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4.5 from 102 votes

Old-Fashioned Mexican Oatmeal (Avena)

Warm, creamy, sweet, and cinnamon-y, this slow-cooked Old-Fashioned Mexican Oatmeal (also known as Avena) is a bowlful of morning comfort. Start your day off on the right foot with this wholesome and nutritious breakfast made with just old-fashioned oats, water, cinnamon, milk, and sugar or honey.

Prep Time
3 mins
Cook Time
3 mins
Steeping
1 hr
Total Time
1 hr 48 mins
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 986 kcal
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: Mexican

Ingredients

  • 8 cups water
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup milk low-fat evaporated milk, milk, or almond milk
  • ground cinnamon optional
  • sugar optional
  • honey optional
  • raisins optional
  • blueberries optional
  • walnuts optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a saucepan bring the water with the cinnamon sticks to a boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let steep for 30 minutes to 1 hour. Discard the cinnamon sticks.
  2. Add salt and oats to the water and let it come to a boil uncovered. Lower heat and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. Add milk and simmer for an additional 15 minutes until creamy.
  3. Serve in a bowl and add more milk or water if you want it thinner. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sweeten with sugar or honey. Serve garnished with blueberries and walnuts.

Notes

  • When you puree it in the blender it becomes an atole, smooth oatmeal, which is a good way to prepare it for the elderly and the very young.
  • If you are lactose intolerant, use lactose-free milk. Or substitute regular milk for a vegan version like oat, almond, or soy milk.
  • Feel free to customize your avena by topping it with your choice of fruit, nuts, seeds, and sweeteners for a fresh twist each time you enjoy it!
  • Refrigerate leftovers for up to 1 week. To reheat, warm the avena in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of milk or water to adjust the consistency. Stir occasionally until heated through. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 98.6kcal (5%) Carbohydrates 16.23g (5%) Protein 3.68g (7%) Fat 2.33g (4%) Saturated Fat 0.8g (4%) Cholesterol 3.05mg (1%) Sodium 99.63mg (4%) Potassium 119.22mg (3%) Fiber 2.74g (11%) Sugar 1.77g (4%) Vitamin A 49.41IU (1%) Calcium 65.65mg (7%) Iron 0.97mg (5%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 986

% Daily Value*

Calories 98.6kcal 5%
Carbohydrates 16.23g 5%
Protein 3.68g 7%
Fat 2.33g 4%
Saturated Fat 0.8g 4%
Cholesterol 3.05mg 1%
Sodium 99.63mg 4%
Potassium 119.22mg 3%
Fiber 2.74g 11%
Sugar 1.77g 4%
Vitamin A 49.41IU 1%
Calcium 65.65mg 7%
Iron 0.97mg 5%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.