Hearty Oatmeal Recipe

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A thick, hearty oatmeal recipe filled with raisins, cinnamon and nuts. We lovingly call this comfort food Lumberjack Oatmeal!

a bowl of hearty oatmeal with nuts and raisins

Lumberjack Oatmeal. A thick, hearty oatmeal recipe. You don’t have to cut trees in order to enjoy this hearty breakfast!

This is a recipe that Matt grew up on so I spent one winter several years ago working to recreate the recipe based on the ingredients that his aunt told him were in it. I was completely depending on him for remembering this oneย correctly since I had never tasted lumberjack oatmeal.

He thinks we nailed the recipe. And now I have a new favorite hearty breakfast!

Is it okay to eat oatmeal every day?

If you don’t add a lot of sugar and watch your portion sizes, oatmeal is a great way to start the day since it is a whole grain. A healthy oatmeal recipe will fill you up, and provide fiber and important minerals such as magnesium, zinc and iron.

A special treat like this lumberjack oatmeal should only be eaten on occasion because of the added sugar. You should also try our oatmeal breakfast cookies!

Old Fashioned Oats vs Quick Oats

This recipe calls for old fashioned rolled oats. So how do these compare to quick oats? It’s a matter of processing. Quick-cooking oats are rolled oats that are processed and “chopped up” more so that they cook faster.

According to Quaker Oats, there are no major differences in the nutritional value of the different types of oats. Use whichever oats you need for your recipe, but I prefer rolled oats for a hearty oatmeal.

old fashioned oats in a measuring cup

How do you make oatmeal more hearty?

It’s all about what you add to the oatmeal. Add spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg. And then add nuts and raisins.

Other additions for a hearty oatmeal would be dried fruits such as apricots or cranberries, chocolate chips, coconut, protein powder or even a dollop of Greek yogurt.

How to Make a Hearty Oatmeal

Stovetop oatmeal takes a bit more time than quick cook oats in the microwave, but if you like a hearty oatmeal they are worth it!

  • In a medium saucepan, bring water and salt to a rolling boil.
  • Stir in oats, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients: vanilla, sugars, butter, spices, nuts and raisins. Stir until well combined. Serve the hearty oatmeal recipe hot.
a bowl of lumberjack oatmeal

Toppings for Oatmeal

Other favorite toppings for a bowl of oatmeal would be:

  • bananas
  • maple syrup or a drizzle of honey
  • sliced almonds
  • peanut butter
  • fresh berries such as strawberries or blueberries
  • chia seeds or flaxseed
  • cream
a bowl of hearty oatmeal with raisins and nuts
a bowl of hearty oatmeal with raisins and nuts

Hearty Oatmeal Recipe

4.75 from 8 votes
A thick, hearty oatmeal recipe filled with raisins, cinnamon and nuts. We lovingly call this comfort food Lumberjack Oatmeal!
Servings 6 servings
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes

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Ingredients
 

  • 5 3/4 cups water
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3 cups Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup salted butter
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons molasses
  • 1/4 cup walnuts chopped
  • 1/2 cup raisins

Instructions
 

  • Bring water and salt to a rolling boil in a large pot over medium heat. 5 ¾ cups water, ¾ teaspoon salt
  • Stir in oats, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.ย 3 cups Quaker Old Fashioned Oats
  • Remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients. Stir until well combined. Serve hot. ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ cup packed brown sugar, ¼ cup salted butter, 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, 2 tablespoons molasses, ¼ cup walnuts, ½ cup raisins

Video

Notes

  • For gluten free, use gluten-free oats.
The calories shown are based on the recipe serving 6 people, with one serving being ⅙ of the oatmeal. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information.**

Nutrition

Serving: 371g | Calories: 346kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 381mg | Potassium: 377mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 235IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2.6mg
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Calories 346
About JulieJulie Clark

About Julie Clark

I'm Julie Clark, CEO and recipe developer of Tastes of Lizzy T. With my B.A. in Education and over 30 years of cooking and baking, I want to teach YOU the best of our family recipes.

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4.75 from 8 votes (6 ratings without comment)
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Valerie | From Valerie's Kitchen
9 years ago

This looks so good it’s making me want oatmeal for dinner! Gorgeous photos!

Deb @ Cooking on the Front Burner
9 years ago

Looks like a great hearty breakfast full of good ingredients!

Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes
9 years ago

What a great way to start the day!! ๐Ÿ™‚

David @ Spiced
9 years ago

I’ve never heard of Lumberjack Oatmeal, but I’m fairly certain that it’s going to become a new breakfast staple in our house…it sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing! #client

Jen @ Yummy Healthy Easy
9 years ago

5 stars
I LOVE oatmeal with a passion! This looks comforting, homey and delish! Pinned to my breakfast board and can’t wait to make it! P.S. that name is just too awesome!

Linda | Brunch with Joy
9 years ago

Yum! Oatmeal is my weakness and totally love a healthy delicious oatmeal breakfast like this.

Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen
9 years ago

I love a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast, and this looks so hearty and filling. I love all of the yumminess you’ve added in, especially the walnuts and molasses!

Connie | URBAN BAKES
9 years ago

This looks amazing!! I love oatmeal in the mornings.

Lisa | Sweet 2 Eat Baking
9 years ago

Iโ€™ve never heard of lumberjack oatmeal, but Iโ€™m a massive oatmeal fan – usually with British golden syrup drizzled over.

But I definitely think this would be a new favourite of mine. Iโ€™m not a raisin girl, but Iโ€™d substitute with sultanas (I think theyโ€™re called golden raisins there – theyโ€™re sweeter and more juicy than regular raisins).

Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

Andi @ The Weary Chef
9 years ago

This looks like such a deliciously hearty breakfast!

Kacey @ The Cookie Writer
9 years ago

I used to be one of those oatmeal haters. That is, until I tried homemade oatmeal and realized its true potential! This looks amazing!

Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor
9 years ago

So much oatmeal goodness today! Oatmeal is one of my favorite breakfast foods and love the addition of the raisins, walnuts and spices!

Sheena @ Hot Eats and Cool Reads
9 years ago

This looks so hearty and delicious!! What a fabulous breakfast!

Tonia from TheGunnySack
9 years ago

What a delicious way to start the day!

Ashley | The Recipe Rebel
9 years ago

Our whole family would go nuts (no pun intended!) for this! My girl loves raisins and we all love a good warm, hearty breakfast! Pinned ๐Ÿ™‚