This Brownie Oatmeal is a thick, cake-like breakfast that eats more like dessert than porridge. It delivers deep chocolate flavor and a rich, Nutella-style finish using simple pantry ingredients, so you get that indulgent brownie taste without turning breakfast into a sugar bomb.
If you love cozy mornings and chocolate-forward oats, this bowl hits the sweet spot. It is comforting, filling, and feels like a treat, while still working as a wholesome way to start the day.
- What Makes This Recipe So Good
- What Goes Into Brownie Oatmeal
- How To Make Brownie Oatmeal
- Tips For Making Brownie Oatmeal
- Recipe FAQ’s
- Nutella Brownie Oatmeal Recipe
What Makes This Recipe So Good
This Brownie Oatmeal works because it is cooked thick and slow, giving the oats a soft, almost cake-like texture instead of a loose porridge. Cocoa powder and just enough sweetener create that deep chocolate flavor you expect from a brownie, making this oatmeal brownie recipe feel rich without relying on heavy ingredients.
What really sets this chocolate brownie oatmeal apart is how balanced it feels. You get the cozy comfort of warm oats with the indulgent taste of brownie oats, but it still leaves you satisfied and energized rather than weighed down, which makes it perfect for mornings when you want something comforting and chocolatey.
What Goes Into Brownie Oatmeal
This Brownie Oatmeal uses a short list of pantry staples, but each one has a purpose.
- Quick Or Rolled Oats: These form the base of the recipe and cook up thick and hearty, giving the oatmeal its brownie-like, almost cake-style texture.
- Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder delivers deep chocolate flavor without extra sugar, making the oatmeal taste rich and indulgent while staying balanced.
- Hazelnut Extract: This is the secret ingredient that gives the oats that Nutella-style flavor, adding warmth and depth without needing chocolate spread.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: Almond milk keeps the oatmeal creamy and smooth while letting the chocolate flavor shine. Adding a little extra at the end makes the oats even richer if you like them soft and luscious.
Note: Please see recipe card at the bottom for a full list of ingredients with measurements.
How To Make Brownie Oatmeal
- Cook: Add ingredients to a saucepan and boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until liquid is absorbed and oats are thick. Stir in milk to reach desired consistency.
- Finish and Serve: Remove from heat and spoon into a bowl. Top with crushed hazelnuts and an extra splash of milk if you like your brownie oatmeal extra cozy and creamy.
This Brownie Oatmeal pairs best with something simple and protein-rich to balance the rich chocolate flavor. Cream Cheese Scrambled Eggs are a great option, adding softness and savory contrast that keeps breakfast feeling satisfying without competing with the oats.
If you want something lighter on the side, Egg Muffins work well for an easy grab-and-go protein boost, while Honey Lime Fruit Salad adds freshness and a bright pop that cuts through the cozy, brownie-style oats and keeps the meal feeling well rounded.
Tips For Making Brownie Oatmeal
- Use cocoa you actually like: This is one of those recipes where the cocoa really matters. If it tastes dull straight from the tin, the oats will taste the same, so use one you genuinely enjoy.
- Be patient on the stovetop: I keep the heat low and let the oats do their thing slowly. Rushing them turns this into regular oatmeal, but a gentle simmer gives you that thick, brownie-style texture.
- Go easy with the hazelnut extract: I learned this the hard way. Start small and taste as you go, because a little is enough to give that Nutella-style vibe without overpowering everything.
- Always finish with extra milk: I almost always add a splash right at the end. It loosens the oats just enough and makes them creamy again as they cool, which I love.
Yes. Either works well. Just start with a smaller amount and adjust to taste, since liquid sweeteners can slightly loosen the oats.
Cook them thicker than usual and do not rush the simmer. That slower cook time is what gives this brownie oatmeal its dense, cake-like texture instead of a porridge feel.
Absolutely. Any milk works here, including dairy milk, oat milk, or soy milk. Just keep it unsweetened so the chocolate flavor stays balanced.
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IngredientsUSMetric1x2x3x
Oatmeal
- ▢ 1/2 cup quick oats or rolled oats
- ▢ 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ▢ 1 tablespoon natural sweetener or sugar of choice
- ▢ 2 teaspoons organic hazelnut extract adjust to your tastes
- ▢ 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ▢ 1/4 cup extra unsweetened almond milk optional for extra creamy-ness
Topping:
- ▢ 1 tablespoon crushed hazelnuts
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to the boil, lower heat and simmer gently until all the liquid has absorbed. Add the extra milk if needed.
- Alternatively, cook in a microwave for 1:30 minutes. Stir and microwave again for a further 30 seconds until cooked through.
- Top with crushed hazelnuts and extra milk if needed
Notes
- Keep an eye on the consistency when cooking the oats, cook to your preference.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Nutella Brownie Oatmeal
Ingredients
Oatmeal
- 1/2 cup quick oats or rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon natural sweetener or sugar of choice
- 2 teaspoons organic hazelnut extract adjust to your tastes
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup extra unsweetened almond milk optional for extra creamy-ness
Topping:
- 1 tablespoon crushed hazelnuts
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into a saucepan. Bring to the boil, lower heat and simmer gently until all the liquid has absorbed. Add the extra milk if needed.
- Alternatively, cook in a microwave for 1:30 minutes. Stir and microwave again for a further 30 seconds until cooked through.
- Top with crushed hazelnuts and extra milk if needed
Notes
- Keep an eye on the consistency when cooking the oats, cook to your preference.
