If you’ve ever sipped a warm, silky oat drink in an Ecuadorian home, you know just how comforting it is. This Ecuadorian Colada is thick, creamy, lightly spiced, and naturally sweet, the kind of nourishing drink that feels like a hug in a mug. Made with cinnamon, apples, oats, milk, and maple syrup, it’s wholesome enough for breakfast yet cozy enough for an evening treat. Whether you drink it warm or chilled, this traditional-style colada is simple, soothing, and incredibly satisfying.

Two glasses of creamy smoothie topped with a cinnamon stick, next to sliced apples and whole cinnamon sticks on a rustic tray, with a bowl and apples in the background.

What You Need to Make Ecuadorian Colada

A tray with apples, a bowl of oats, a glass of milk, a small pitcher of water, cinnamon sticks, and a small bowl of syrup on a white surface.

You only need a few pantry staples to make this creamy oat-based drink:

Water
Cinnamon sticks
Oats (soaked until expanded)
Apples
Milk of choice
Maple syrup

How to Make Ecuadorian Colada (Step-by-Step)

Follow these easy steps to create a smooth, creamy, cinnamon-infused drink:

Sliced apples on a wooden cutting board with a knife, a small bowl of honey with a spoon, and a tray containing a jar of milk, a bowl of oats, and a whole apple.

A metal pot of water is boiling on a stove, with two cinnamon sticks floating inside.

Simmer the cinnamon
In a medium pot, add the water and cinnamon sticks. Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and let it simmer for 15–20 minutes, until the liquid turns deep brown and fragrant.

Remove the cinnamon sticks
Take out the sticks or strain them from the pot.

Sliced apples in a pot with liquid, possibly syrup or juice, ready for cooking. The apples appear fresh and are partially submerged in the liquid.

A pot filled with sliced apples, water or juice, and a mound of dry oats, ready to be cooked into oatmeal.

Cook the apples
Add the sliced apples and let them cook on medium heat until soft.

Add the soaked oats
Stir in the soaked oats along with their soaking water. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so they don’t stick.

A pot filled with oatmeal, milk, and thinly sliced apples, shown from above on a light gray surface.

A pot filled with sliced peaches, oats, milk, and water, ready to be mixed and cooked, sits on a gray surface.

Add the milk
Pour in your milk of choice. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil, then remove from heat. Let it cool for 15–20 minutes.

Top view of a blender containing sliced peaches, oats, and milk, ready to be blended. A small bowl with syrup and a fresh peach are beside the blender on a light surface.

A blender filled with a frothy, creamy liquid sits on a light countertop. Nearby are a bowl of honey with a spoon and part of a peach.

Blend until smooth
Transfer to a blender, add the maple syrup, and blend until silky and creamy.

Serve warm or chilled. Both ways are delicious.

Two glasses of creamy smoothie with cinnamon sticks, next to sliced apples, whole apples, and a bowl with a spoon on a rustic tray.

Commonly Asked Questions

Can I use steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats?

Rolled oats or traditional oats work best because they soften quickly. Steel-cut oats won’t break down enough for a smooth texture.

Can I make this dairy-free?

Yes! Almond, oat, or coconut milk all work beautifully.

Can I sweeten it differently?

Absolutely. Honey, panela, brown sugar, or agave can be used instead of maple syrup.

How should I serve it?

You can enjoy it warm, room temperature, or chilled. Kids especially love it cold.

How long does it keep?

Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Shake or stir before serving — it naturally thickens as it sits.