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Oatmeal is a wholesome and delicious meal to start your day. With a variety of ways to prepare it, oatmeal is also a quick and convenient choice for a morning filled with energy!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (45 g) rolled oats, traditional steel-cut oats, or instant oats
- 1 cup (240 ml) water or milk
- 1 cup (240 ml) almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or any milk alternatives (optional)
- Optional toppings, spices, and add-ins (to taste)
Steps
Microwave Oatmeal
Transfer the oatmeal into a microwave-safe bowl. For most quick-cook oats or rolled oats, a typical serving is ½ cup (45 g). For instant oats, just open the packet and pour it directly into the bowl – the instant oatmeal packets are pre-measured, so you won’t need to measure it yourself.
- Use a dry measuring cup to measure loose oats.
Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of water into the oatmeal and stir well. Measure 1 cup (240 ml) of cold water and pour it into the dry oats. Stir thoroughly to ensure the water is absorbed evenly and there are no clumps or dry spots in the bowl.
- 1 cup (240 ml) of water may seem like a lot when added to ½ cup (45 g) of oats, but keep in mind that oats absorb water very quickly when cooking.
- For a creamier and thicker oatmeal, you can substitute the water with milk.
Cook the oatmeal in the microwave for 1.5 - 2 minutes. Place the bowl of oatmeal in the microwave and cook on high power. If you prefer a softer and creamier oatmeal, cook for 1.5 minutes. For a thicker consistency, you can cook for 2 minutes or slightly longer.
- If you're using a more natural type of oatmeal, such as rolled oats or traditional steel-cut oats, you may need to increase the cooking time to 2.5 – 3 minutes to ensure the oats soften properly.
Stir the oatmeal thoroughly. Carefully remove the bowl from the microwave – it will be very hot! After a quick stir, your oatmeal is ready to enjoy.
- Let the oatmeal cool for about 1-2 minutes before eating.
Mix your favorite spices into the oatmeal. At this stage, you can add a few delicious and nutritious toppings to your bowl of oatmeal, such as butter, honey, cream, fresh fruit, dried fruits, or roasted nuts. Stir in the ingredients to your preferred amount and enjoy!
- For instant oatmeal, it's best to taste it before adding anything extra. Instant oats often come with flavors like brown sugar, cinnamon, and apple, so you may not need to add many spices.
Cook rolled oats or steel-cut oats on the stove
Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of water or milk into a shallow saucepan. Use a standard measuring cup to ensure the correct ratio. Cooking oatmeal in water will cook it faster while keeping its original firmness. Cooking with milk results in a creamier, smoother oatmeal.
- A small saucepan, like one used for stirring porridge, works best, as the oats need to be partially submerged in water to cook properly.
- Only cook steel-cut oats or rolled oats on the stove. Instant and quick-cooking oats are typically prepared in the microwave.
Bring the water or milk to a gentle boil. Heat on medium-high until small bubbles start to form. This is the optimal temperature for simmering oatmeal. It's crucial to bring the water or milk to a boil before adding the oats, to prevent the oats from absorbing too much liquid and becoming mushy.
- You can also use a combination of milk and water for a creamier oatmeal that still keeps the calories in check.
- Be careful not to let the water or milk boil too much, as it could evaporate quickly and cause the oatmeal to burn.
Add ½ cup (45 g) of oats and stir well. Measure the oats with a dry measuring cup. ½ cup (45 g) is considered a standard serving for one person. If you want to cook more, just leave room to add another ½ cup (45 g) of oats and ¾ - 1 cup (180-240 ml) of water or milk.
- Season with a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor of your oatmeal.
Simmer until the oatmeal reaches your desired thickness. Stir the oatmeal occasionally while it cooks, but avoid over-stirring. The exact cooking time will depend on the quantity and type of oats. Instead of just watching the clock, keep an eye on the oats as they begin to thicken.
- Cooking rolled oats traditionally may take 8-10 minutes. Due to its firmer texture, steel-cut oats may need up to 20 minutes to soften.
- Stirring too much can break down the starch, causing the oats to become sticky and lose their natural flavor.
Remove the oatmeal from the stove. Once the oatmeal has reached your desired consistency, transfer it to a bowl. Use a spoon or spatula to scrape around the sides of the saucepan for easier cleanup later. And of course, make sure the bowl is large enough to hold the toppings you plan to add!
- Remember that the oatmeal will continue to thicken slightly as it cools, so take it off the heat just before it reaches your ideal texture.
Add a bit of spice. While the oatmeal is still hot, feel free to mix in some butter, a spoonful of peanut butter, or a handful of raisins. If you prefer sweetness, try sprinkling in some brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or fruit jam. Don’t worry, your oatmeal will taste great!
- Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice can also help balance the sweetness.
- Let the oatmeal cool down to a safe eating temperature before serving.
Soak the oats in boiling water
Boil a kettle of water. Fill the kettle with clean water and place it on the stove over high heat, or use an electric kettle. While waiting for the water to boil, you can prepare other breakfast items.
