Sticky Date and Brown Butter Oatmeal

Published Sept. 9, 2025

Sticky Date and Brown Butter Oatmeal
Julia Gartland for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Samantha Seneviratne.
Total Time
15 minutes
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
10 minutes
Rating
5(1,504)
Comments
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This oatmeal relies entirely on the caramel-like flavor of medjool dates for sweetness. Briefly cooking the dates first allows them to almost completely dissolve into the oatmeal, permeating every bite. Brown butter and a hint of vanilla enhance the richness, giving the oatmeal a dessert-like quality. Sliced ripe bananas or stone fruit, chopped apples or berries are ideal for serving, and the recipe can be easily scaled up to feed more people.

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Ingredients

Yield:2 servings
  • 1tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 4Medjool dates, pitted and torn into smaller pieces
  • 1¼ cups milk (plant-based milk also works well)
  • ¾cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • ¼teaspoon vanilla extract
  • teaspoon ground cinnamon or cardamom
  • Flaky sea salt, for serving
  • Fresh fruit, for serving
  • Heavy cream, for serving, optional
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (2 servings)

427 calories; 16 grams fat; 9 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 4 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 67 grams carbohydrates; 6 grams dietary fiber; 40 grams sugars; 10 grams protein; 168 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a small pot over medium heat, melt butter and cook, stirring occasionally, until the butter foams and browns, about 2 minutes.

  2. Step 2

    Add dates and ½ cup water and cook, undisturbed, until the dates soften, 1 to 2 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, mash the dates into a paste.

  3. Step 3

    Add milk, oats, vanilla and cinnamon, and stir to combine. Bring to a simmer, then cook, stirring occasionally, until the oats are tender and the oatmeal has reached your desired consistency, 4 to 6 minutes.

  4. Step 4

    Divide the oatmeal between bowls, sprinkle with flaky sea salt and serve with chopped fruit and a drizzle of cream, if desired.

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Ratings

5 out of 5
1,504 user ratings
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Comments

Wow, what a treat! I prefer steel cut oats, so I added 1/2 cup of oats and increased almond milk to two cups. It does take longer to cook and more stirring, but I thought the result was worth it. I otherwise followed the recipe. Served my oatmeal with sliced banana and a sprinkle of slivered almonds.

Delicious! For those who are looking for protein: Maybe find another recipe and leave this one alone.

@Katie - it sounds like at least a few people do not have or know anyone with diabetes as they assume that sugars are necessarily fine if they are wrapped up in other good things. If you are dealing with high blood sugar, 40 grams, even in something lovely like dates, can be too much. I love to do 1/2 a chopped apple, cinnamon and chopped walnuts to get a hint of sweetness without quite as much sugar. :)

Delicious! Made as written. Used dairy milk and added greek yogurt and nuts for extra protein.

This was way too sweet. I used 4 large dates. Maybe they were too big.

This was really good. Didn’t have medjool dates, just regular, smaller ones. I used 3 for one portion. They just broke down, not really turning into a paste, but that didn’t take away from the flavor. Added a mashed ripe banana and a teaspoon of ground flaxseed for some extra fiber. Added blueberries and walnuts on top. Yum!

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