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 (that and Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal)! This Strawberry Oatmeal recipe is a take on that, only made with good-for-you simple ingredients.

Oatmeal is often my go-to at the beginning of the week because I'll make a big portion and then reheat it for another 1-2 mornings (see other favorites Cinnamon Raisin Oatmeal and Maple Blueberry Oatmeal). This Strawberry Oatmeal is made using freeze-dried strawberries, then topped with fresh strawberries. The sweetness is enhanced with just a touch of maple syrup.

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.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Here is a brief overview of the ingredients needed for this recipe. The recipe card lists the full recipe with quantities below this text. If tested substitutions are available for this recipe, they'll be listed here.

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)
coarse kosher salt (this recipe was tested using Diamond Crystal coarse kosher salt. If you use Morton's kosher salt or fine salt, decrease the volume by half)
heavy cream (this is optional, and can be replaced with milk or half and half if desired)

Double the Strawberries!

This recipe uses both freeze-dried strawberries and fresh strawberries for a few reasons (similar to these Buttermilk Strawberry Muffins and Strawberry Granola with Coconut and White Chocolate recipes).

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.

Kelli's Quick Oatmeal Tips

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

Don't rush things! Monitor the temperature while cooking the oats. The recipe suggests lowering the heat to medium-low to avoid burning the oats on the bottom and to ensure that they cook slowly for a creamy texture.
And finally, 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.
This recipe uses oats to cook the water, but for a more creamy texture and hardier taste, use milk or a combination of milk and water. You can also swap in any alternative milk, such as almond or even oat milk!

Oatmeal for Meal Prep

Oatmeal made on the stove is a staple in our home because it's really fast, nutritious, and reheats well (okay, that and muffins, especially these Healthy Apple Oat Muffins and Whole Wheat Banana Muffins). I'll make oatmeal 1-2 times a week, and reheat leftovers for the next few days.

Leftover oatmeal can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. Before covering it, ensure the oatmeal has cooled to room temperature (this is a universal tip for all leftovers, by the way).

To reheat the oats, warm them up in a medium pot with a splash of milk or water on medium-low heat. Alternatively, use the microwave for a quicker breakfast!

Watch It: How to Make Strawberry Oatmeal

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 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 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

In a medium pot, bring water, maple syrup, and salt 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.