How to Make Oatmeal

Start your day right with a hearty and healthy bowl of oatmeal.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and when you can prepare a morning repast that tastes great and is full of healthy goodness in mere minutes, why wouldn’t you make oatmeal? This powerhouse dish, full of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients necessary for good health, couldn’t be more simple to make or more delicious to eat, once you’ve finished it with your favorite toppings.

We can’t praise this simple way to make oatmeal enough–you can literally have the most nutritious breakfast on the table in just over 5 minutes! It’s warm and filling, such a satisfying way to prepare for your day! But the true gift of oatmeal is its ability to be a partner to so many yummy toppings: fresh fruit (berries, bananas, whatever is seasonal), chopped up dry fruit or raisins, maple syrup or honey drizzles, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, chopped nuts, even chocolate chips…it’s all about what flavors and textures you and your family like best. In our house, we change up the toppings all the time, but we always pair oatmeal with buttered whole grain toast slathered with Orange Marmalade

Why are oats so healthy?

Oats are one of the healthiest foods you can eat. First, they are a whole grain and whole grains not only keep you full longer, they are known to help lower cholesterol and contribute to heart health; they may also reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes. Oats are also high in antioxidants, and contain many other essential nutrients, including Vitamin E.

Ingredients

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup water
Pinch of salt
2-3 tablespoons milk of choice (e.g., almond, soy, dairy)
Optional toppings: brown sugar, pecans, walnuts, roasted peanuts, ground flaxseed, maple syrup or honey, cinnamon, cocoa powder, banana, sliced strawberries, half and half, vanilla extract, creamy peanut butter, chocolate chips…

Step 1: Gather all ingredients and measure them out.

Step 2: In a small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1/2 cup water, and a pinch of salt.

Step 3: Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats are soft and have absorbed the water.

Step 4: Remove from heat and stir in 2-3 tablespoons of your preferred milk to reach the desired consistency.

Step 5: Serve in a bowl and add your favorite toppings such as brown sugar, maple syrup, nuts, fruit, or a drizzle of honey.

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

The cooked oatmeal can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 months in the freezer. To reheat, add a splash of water or your preferred type of milk and warm on the stovetop or in the microwave (thaw frozen oatmeal in the fridge overnight before reheating).

While you’re sleeping, oats can be working

Have you heard about Overnight Oats? They are basically oats that are mixed with the milk of your choice (and other things, such as flaxseed, fruit, nuts…), stored overnight in your fridge, and ready for you to eat in the morning. That’s right, overnight oats are not cooked!! Personally, I prefer the cooked, warm version but that’s just me…

Are oats gluten-free?

Well…yes and sometimes no. Pure oats are gluten free, but they can be contaminated by gluten from other products processed in the same factory. Best advice? Read the label.

Rolled, Steel Cut, Old-Fashioned…what’s with all the different kinds of oats?

Rolled oats and Old Fashioned oats are the same thing; steel cut oats are less processed and so they have more fiber (and take a bit longer to cook). But the good news is you can make delicious oatmeal with any of these oats!

Serving Suggestions

A well-rounded breakfast can consist of oatmeal with your favorite toppings, some kind of hearty carb (toast, a bagel, an English Muffin), and for added protein, Sunny-Side-Up Eggs, but sometimes we like to serve oatmeal with something sweet, like Orange Sunshine Coffee Cake or something savory, such as Corn and Bacon Quiche. If you want to get some veggies into the morning meal, try pairing your oatmeal with Baked Egg and Kale Cups or these adorable and delicious Mini Spinach Frittatas.