Atole de avena is the perfect oatmeal drink to start your day! Is creamy, sweet, and cozy. The delicious blend of oats, cinnamon, and milk is pure comfort in every sip!
Atole de Avena is a sweet and thick beverage made with oats, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla. It has a sweet and delicate taste with a thick and creamy texture.
Most Mexican atole recipes are made of corn masa to achieve their particular thick texture, but atole de avena doesn’t use it as the oats are enough to thicken the mixture.
This hot drink is nutritious, fulfilling, and flavorful. In Mexico is served mostly as breakfast along with tamales or sweet pastries.
If your family loves hot drinks for breakfast as much as mine, you have to try also this corn atole or champurrado!
Ingredients
- OATS: Old-fashioned oats are used in this recipe. You can also replace them with oats flour.
- MILK: Use whole milk for a creamy texture, or replace it with vegan beverages (coconut milk, soy milk, etc.) for a dairy-free version.
- SUGAR: I used regular granulated sugar, but you can use your favorite sweetener like brown sugar, piloncillo, etc.
- CINNAMON: Use a small stick of cinnamon, or replace it with 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon.
- VANILLA: Optional, I like the flavor and aroma, but you can simply leave it out.
- WATER: You’ll need a bit of sugar to make the cinnamon infusion.
How To Make Atole de Avena
Place the rolled oats in a blender or food processor with half of the milk. Blend at high speed for 1 minute.
Top Tip: Don’t worry if some bits remain, those add a nice texture to this drink!
In a medium pot pour the water, and add the sugar and cinnamon stick.
Bring to a boil, then set the heat to low. Cover, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
After the water has been infused and flavored with cinnamon, add the oats mixture while stirring with a spoon.
Then pour in the remaining milk and vanilla extract, and bring to a gentle simmer.
Cook while stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches a thick consistency that coats the back of a spoon (about 10 minutes).
Tip: Maintain medium-low heat while cooking to prevent burning or sticking to the bottom of the saucepan. Reduce the heat if it’s bubbling too vigorously.
Adjust sugar if needed, then turn off the heat and serve the comforting drink in mugs. Enjoy!
Tips & Notes
- You can adjust the oatmeal drink consistency by adding more milk to make it thinner or cooking it longer to make it thicker.
- When you add the oats mixture to the cinnamon-flavored water, make sure you do it while stirring to prevent lumps from forming.
- Atole has a tendency to form lumps if not stirred continuously. Use a whisk or a wooden spoon and keep stirring throughout the cooking process.
- You can make this drink vegan or dairy-free by using vegan beverages such as coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, etc. If you do this, I recommend using 1/4 cup more oats since you’ll miss some of the creaminess from whole milk.
- Or you can leave the milk out and use only water, it is still a nutritious and fulfilling drink you can serve for breakfast. If you go this way, we recommend infusing the water with more spices, whole cloves, and anis star works wonderfully in this atole de avena recipe.
- This recipe is somehow similar to avena breakfast but on this version it becomes a drink instead a thick pudding. However, both are delicious and fulfilling!
What to Serve With Atole
This oat atole is a delicious and comforting beverage that can be enjoyed on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of foods.
Here are some traditional and complementary options to serve with:
- Pan Dulce: The soft and colorful conchas complement the warm and slightly sweet flavor of atole.
- Tamales: Tamales are a classic Mexican dish and make a hearty addition to a breakfast or snack featuring atole. You can serve sweet pineapple tamales or savory chicken tamales.
- Empanadas: Empanadas are turnovers filled with sweet or savory fillings. Sweet pumpkin empanadas, can be a delightful pairing with atole.
- On its own: With a sprinkle of cinnamon powder or grated chocolate on top for a sweet afternoon treat. Perfect to warm you up on cold days!
How to Store This Mexican Oatmeal Drink
Oatmeal atole leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
You can also freeze it for up to 2 months and then thaw it overnight and have it ready the following day for breakfast.
For reheating, place the atole in a saucepan or small pot and reheat in a medium setting while stirring constantly.
You can also reheat it in the microwave in the same mug where you’ll drink it in 30 seconds intervals, mixing it in between.
FAQ
What is traditional atole made of?
Traditional atole can be made with various ingredients depending on regional and personal preferences. However, the most common and traditional base for atole is masa harina, which is a type of finely ground corn dough.
Other thickening agents can be used to substitute masa harina, for example, oats, corn starch, rice, or even cookies (like in this atole de galleta).
More Atole Recipes
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Video
Atole de Avena
Equipment
- Blender
- medium pot
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned oats (or oats flour)
- 4 ⅙ cups whole milk
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups water
- 1 ¼ cinnamon stick
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the old-fashioned oats in a blender and pour in half of the milk. Blend for 1 minute.
- Add water, sugar, and cinnamon stick to a pot.
- Bring to a boil, then set the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Add the oats mixture, then the remaining milk and vanilla extract. Bring to a simmer.
- Cook atole while stirring constantly for about 10 minutes.
- Adjust sugar to taste, turn off the heat, and serve with a sprinkle of cinnamon powder on top.
Notes
- Adjust the drink consistency by adding more milk to make it thinner or cooking it longer to make it thicker.
- Do not stop stirring the mixture; it will spill out of the pot, or even worse, burn on the bottom.
- You can make this oat drink vegan or dairy-free by using vegan beverages such as coconut milk, almond milk, soy milk, etc.
- Or you can simply leave the milk out and use only water, it is still a nutritious and fulfilling drink you can serve for breakfast.
One of my comfort drinks every morning! It is creamy, sweet, and perfect for breakfast. Plus, it’s really fulfilling!
Excellent recipe giving lots of information…delicious Avena.
I’ve been looking for an oatmeal version of this for years, now! Atole is the perfect breakfast choice when one is barred by allergy from Carnation Breakfast Beverages from the supermarket! Thank you so much for posting this recipe; it’s my new favorite.
I also enjoy pretending the base is made of cinnamon candy. ;)
Making this Now and I can’t wait to try it!!!
How was it?
Saw it. Tried it. Loved it. This recipe was beyond amazing and the flavors were indescribable. Thank you for providing this recipe, I really enjoyed it. It warmed my heart. ❤️❤️❤️😊
Thank you Jocelyn! Atole de avena is really a cozy and comforting drink, glad you enjoyed it :)
I’m excited to try your atole recipes. My kids binge off of our version of atole all fall and winter. I’ll be following up :)
Thank you :) try atole de Mazapán, its delicious! And is so easy to make too.
Thank you for all of the info on the different drinks. I experienced some while teaching in Los Angeles. The vanilla atole is very comforting.
My grandmother made this as we were growing up. I remember not liking it, and now that she is no longer here I find myself looking for this recipes of delicious flavors and thanks to yours I can enjoy them again 😊 thank you.
You’re welcome, I hope you enjoy it and it brings sweet memories of your grandmother :)
This sounds so cozy and wonderful for this dreary weather!
What a fab breakfast for this time of year! I know a little Pea that will be trying this out at the weekend! Thanks for sharing :)
I’ve never heard of this drink but I love the idea of an alternative to hot chocolate so its going straight on my “to-try” list!
Absolute heaven, what a delicious drink to wake up to!
Ooh, this sounds delicious. It sounds like liquid porridge and I adore porridge. I’m so going to have to give your atole a go.
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