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McDonald’s Oatmeal Recipe

This copycat McDonald’s oatmeal recipe is about to become your new favorite breakfast! This creamy oatmeal is made with oats, chopped apples, cranberries, raisins, cinnamon, and maple syrup. It’s a delicious, hearty breakfast that everyone will love.

For the full McDonald’s breakfast experience, serve it with strawberry banana smoothie and parfait cups.

two bowls with McDonald's oatmeal recipe.

McDonald’s fruit and maple oatmeal

McDonald’s has a pretty solid breakfast menu. But did you know how easy it is to prepare their oatmeal at home?

This filling breakfast is essentially creamy oatmeal topped with apples, cranberries, and raisins, and finished with a touch of cream and maple sugar. Pretty yummy, right?

What I love about this copycat recipe is that you can make this treat in under 20 minutes. That’s much less time than driving to McDonald’s and waiting in line.

Not to mention, I think this homemade McDonald’s oatmeal tastes way better than anything you can pick up at the drive-thru.

But don’t take my word for it. Try the fruit and maple oatmeal for yourself and see how it holds up!

And to complete your breakfast, add these fluffy pancakes, scrumptious French toast, and tasty egg muffins to your line-up.

McDonald's oatmeal ingredients.
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McDonald’s oatmeal ingredients

Let’s chat about the ingredients in McDonald’s oatmeal! All measurements are listed in the recipe card below.

  • Whole grain rolled oats: The recipe starts with whole grain rolled oats. Rolled oats add the best texture and a wonderful nutty flavor. Quick-cooking rolled oats will also work.
  • Cooking liquids: McDonald’s makes their oatmeal with water and light cream, which is a mixture of milk, cream, and thickeners. I find whole milk creates the perfect creaminess, but you can go for half-and-half if you prefer extra rich oatmeal.
  • Apples: McDonald’s tops their oatmeal with red and green apples. I followed suit and used a green Granny Smith apple and a red Fuji apple. Of course, you can simply use just 1 kind of apple.
  • Dried cranberries: Sweetened dried cranberries (craisins) are perfect here.
  • Raisins: You need 2 types of raisins for the perfect McDonald’s copycat recipe, dark California raisins and golden raisins. Again, you can use just one or the other.
  • Maple syrup provides the perfect amount of sweetness and a hint of caramel flavor.
  • Vanilla extract emphasizes the sweetness and adds depth of flavor.
  • Ground cinnamon makes this easy oatmeal recipe perfectly cozy and warm. I recommend 1/2 tsp, but you can double that if you love cinnamon.
  • Salt: You need just a pinch to enhance the other aromas.

Rolled oats are such a versatile ingredient! We also love them in old-fashioned oatmeal cookies, triple berry oat smoothie, and breakfast oatmeal cookies.

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How to make McDonald’s oatmeal

McDonald’s oatmeal is mouthwateringly delicious and made fresh every time since you’re the one making it. Never wait in line at a drive-thru again!

step 1 cook oats.

1. Cook oatmeal

  • Add the oats, milk, water, and salt to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
  • Reduce the heat to low and let the oatmeal simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
step 2 add mix ins.

2. Add mix-ins

  • Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, apples, cranberries, and raisins.
  • Thin with more milk if needed.
step 3 serve oatmeal.

3. Serve

  • Pour the oatmeal into serving bowls and top each serving with diced apples, cranberries, raisins, a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy!
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Tips

  • Toast the oats: For the most flavorful oatmeal possible, toast your oats in a pan on the stove with butter. This will give them a rich, nutty flavor.
  • Stir occasionally: You should stir enough so the oats don’t burn to the bottom of your pan, but avoid overmixing! Stirring too much can make your oatmeal slimy.
  • Use the right oat-to-liquid ratio: For reference, ½ cup of oats to 1 cup of liquid is the perfect ratio. If you use less liquid, the oats may not fully cook. Using more liquid can result in mushy oats. I recommend sticking to this ratio, but you can always adjust by making it thicker by mixing in toppings or thinner by adding more milk.
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Variations

My McDonald’s oatmeal recipe is great for adding your favorite mix-ins and toppings! Here are some of my favorites to help give you some ideas.

  • Nuts: A handful of chopped nuts add tasty flavor and great texture to xx! They complement the creaminess of the oats perfectly. Chopped walnuts, pecans, and slivered almonds are all tasty options.
  • Protein: Want an extra boost of protein to your oatmeal? Stir in a scoop of protein powder! Vanilla or chocolate protein powder will add sweet flavor and creaminess.
  • Toppings: A drizzle of maple syrup, chopped apples, cranberries, and raisins make a fine topping. Top your oatmeal with a spoonful of cream and caramel syrup for extra decadence.
  • Spices: Pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spice are perfect for fall and will add an extra pop of flavor.
Top shot of bowl of McDonald's fruit and maple oatmeal, topped with apples, cranberries, and raisins.
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Make ahead

For easy meal prep, prepare a large batch of homemade McDonald’s oats and then divide it into jars or airtight containers to be eaten throughout the week.

When it’s time to eat, pop a jar in the microwave for 2 minutes, and it will taste as good as new!

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Storage instructions

It’s easy to store leftovers McDonald’s oatmeal. It makes a nutritious breakfast throughout the week!

  • Fridge: Keep leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Freezer: Store oatmeal in a freezer bag for 2 to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
  • Reheat: Add a little milk to leftover oatmeal to make it nice and creamy again. Then, pop it in the microwave and heat it in 30-second intervals until warm and smooth.
Copycat McDonald's oatmeal in a pot with wooden spoon.
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FAQ

Does McDonald’s still have oatmeal?

Yes, McDonald’s offers oatmeal cups at most locations. You can find it in the restaurant or get it delivered with McDelivery.

What’s in McDonald’s oatmeal?

McDonald’s oatmeal is made with whole grain rolled oatmeal, red and green diced apples, a cranberry raisin blend, and light cream.

According to the fast-food chain’s website, the exact ingredients in McDonald’s oatmeal are:

Water, Whole Grain Rolled Oats, Brown Sugar, Modified Food Starch, Salt, Natural Flavor, Barley Malt Extract, Caramel Color, Apples, Calcium Ascorbate, Sweetened Dried Cranberries (sugar, Cranberries), California Raisins, Golden Raisins, Sunflower Oil, Sulfur Dioxide As A Preservative (contains Sulfites), Milk, Cream, Sodium Phosphate, Datem, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sodium Citrate, Carrageenan.

What is the McDonald’s oatmeal nutrition?

1 serving of McDonald’s oatmeal has 320 calories, 4.5 g fat, 64 g carbs, 31 g sugar, and 6 g protein.

1 serving of my copycat McDonald’s oatmeal has 225 calories, 7 g fat, 33 carbs, 7 g sugar, and 9 g protein.

Is McDonald’s oatmeal healthy?

According to Reader’s Digest, McDonald’s oatmeal is “OK for a treat once in a while, but not an everyday breakfast.”

They asked different nutrition experts, and one concluded that “their rendition of oats packs a lot of sugar and not much protein.”

However, another expert weighed in on the benefits: “McDonald’s oatmeal absolutely is a good option for a quick breakfast on the go. […] It has five grams of fiber, putting it in the category of a high-fiber food. It is a quick and healthy option at McDonald’s.”

Is McDonald’s oatmeal vegan?

McDonald’s oatmeal isn’t vegan because it contains dairy products like milk and cream.

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More McDonald’s recipes

If you love this McDonald’s oatmeal recipe, you might be interested in some of our other copycat McDonald’s recipes!

Did you enjoy this recipe? Give it a 5-star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leave a comment! Appreciate it so much, thank you!

If you had any issues, I’d appreciate the chance to help you troubleshoot before you rate.

McDonald's oatmeal.

McDonald's Oatmeal Recipe

Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

This copycat McDonald's oatmeal recipe is about to become your new favorite breakfast! This creamy oatmeal is made with oats, chopped apples, cranberries, raisins, cinnamon, and maple syrup. It's a delicious, hearty breakfast that everyone will love.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup / 80 g / 2.8 oz rolled oats, whole grain or quick
  • 1 cup / 240 ml / 8 fl oz whole milk
  • 1 cup / 240 ml / 8 fl oz water
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup*
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp heaping ground cinnamon*
  • 1/2 medium green apple, diced*
  • 1/2 medium red apple, diced*
  • 1 tbsp dried cranberries*
  • 1 tbsp California raisins*
  • 1 tbsp golden raisins*
  • *Plus a little more for topping

Instructions

  1. Bring to a boil. Add the oats, milk, water, and salt to a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat.
  2. Simmer oats. Reduce the heat to low and let the oatmeal simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Add mix-ins. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the maple syrup, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, apples, cranberries, and raisins. Thin with more milk if needed.
  4. Serve. Pour the oatmeal into serving bowls and top each serving with diced apples, cranberries, raisins, a drizzle of maple syrup and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Enjoy!

Notes

Tips

  • Toast the oats: For the most flavorful oatmeal possible, toast your oats in a pan on the stove with butter. This will give them a rich, nutty flavor.
  • Stir occasionally: You should stir enough so the oats don't burn to the bottom of your pan, but avoid overmixing! Stirring too much can make your oatmeal slimy.
  • Use the right oat-to-liquid ratio: For reference, ½ cup of oats to 1 cup of liquid is the perfect ratio. If you use less liquid, the oats may not fully cook. Using more liquid can result in mushy oats. I recommend sticking to this ratio, but you can always adjust by making it thicker by mixing in toppings or thinner by adding more milk.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 225Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 12mgSodium: 126mgCarbohydrates: 33gFiber: 4gSugar: 7gProtein: 9g

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