freeze-dried strawberries and cream are then topped with fresh strawberries for the ultimate Strawberry Oatmeal.

Have you ever had one of those strawberry oatmeal packets as a kid? That flavor used to be my absolute favorite! This Strawberry Oatmeal recipe is a take on that, only made with good-for-you simple ingredients.

This Strawberry Oatmeal is made using freeze-dried strawberries and topped with fresh strawberries. The sweetness is enhanced with a kiss of maple syrup.

Think making oatmeal in the middle of a busy morning takes too much work? Hardly! It's a 10-minute (at most) task that will satisfy the whole family. Want to know the best part? It heats up really well, so if you wanted to make a big batch at the beginning of the week (without the fresh strawberries), you can have it on the table even quicker than the little time it takes to make it fresh.

So let's get to making it! The text below offers some tips for making it, or you can scroll down to the bottom for the complete recipe.

More of a visual learner? Check out the video of me making it (below near the recipe) to see just how it's done!

Ingredients Needed and Substitutions

Here is a brief overview of the ingredients needed for this recipe. The full recipe with quantities is listed below this text in the recipe card. If substitutions are available for this recipe, they'll be listed here. If you don't see a substitution you are looking for, please leave a comment below.

old-fashioned / rolled oats (you can use quick oats if you want, but the texture will be slightly different and you won't need to cook the oats for as long)
freeze-dried strawberries (these are so commonly available in most grocery stores and I don't recommend skipping them, see more below on my explanation for why)
fresh strawberries
almond extract (this enhances the flavor and is totally optional, but it can be swapped with vanilla extract if needed)
maple syrup (this is optional and can be replaced with any number of sweeteners like honey or brown sugar)
kosher salt
heavy cream (this is optional, and can be replaced with milk or half and half if desired)

Making Strawberry Oatmeal with Fresh and Dried Strawberries

This recipe uses both freeze-dried strawberries and fresh strawberries for a few reasons.

The first reason is that freeze-dried strawberries pack a lot of berry flavor and really help infuse this oatmeal with that classic nostalgic strawberry oatmeal taste. The second reason is that making the base oatmeal recipe with freeze-dried strawberries means this oatmeal can be used for meal prep. The freeze-dried strawberries allow the oatmeal to keep longer and better in the refrigerator (see more on that below).

After the oatmeal is cooked, it's topped with fresh strawberries. I'm assuming that you'll be using ripe, juicy, and flavorful strawberries which means eating them fresh on top of the oatmeal will have the most delicious impact. If you aren't using ripe and juicy strawberries (because sometimes we get an off bunch) then the flavor from the freeze-dried strawberries will ensure you still get a delicious strawberry flavor.

See my point here? Two types of strawberries are better than one.

Never Bought Freeze-Dried Strawberries?

Freeze-dried strawberries can be commonly found in most grocery stores. They are typically found near other dried fruit or nuts. I buy mine from Whole Foods or Trader Joe's.

You can also buy freeze-dried strawberries online.

Some Quick Tips

Oatmeal is super simple to make. Here are some tips that will help you make the best batch:

Watch your temperature when you are cooking the oats. The directions call for the heat to be turned down to medium-low. This helps ensure the oats are cooked slowly so they are creamy and they don't burn on the bottom.
Don't walk away from the oats for too long when you are cooking them. You'll need to stir them a few times while they're cooking. They truly only take a couple of minutes.

Oatmeal for Meal Prep

Oatmeal made on the stove is a staple in our home because it's really fast, nutritious, and reheats well. I'll make it 1-2 times a week, and reheat leftovers for the next few days.

Place leftover oatmeal in a container and let it cool completely before placing the cover on (this is a universal tip with all leftovers, by the way). Do not add the fresh strawberries to the oatmeal. Add them later when serving.

Store in the refrigerator for about three days. To reheat, place in a medium pot and add a splash of milk or water. Reheat on medium-low until the oats are warmed through and creamy.

Watch It: How to Make Strawberry Oatmeal

More Breakfast Recipes:

Making the recipe? Be sure to leave a comment with a star review on your experience! Have a question? Leave a comment below and I'll get back to you as quickly as I can!

Full Recipe

Strawberry Oatmeal

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews

Author: Kelli Avila
Prep Time: 00:05
Cook Time: 00:05
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: Stovetop

Print Recipe

Description

Wholesome old-fashioned oats are cooked with freeze-dried strawberries and cream, and then topped with fresh strawberries for the ultimate Strawberry Oatmeal.

Ingredients

Units Scale

3-½ cups water
1 tablespoon maple syrup (see note)
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¾ cup crushed freeze dried strawberries (from about a 1.2 ounce bag)
2 cups old fashioned / rolled oats
½ teaspoon almond extract or vanilla extract
2 tablespoons cream, or milk
1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced

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Instructions

Add water, maple syrup, and salt to a medium pot. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
Once boiling, lower the heat to medium-low and add in the freeze-dried strawberries and oats.
Cook, stirring occasionally, until the oats have thickened and are tender, about 3-5 minutes.
Shut off the heat and stir in the almond extract and cream, if desired.
Divide oatmeal into dishes, and top with fresh diced strawberry. Serve immediately.

Notes

This recipe is barely sweetened. If you want a sweeter oatmeal, feel free to add in additional maple syrup.

Freeze dried strawberries are used for the flavor punch, but also so this can be used as meal prep. To crush the freeze-dried strawberries either crush them with your hands while they are still in the bag, or roll them with a rolling pin. They shouldn't be a powder, just crumbled.

If you want to make this for meal prep, do not add the fresh strawberries until ready to serve.

You can use quick oats if you want, but the texture will be slightly different and you won't need to cook the oats for as long.

Keywords: Strawberry Oatmeal