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There's one thing I purchase in jumbo size in my house – it's old fashioned oats! I eat oats for breakfast Monday thru Friday – in the summertime I love cold overnight oats, and in the winter, I'chiliad all nearly warm oatmeal! I share my bowl of oatmeal often on Instagram and Snapchat and I always go questions about how to make oatmeafifty. So here's how to brand this easy staple recipe. And yous'll never wonder again what to have for a salubrious breakfast!

4 bowls of oatmeal, showing the variety of toppings

What I dear almost oatmeal is that information technology's really quick and piece of cake to make, you can customize it with whatsoever toppings, and it keeps you lot full with lots of free energy to last your morn! And I love that routine in my morning to have something consistent that I know will brand my trunk feel proficient.

What you need to make oatmeal

It all starts with the simplest ingredients. You'll need old fashioned oats or rolled oats, milk, water and a nuance of common salt. Those are the simply iv ingredients yous need to to make oatmeal.

In that location are 3 types of oats out at that place.

  1. Quick Oats: These are more fine oats that can be cooked really quickly. Y'all can certainly use those, but I don't recommend them because they are more candy in general and only salvage you an actress minute of cooking time.
  2. Steel Cut Oats: This is the whole oat, unrolled and unprocessed type. These have the longest time to cook, and need at least 20 minutes on the stovetop. Exist sure to also check out my tutorial on how to melt steel cutting oats.
  3. Quondam Fashioned Oats or Rolled Oats: In between the quick oats and steel cut oats, yous'll discover old fashioned or rolled oats. They are pretty similar, merely the rolled ones are slightly rolled/pressed, which makes them more candy. These are thicker than quick oats, then they demand more than time to melt. Either erstwhile fashioned oats or rolled oats piece of work slap-up for this recipe.
Old fashioned oats in a bowl used to make oatmeal

Microwave Cooking Instructions

Kickoff by measuring the oats and liquids. The ratio is 1:2. The usual serving size is ½ cup oats to 1 cup of water, milk or combination of both. I like combining ½ a cup of water and ½ a cup of milk for the best consistency.

Then place in the microwave without a comprehend on information technology (we don't want any microwave accidents when the liquid boils). Microwave on high for 2 minutes and the consistency should be perfect.

Ratio of old fashioned oats to milk and water before cooking in microwave to make oatmeal

Stovetop Cooking Instructions

For the stovetop, you'll still use the same ratio of old fashioned oats to liquid. But to start, you'll want to bring the liquid to a eddy in a minor saucepan. Then reduce the heat to depression and pour in the oats. Allow them to cook until they thicken and absorb all the liquid, stirring frequently. It will take about 5 minutes.

Regardless whether y'all utilise the microwave or the stovetop instructions, now yous know how to brand oatmeal and how quick and like shooting fish in a barrel it is. The result is a warm cozy bowl of soft creamy oatmeal that's prepare to exist topped with your favorite add-ons.

Bowl of cooked oatmeal

Healthy oatmeal recipes

I actually savour the gustation of manifestly oatmeal with simple dark-brown sugar and nothing else. Information technology's my comfort zone. But I also like to vary upward my oatmeal and use information technology as my base of operations to enjoy some fresh fruit for the day. I like to have fun with some healthy oatmeal recipes that take the simple humble bowl of oats and make them an extraordinary superfood breakfast bowl. Here are 4 of my favorite recipes:

Maple Brown Sugar:This is a archetype flavor most oatmeal packets come in. But the bootleg maple brown carbohydrate is so much improve. I make it with chocolate-brown saccharide, maple syrup, pecans and cinnamon.

How to make oatmeal - maple brown sugar variation

Banana Nut:This is another one of the classic oatmeal flavors that comes in a bundle, so I beloved recreating it with actual fresh bananas (not the sense of taste of bananas). I unremarkably piece one-half a banana and add walnuts, basis flaxseeds and cinnamon.

How to make oatmeal - banana nut variation

Strawberry & Cream:This is such a dreamy yummy combination. Merely add fresh sliced strawberries, a splash of half and half or kokosnoot cream or whatsoever non-dairy creamer, along with some honey and a touch of vanilla extract.

How to make oatmeal - strawberries and cream variation

Chocolate Peanut Butter:This ane's for the kiddos. And who am I kidding, sometimes for me also! When the oatmeal is still warm, I stir in cocoa or cacao powder and proceed stirring until the mixture looks chocolatey. And then embellish the chocolate taste with chocolate chips, and add together a spoon of peanut butter forth with crunchy peanuts on summit. My kids devour this, and it'southward a chip on the indulgent side of healthy, only all the same still salubrious.

How to make oatmeal - chocolate peanut butter variation

Oatmeal toppings

Those good for you oatmeal recipes tin can get you started with ideas for oatmeal toppings. But there are countless ways of topping your oatmeal. Call back of it as a sheet or a starting point. Add some fruit to sweeten it and get some fiber in your body. Add some nuts and seeds for extra protein and healthy fats. Or add spices to boost the flavour without added sugar.

