I’ve been on a roll with finding ways to make breakfast more exciting lately. So, why am I still eating yogurt at my desk?? And why is my stomach still growling every single day at 9:00 a.m., which is sadly just a little bit too early to eat lunch (in my own humble opinion… I’m not going to tell you how to live your life and will actually think you’re pretty awesome if you eat lunch before 11:00). But since I get up at 5:00 a.m. and am at my desk at 7:00 a.m., I basically feel like I need 14 breakfasts to keep me going until lunch. And you know, eggs and bacon are pretty difficult to whip up in the office. Especially since my office doesn't have a stove or oven. So sadly, weekday Eggs Benedict is out. But Créme Brulée Oatmeal? That can be made ahead of time and easily heated up when you want it.
I should be clear that I am not and have never really been an oatmeal person. In theory, I think it’s a fabulous idea! Nice and healthy and filling first thing in the morning; really the perfect breakfast. But every time I try to like it, I get completely bored out of my mind and can’t handle it for more than one day. Ugh. I can honestly say that this is the first time I am really truly getting excited about oatmeal.
I was inspired to make this oatmeal by BAILEYS® Coffee Creamers, who is kindly sponsoring this post, and their Créme Brulée variety. Créme Brulée first thing in the morning? You know I’m in!
The ingredients are super simple for four individual-sized oatmeals: just old fashioned oats, BAILEYS® Coffee Creamers Créme Brulée, skim milk or water, a large egg, light brown sugar, and chia seeds if you want them! These are even more delicious with a little fresh fruit on top.
And the process is super easy, too… Just like making stovetop oatmeal. You’ll want to add 1 ½ C old fashioned oats, ¾ C BAILEYS® Coffee Creamers Créme Brulée, and 1 ½ C skim milk or water (your choice!) to a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir to combine.
Then, cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil, about 5 minutes. Stir in lightly beaten egg and chia seeds (if using), reduce the heat and simmer until the oats have thickened, about 2 more minutes.
Now, spoon the oatmeal into 4- 8 oz. mason jars (or other broiler-safe dishes or ramekins). I used these ones. Sprinkle brown sugar over the top of each and place on a baking sheet.
Put the baking sheet on top rack of oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, until the tops are golden brown. Like a créme brulée! Top individual oatmeals with fresh fruit if you’d like. Or put the lids on and bring them to work with you throughout the week.
If you feel like getting crazy, you can use a kitchen torch on the sugar instead of broiling the oatmeals. However, I don’t really recommend getting out your kitchen torch at 5:00 a.m. At least for myself. I just don't trust myself that much.
I’m more of a roll out of bed, grab my already made lunch out of the fridge, and leave type of girl. The kitchen torches don’t come out until at least 10:00 a.m. in my house. And even that’s a little lofty.
The BAILEYS® Coffee Creamer takes a typically boring oatmeal and makes it one of the most delicious breakfasts possible. It’s super creamy, slightly sweet, and definitely has all the flavors of créme brulée.
I’m telling you that you don’t have to use chia seeds… Because you don’t. But do I recommend them? Um, yes. If you don’t know about chia seeds, you should. Not only do they have tons of nutrition in them, but they also keep you full for a super long time. And they make this oatmeal even creamier. I recently bought 6 pounds of chia seeds (it was too good of a deal to pass up!) and am finding that they’re delicious in so many recipes.
Of course, you could use any flavor of BAILEYS® Coffee Creamers in oatmeal to kick it up a notch. And I guess you could even brulée the top of any of them. But I’m highly recommending the Créme Brulée flavor to start making your mornings brighter.
If you've never put an egg in your oatmeal before, try it! It boosts the creaminess level. And adds a little extra protein, which is always a good thing.
Plus, almost everything tastes better in personal-sized jars just for you. Right??
I’m trying to decide if this would be my 7:00 a.m. breakfast or my 9:00 a.m. breakfast. I’m going with 7:00 since I really don’t think I could wait, knowing this was sitting in my office fridge. In fact, I can totally see myself breaking this out on the train to work…though it’s definitely best heated up a bit.
This recipe made me so happy because I wasn’t around the day after I made it. And when I got home that evening, I saw that my husband had actually eaten the last one in the fridge. If you know anything about Chris it’s that he is not a leftover person… And also that sometimes when I leave the house, he forgets to eat. So, the fact that he took it upon himself to get this out of the fridge and heat it up means that he really, really liked it. It’s the little things in life!
