Candied Orange Oatmeal Cranberries (Printable)

Fragrant oatmeal with candied orange, tart cranberries, and crunchy toasted almonds for a wholesome meal.

# What you need:

→ 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

# How to make it:

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 oranges add genuine sophistication without requiring any fancy technique or special equipment.
  • It's naturally vegetarian but feels substantial enough to actually satisfy you through the morning.
  • You can prep the candied oranges the night before, making weekday breakfasts feel effortless and intentional.
02 -
  • Don't skip the thin-slicing of your oranges; thick slices will never fully candy and the centers will remain bitter and tough instead of turning jammy and sweet.
  • If your oatmeal seems too thick after a few minutes, it's okay to add a splash more milk—it's far better to adjust than to end up with something gluey and unpleasant.
03 -
  • Always taste a small piece of candied orange before serving to make sure it's reached that perfect translucent, jammy texture—undercooked ones will taste bitter and starchy.
  • Toasting your own almonds is non-negotiable if you have five minutes; they taste exponentially better than pre-toasted versions.
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