Here are more ideas for oatmeal toppings

  • Fruit: Fresh fruit like bananas, berries and apples; stale fruits like raisins, cranberries, apricots, dates or coconut; frozen fruits like berries or mangoes, jams, fruit zest or absurdity.
  • Nuts & Seeds: Almonds, walnuts, pecans or peanuts; chia seeds, basis flaxseeds, sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.  You can too do whatsoever nut butter or seed butter.
  • Cooked Grains: Quinoa, amaranth or wheat germ. Yous can cook them separately or with the oatmeal. You tin can also add together granola.
  • Spices: Cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, pumpkin spice or ginger.
  • Dairy: Splash of any type of milk or creamer or a dollop of yogurt
  • Protein Powder: If you're trying to add more protein to your nutrition, I recommend half the normal scoop.
  • Sweeteners: Dear, maple syrup, brown sugar or agave syrup.

Tips on how to make oatmeal

  1. Utilize old fashioned oats for the best consistency. Steel cutting oats have a dissimilar cooking method entirely, so I would definitely avoid those if you're following this specific recipe. Quick oats work, but they are pretty mushy in my opinion. They piece of work smashing for kids though since they only need a infinitesimal in the microwave and are easier to chew and digest.
  2. Pay attention to the oat to liquid ratio. This is usually printed on the oats parcel. For reference, it'due south always ½ cup oats to 1 cup of liquid. If you use less liquid, information technology may non fully cook all the oats. If you use more liquid, it may end up looking also mushy. I recommend sticking to the ratio and so either making it thicker by mixing in toppings or thinner by mixing in milk.
  3. Don't forget the salt. I used to wonder why salt was needed to make oatmeal, but so information technology clicked when I first made oatmeal with salt. It has a way of making it less bland and actually enhances the flavor. It's hard to explicate, but information technology actually brings out the sweetness and nuttiness of the oats. But all y'all need is a pinch.
Three bowls of oatmeal with focus on the chocolate peanut butter oameal

Yous tin can say good day to oatmeal packets and now offset making your own oatmeal at home. It will be simply as easy I promise, but even cheaper in the long run and way more delicious. The best part is that it's totally customizable so yous can decide how to make it and what oatmeal toppings you want to add.

For more than oatmeal recipes:

  • Easy Overnight Oats
  • Baked Blueberry Oatmeal
  • Baked Steel Cutting Oatmeal
  • Quinoa Oatmeal
  • Protein Oatmeal

If you lot've tried these good for you-ish feel good oatmeal recipes or any other recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don't forget torate the recipe and get out me a annotate beneath! I would love to hear near your experience making information technology. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!

Prep Time 2 mins

Melt Time 2 mins

Total Time 4 mins

Pyrex 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set

GreenPan Padova Ceramic Non-Stick 10Pc Cookware Set, Light Blue

Maple Brownish Sugar

  • i teaspoon packed dark-brown carbohydrate
  • 1 teaspoons maple syrup
  • two tablespoons pecans chopped
  • 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon

Banana Nut

  • ½ banana sliced
  • 2 tablespoons walnuts
  • i tablespoon basis flaxseed
  • one/eight teaspoon cinnamon

Strawberry & Cream

  • ½ cup sliced strawberries
  • i tablespoon half and half
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • i/8 teaspoon vanilla extract

Chocolate Peanut Butter

  • two teaspoons cocoa pulverisation
  • 1 tablespoon creamy peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoons chocolate chips
  • 1 teaspoons roasted peanuts

Microwave Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients into a medium microwave rubber basin and stir together. Heat in the microwave on high for ii minutes. And so add 15-second increments until the oatmeal is puffed and softened. This is simply necessary the first fourth dimension you make it. So you lot tin guess the exact fourth dimension needed and echo in the hereafter. Stir before serving

Stovetop Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, bring the water and milk to a boil. Reduce the oestrus to depression and pour in the oats. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the oats are soft and have absorbed most of the liquid, well-nigh 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat, comprehend and let stand for 2-three minutes.

Assembly

  • Stir in the toppings and allow remainder for a few minutes to cool. Thin with a little more milk, if desired. Serve warm.

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last about 5 days in the fridge.

Make Alee Tips: You tin can make the oatmeal in the microwave or on the stovetop in accelerate. To reheat, simply add a splash of milk or water and microwave for i minute.

Substitutes: For best results, follow the recipe as is. However you lot tin use all milk or all water in the recipe instead of doing half milk/one-half h2o. You can also utilize whatsoever type of milk you'd similar.

* Delight note the nutrition label does not include any toppings.

Serving: i bowl , Calories: 227 kcal , Carbohydrates: 33 g , Protein: nine g , Fat: 6 g , Saturated Fat: 2 1000 , Cholesterol: 12 mg , Sodium: 61 mg , Potassium: 307 mg , Fiber: 4 m , Saccharide: half-dozen thou , Vitamin A: 200 IU , Calcium: 159 mg , Iron: 1.7 mg

Nutrition information provided is an approximate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.