Something tells me I’m going to have to make 10 of these individual oatmeals on Sunday nights so there’s enough for both me and Chris throughout the week. And now that I've finally found an oatmeal I'm more than happy to eat, I'm 100% willing to do that. This could be the start of something beautiful.
Are you a fan of oatmeal?
Thank you to BAILEYS® Coffee Creamers for sponsoring this post! As always, all opinions are 100% my own.
📖 Recipe
Créme Brulée Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 ½ C old fashioned oats
- ¾ C BAILEYS® Créme Brulée Coffee Creamer
- 1 ½ C skim milk or water
- 1 large egg lightly beaten
- 1 T chia seeds optional
- ¼ C light brown sugar
- Fruit for topping
Instructions
- Set oven to broil.
- Add old fashioned oats, BAILEYS® Créme Brulée Coffee Creamer, and milk or water to a medium-sized saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir to combine.
- Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture comes to a boil, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in lightly beaten egg and chia seeds (if using), reduce heat and simmer until the oats have thickened, about 2 more minutes.
- Remove saucepan from heat and spoon oatmeal into 4- 8 oz. mason jars (or other broiler-safe dishes or ramekins).
- Sprinkle brown sugar over the top of each and place on a baking sheet.
- Put baking sheet on top rack of oven and broil for 2-3 minutes, until top is golden brown.
- Top individual oatmeals with fresh fruit.
Hillary says
any idea of the calorie count? Wondering if it's bad with the creamer
Sues says
@Hillary- Hi Hillary! I haven't done a full calorie count, but I do know that the creamer adds 105 calories per serving. I've made it both ways and do think it's delicious using water instead of milk for the remaining liquid, which helps cut down on more calories. I hope that helps!
Tandy | Lavender and Lime says
I am so going to try the egg in my oats this weekend 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
These are so adorable and what a fun flavor combination! Love the chia seeds in here! The egg sounds like a great idea too! Totally need to try that next time!
Joanne says
I go back and forth with whether I like/dislike oatmeal. I feel like with these mix-ins and fabulous creme brulee flavor, how could anyone NOT like it?!
Mir says
I wish I were rockstar enough to brulee my oatmeal, Sues! That must make it SO much better! Well, that and the Bailey's creamer. Fantastic!
Sam @ SugarSpunRun says
My breakfasts are always so boring! I need to change that and you just gave me a great way to do just that! I bet the flavor from the Bailey's creamer is ah-mazing! 🙂
CakeSpy says
There is so much "YES" in my heart to this. Awesome recipe!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
This creme brulee oatmeal sounds amazing! I get bored so easily with oatmeal so this is a great new way to try it!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Oatmeal is my current favorite breakfast (loaded with tons of blueberries). It's time to up it a notch with this recipe though! Yum!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I love Bailey's coffee creamer and their creme brulee one just happens to be my favorite! This oatmeal sounds fantastic, Sues! Love the flavor!
Jess @ whatjessicabakednext says
This oatmeal looks divine! Such a cool and delicious idea!
GiGi Eats says
And I was JUST looking up Creme Brulee recipes yesterday! Small little world of yumminess!
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
Oatmeal is a satisfying breakfast but you certainly did improve on how to serve it. 🙂
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries says
This is so creative, Sue!! I can't wait to try this. I am not a big breakfast fan, so my options are pretty limited of what I'll eat and enjoy. And this definitely sounds like it would be something that I would love!!
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
I've never been an oatmeal eater either but after looking at this, I think I could change my ways.
Phi @ The Sweetphi Blog says
What a creative and awesome way to enjoy oatmeal, definitely need to try this for breakfast, sounds and looks amazing!
Jessica @ Sweetest Menu says
Yum, this would certainly get me out of the bed in the mornings! What a yummy dessert!
Hilllary says
@Sues Thank you! I did the calorie count and with water its about 247, so not terrible!
Katalina @ Peas & Peonies says
You put Baileys in your oatmeal. You called it Creme Brûlée. Can we please meet in person? I am totally having a crush on your personality!
Culinary Flavors says
You took Brulee to a whole new level with this one! Delicious!
Megan says
This sounds amazing. I will be definitely trying it this weekend!