How to Cook Oatmeal

Oatmeal might be one of the most common breakfast foods on the planet! Also called porridge, this filling whole grain basically is the alpha when it comes to breakfast foods. Whether you’re a breakfast enthusiast or a busy morning warrior, oatmeal is the ultimate canvas for a warm, nutritious start to your day.

What I love the most about oatmeal is that it’s so easy to cook or prepare overnight. It’s nutritious, filling and boosts your energy, leaving you feeling good for the rest of the day. Dive into the world of cozy breakfasts with our guide on how to cook the perfect bowl of oatmeal.

If you love to have oatmeal recipes for breakfast, check out my Health Strawberry Oatmeal Bars, Blueberry Oatmeal Bake, and Baked Chocolate Oatmeal.

Why I Love Oatmeal

• Customizable: Oatmeal is your canvas to top it with fruits, nuts, or seeds for endless possibilities.
• Heart-Healthy Goodness: Packed with fiber, oatmeal keeps you full and satisfied until your next meal.
• Energy Boost: Oats provide a steady release of energy to kickstart your day.

Common Types of Oats

Before diving spoon first into a delicious bowl of oatmeal you will want to decide what kind of oats to use for your morning bowl! Here are the most common types of oats and what you should know about them before making your bowl.

• Oat Groats– This is the oat grain in it’s most whole, intact form. The hull has been removed, but other than that, the bran, endosperm, and germ are all still intact. The groats has the most fiber and is in the most natural state. This also means it takes more water and a longer time to cook.
• Steel Cut Oats– Steel cut oats come from cutting oat groats with a steel blade. They take less water and time to cook than oat groats.
• Rolled Oats– Also called old fashioned oats, rolled oats are made from steaming the groats and rolling it into a flat flaky shape. These oats are the most common and readily available at stores. Steaming the oats makes them quicker to cook than steel cut and needs less water on average to cook.
• Instant Oats– Instant oats take the rolled oats and steam them a second time making them quicker to cook. As the name implies these oats cook instantly and are traditionally made in the microwave.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Cook Oatmeal

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: The heart of the dish, providing a perfect balance of chewiness and creaminess.
• Milk or water: Determines the richness and creaminess of your oatmeal.
• Sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or sugar): Adds sweetness to your liking.
• Topping: Add fruits, nuts, chocolate chips or any toppings you like.

How to Cook Oatmeal on Stovetop

Cooking oatmeal is as easy as pouring love into a bowl. Let’s keep it simple and delightful. Here are 4 ways to cook oatmeal using the most common types of oatmeal.

Old Fashioned Oatmeal

Old fashion oatmeal is probably my most prefered typed of oats. I love that it keeps some texture to the recipe and it’s not a mushy mess.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup water or milk
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• Sweetener of choice, if desired

Directions:

1. In medium sauce pan, over medium heat, bring water or milk to a boil.
2. Once boiling, stir in rolled oats.
3. Cook for about 5 minutes on medium heat stirring occasionally.
4. Remove from heat and serve with desired toppings!

Steel Cut Oatmeal

Steel cut oats takes the longest to cook. It is usally not my preference when it comes to cooking oats, but it’s one that’s very nutritious and filling.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cup water or milk
• 1/4 cup steel cut oats
• Sweetener of choice, if desired

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, bring water or milk to a boil.
2. Once oiling, stir in steel cut oats. Reduce heat to low.
3. Simmer the oats, covered, for about 25-30 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the oats from sticking to the pan.
4. Remove from heat, serve in a bowl and top with desired toppings and enjoy!

How to Cook Oatmeal in the Microwave

Cooking oatmeal in the microwave is probably one of the simplest and fastest ways to cook oatmeal. We’ll cover cooking Old Fashion Oats.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rolled oats (old fashioned oats)
• 3/4 cup water

Directions:

1. In a microwave safe bowl, add the oats and water.
2. Stir together and cover with saran wrap.
3. Microwave on High for 2 minutes. Remove from the microwave and let it stand for another 2 minutes. Stir the oatmeal. If the oats are more dry than you prefer, a couple tablespoons of hot water and mix. Add sweetener, milk and favorite toppings.

How to Cook Oatmeal in the Oven

Baked oatmeal is the epitome of simplicity and that’s why it became so viral! Let’s turn your breakfast into a hassle-free delight. The ingredient options can be endless so check out my 3 Ways to Make Baked Oats recipe post to make the best baked oats recipe.

Here are more ways to bake oatmeal. Check out these recipes:

• Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal
• Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal
• Baked Chocolate Oatmeal
• Blueberry Baked Oatmeal

Tips to Cook Oatmeal

• Choose the Right Oats: Opt for old-fashioned rolled oats for the perfect texture.
• Liquid Ratio: Follow the recommended liquid-to-oats ratio for the specific type of oats you’re using. Adjust based on your desired consistency.
• Experiment with Liquid Choices: Use milk (dairy or plant-based) for a creamier texture, or opt for water for a lighter version. You can also use a combination of both.
• Sweeten Wisely: Start with a modest amount of sweetener and adjust to taste.
• Toppings: Get creative with toppings like berries, nuts and chocolate chips.

Oatmeal Toppings

I think one of my favorite parts about making oatmeal has to be the toppings! Oatmeal really is a blank canvas you can add just about anything to. A few of my favorites include:

• Fruit– sliced bananas, blueberries, sliced strawberries, cinnamon, apples.
• Granola– basically crunchy oats on top of soft oats!
• Spices: Add Cinnamon or nutmeg for a dash of flavor.
• Nuts and seeds- flax seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, sliced almonds, salted peanuts.
• Extras topping– shredded coconut, dried cranberries, chocolate chips, and peanut butter chips.
• Spreads: peanut butter, melted chocolate, Nutella spread, and lotus spread.
• Sweeteners: honey, maple syrup, sugar, artificial sweeteners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Nutritious Breakfasts

• Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Cups
• Avocado Toast With Eggs
• Homemade Fruit and Nuts Bar
• Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Oatmeal is a game-changer for busy mornings, ensuring you start your day with a delicious and hearty meal. Remember that oatmeal is highly customizable, so don’t be afraid to experiment with flavors, textures, and cooking methods until you find your perfect bowl of oatmeal. Enjoy your breakfast!

If you try this recipe or any of my other recipes, please leave a star rating in the comment section below because I love hearing from my readers. Also follow me at Cookin’ With Mima on FACEBOOK |INSTAGRAM |PINTEREST for all of my latest social posts and recipes.