Peanut Butter Cookie Oatmeal

This bowl of peanut butter oatmeal is naturally sweetened and will win your heart and your tastebuds! Packed with natural sources of protein, it tastes like a bowl of peanut butter cookie batter! You'll hardly believe you're eating breakfast. A family favorite from my table, to yours.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click a link and make a purchase, we receive a commission at no additional cost to you. See our disclaimer for more information. Any nutritional information is for entertainment and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your health provider.

---

I feel like I'm always writing about oatmeal. Perhaps I feel that way because it happens to be the truth. I'm always writing about oatmeal, because I'm always posting new recipes using oats! Just in the past month or so, I've shared with you my recipes for Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal and Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal, and today I'm sharing with you one of my absolute favorites: Peanut Butter Cookie Oatmeal.

This is the oatmeal that kicked my obsession into overdrive. I've been experimenting with oatmeal bowls for breakfast and trying to upgrade your standard porridge. After a lot of tweaking and eating, I've found the perfect combination and it tastes just like oatmeal peanut butter cookie batter! I can hardly believe it's made with all whole ingredients, and packed with filling protein. Can you tell I'm excited?

Is Oatmeal and Peanut Butter a Healthy Breakfast?

Yes!

I mean, let's be real. "Healthy" really is a subjective term, meaning it varies from individual to individual. Peanut butter oatmeal is NOT healthy for you if you are allergic to peanut butter, for example. Or if you have other dietary restrictions. But in general, considering my own personal definition of healthy? I would say this definitely fits the bill as a healthy breakfast option.

This Peanut Butter Cookie Oatmeal is:

• Made with whole food ingredients 🥣
• Packed with filling protein (without the addition of protein powder or supplements)
• Naturally sweetened 🍁
• Made using natural peanut butter 🥜
• A filling breakfast that will satisfy you until lunch time

Is Peanut Butter Good for Breakfast?

Another yes!

I'm not even a crazy peanut butter lover (that would be my husband), but I have taken to it for breakfast like a fly takes to honey. Peanut butter is a perfect option for breakfast because it is filled with healthy fats AND a good protein boost to boot. Combined with oatmeal and milk, both of which are rich sources of protein, peanut butter makes for the perfect addition to your morning bowl of oatmeal or in your favorite smoothie.

Using Different Nut Butters

If you don't like peanut butter, feel free to try other nut butters like cashew, almond, or pecan! I use natural peanut butter in this recipe, meaning the only ingredients on the label is "peanuts." Since the oil rises to the top, you have to give your natural peanut butter a vigorous stir before using. You can use standard peanut butter in this recipe, but the nutritional information will change, and you may want to use a tad less maple syrup since standard peanut butter is sweetened. Most alternative nut butters are of the natural variety and will need to be stirred as well. Here is a great post from Simply Recipes showing you the various methods you can use to keep your nut butters well stirred.

What Do I Need to Make Peanut Butter Cookie Oatmeal?

• Oats: You want to look for old fashioned or rolled oats. These are large flakes and are perfect for all sorts of oatmeal creations.
• Milk: I like to use whole milk, but you can use whatever type you like.
• Maple Syrup: I've tried this recipe with honey as a sweetener, and the results were less than satisfying. I strongly recommend using real maple syrup. Honey has a strong flavor that skews the "peanut butter cookie" taste.
• Natural Peanut Butter: A few tablespoons of well stirred natural peanut butter is perfect in this bowl of comforting oatmeal. You can use conventional peanut butter if that's what you have on hand, but you may need to taste and adjust the flavors accordingly.
• Butter: This is the secret to making a bowl of peanut butter oatmeal taste like a peanut butter cookie! Butter is used in pretty much every cookie recipe, so the flavor is an essential component to giving you that true cookie taste!
• Vanilla Extract: Another essential "cookie" ingredient, vanilla gives you that true baked flavor. You definitely won't want to skip out on that.
• Salt: All sweet things need a touch of salty. Since we're using natural peanut butter, there's no added salt and we need to add a little bit to round out the flavors. If you opt for conventional peanut butter you can probably skip this ingredient. I use mineral salt, but regular salt is fine.

How Do I Make Peanut Butter Cookie Oatmeal?

The best thing about a bowl of oatmeal is that it's relatively quick and easy to prepare! Even fun flavors and combinations like this one. It can be tempting to skip preparing your breakfast in place of cereal or toast, but it doesn't take that much longer to prepare a tasty treat that will keep you full until lunch.

First, combine in a small saucepan:

• Oats
• Milk
• Maple Syrup
• Salt

Step Two: Heat

Bring your pot to a high simmer over medium-high heat, stirring often to prevent sticking. Be careful to not let the mixture boil, since can cause problems with our milk.

Step Three: Reduce and Simmer

Reduce the heat to medium, stir, and let your oats cook for 5 minutes. I like to use the timer on the stove so I don't forget while I prepare my coffee or get my son dressed and ready for the day. If you can, stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

Next Step: The Good Stuff

Remove your oats from the heat and stir in the butter until melted. Add the peanut butter and do the same. Finally, add the vanilla. Mix well and serve.

Serving Peanut Butter Cookie Oatmeal

This recipe keeps myself and my toddler full until lunch time, so I consider it one generous serving. Feel free to put some in the fridge and reheat for later if it is too much for you to eat at once. You can serve it with additional milk, but it's plenty soft and silky on its own.

Now scroll on down for the printable recipe card and detailed instructions! 👇

More Oatmeal Recipes to Try: