How to make DIY instant microwave oatmeal for one
By request, after I mentioned adding a carrot to my oats!
Aside from maybe fried mush, oatmeal is one of the cheapest breakfast foods I can think of.
But this is not so true if you are buying the little packets; those are typically more around the price of cold cereal.
Of course, this is not a make-or-break type of expense; your ability to retire early is not going to depend solely on you choosing oatmeal over corn flakes.
But if you'd like to try eating the most frugal version of oatmeal, well, packets are not the way to go.
Why go DIY instead of using packets?
There are a few other reasons I prefer a big container of oatmeal to the packets.
My DIY oats
- produce less trash per serving
- are less mushy than the packet oatmeal
- are easy to customize
- are lower in sugar*
- make a great vehicle for using up produce, nuts, and dried fruit
*an exception is the plain oatmeal packets. But I would be surprised if many people buy those!
Since I'm usually just making one serving for myself, I use the microwave, but you can certainly use a small pot on your stovetop as well.
For one serving of basic oats, I use:
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- ¾ cup water
- a dash of salt
- a sprinkle of cinnamon
- sugar to taste
I put it all in a glass bowl, microwave for 2:30 (your mileage may vary because microwaves vary!), stir, and top with milk or cream.
The prep takes almost no time, so I'd guess this method is very nearly as speedy as the packets.
Why I don't pre-make "packets"
I know some people love doing making their own packets, using ziplock bags, and if it works for you, more power to you.
But it takes me so little time to throw a few ingredients together in a bowl, I have a hard time imagining that the homemade packets would save me much time.
About that carrot oatmeal...
Since I am always looking for ways to add more produce into my diet, I sometimes make a carrot-cake-ish version of oats.
(This is right in line with my "add more of the good stuff" dietary approach.)
For carrot oats, I use the ingredients above and I add shredded carrots, shredded unsweetened coconut, allspice, vanilla, and some type of dried fruit (raisins, dates, currants).
This obviously does not taste quite like carrot cake. But it is a pretty delicious way to get a vegetable into a meal that is not typically vegetable-heavy.
And it is also a very good way to use dried fruit that has gotten extremely dry, since the dried fruit softens up really nicely in the oats.
Do you cook the carrots first?
Nope. They can cook right along with the oats.
If you shred the carrots finely, they get pretty soft after 2 ½ minutes in the microwave. If you want them a little chewier, use the regular side of the shredder.
Other oatmeal add-in ideas
When I make oatmeal, I almost always do it with an eye to what produce needs to be used.
If I spy a mushy apple, I slice it, saute it with some butter and cinnamon, and put it on top of my oatmeal.
If there's some leftover fruit sauce from a pancake meal, I put that on my oatmeal.
If there are berries that need to be used, I put those on top after I cook the oatmeal.
A little extra canned pumpkin or other cooked squash, such as butternut, can be stirred in.
And one time, I used the last few cranberries to make a quick cooked cranberry sauce to add to my oats.
That made for some really pink oats once I stirred it all around.
And of course, if you have any nuts in your cabinets, they make a good topping as well.
Really, you just have to experiment and see what you like. Since you are making a single serving, it's a low-stakes adventure; no big loss if you have a flop.
And the more you experiment, the better you will get at making oatmeal combos that you like.
What do you like to add to your oatmeal?
P.S. I know some people go the savory route with oatmeal (one of my readers told me she had heard of pizza oatmeal!), but I really cannot handle the idea of savory oats. Nope, nope, nope.
P.P.S. Baked oatmeal recipes abound, but if you are on the hunt, we love this fruity baked oatmeal recipe.
DIY Microwave Oatmeal for One
A super quick, super cheap alternative to oatmeal packets!
Ingredients
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- pinch salt
- ¾ cup water (or milk)
- pinch cinnamon
- sugar, maple syrup, honey to taste
Instructions
Notes
Topping Ideas:
-dried fruit
-jam
-fresh fruit
-cream or milk
-shredded coconut
-sauteed apples
-nuts
You can also do add-ins before cooking, such as shredded carrots, shredded coconut, dried fruit, or canned pumpkin.
Other flavorings: try allspice, cardamom, ginger, orange peel or lemon peel.
Experiment and have fun!
I really enjoyed this post, probably because I've been eating a lot of oatmeal this winter! Lately I've been making an oatmeal bowl that reminds me of cranberry-orange muffins. I add frozen cranberries to the oats and water, a little orange zest, a dash of salt and some dried ginger. Then when it comes out of the microwave I add orange segments, a little fresh squeezed juice and a few walnuts. If it's too tart, a little honey helps balance things out. My husband likes it when I microwave banana slices with the oats and a little vanilla extract. Soon I want to try my hand at lemon-poppy oatmeal, though your carrot cake oatmeal sounds delicious too!
Oh, this sounds tasty! I have not thought about adding orange zest.
Ha. When I saw yesterday you were going to post your oatmeal method, I thought, "I wonder if it's the same as mine?" Are you surprised that it is, almost exactly? 🙂
I always feel a little guilty making single bowls of oatmeal for my children in the microwave, though. Especially when I'm actually making it for three children. Like it's more virtuous to use a pot on the stove? But the microwave is very handy. For my children, I don't add the spices. Some of them will put on cinnamon, some like nuts, and all like milk/cream and maple syrup.
One tip for anyone trying this: Use a bigger bowl than you think you will need, because the oatmeal will bubble up like twice as high as the level of the actual ingredients while it's cooking. That's why I don't add anything but the water and oats when I'm cooking it. Way less of a pain to clean up if it boils over than sticky stuff.
I have to agree with you. Microwaves are not my favourite things but they are excellent for making oats. One further advantage it that there is no messy saucepan to clean.
I am...zero percent surprised.
Our microwave is behaving in a wonky manner, but we're at 7 children, so the big pot is the only sane way. Plus, that gives us a likable leftover in the fridge when the other leftovers (for lunch) are particularly heinous to the little and picky ones. I use the 2 parts water to one part oats method for rolled--- and 3 parts water to one part oats method for steel cut.
I love sweet oatmeal but my favorite is a savory oatmeal. You will be aghast, but I cook the oatmeal plain and then on the side, fry up two eggs over easy in butter, add soy sauce at the end, and pour everything over the top of the oatmeal with scallions, white pepper, and sesame seeds. It reminds me of Chinese congee we ate for breakfast as a child.
I could totally eat that. 🙂 Butter, eggs, and scallions could make anything good!
Wow that sounds delish
I make oats for my breakfast almost every day. I tend to stick to cinnamon and blueberries for my toppings. You have inspired me to stir things up a little.
Being a New Englander, I'm more into just a little bit of real maple syrup on mine.
Generally I make steel cut oats in either my rice cooker or Instant Pot.
I'm impressed at how elaborate your oatmeal is! I'm not awake enough to trust myself with pan syrups and the like in the morning. I'll have to try it for dinner or lunch one day so I can play around a bit....
Since we don't have a microwave (counter space > microwave), I always make oatmeal at the same time I make our morning coffee in the french press (counter space > coffee maker). Boil the water on the stove, get the coffee steeping, then add hot water to my three tablespoons of oats. I cover the bowl with another dish, go about preparing other morning things for about 5 minutes, then come back to coffee and breakfast. A bit of cinnamon and sugar or a few chocolate chips are the fanciest toppings I'm capable of at 5:30 a.m. 😛
I eat oatmeal for breakfast everyday. If I'm on the road I pack it in a jar, add water, and heat. In the interest of more fiber I add oat bran, chia seeds, and ground flax seeds to the oats before cooking. I also put frozen blueberries on before cooking, this time of year. If I have the remnants of jam, maple syrup, or molasses I put water in that container and use it to get the last of it out and use it as my oatmeal liquid. I have added small amounts of pumpkin to use it up. I usually top with yogurt and a banana. Lately I have have been snacking on oatmeal with raisins and honey.
I think the rolled oats have a much heartier texture than the quick or instant, oats.
Love the idea of using jam/syrup/molasses water as the cooking fluid! And agreed, much prefer the rolled oats to the instant.
I used to buy the plain packets! Not frequently, but they were great for long days on campus. They are small and light, last forever being carted around in a backpack, and the student lounge had some cups, a kettle, and packets of cream and sugar lying around. It wasn't the tastiest (I agree with you on the mushy-ness) but they're great in a pinch.
I salute your ability to eat plain instant oatmeal. lol
I used to buy the plain packets for a similar reason - the portability, they stay good in a desk, you can make them using the hot water dispenser in a coffee machine. BUT, I ALSO bought the flavored ones - because when I made oatmeal I would take a packet of flavored and a packet of unflavored and mix them together to make a lower sugar but still flavored oatmeal. Now I still buy flavored packets occasionally, but I mix them with rolled oats from the tub, rather than unflavored packets.
I made a pot of oatmeal this morning. I added turbinado sugar, cinnamon, ginger powder and cardamon, topped with apple slices.
I am going to try carrots and raisins.
Thanks!
Cardamom! Yes, I should try this.
I do microwave oats all of the time. My method is similar to yours: I use 1/2 cup whole oats and just enough water to cover by a quarter inch or so. I add chopped apple, raisins, dates, crystallized ginger, coconut, or whatever PLUS a small bit of walnuts or pecans. Spice it up a little. Add a tablespoon of honey or brown sugar. Like you said, you can get pretty creative. Then I nuke it for 3 minutes. I like mine fairly thick so I can add a splash of milk or half and half. Its a good way to use up fruit thats about to go bad. I had plans to write that up as a blog post a couple months ago and never did - maybe I will start taking pictures of my combos to show everyone!
We don't use packets at this point either, only we eat so much of it that it saves me a lot of time to make up a big jar so everyone can scoop out as much as they want. I'll get the big 42 oz canister of plain oatmeal, then mix in raisins, walnuts, and cinnamon.... Or whatever other dried fruit/nut/spice we have around. Keeps us going for a week or two anyway!
I make mine in the microwave too. I always add walnuts, then either bananas, berries, or dried cranberries, plus lots of cinnamon.
I used to eat oats every day, until I found out it wasn't that great for me (although great for most people!) so I eat it only occasionally now. I buy it in bulk -- so much cheaper than the small boxes, and I always buy regular, not quick cook.
I had a Quaker oatmeal cookbook that had several ways to cook savory oats and it wasn't bad at all, just different. Basically the idea was to toss some dry oats in a little butter in a skillet to toast it then add some broth, chopped onion, seasonings, etc., and cook until tender and the liquid was absorbed.
Anyway, when I ate it regularly, I sometimes made cold overnight oats. This was also from the Quaker cookbook. Soaked overnight in the refrigerator in milk with a little honey, raisins, nuts, orange slices, coconut, whatever, it was somewhat chewy but fully tender and plump enough to eat and on hot days, it was a nice breakfast.
I cook oatmeal on the stovetop for family, but microwave it for one.
I add almost anything to my oats, too. Leftover cranberry sauce or applesauce is a favorite, as are blueberries picked off our bushes that very morning. All the toppings you mentioned, I've done, too. Diced fruits of almost any sort, or canned fruits... I haven't tried melon, though; I'm not sure about that one. I like to put fresh from the farm cream on mine, thick, rich and oh, so good. Now I'm hungry.
I love overnight oats. I haven't made them in so long, thanks for reminding me!
I know! On Weight Watchers people are always posting savory oat pics and recipes. Can't do it.
@PBE, I like overnight oats, but don't like them cold, so I warm it a little bit in the microwave!
I add oats, cinnamon and raisins to mason jars as part of my weekly meal prep. Makes for an easy snack to bring in my lunch bag. Just add water and microwave (lid removed). If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll chop a fresh apple on top before putting it in the microwave.
The past few months I have discovered baked oatmeal with fruit and nuts and it's been wonderful for make-ahead breakfasts. It freezes well in single servings and heats up great. The other day I made blueberry-coconut and even my oatmeal-disliking husband liked it. I also make a version with subbing out half the oatmeal for oat bran and it's like a lovely pudding almost.
When it's just me and I'm cold and tired, oatmeal makes a good dinner: spices, raisins, a little brown sugar and butter, and it's just very hearty and filling.
Seconding the advice to microwave in a bigger bowl than you think you'll need. Oatmeal bubbles up tremendously when microwaves.
Yes -- oat bran! I have been adding it into my rolled oats -- now must try baked oatmeal. The bran does make it creamier
I'm so glad you shared this! I've been buying the protein oatmeal packets and they're okay-ish. I'd rather do this, though, and stir in a scoop of protein powder along with whatever mix-ins. Yay!
Or just add some Greek yogurt! High in protein, good probiotics, etc.
When I have bananas that need to be used..I microwave the oatmeal..stir a spoon of peanut butter into the hot oatmeal..add chopped bananas and cinnamon sugar to taste..Yum!
I've made savory oatmeal a couple times, and decided.... it's ok. It's kind of like grits, honestly - bacon and cheese work fairly well, and a poached egg is actually pretty tasty.
But it's extra work! You have to cook the oatmeal AND the bacon or the egg.
For some reason, I can do grits or cornmeal mush with a savory twist. But oatmeal? Nope.
My mom used to make a Norwegian dish that involved ham and ham broth and oatmeal balls, and I HATED it.
This week I added dried cherries and apricots, with a bit of ginger and a dash of cinnamon.
We recently tried a recipe for blueberry/quinoa/oat bars, but we didn't love it. We should have, based on the ingredients, but the texture just didn't work out well. It might be better to just add blueberry and quinoa and the spices to oatmeal.
I loved this morning's post--from a Aldi's oatmeal (and other items) fan. Thank you. A favorite for me is a version of the South Beach Diet "Oatmeal Pancake." I make them dieting or not (usually not).
1/2 cup old fashioned oatmeal
1/4 cup low-fat cottage cheese (or tofu)
4 egg whites (2 eggs is my version)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
It says to process the above in a blender, but I just beat it all together. Spray a nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add the batter and cook over medium heat until both sides are lightly browned. (I just make 3 - 4 pancakes). Sweeten with a low-sugar syrup (maple syrup for me)
and enjoy.
Yum -- I need to try this!
I love baked oatmeal. It's a perfect make ahead breakfast that I can just grab & go in the morning. I like a banana chocolate kind, or peanut butter/banana/chocolate. Yum.
I make plain oats (no sugar) and then add a tablespoon of jelly or jam any flavor, sometimes I mix in greek yogurt as well. Think peach jam and yogurt for peaches and cream
I cannot eat warm oatmeal... it's a texture thing. However, I have tried overnight oats this last year and love them... my favorite is vanilla almond milk and strawberries (frozen unsweetened). I haven't tried too many other combos ... yet! Thanks for the reminder to play with my food 🙂
Whenever I'm making something just for myself, I figure it's a prime chance to play around with what I'm doing. If it's bad, no one but me will suffer. Heh.
I have been making "carrot cake" oatmeal like this a lot lately! It's a great way to add veggies to breakfast for both me and my toddler. I've started shredding carrots to have on hand for oatmeal and as a salad topping. I also like to add a scoop of pumpkin puree with the carrots in my oatmeal if I have it leftover.
That sounds so good. I have a little pumpkin leftover in my freezer. I never thought to use it in my oats!
I usually use the steel cut, quick cooking oats because I prefer the texture but my favorite is topping it with my homemade applesauce, pumpkin pie spice, brown sugar, and a splash of heavy cream 🙂 Like apple pie for breakfast!
I love oatmeal so many ways. We had it this morning! We stick with old fashioned oats almost all the time but sometimes I do buy a box of packets just for a change of pace. My mom made the packets when I was little and they bring back memories. Especially the strawberry and cream or peaches and cream variety.
Typically I make a big pot of it and we add raisins and cinnamon, or apples and cinnamon, or granola/nuts/sunflower seeds. Plus brown sugar and butter of course.
I've never eaten it savory, but I imagine I probably would like it. With salt, butter, and cheese, kind of like grits.
The carrot cake oats don't sound too bad! I don't like carrots at all, so at first I was like, no. But if it tastes a little like carrot cake, that sounds like a tasty breakfast.
We buy the packets as stocking stuffers or Easter basket fillers for our children. Sometimes they decide that would be a lovely afternoon snack.
where can you buy unsweetened shredded coconut, I can only find the sweetened kind
I ordered this online, I think from Tropical Traditions. Health food stores often have it as well. But yeah, regular grocery stores typically only have the sweetened type.
I have found it at Sprouts, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods, Central Market, HEB, and Kroger Marketplace. There are many stores that are now getting into adding alternative foods to their shelves. Walmart is now carrying chia and hemp seeds, so give them a once over for the coconut. My store has that stuff on the spice/flour-sugar aisle.
Just to add... but you can also buy the toasted unsweetened variety. And that adds such a lovely nutty flavor to oatmeal as well! 🙂
Trader Joe's also sells unsweetened if you have them in your area! Our Ralphs (Kroger) carries it as well)
We (family of 6) do steel cut oats in the instant pot probably 2x a week for breakfast, and on a “special” occasion (or for dinner!) we will do a oatmeal “bar” where we pull out ALL the toppings and people can put on whatever they want. Think fruit, nuts, chocolate chips, coconut, jam. Well- I came down this morning and my 7 year old had decided to make an oatmeal bar for herself before school and used heaps of walnuts and chocolate chips. Her teacher is going to love that today
Ok. I may gross some of you out. I love savory outs. I started way back in high school. And I'm now 55, you get to do the math. I started with butter and salt and pepper. So good! Then added parmesan. I am now putting things like kale, tomatoes, olives, greek seasonings, baked carrots, green beans, zucchini, onions peppers, etc. No, not all at once. Just depends on what's hanging out in the fridge. If you think about, its more like risotto. I have also run the game with my sweet side, which I will do for dessert, if in need of less sugar than ice cream. Peanut butter and chocolate chips, banana, walnut and honey, cranberries and orange juice. Yes, cook the oats in juice for a much more satisfying, depth of flavor and leave out the added sugar. Apple juice with rains and nuts, cranberry juice with apricots. I don't use any dairy products any more due to allergies, so I will use almond milk and cashew milk for a bump of flavor. Banana and chocolate chip has been one of my stand-by since 1987, the first time I used oatmeal for an emotional eating jag, when said boyfriend broke up with me. You've got me wanting to try the carrot!!! The sky is the limit, reach for it!
Well, oatmeal is a pretty healthy thing to choose for emotional eating!
I enjoy oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins, topped with some whole milk and a splash of cream. Your version looks delicious!
I made this with grated carrot and grated apple this morning and it was delicious. Saved the left over carrot and apple for a salad with lunch today. Thanks for the inspiration.
I am going to try this. I am fairly new to discovering the joys of cream, and the idea of cream on top of oatmeal sounds divine! Also, I have adopted a habit of (on my three days off) eating a huge breakfast, stuffing myself sometimes. I discovered I just wasn't eating enough food. In this way, I have managed to lose 15 pounds over the course of a year or so. Go figure. I try to include plenty of protein, usually in the form of some meat and cheese, fresh fruit, and a starch (read: sweet).
Yes! Cream on all of the things.
I add liquid egg whites to my oats on the stovetop. Usually 1/2 cup. The secret is to keep stirring. You cannot taste the egg whites, it makes the oatmeal super fluffy and light while giving it a great protein boost.
Woah! This just changed my life! I AM TRYING THIS AS SOON AS I CAN! 😀 What kind of oats do you use? Rolled or steel cut?
Yum! Thank you for sharing!
Very similar to what I do, Kristen, except I use 1/2 cup of oatmeal and 3/4 cup water. I discovered, after following the microwave recipe on the package of oatmeal, that adding less water than you would on the stovetop makes the texture more to my liking when I microwave it--I think maybe because the water doesn't evaporate as much as it would on the stove? That's my theory, anyway. 🙂 I'm like you and add whatever fruit I have on hand--frequently I use bananas. We live in an area where lots of blueberries are grown so my husband stocks up on blueberries in the summer, which we freeze, and adds some on his oatmeal. Good way to cool it down. It was fun to read everyone's options for additions to their oatmeal here.
I'm a British reader and would like to know if oatmeal is the same as porridge? We make it with oats, water and milk on the stove top. Pretty much the Same toppings as you guys but That is quite new. When I was a child we ate porridge with just a bit of sugar, or honey.
My favourite now adays is to add banana and peanut butter!
Yep, that sounds like the same thing! I use rolled oats, which are known as old-fashioned oats here.
