This Atole de Avena (oatmeal drink) is an easy & healthy version of the classic Mexican drink Atole De Masa. Enjoy it any time of year! This version is made with oatmeal and flavored with cinnamon, brown sugar & vanilla.
In this post you’ll find:
The traditional Atole version
Let's talk about all the different ways you can make it. Let's start with the traditional one shall we?
Authentic Atole is made with masa (yes, the same one you make corn tortillas with), cooked with water or milk and sweetened with piloncillo (unrefined whole cane sugar).
Flavor variations include rice, cornmeal, guava, oatmeal and amaranth. Sweeten it with brown or white sugar, honey, or even artificial sweeteners if that's your thing.
Finally, if you add chocolate, it becomes the popular drink known as Champurrado.
There you go my friends, a little background on this delicious and hearty Mexican drink. For this version I chose Oatmeal as it is a little healthier and easier to find throughout the United States and other countries (except Mexico of course 🙂 )
If you would like to enjoy more hot Mexican drinks, try this Mexican Hot Chocolate, Ponche Navideño and Champurrado. These recipes are also classics that are a must have!
Ingredients for Mexican Oatmeal Drink
For this Atole De Avena recipe I'm keeping things light and healthy but the original flavor has is just as good or even better!.... It is simply delicious!
- ½ cup rolled oats. You can substitute rolled oats if you can't grind them with oat flour. This will work too!
- 2 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk or you can use whatever milk you prefer. This one is low calories so keep that in mind!
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ⅓ to ½ cup brown sugar or sweetened to taste. If you prefer to use piloncillo, use 2 oz (see note below about piloncillo)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
It is basically unrefined whole cane sugar with no additives. It's not the same as brown sugar and you can use it interchangeably.
How to make Atole de Avena
- Start by grinding the oats in a blender or small food processor. We will grind it until it reaches a thick flour consistency. I used a small blender like a Magic Bullet.
- Then add all of the ground oatmeal plus the rest of the ingredients in a small pot and bring to a soft boil.
- Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often making sure the milk does not boil over (this is the hard part since I tend to get distracted and make a mess if it boils over lol)
- Once it reaches the consistency of runny pudding, remove from heat and serve hot in mugs.
- Sprinkle with cinnamon if you like.
Print Recipe
Atole De Avena (Mexican Oatmeal Drink)
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats You can substitute rolled oats if you can't grind them with oat flour.
- 3 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ⅓ to ½ cup brown sugar or adjust to taste, or 2 oz Piloncillo
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Grind the oats in a blender or small food processor until it reaches a thick flour consistency.
- In a small pot, add all ingredients and bring to a soft boil
- Lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes, stirring often making sure the milk does not boil over.
- Remove from heat and serve hot in mugs.
*Ana's Notes:
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NUTRITION
The nutritional information and US conversions are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of this data. If this is important to you, please verify with your favourite nutrition calculator and/or unit conversion tool.
This recipe was originally published in Oct 2016. It was updated in April 2020 to revise the content and photographs. The original recipe remains the same. Enjoy!
Keith O. says
FWIW, I'm pretty sure that if you use a powerful blender like a Vitamix, you can just pour everything but the cinnamon stick into it, let it puree the oatmeal, then pour the result into the pot.
(Also, this style of drink is known as 'salep' in the Middle East. If you look that up, you'll find *LOTS* of interesting variations.)
Ana Frias says
Hi Keith! I actually used a regular blender and did not have any problems with the mixture. I'm sure it may be better with a Vitamix but I don't have one lol! Good to know about Salep! I had not idea other countries had a similar drink. Thanks for the note!
Emilia Silva says
I can't wait to try it, I love the flavor and would love to be able to have it at home. To make the amaranth atole, do I just substitute the oats and grind them the same way? That is my favorit atole of all. Also, why the almond milk? is that just to keep calories down or is there another reason?
Ana Frias says
Hi Emilia! yes for the amaranth you would follow exactly the same way. They cook similar so it will not make a difference. You'll love it! Also, I do use almond milk to keep the calories down (plus I'm mild lactose intolerant) but you can use your preferred milk. Either way, it'll come out delicious! Enjoy and I hope you have a great weekend! XO, Ana
Martha I Frias says
This Atole turned out Delicioso!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ana Frias says
Thanks so much Martha!!!
Mary V. says
I have to say this recipe was fantastic great taste and it brought back memories of my mother when she use to make it. Thank you for sharing your recipe. I tried it and I can say soooo delicious. My family loved it as well.
Ana Frias says
I'm so happy this Atole recipe was able to bring back memories! Those are always the best and now you can create your own ones. Thanks so much for stopping by! Ana
Elberta says
I had this delicious drink once at a Mexican market in Dallas. I made your recipe with 2% milk in the microwave and it was perfect. Thank you for this recipe!
Ana Frias says
That's great Elberta! I love shortcuts and I'm sure it achieved the same result. woot woot! xo, Ana
Natalie says
Hey there,
Here in New Mexico, we make the traditional atole' with masa harina, water, milk, piloncillo and cinnamon. It's a childhood favorite and means warmth in the morning to me especially on these cold days! However, I am really looking forward to trying this more healthy version and these are things I always have in my pantry. Thank you. I love your blog, too.
Ana Frias says
Thank you sooo much Natalie! Your kind words mean so much! xo, Ana
Gloria B says
Loved it!!! I made this today and it was DELICIOUS had all the right flavors. I WILL MAKE IT AGAIN.
Ana Frias says
So good to hear this Gloria!!! I really appreciate the feedback...have a fantastic new year! xo, ana
Carlmie Montojo says
Can't wait to make this! I've been looking for a homemade recipe of the cereal oat drink mixes from the Philippines that is an instant mix, and this is the closest in consistency that I see on the pictures! Yay! Thank you!
Ana Frias says
Awe love this!!! Had no idea there was a similar Philippine recipe for oat drink but it's good to know! My hubby is half Philippino but he didn't grow up with the culture so he'll be happy to see this recipe in a different way. Thank you and I hope you enjoyed it!
Technolong.Com says
Pour in the milk and add the Mexican chocolate. Let simmer, stirring occasionally, for 15 to 20 minutes until the chocolate has dissolved completely and the oatmeal has thickened slightly. Sweeten with sugar and let simmer for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Enjoy!
Ana Frias says
Thank you for stopping by!
Mamydziecko.Com says
Made this and my 9 month old baby LOVES it, as do we! Sweetened with a handful of dates instead of sugar. Does anyone know how long this will keep in the refrigerator?
Ana Frias says
Great idea on sweetening with dates! Much better option. It will last up to week in the refrigerator. Thanks so much for the feedback!
Michaela Ebell says
The ground oats and almond milk give it a very different flavor than my moms homemade atole, but it was very delicious regardless! Will make again!
Ana Frias says
Hi Michaela! It may be that she used Masa for it? This is a little healthier but I love the masa version too. Thanks for the feedback and I'm so happy you like it!
Carlos Armas says
Hi Ana thank you for the recipe, a little twist on the method. I come from a Mexican family and my family soaked the oatmeal overnight in water and used just the liquid.
Monica L says
Thank you Ana for such a great recipe! This is the kind of version I like
Ana Frias says
Thank you Monica! I like it too!
Jessi says
Wow, first time I heard about that type of drink. It looks very good in that pictures. Have to try making it for my next breakfast:)
Ana Frias @ Muy Delish says
You will love it Jessi! It will be amazing at breakfast time. I also like to make it as a dessert lol! Provecho!
Phyllis says
Fascinating
Ana Frias @ Muy Delish says
Thank you Phyllis!