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This creamy Peanut Butter Oatmeal is the perfect healthy breakfast for busy days. Ready in just 10 minutes, it will keep you full and satisfied until lunchtime. You can make it on the stovetop or in the microwave.
If you are looking for more quick and easy healthy breakfasts, you will also love my peanut butter banana smoothie, 3 ingredient banana oatmeal pancakes, chocolate chia pudding and easy microwave oatmeal.
Healthy peanut butter oatmeal
Peanut butter oatmeal is the perfect way to start your day. Filling, nutritious, low sugar and packed with fibers, it ticks all the boxes to be a good-for-you breakfast. First thing first, oats are loaded with fiber and complex carbs, providing steady energy without blood sugar spikes. Additionally, they also contain many nutrients like iron and magnesium.
Talking peanut butter now, is peanut butter healthy? Although it often has a bad rap, in reality natural peanut butter made entirely from nuts is highly nutritious. It has a good dose of healthy fats, plant-based protein, and vitamins. Serve your porridge with toppings like sliced banana or blueberries, and you’ll get an extra boost of potassium and antioxidants. To cap it all off, these peanut butter oats are naturally sweetened with no refined sugar, and can be easily adapted to vegan, high-protein, or low calorie diets.
Ingredients and substitutes
Making oatmeal with peanut butter will require you just a handful of pantry staples. Here is a list of all ingredients, along with details and substitutes. The precise quantities can be found in the recipe card at the bottom.
- Rolled oats. The best oats for porridge are rolled oats, also known as old-fashioned oats. Being less processed, they are healthier and yield a better texture. Quick-cooking or instant oats can still be used, but your oatmeal may become slightly mushy. Steel-cut oats are another option, but they require longer cooking times (about 30 minutes).
- Peanut butter. I recommend natural peanut butter with no added sugar and oil; little salt is fine. Depending on your preferences, use creamy or crunchy peanut butter – but keep in mind that it will mix better if creamy.
- Maple syrup. Pure maple syrup sweetens the oats naturally, without the need for refined sugar. Replace it with raw honey, date syrup or agave if desired.
- Milk of choice. You can make this porridge with dairy or dairy-free milk. My recommendations are unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, soy milk and semi-skimmed milk. As a budget-friendly, low calorie alternative, use water or a combination of water and milk.
- Spices. Half a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a hint of ground cinnamon are completely optional, but highly recommended for the best flavor.
- Salt. A pinch of salt is key in this recipe. It enhances the taste of peanut butter and helps balance sweetness. You can omit, if using salted peanut butter.
How to make peanut butter oatmeal
This peanut butter oatmeal recipe is so quick and easy, you can make it either on the stovetop or in the microwave. Here’s a step-by-step overview, precise directions can be found in the card at the bottom.
- Step 1 – Prep. In a pot, combine rolled oats with maple syrup, milk or water, vanilla extract, cinnamon (optional) and a pinch of salt.
- Step 2 – Cook. Simmer over medium heat for around 5 minutes, or until the oatmeal reaches the desired texture. Stir regularly so that it does not stick to the pan.
- Step 3 – Mix. Once cooked, stir in the oats a tablespoon of peanut butter, taste and adjust with more maple syrup if it’s necessary.
- Step 4 – Enjoy. Transfer to a bowl, then serve with a drizzle of peanut butter and your favorite toppings such as sliced banana or blueberries.
Microwave oatmeal. To make things even faster, you can cook it in a microwave. Mix rolled oats with maple syrup, peanut butter, milk or water, vanilla extract, cinnamon (optional) and a pinch of salt in a microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, stirring in between.
Recipe variations
- High protein. Stir into the cooked oats a a scoop of your favorite protein powder or add Greek yogurt for extra creaminess. You can also mix in chia seeds, flaxseeds for more plant protein, or make egg white oatmeal.
- Vegan. Use a dairy-free milk like almond or soy milk and, if using, ensure your protein powder is vegan. Swapping honey for maple syrup or mashed banana may also be needed.
- Gluten-free. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but to be safe, check on the package that they’re certified gluten-free oats. Also make sure all other ingredients, such as toppings or mix-ins, are gluten-free.
- Low calorie. Use water or unsweetened almond milk instead of regular milk and reduce the amount of peanut butter. Or swap it for powdered peanut butter such as PB2 or PBFit. If making peanut butter oatmeal for weight loss, be conscious about the toppings you add.
- Overnight. The day before, combine all ingredients in a jar and let them sit in the fridge overnight. Your porridge will be slighter creamier, and ready-to-eat straight from the fridge.
- Nut butter. Swap peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, pistachio butter or walnut butter. If you want to keep it nut-free, use tahini or sunflower seed butter instead.
- Banana sweetened. Replace maple syrup or honey with a mashed ripe banana stirred into the oats while cooking. Bananas not only add flavor but also provide extra fiber, potassium, and vitamins.
Success tips
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats over quick oats. Rolled oats give the perfect creamy yet slightly chewy texture, while quick oats tend to turn mushy. They also have more nutrients and a lower glycemic index, keeping you full longer.
- Use milk or a mix of milk and water instead of just water. Cooking oats with milk adds richness, creaminess, and extra nutrients like protein and calcium. If you prefer a lighter option, use half milk and half water, but water only is not recommended.
- Stir frequently and cook on medium heat. Cooking on medium prevents the oats from sticking to the pot and ensures they cook evenly. This also gives them a creamier texture, since stirring helps release the starches.
- Adjust sweetness to your preference. This recipe suggests half to one tablespoon of maple syrup or honey. Taste as you go and add more maple syrup, honey, or mashed banana for an extra touch of natural sweetness.
Best toppings for PB oatmeal
Want to take your oatmeal to the next level? Experimenting with different mix-ins and toppings is the best way to keep breakfast exciting. You can get truly creative here – mix and match, or try some of the ideas below. Add them directly to the oats while cooking or sprinkle on top.
- Maple syrup or honey drizzled on top
- Cocoa powder for chocolate peanut butter oatmeal (this tastes like oat brownies!)
- Mashed banana as a natural sweetener
- Dates, raisins, cranberries or dried apricots for extra texture and sweetness
- Chopped apples or pears as a topping
- Blueberries, raspberries, or mixed berries with a drizzle of peanut butter
- Walnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews or granola as crunchy toppings
- Chia seeds, flaxseeds or cocoa nibs for more nutrients and texture
- Chocolate chips and more peanut butter for a cookie dough taste (kids will love it)
- Protein powder to make high protein oatmeal
How to make ahead and freeze
To store, allow the oatmeal to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container. Keep it sealed in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh for up to a week. When ready to eat, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop, adding a splash of milk to restore its creamy texture. Stir well and top with your favorite add-ins before serving.
To freeze, portion the cooled oatmeal into freezer-safe containers or bags and store for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then warm it up in the microwave or on the stove, stirring occasionally.
Frequently asked questions
Absolutely! I’ve been having it almost every morning since 2017, and it’s such a nutritious, satisfying, and delicious way to start my day – especially after working out. Packed with fiber, healthy fats, and protein, it will keep you full and energized until lunchtime.
For the creamiest texture, stir in the peanut butter after cooking while the oatmeal is still warm. This helps it blend smoothly, creating a richer and creamier consistency.
Rolled oats are the best option for oatmeal because they give it a creamy texture while still keeping some chew. They are also less processed and more nutritious, keeping you fuller for longer than quick oats.
Creamy peanut butter blends in more smoothly, but crunchy peanut butter also works if you like some extra texture. Choose a natural variety with no added sugar or oils to keep the porridge healthy.
More oatmeal recipes
- Microwave oatmeal
- Protein powder oatmeal
- Basic oatmeal recipe
- Protein overnight oats
- Egg white oatmeal
- High protein oatmeal bars
- Apple cinnamon oatmeal
- Banana baked oatmeal cups
- Low calorie oatmeal
Peanut Butter Oatmeal
Ingredients
- ½ cup (50 g) rolled oats
- ½ to 1 tbsp maple syrup, or honey, to taste
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk or water, or a combination of both
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ⅓ tsp ground cinnamon, optional
- a pinch of salt
Instructions
Stovetop peanut butter oatmeal
- In a pot, combine rolled oats with maple syrup, milk or water, vanilla extract, cinnamon (optional) and a pinch of salt.
- Simmer over medium heat for around 5 minutes, or until the oatmeal reaches the desired texture. Stir regularly so that it does not stick to the pan.
- Once cooked, stir in the oats a tablespoon of peanut butter, taste and adjust with more maple syrup if necessary.
- Transfer to a bowl, then serve with a drizzle of peanut butter and your favorite toppings such as sliced banana.
Microwave peanut butter oatmeal
- In a microwave safe bowl, combine rolled oats with maple syrup, peanut butter, milk or water, vanilla extract, cinnamon (optional) and a pinch of salt.
- Microwave on high for 1 minute 30 seconds to 2 minutes, stirring in between.
- Once cooked, stir in the oats a tablespoon of peanut butter, taste and adjust with more maple syrup if necessary.
- Serve with a drizzle of peanut butter and your favorite toppings such as sliced banana.
Notes
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To store. Let the oatmeal cool, then transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Reheat with a splash of milk in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring well.
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To freeze. To freeze, store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months, thaw overnight in the fridge, and reheat before serving.
