I’d like to think I know a thing or two about gardening, but sometimes I’m reminded of just how little I really do know. Case in point: I ordered seven (yes, seven!) blueberry bushes, and when they arrived in the mail, I realized their leaves looked suspiciously similar to four relatively mature bushes we already have alongside the house. Sure enough, they were blueberries. So we now have eleven blueberry bushes in our small suburban yard. Guess it’s a good thing we love blueberries! Heck – we got married on a blueberry farm, so I guess it’s meant to be.
This recipe for Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal is just one of many ways we love blueberries. The best part about this oatmeal, other than the fact that it’s healthy and delicious, is that it’s purple! Yep – my toddler wants nothing to do with blueberry oatmeal (guess the apple fell far from that tree) – but the kid sure loves purple oatmeal. Whatever works.
This is probably the most obvious statement ever, but this healthy oatmeal recipe is a cinch to pull together. I mean, it’s oatmeal, so how hard can it be, right? Not hard. Although I do want to share three simple tricks for making the creamiest oatmeal, even if you are just using water.
Three Tips for Super Creamy Oatmeal
- Start out with cold water. No other temperature will do.
- Mix the oatmeal and cold water together in the sauce pan first and then begin to heat. Don’t wait for the water to boil first.
- Bring it to a boil over medium heat. Not high! Medium.
Voila – creamy, dreamy oatmeal.
This recipe utilizes those methods, but also ups the cream factor with a good pour of milk in lieu of some of the water. I also throw in some chia seeds for good measure, which I’m convinced helps make it even creamier, not to mention the health benefits of adding them to the mix.
So you’ve got oats, chia seeds, cream, water, a little maple syrup for sweetness, a couple of generous handfuls of blueberries, and a pinch of salt for flavor. Simmer until the berries burst, stir in some vanilla, and scoop up some purple oatmeal.
I like to top mine with a little extra milk, some almonds or pepitas, and a scattering of fresh blueberries – lord knows we have plenty of them!

Blueberries & Cream Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats (not the quick-cooking kind)
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1 cup whole milk (2% milk and almond milk also work + a few extra tablespoons for serving)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 cup + 1/4 cup fresh blueberries (about 5 ounces total)
- Pinch salt
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- More optional toppings: additional maple syrup and almonds or pepitas
Instructions
- Add oats, water, milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and 1 cup blueberries to a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat and simmer until the oats have thickened and most of the berries have burst, turning the oatmeal purple, about 5 more minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Scoop into bowls and divide remaining berries between the two. Drizzle with milk. Add optional toppings if desired. Serve.
UGH I absolutely love creamy, fruity oatmeal and this bowl is making my mouth water! I didn’t know I needed to use cold water and heat to medium…I’ve always been a let’s-get-this-done-lickety-split-boil-the-crap-out-of-the-oatmeal-oatmeal-maker. I shall never do this again – I shall do the cold water + medium heat from now till the end of time, amen! 🙂
I’ve just gotten back on the oatmeal for breakfast wagon (the chilly weather finally made yoghurt seem a little too cold!) and this looks like a perfect way to shake up my banana and cinnamon routine 🙂
Also, super jealous of your blueberry bushes! Not sure if I could fit one in my small townhouse backyard…I am looking at some dwarf fruit trees though 🙂
11 blueberry bushes of your own! Just a tad jealous!
Your porridge tips are spot on. I kept trying to use boiling water to speed things up in the morning, only to be left with a clumpy mess.
This was insanely good, thank you for the recipe. Have you ever tried reheating leftovers? Steel cut oatmeal reheats nicely, in my experience, but rolled oats cooked by the package directions are pretty lousy the next day. Wondering if this method would yield better results.
Totally copied and pasted this recipe onto my fb page (with proper credit, of course).
I can’t wait to try it tomorrow.
This was the best oatmeal I ever made! Delicious! Thank you.
I tried halving the recipe just for my own breakfast and it is delicious 🙂 tasty and healthy! I served it with some roast almonds for a but of crunch and a spoonful of chocolate chips as well.
Chocolate chips – yum! Thanks so much for your review 🙂
This oatmeal is out of this world amazing!! Creamiest oatmeal you could ever eat. Such a filling and healthy breakfast. Thank you for sharing your tricks too!!
So good! I also tried it with raspberries and chocolate chips, heavenly!
Yum!