Candied Orange Oatmeal Cranberries Almonds (Print)

Fragrant oatmeal with candied orange, cranberries, and toasted almonds for a comforting morning meal.

# Components:

→ Oatmeal Base

01 - 1 cup rolled oats
02 - 2 cups milk or non-dairy alternative
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Candied Oranges

05 - 1 medium orange, thinly sliced
06 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/3 cup water

→ Toppings

08 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries
09 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
10 - 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup, optional

# Directions:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water; bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add orange slices and simmer gently for 10–12 minutes, turning occasionally, until translucent and syrupy. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine rolled oats, milk, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5–7 minutes until thick and creamy. Stir in vanilla extract.
03 - Divide oatmeal between two bowls. Top each bowl with candied orange slices, a spoonful of the orange syrup, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The candied orange slices add a bright, almost luxurious sweetness that makes ordinary oatmeal feel like a special occasion breakfast.
  • You can have everything ready in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for those mornings when you want something that feels thoughtful without the stress.
  • The contrast of textures—creamy oatmeal, chewy cranberries, crunchy almonds—keeps every spoonful interesting.
02 -
  • Don't skip toasting the almonds yourself—raw almonds are fine, but toasted ones taste exponentially better and add a crucial layer of flavor that makes this dish shine.
  • The candied oranges can be made up to three days ahead and stored in an airtight container, which means you can have them ready whenever breakfast inspiration strikes.
03 -
  • Make extra candied orange slices when you have the energy and freeze them in portions—they thaw quickly and make breakfast feel effortless on busy mornings.
  • If your oatmeal seems too thick after sitting, just add a splash more milk and stir; oatmeal continues to absorb liquid even after cooking, so it's easier to thin it out than to salvage something overdone.
Back