For Creamier Instant Oatmeal, Add This (It's Not Cream)

Cooking oatmeal in milk, rather than water, is a thing I’ve always done. That's the way my mom always did it, and—yes, you guessed it—it’s the way her mom always did it. Milk makes for a creamier, richer oatmeal, and I grew up in Texas, so, yeah. But why not go even creamier and richer than that?

Enter yogurt. Yogurt has elevated my go-to morning meal, making it creamier, smoother and richer, without the need to double down on sugar. Now, before you add whatever yogurt you have in your fridge to your oatmeal tomorrow morning, there are a few things you should know:

• Instant oatmeal works best (yes, really). I have tried this recipe many different ways, using various kinds of oats as well as dozens of different flavors and brands of yogurt. When made correctly, instant oatmeal is less chewy, less fibrous. Instead of fighting against the yogurt, it binds with it—resulting in a creamier and more enjoyable texture.

• Choose a flavorful, fruity yogurt. Yogurt that has real fruit flavor will add an extra dimension. I’m often able to forego adding brown sugar so long as I have a quality fruit-infused yogurt.

• Stick to fruit flavors commonly found in oatmeal, like strawberry and blueberry. Avoid vanilla (vanilla sours with heat), plain yogurt, and acidic flavors like lemon or lime. I use Dannon’s Greek Light and Fit yogurt, which can be found in most grocery stores.

The Creamiest Instant Oatmeal with Yogurt

View Recipe

Ingredients

1/2	cup instant oatmeal
1	cup water
1	dash cinnamon
5	ounces (1 serving) fruit yogurt
1	dash brown sugar

1/2	cup instant oatmeal
1	cup water
1	dash cinnamon

5	ounces (1 serving) fruit yogurt
1	dash brown sugar