Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal – Barefeet in the Kitchen

A sweet steaming bowl of strawberries and cream oatmeal is quite possibly the epitome of breakfast comfort food.

Strawberry Oatmeal

Oatmeal filled with fresh strawberries is something I will very happily dive into year-round. Not too sure about a warm bowl of oats for a summer morning? Stir in fresh fruit and add a splash of cream, a dollop of yogurt, or a bit of milk, and you’ll be an instant fan.

Strawberries and cream is a classic pairing that will never go out of fashion and I don’t know anyone who doesn’t enjoy it. When you take those two things and add them to a creamy bowl of oatmeal, you have a winning way to start the day.

Do you remember the Quaker Oats commercials from the ’80s? Okay, I am dating myself here a bit. But I always think of it when making oatmeal for my boys because the tagline was “It’s the right thing to do.”

There is something about making a simple, filling homemade breakfast for my crew when life is crazy and busy. Knowing they are starting the day with full bellies makes my heart happy.

Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal

While quick oats or rolled oats will both work fine for most oatmeal recipes, rolled oats (a.k.a. old-fashioned oats) are my preference when making this strawberry oatmeal.

(Truth be told, old-fashioned oats are the only choice for me. I keep quick oats on hand only for a few specific cookie recipes that work best with the smaller oats.)

The texture is a bit chewier with a nuttier flavor, perfect for topping with fresh strawberries and a drizzle of syrup or sprinkling of brown sugar.

Side note here – as I was editing the photos for this post, I craved this oatmeal all over again. So, I stopped working to go make a bowl of strawberries and cream oatmeal for lunch today. I am loving strawberry season this year!

How to Make Perfect Oatmeal

Old-fashioned oats do take a few minutes longer to cook than their quick-cooking counterparts, but you will still have breakfast made in less than 15 minutes. As the oatmeal thickens, stir it every so often, but not constantly.

Stirring oatmeal too often can lead to too much starch, which results in a gummy, gluey texture. I recommend stirring to combine everything when you turn on the stove and then allowing the oatmeal to cook without stirring as the oats begin to absorb the liquid.

After a few minutes, stir and continue cooking to your desired doneness. I enjoy oatmeal with a bit of chew to it, but if you prefer yours softer, cook it a minute or two longer.

Oatmeal is very forgiving when it is cooking, so if you need to step away from the kitchen for a few minutes, just reduce the heat and stir when you return. If you’re in a hurry though, and cooking at a higher temp, don’t walk away, and don’t forget to give it a stir every so often to avoid scorching the oatmeal on the bottom of the pan.

Homemade oatmeal steaming hot from the stove is something we enjoy on a weekly basis. I’ve been making this blueberry oatmeal for a couple of years now, and it is one of my personal favorites. If there are blueberries in the house, you can just about guarantee this will be breakfast.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal is another oatmeal that’s equally inviting. If you enjoy classic fall flavors in your oatmeal, you’ll also like this Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal with Vanilla Whipped Cream. (It really does taste like pumpkin pie!)

Oatmeal with Strawberries

To make this recipe, you will need these ingredients:

• rolled oats
• kosher salt
• water
• fresh or frozen strawberries
• brown sugar maple syrup or honey
• cream half and half or milk

Strawberry Oatmeal Recipe

Combine the oats, salt, and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer on medium/low until the oats are tender and the oatmeal has thickened. This should take about 5 minutes.

Add the strawberries when the oatmeal is almost done cooking – when there is about a minute of cooking time remaining. Try not to add them too early, as they’re best when there is still a nice bite to them.

Allow the berries to warm in the oatmeal and then remove the pan from the heat. Scoop into serving bowls and top your strawberries with cream oatmeal with the sweetener of your choice and a drizzle of cream or milk.

Made on the stovetop in the crockpot or baked in the oven, oatmeal goes perfectly on your breakfast table. There are endless options and ways to prepare and serve a simple, yet hearty breakfast.

Filled with creamy oats, sweet bananas, and berries, a hint of brown sugar, and spices, this Slow Cooker Oatmeal is a breakfast that my whole family enjoys. Best of all, this slow cooker oatmeal can be made in just one hour!

Peaches and cinnamon pair perfectly in this recipe for Baked Peach Oatmeal. Eaten on its own or topped with whipped cream, it’s a hit.