Crème Brûlée Oatmeal (vegan, gluten free)
Apr 12, 2018 • Updated Sep 19, 2023
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Crème Brûlée Oatmeal
I’m a big fan of breakfast/dessert mashups and this Crème Brûlée Oatmeal is exactly that! It’s oatmeal made fun and a little extra with a crackly, caramelized sugar topping. It’s very easy to make, and if you ask me, totally beats other oatmeal topping combinations. Paired with a creamy, vanilla bean base, you get texture, flavour and a little wow factor if you decide to use a torch. This would be a great breakfast to impress!
Now traditionally, Crème Brûlée is a dessert with a base of sweet, custard/cream and a topping of burnt sugar. Not exactly the most nutritious dish for breakfast, right? But since we’re incorporating oats, this is a lot more nourishing as a proper breakfast to fuel your day, especially if you opt to include plant protein. More on that in the recipe! The result is a hearty bowl of oatmeal with a very crème brûlée-esque sugar topping.
This Crème Brûlée Oatmeal is vegan, gluten free and nut free with a refined sugar free option.* It’s ready in 15 minutes or less, and it’s a must try!
What’s in this Crème Brûlée Oatmeal?
To make this oatmeal you’ll only need 5 main ingredients, plus a few optional ingredients to take it to the next level:
- Rolled oats → This is the base of our oatmeal, so don’t skip it! Use certified gluten free oats if necessary.
- Plant milk → You can use your preferred milk of choice, but I recommend a higher fat milk for a better result. For example, cashew and coconut make great options, but you can also opt to use a plant creamer for extra richness.
- Vanilla bean → Fresh, paste or extract!
- Granulated sugar → I highly recommend using organic cane sugar for best results. It is possible to use other sugars, but other sugars will very easily burn.
- Plant protein powder → Optional, but great for flavour, texture and a boost of nutrition. I recommend unflavoured, vanilla or salted caramel flavoured protein!
- Maca and lucuma → Also optional, these adaptogens have naturally caramel-like flavours and when added, really add to the overall experience. Feel free to leave it out, but if you’d like an adapgotenic boost, go for it!
Also, a little bit of maple syrup to taste if desired and a pinch of salt to bring out the flavour.
How to make Crème Brûlée Oatmeal
- Prepare your oatmeal in a saucepan, adding oats, plant milk, water and vanilla. Add optional plant protein, maple syrup and maca/lucuma if using.
- Once the oatmeal thickens, transfer into a shallow bowl and let cool down for a few minutes.
- Sprinkle with granulated sugar and use a blowtorch to caramelize. Alternatively, pop into the oven and broil until sugar is caramelized and hardens.
Secrets to success!
- Make it hearty → Use coconut milk for extra richness in the oatmeal base. This will give it a bit more of a dessert-y feel! Add extra sugar topping as desired if you’d prefer to enjoy it as more of a treat.
- Boost the nutrition → Add plant protein to your oatmeal for a boost of nutrition! It will also help to thicken up the oatmeal base.
- Equipment modifications → If you do not have a blowtorch, you can also use your oven broiler setting to broil the sugar topping.
If you like this recipe, try…
- Banana Bread Oatmeal
- Matcha Vanilla Bean Oatmeal
- Apple Pie French Toast
- Cinnamon Date Breakfast Porridge
- Pumpkin Cheesecake Chia Pudding
- Hot Cross Bun Baked Oatmeal
- Vanilla Mint Chip Smoothie Bowl
If you try this recipe out, tag me on Instagram @veggiekins so I can see your delicious re-creations and feature them! As always, I love when you share your reviews in the comments below, and if you make any fun substitutions, let me know how it worked out below too.
Crème Brûlée Oatmeal (vegan, gluten free)
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 3/4 cup plant milk of choice use coconut milk for an extra rich result
- 1 tsp vanilla extract or 1/2 fresh vanilla bean pod
- 1/2 tbsp granulated organic sugar
- pinch of salt
- optional
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1-2 scoops vanilla plant protein
- 1 tsp maca powder
- 1/2 tsp lucuma powder
Instructions
- Begin by adding your rolled oats and water to a saucepan. Bring to a gentle simmer and add plant milk, vanilla extract and plant protein if using. Stir gently every so often and cook until the oatmeal has thickened and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Remove from heat and add maple syrup to taste if using, pinch of salt and maca and lucuma if using. The texture of the oatmeal should be on the thicker side.
- Transfer oatmeal into a shallow bowl or ramekin and sprinkle with granulated sugar, to taste. Using a blowtorch, burn sugar until it melts and caramelizes. Alternatively, you can place your bowl on a baking sheet and broil in the oven for about a minute or so, checking every 30 seconds to make sure the sugar doesn't burn completely.
- Allow to cool for a few minutes so the topping can harden and enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
