Atole de Avena (Mexican Oatmeal Drink)

Warm up with this traditional Atole de Avena! A smooth, creamy, and comforting Mexican oatmeal drink spiced with cinnamon and vanilla.

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A red mug filled with creamy Atole de Avena, topped with ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick, sits on a light cloth with more cinnamon sticks nearby.

There is nothing better than holding a cup on a chilly morning. Atole de Avena is a traditional Mexican oatmeal drink that is smooth, creamy, and spiced with cinnamon and vanilla.

Just don’t confuse it with avena, which is thick oatmeal served in a bowl with a spoon—this is the drinkable version!

This easy recipe is sure to become a favorite in your home. It is warm, cozy, and super comforting.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe ❤️

Super Cozy: Smells and tastes like warm cinnamon and sweet vanilla.
Fast and Easy: Ready in just 20 minutes using basic ingredients you probably already have.
Easy to Change: You can easily use your favorite dairy-free milk if you prefer.
Smooth and Filling: Gives you the goodness of oats in a smooth drink you can sip from a mug.

-Maggie

📖 Family Story

During the cold winter months, my mom would always serve up a steaming cup of avena before we headed off to school. For the longest time, I thought everyone drank their oatmeal out of a cup!

It wasn’t until I started traveling across Mexico that I realized “Mexican oatmeal” could mean something completely different depending on where you were—sometimes a thick, spoonable breakfast bowl, and sometimes this wonderfully hot drink.

That has been one of my favorite lessons since I started this food blog back in 2010. What we call certain dishes changes so much from state to state, region to region, and even house to house. No matter what your family calls it, a warm mug of this will always feel like home.

Also try my recipe for atole de guayaba.

Ingredients

Water – Please see the recipe card for the exact amount.
Cinnamon stick – We are making a cinnamon tea as the base for the drink. The stick version is needed.
Oatmeal – These are old fashioned oats but you can also use quick oats.
Milk – 2% milk is what you see in the picture.
Sugar – You can swap out for piloncillo or sweetened condensed milk, if that’s what you prefer.
Vanilla extract is fragrant and adds natural sweetness.
Ground cinnamon (not shown) is an optional ingredient used to dust off the top of the drink.

Brown sugar also makes a good addition to this recipe. If using, add a spoonful at the end when serving.

Oatmeal blended in a food processor then cooking in a pot.

👩🏼‍🍳 Instructions

Boil water with a large piece of cinnamon stick in a sauce pan.
In a food processor, blend the oatmeal and milk.
Add the oatmeal to the cinnamon water along with the remaining milk, sugar, and vanilla.
Lower heat to medium heat and continue cooking.

Use either a food processor or a blender. Both will get the job done. Be sure to remove the cinnamon stick before serving. Or use it as decoration.

Most atoles are thickened by corn starch. Champurrado, on the other hand, is thickened by masa harina. This recipe for oatmeal atole is different in that the oats will thicken the drink.

A red cup of Atole de Avena with a cinnamon stick.

🥛 What Kind of Milk to Use

Whole milk
2% milk
Soy milk
Almond milk
Evaporated milk

Whatever type of milk you like and prefer, you can easily adjust this recipe to your preferences.

Evaporated milk is a very common ingredient in Mexico and used in many traditional atoles.

A red cup of Mexican Oatmeal Atole dusted with a cinnamon stick next to a cup of dried oatmeal.

🙋🏻‍♀️ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes, absolutely! You can easily swap the cow’s milk for plant-based alternatives like soy milk, almond milk, or oat milk with fantastic results.

What kind of oats should I use?

This recipe calls for old-fashioned oats, but quick oats work just as well since they get blended down completely before simmering.

Can I use brown sugar instead of white sugar?

Yes. White sugar keeps the flavor traditional, but brown sugar adds a wonderful, caramel-like depth. You can also stir in a spoonful at the end when serving.

🫙 Storing Instructions

Pour any remaining atole into a large airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To store in the freezer, pour leftover atole into a large, sealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible. Store in the freezer for up to 5 months.

🔥 Reheating Instructions

Thaw frozen atole overnight in the fridge. Pour into a cup and heat in a microwave for 1-2 minutes.

Or, pour into a pot and reheat for 3-4 minutes. Stirring occasionally before serving with Marranitos Cookies.

A cinnamon stick in a red cup of Atole de Avena.

More Atole Recipes

Making a pot of Atole de Avena fills your kitchen with the amazing smell of cinnamon and vanilla. It is a simple, comforting drink that connects us to family traditions and cozy mornings.

Whip up a batch next time you want something warm to drink, serve with Mexican Conchas, and enjoy!

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