Cinnamon Pear Oatmeal (Ready in 5 Minutes)

If you love fall flavors, then this dessert-inspired Pear Oatmeal is for you. It is made in the microwave with just 5 ingredients and has the perfect combination of tender pears, cinnamon, and a touch of maple syrup. This oatmeal is the perfect quick and easy breakfast. 

Coffee, ten extra minutes of sleep, and this oatmeal that tastes like dessert and I am one happy girl.  It doesn't take much, but we all know how hard it can be some mornings. Sometimes making breakfast seems like too much work.

Luckily, this healthy fall-inspired cinnamon and pear oatmeal couldn't be easier to make. It can be made on the stovetop or in the microwave, so it's perfect no matter how much time you have. Plus it tastes kind of like an apple crisp - full of cinnamon and oats and maple syrup.  Yum.  

Want more fall dessert flavor? If you want to make things extra yummy, add a touch of butter when cooking the pears. It really kicks up those buttery crisp flavors. 

Cooking for a crowd? This pear oatmeal recipe will also work in larger batches when cooking on the stovetop.  

On busy mornings, we also love this Perfect Microwave Oatmeal, Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal, and Banana Peanut Butter Oatmeal.

What You'll Need

• Rolled oats: For the best texture, make sure to use old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick-cooking oats or quick-cooking steel cut oats (just follow cooking directions on the package) will also work. Regular steel-cut oast will not work in this recipe since they take longer to cook and require more liquid. Instant oats also aren't recommended since they will come out mushy.
• Pears: This recipe uses fresh pears that are cooked quickly in the microwave. You could also saute fresh pears in a pan. Canned pears or pear puree would also work.
• Cinnamon: For all that fall flavor, cinnamon is a must. Apple pie spice, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg would all work as well.
• Almond milk: Use any milk you like for the recipe. If not using vanilla-flavored milk, consider adding a splash of vanilla extract.
• Maple syrup: To add a hint of sweetness and maple flavor, I like to use a touch of maple syrup. Honey, agave, brown sugar, or coconut sugar also work well.

Recipe Ideas: Add More Flavor and Nutrition

There are so many ways to customize this pear oatmeal recipe to add extra flavor and nutrition.

• Add flavor and healthy fat to this recipe with peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
• Add crunch with some sliced walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
• Boost the nutrients in this recipe with chia seeds, flaxseed, hemp seeds, or pumpkin seeds.
• Double up on the fruit by adding some diced apple. Or consider adding some fresh blueberries or raspberries before serving.
• For a more natural sweetener, add 1/2 mashed banana to the oats.

Tips for Perfect Oatmeal

Follow these tips to make delicious oatmeal every single time. 

• Use milk instead of water to make your oatmeal. Any type of milk is fine, but milk adds flavor and creaminess.
• Boost flavor cinnamon and vanilla extract. For even more flavor, add a pinch of salt.
• Use fruit as the main sweetener since it boosts flavor and natural sweetness
• For the best texture, use rolled old-fashioned oats. They are more affordable and will not be mushy.
• Always use a large container when microwaving oatmeal so it doesn't boil over the edges.