Crème Brûlée Oatmeal Recipe (with Protein Option)
Apr 12, 2018 • Updated Feb 05, 2025
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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, it 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 oatmeal brûlée is a great way to upgrade your morning and is sure to impress!
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Creme Brulee Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of my favorite recipes to make for breakfast because it’s endlessly versatile. I’ve made banana bread oatmeal, matcha vanilla bean oatmeal (because matcha belongs in everything), and hot cross bun baked oatmeal—each one a liiiitle different but equally delicious. Traditional crème brûlée relies on egg yolks to create its signature creamy custard base and features a caramelized sugar topping. Not exactly the most nutritious option for breakfast, right? That’s where this recipe comes in!
By swapping custard for creamy oats, we’re keeping things vegan and more nutritious while still delivering an extra special breakfast or yummy dessert. Plus, if you add plant protein, it’s even more satisfying—more on that in the ingredient notes! The best part is the very creme brûlée esque sugar topping – this recipe is bound to become everyone’s favourite.
Ingredient Notes
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! Opt for gluten-free oats if necessary. Steel-cut oats also work, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and liquid ratio.
- Plant milk: You can use your preferred milk of choice, but I recommend a higher-fat milk for a better result. For example, cashew milk and coconut milk make great options, but you can also opt for almond milk or use a plant creamer for extra richness.
- Vanilla bean: Feel free to use fresh beans, vanilla paste, or vanilla extract depending on what you have on hand!
- Granulated sugar: I highly recommend using organic cane sugar for best results. If you’re avoiding refined sugars, you can try coconut sugar but keep a close eye on it to avoid burning.
- 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 adaptogenic boost, go for it!
- Maple syrup: For a touch of sweetener and balance, add as much or as little as your taste buds prefer.
- Salt: A pinch is all you need to enhance the overall flavour and make everything pop.
For exact ingredient amounts and instructions, see the printable recipe card below.
How to Make Crème Brûlée Oatmeal
Step 1: In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine oats, plant milk, water, and vanilla. Add optional ingredients if using like plant protein, maple syrup, and maca/lucuma.
Step 2: Once the oatmeal mixture thickens, transfer into a small bowl or a ramekin and let cool down for a couple of minutes.
Step 3: Sprinkle with granulated sugar and use a blowtorch (or a kitchen torch) to caramelize. No torch? Pop the ramekin onto a baking sheet and broil for a few minutes until the sugar 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.
Serving Suggestions
This brulee oatmeal pairs beautifully with fresh berries, a sprinkle of cinnamon or brown sugar, or a dollop of vegan yogurt or greek yogurt for added creaminess. If your sweet tooth is craving something even sweeter, try adding a drizzle of maple syrup or homemade maple cream, or even a scoop of vegan ice cream for dessert vibes!
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Warm this oatmeal brulee in the microwave or stovetop with an extra pour of milk to keep it creamy. Add fresh sugar on top and re-caramelise for the best results.
Recipe FAQs
You can, but the texture will be softer and less creamy. For best results, stick to rolled oats or adjust the cooking time for steel cut oats.
More Oatmeal Recipes
If you make this recipe, be sure to let me know what you think with a star rating and comment below! Follow me on Instagram for more delicious recipes!
Crème Brûlée Oatmeal
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!
Notes
- 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.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
