Easy coffee oatmeal – plant-based and cheap

This four-ingredient 10-Minute Coffee Porridge (or Overnight Oats) is the perfect way to start your day, combining much-needed caffeine and a healthy breakfast all in one!

Can you use coffee instead of water for oatmeal?

Luckily for those who need coffee to function every morning, not only is it possible to use it in oatmeal, but the combination of the two makes for a super quick and easy healthy pick-me-up on low-energy and busy mornings. It’s also so much better than skipping the food!

Not only is oatmeal quick, easy, and inexpensive, it’s also a healthy breakfast. It’s high in fiber, micronutrients, and various benefits including controlled blood sugar, improved heart and digestive health, anti-cancer properties, and more. It’s also gluten-free, can be made with unrefined or sugar-free sweeteners, and will keep you feeling full until lunchtime.

Best of all, coffee oatmeal only requires four basic ingredients, and there are virtually endless ways to customize it with mix-ins and toppings (just like a Starbucks order!). You can even turn it into coffee overnight oats when you just don’t have the energy to make breakfast in the morning. Is that a winner or what?!

Looking for easier oatmeal breakfast recipes? Check out our apple cinnamon oatmeal, carrot cake oatmeal or vegan overnight oats.

The ingredients

• Oats: You need oatmeal (old-fashioned oatmeal). Use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
• Coffee: Use a strong brewed coffee (regular or decaffeinated) or even a shot of espresso.
• sweetener: Honestly, that’s up to you. We like to use maple syrup or brown sugar, but agave nectar, regular sugar, unrefined coconut sugar, and even sugar alternatives like Swerve or Erythritol will work too. Adjust the amount to taste.
• dairy–free milk: Everything will work. For example, oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc. For creamier vegan oatmeal, use a non-dairy creamer instead.

Add a tiny pinch of salt also helps improve the overall flavor of vegan oatmeal, so it comes highly recommended.

The topping options

It’s really up to you what, if anything, to top the coffee oatmeal with. However, here is a little inspiration:

• coconut flakes/chips (raw or roasted for flavor and crispiness)
• banana slices (for fiber, bulking power and micronutrients)
• other fruits (i.e. berries, apples, mango, etc.)
• dried fruit (like raisins, cranberries or dates – for a touch of sweetness)
• Cocoa nibs (crunchy with a lot of antioxidants)
• seed/nut butter (1 Tbsp for creamy richness, protein, and healthy fats to help you feel fuller longer. E.g. hazelnut, peanut or almond butter)
• nuts (for crunchiness, protein and healthy fat. For example almonds, walnuts, pecans)
• Dairy-free chocolate (chips, a piece or chocolate covered coffee beans)
• compote/sauce/jam (fruity, chocolaty or even healthy date caramel sauce)

What else could I add to coffee oatmeal?

Just as there are countless ways to flavor your morning drink, this coffee oatmeal recipe is just as fun to play around with.

• Spices: Try cinnamon, nutmeg, chai spice, or even pumpkin pie spice.
• cocoa powder: Add about a tablespoon of cocoa powder to make mocha oatmeal.
• vanilla extract: You can add a vanilla latte flavor to this coffee oatmeal flavor with a few drops of natural vanilla extract (or paste).
• Natural aroma extracts: Play with different flavors (according to taste). Ie hazelnut, orange, almond.
• Vegan Protein Powder: To prepare delicious vegan protein oatmeal, add a scoop of natural, vanilla, chocolate or coffee protein powder and increase the liquid if it’s too thick (plant milk or water).
• Chia seeds: A tablespoon of chia adds protein, fiber, and heart-healthy omega fatty acids.
• Zucchini: Okay, be patient — just a ¼-½ cup of finely shredded zucchini cooked in the oatmeal is virtually invisible when eaten, but provides plenty of nutrients. It’s a win-win situation!

How do you make coffee oatmeal?

• 1) In a small saucepan, combine oatmeal, coffee, vegan milk, and sweetener and stir.

• 2) Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until thickened, 5 minutes. Stir occasionally to keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Give it a try and adjust the sweetener if necessary.

• 3) Remove from heat and add more coffee or plant-based milk if too thick. Then let it rest undisturbed for 5 minutes.
• 4) Finally, put the coffee oats in a bowl and top with your desired toppings (we used coconut flakes and fruit) – enjoy!

For those who don’t have morning energy, Make espresso overnight oats out of it! Simply reduce the liquid to oat ratio to about 1.5:1, stir and let it soak/thicken in the fridge overnight. For extra thickening, we also add a tablespoon of chia seeds. If you want, you can even heat it up in the microwave for a minute in the morning.

FAQs

Pro recipe tips

• If the oatmeal is too thick: Add additional plant-based milk or coffee until desired consistency is achieved.
• Stir often: To avoid scorching/burning at the bottom of the pan.
• Be careful not to overcook it: Otherwise, oatmeal can become mushy and lackluster.
• Adjust the ratio of coffee to plant milk: If you find it too weak/strong the first time, adjust the ratio next time.
• For coffee overnight oats: Reduce the total liquid to ¾ cup, optionally add 1 tbsp chia seeds (for thickening) and simply mix all the ingredients together and allow to soak and thicken in the fridge overnight.

How long does oatmeal keep?

Because oatmeal is so quick and easy to make, I never really thought about the shelf life. However, it turns out that coffee porridge/overnight oats are a great meal prep option and can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or chilled.

Refrigerator: Place the coffee oatmeal in an airtight container, allow to cool, then store for up to 5 days. Coffee overnight oats can also be kept for the same amount of time.

freezer: Divide into portions (e.g. lay flat in a silicone muffin tin or freezer bags) and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw a portion in the fridge overnight.

How to reheat oatmeal?

You can use the microwave (in 30 second increments) or the stovetop (on medium-low heat) and add an extra dash of water/plant-based milk if needed to make the consistency even creamier.

More easy vegan breakfast recipes

Photos by Alfonso Revilla