Traditional Mexican Avena (Oatmeal)
My kids love this creamy, cinnamon-infused Mexican avena recipe, especially when it's chilly out. It's warm, comforting, and naturally sweetened with canela. This recipe is easy to double for meal prepping, too. Bonus: I'm also sharing my homemade applesauce recipe here!
Equipment
- Medium pot
- Wooden spoon
- Wide-mouth mason jars (for storage)
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS FOR MEXICAN AVENA
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon or 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- 4 cups water or 3 cups for a thicker consistency
- milk a splash, optional when serving
Optional Sweeteners
- Agave
- Brown sugar
- Honey
- Maple syrup
- Sliced dates
Optional Nuts, Seeds, & More
- Pepitas
- Chia seeds
- Almonds
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
- Chocolate chips
- Peanut or almond butter
INGREDIENTS FOR HOMEMADE APPLE SAUCE
- 5 red apples, halved and cored I like Golden Delicious, Fuji, or Gala
- 2 cinnamon sticks or 2 cinnamon sticks
- 8 cups water
Instructions
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEXICAN AVENA
- Cook the Oats. Add oats, water, cinnamon, and vanilla to a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to a medium simmer. Cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until oatmeal reaches desired consistency. It should look thicker and creamy.PRO TIP: If your oatmeal looks runny, keep in mind that it will thicken significantly as it cools.
- Serve and enjoy. Ladle into bowls and serve with a splash of milk and your favorite toppings, if desired.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR HOMEMADE APPLESAUCE
- Simmer the Cinnamon and Apples. Bring 8 cups of water, apples, and cinnamon to a boil over medium heat until apples are fork-tender, for about 15-25 minutes.
- Blend. Transfer the cooked apples to a blender and blend until completely smooth (about 60 seconds).PRO TIP: Add just enough of the warm cinnamon cooking liquid to help the blender move smoothly.
- Cool and Store. Pour the applesauce into a glass jar and let it cool completely before covering. Store in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
A Note from Lola
PRO TIPS
- I like making my avena with water, so that it keeps longer in the refrigerator. Even with just water, it comes out creamy because of the oats, as long as you cook it properly. You can keep it dairy-free or add a splash of milk when serving. Feel free to experiment and make it with just water, your favorite milk, or a mix of water and milk.
- You can use powdered cinnamon or cinnamon sticks in this recipe. Cinnamon adds natural sweetness, so be sure to taste your oatmeal before adding sweeteners.
- If you're hosting a group for breakfast or brunch, you can keep your oatmeal warm in a crockpot. Serve it alongside homemade applesauce, fresh fruit, and yogurt with all of these fun toppings for guests.