Oatmeal Brûlée Recipe
Oatmeal Brûlée is a delightful twist on traditional oatmeal that combines creamy, spiced oats with a perfectly caramelized sugar topping. This comforting breakfast recipe is easy to make on the stovetop and finished with a kitchen torch to create a crisp, brûléed crust similar to the classic dessert, crème brûlée.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk (any type, including almond, coconut, or soy; full fat dairy milk recommended)
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 tsp granulated sugar (regular granulated white sugar recommended for best caramelization)
- Cream or half and half for garnish (optional)
- Heat the milk and cook oats: Heat the milk in a saucepan over medium heat until small bubbles form around the edges, then add the rolled oats. Cook gently for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the oatmeal thickens to a creamy consistency.
- Add flavorings: Stir in the cinnamon and vanilla extract evenly into the thickened oatmeal to infuse it with warm spice and aroma.
- Prepare for brûlée topping: Spoon the oatmeal into two serving bowls and smooth the tops with the back of a spoon to create a flat surface for the sugar layer.
- Apply sugar layer: Evenly sprinkle 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar over the surface of each bowl, making sure the sugar is spread thin and covers the top fully.
- Caramelize the sugar: Using a kitchen torch, move the flame in circular motions over the sugar until it melts and caramelizes, turning golden brown with small black spots. This creates the signature crisp brûlée crust.
- Garnish and serve: Serve the oatmeal brûlée hot, optionally topped with a dash of cream or half and half to add richness and creaminess.
Notes
- Use regular granulated white sugar for best caramelization results; brown sugar or alternatives may not crisp properly.
- If you don’t have a kitchen torch, you can briefly place the bowls under a broiler, but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- This recipe can be made with non-dairy milks like almond, coconut, or soy for a vegan-friendly option.
- Leftover oatmeal brûlée can be refrigerated and reheated gently on the stovetop before adding the sugar topping.
- Adjust cinnamon quantity to taste for a milder or stronger spice flavor.
Keywords: Oatmeal Brûlée, caramelized oatmeal, breakfast recipe, creamy oats, brûlée topping, easy stovetop oatmeal, cinnamon vanilla oats