- This method works for both instant oats and slower-cooking varieties like rolled oats and steel-cut oats.
Pour ½ cup (45 g) of oats into a bowl. This amount is sufficient for one serving. If you wish to make more, you can add more in half-cup increments (45 g each). For every ½ cup (45 g) of oats, you'll need ½-1 cup (120-240 ml) of boiling water.
- Use a dry measuring cup to accurately measure the ratio of oats to water.
- Add a pinch of salt to the dry oats to enhance the flavor.
Pour boiling water over the oats. Turn off the stove once the water has just boiled and open the kettle lid slightly to release some steam. Pour the hot water over the oats, stirring constantly as you do. For softer oats, use 300 ml of water. For a thicker, creamier consistency, use only 180-240 ml of water.
- The oats will expand and thicken as they cook; this means you might need to add a little more water than expected.
Wait for the oats to cool before eating. After pouring the boiling water, the oats will remain quite hot for several minutes. To avoid burning your mouth, wait until the steam subsides before tasting. You'll be glad you waited when you take that first spoonful of oatmeal!
- Adding a spoonful of cream or Greek yogurt can help cool the oatmeal faster.
Top your oats with your chosen ingredients. Add sweetness to your oatmeal with honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup, then top with banana slices, crunchy cereal, or chocolate chips. Finish with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar or apple pie spice.
- Don't hesitate to get creative with flavors like dried cherries, cashews, or shredded coconut if you're looking to try something different.
- Try enjoying the oatmeal like an acai bowl—stir in blended berries and other nutritious ingredients like chia seeds, nut butter, and fresh fruits.
Soak the oats overnight.
Measure ½ cup (45 g) of rolled oats into a small container. A food storage jar with a screw-on lid is ideal as it helps with portion control, but any deep, wide-mouth jar will work. Pour the oats into the jar and shake it to flatten them evenly.
- The best type of oats for this method is rolled oats—instant oats will soften too quickly when exposed to liquid, and steel-cut oats won’t soften enough, often staying dry and tough.
- If your mornings are usually rushed, consider mixing the oats in a plastic container for convenience on the go.
Pour an equal amount of milk or milk substitute into the oats. Add ½ cup (120 ml) of cold milk or substitute with almond, coconut, or soy milk. The liquid will provide moisture for the oats. The typical ratio of liquid to oats in this recipe is 1:1.
- You may need to experiment a few times to find the right ratio. If the oats turn out too mushy the first time, reduce the milk for the next batch. If they are too dry, add a bit more milk before serving.
Stir the mixture thoroughly in the jar. Continue stirring until the oats are evenly moistened from top to bottom. Otherwise, the dish may taste uneven with dry spots.
- At this point, you can also add other dry ingredients like chia seeds, flax seeds, or various spices.
Place the jar of oats in the refrigerator overnight. Seal the jar with a lid and place it in the middle section of the fridge. When soaked in milk, the oats will slowly absorb the liquid and soften. This process takes about 3-5 hours. For a creamier consistency, leave them for 7-8 hours.
- If using a jar without a lid, cover the top with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Oats left in the fridge for over 10 hours may become too soft and unappetizing.
Add your favorite toppings and enjoy the oats chilled. Remove the oats from the fridge and add delicious toppings such as honey, Greek yogurt, or hazelnut chocolate chips. Health-conscious individuals can opt for more nutritious options like fresh fruit and unsweetened nut butter.
- Try using mashed bananas to sweeten the oats naturally instead of traditional sweeteners.
- Be creative! There are virtually no limits to the unique flavor combinations you can create.
- If you don’t like cold oats, you can heat a serving in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.
Tips
- If you're looking for convenience, consider cooking a large batch of oats and storing it in the fridge to have it ready when needed. Just scoop out the desired portion, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk, and reheat it in the microwave.
- Substitute milk with almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk for a nutritious breakfast with fewer calories.
- When cooking oats for the whole family, you can set up a topping bar, allowing everyone to customize their oats as they like.
- If you want to make your breakfast even more nourishing, add protein by mixing the oats with egg whites, nut butter, Greek yogurt, etc.
Warning
- It's best to wash the pot immediately after cooking oats on the stove. Any leftover oats in the pot, once dried, will be tough to remove unless soaked for an extended period.
- Never boil water without supervision. Not only is there a fire hazard, but you might also end up losing your breakfast!
Things You’ll Need
Microwaving Oats
- Microwave
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Measuring cup (for both wet and dry ingredients)
- Spoon
Cooking Oats on the Stovetop
- Shallow pot or saucepan
- Measuring cup (for both wet and dry ingredients)
- Spoon
Boiling Oats with Hot Water
- Kettle
- Measuring cup (for both wet and dry ingredients)
- Spoon
Overnight Oats
- Glass food container or any small similar container
- Measuring cup (for both wet and dry ingredients)
- Spoon
