Cranberry Oatmeal

Learn how to make the most delicious cranberry oatmeal! The recipe is made with sweetened dried cranberries, hearty oats, maple syrup, and refreshing orange zest. It’s an easy holiday breakfast that takes just minutes to make!

For more holiday versions, check out my eggnog oatmeal, gingerbread oatmeal, and spiced apple oatmeal.

The best oatmeal with cranberries

Now that the mornings are growing chilly, I find myself craving warm, cozy meals to start off my day.

And this sweet, fluffy cranberry oatmeal suits that mood perfectly.

It starts with a creamy oatmeal base that is loaded with sweet, slightly tart cranberries and zesty orange.

A blob of yogurt and cranberry sauce makes the dish extra fruity and decadent.

The recipe is great when you’re looking for something quick and easy on a weekday morning.

It makes 4 servings, and you can certainly scale it up if you want to feed more people. It’s lovely for a holiday brunch!

Need more recipes for Christmas morning? Add eggnog bread pudding, Swedish crepes, and eggnog banana bread to your lineup!

You need the following ingredients to make cranberry oatmeal. Please scroll down to the recipe card for exact measurements.

• Rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) work best because they are chewy and less mushy than quick oats or instant oats. Steel-cut oats need to cook longer and require more liquid, so rolled oats are the way to go here.
• Milk + water: A combination of milk and water gives the oatmeal the perfect consistency. You can use any kind you like. The richer the milk, the richer the oatmeal will taste. I prefer whole milk. Almond milk and oat milk are great dairy-free alternatives.
• Sweetened dried cranberries add fruity sweetness and a festive pop of color. Dried cranberry muffins, dried cranberry cookies, and cranberry walnut oatmeal cookies are more tasty recipes starring dried cranberries.
• Maple syrup: The recipe needs a touch of sweetness. I only used a small amount; feel free to sweeten the oatmeal more to your taste.
• Orange zest pairs beautifully with the cranberries and adds a fruity note to the oatmeal.
• Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the other flavor and is key to a great-tasting oatmeal.
• Topping: Garnish your dried cranberry oatmeal with a spoonful of yogurt, cranberry sauce, and extra dried cranberries.

Oatmeal with craisins can be made on the stovetop or as cranberry overnight oats. I’ll show you both methods.

1. Boil

Combine the rolled oats, milk, water, dried cranberries, maple syrup, salt, and orange zest in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

2. Simmer

Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer the oatmeal for 5 minutes, until it’s thick and creamy and reaches your desired texture.

3. Rest and serve

Turn off the heat and let the oatmeal rest for 2 minutes.

Then, ladle the oatmeal into bowls and garnish with a spoonful of yogurt, cranberry sauce, and dried cranberries. Enjoy!

Cranberry overnight oats

Cranberry overnight oats are a great way to prepare the recipe in advance. It can help to save you time on a busy morning and to prepare ahead for holiday morning brunch.

You need the same ingredients and quantities as for the stovetop version.

Then, place all ingredients into a jar and stir well to combine. I like to use 16-oz wide-mouth mason jars.

Seal the jar airtight and place it in the fridge for at least 3 hours or overnight. The oats will soften more the longer they sit and soak.

Make this cranberry oatmeal recipe your own by adding any of the following mix-ins and toppings:

• Spices: A teaspoon of ground cinnamon or gingerbread spice adds cozy warmth to the oatmeal.
• White chocolate chips are delicious with cranberries. Sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons over the oatmeal before serving.
• Nuts: A handful of chopped pecans or walnuts makes a lovely addition to craisin oatmeal.
• Seeds: Chia seeds, hemp seeds, or flaxseed meal are a great way to add extra fiber and protein.
• Apple: Add 1 chopped apple when cooking the oatmeal.
• Gluten-free: If you’re on a gluten-free diet, be sure to use certified gluten-free rolled oats.

You can eat oatmeal with cranberries just as is or pair it with more delicious breakfast items. Here are a few ideas to try:

• Cranberry sauce or jam: A spoonful of cranberry sauce or your favorite jam (like strawberry jam) is an easy way to add more fruity flavor.
• Fruit: Decorate the oatmeal with fresh berries or diced fruit and serve it with a side of Christmas fruit salad.
• Sweet breakfast items: I like pairing oatmeal with other sweet breakfast foods like Pillsbury cinnamon roll casserole, eggnog muffins, French toast, and yogurt parfait.
• Savory breakfast foods: Oatmeal also goes well with savory breakfast treats like fried bacon and scrambled eggs.
• Drinks: Winter drinks like cranberry truffle tropical smoothie, pomegranate plunge smoothie, Christmas morning punch, or hot chocolate are great accompaniments for this festive cranberry oatmeal.

• Store: Refrigerate the cranberry oatmeal recipe in an airtight container and consume it within 5 days.
• Reheat: Warm up individual portions on the stovetop over medium heat or gently reheat in the microwave. Add a splash of milk or water to loosen it up. Of course, you can also enjoy leftovers cold.
• Freeze: Place the oatmeal in a freezer bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Meal prep & make ahead

Prepare a big batch, divvy it up into individual jars or containers, and reheat it for a quick, effortless breakfast all week.