Are yours rolled? Or are they more like steel cut oats?
Actually I've just had a look online at images of oats and in Britain we definitely use rolled oats for porridge.
British porridge is made with steel cut oats. I used the beautiful, white steel cut oat tin for my kitchen utensils for years! Love a good product with great design!!
Thanks for clearing that up Leigh - I don't think we distinguish between steel cut or rolled! I don't know what the difference is. We just buy 'oats' and everybody uses them for porridge or flapjacks 🙂
Steel cut look like giant hard grains of sand, rolled oats are those flattened by a steamroller, so they are floury flat discs. If you eat a rolled oat raw, it would taste floury and bad, if you ate steel cut oats raw it would taste like broken teeth.
LOL to that last sentence. I'm sharing that over breakfast this morning.
I haven't read all the answers yet, but doesn't anyone eat peanut butter with oatmeal? My routine oatmeal is with dried cranberries and peanut butter. Yum! And it sticks to your ribs for long-term hunger control.
I have actually never eaten peanut butter in my oatmeal. Apparently I need to try that.
Yes I eat it that way sometimes! I started doing it years ago. Nobody else in my house will though. 🙂
Definitely peanut butter or almond butter -- helps to balance all the carbs. I also add Frugal Girl yogurt and other random things (chia seeds, hemp hearts, unsweetened coconut, applesauce, Chinese 5-Spice, a little dried fruit, a dab of organic maple syrup, etc., though not all together). Butter is a no-go...that's just weird!
I much prefer the texture of steel cut oats over rolled oats.
My recipe:
1/4 c. steel oats
1/2 c. water
1/4 c. milk
Generous pinch of kosher salt. Cook on stove top until creamy.
Top with:
1 tsp. pumpkin seed oil
1 tsp. birch syrup
2 chopped dried apricots
small sprinkle of pepitas
Much more savory than sweet.
Betta I am trying to figure out where you live or at least the country. I am intrigued by birch syrup. daVille sounds French, so perhaps New Orleans. But birch syrup doesn’t exactly fit in there. A northern Scandinavian country, perhaps.
I live in Somerville, MA
The pumpkin seed oil is from Slovenia, where it is ubiquitous, and our vacation go-to.
The birch syrup is from the Eastern Townships of Quebec (Quebec being the closest thing to feeling like we are in Europe!) so we try to go once a year. I just happened to have both when I came across a Nordic recipe, when I was looking for a savory oatmeal recipe. In the original, it is just cooked in water than then buttermilk is added with the rest of the toppings.
Thanks for your reply. I know I can be overly curious sometimes.
I love eating oatmeal in the mornings. I stopped doing it on work days, because on the stove takes too long with cooking and clean up and for some reason it always bubbles over in the microwave on me. If you know how to stop the microwave overflow please share!
A bigger bowl! Also, if you microwave it for about half the cook time, stir it, then finish cooking, it seem to help.
But using a big bowl is extremely helpful.
Use boiling water, and then you don't need a microwave. Oats in a bowl, boiling water, then let it steam and plump in the bowl while you do something else, and it's good to go!
I tried the boiling water method for the first time this morning with old fashioned oats. It was perfect! I actually prefer the texture compared to cooked (either stovetop or microwave). It was creamy, but not sticky at all, the way regular oatmeal is.
Sometimes I cannot abide the...wetness of oatmeal. I usually enjoy it, but too many days in a row of it, and I just can't choke another bowl down. On those days, I make the following:
Carrot Cake Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
1 large ripe mashed banana
1 finely shredded carrot
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
1/4 tsp. ground ginger
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 cup walnut pieces
1/4 cup raisins
1 cup rolled oats
Convection oven at 350 for 15 minutes (conventional oven at 375 for 20). Makes 6 large cookies.
This is obviously breakfast for two, or breakfast for one and a snack or three for later. 🙂
I so want these!
I hope you like them. I eat very little sugar, so my they taste plenty sweet to me, but you might want to add a bit of brown sugar. Also, a bit a nut butter (probably almond with the carrot cake version) gives a more actual cookie-like texture. The fats help with that. I enjoy them without, but my diet is pretty simple these days.
I also use the basic formula of banana plus oats plus spices to make many different versions of theses cookies. You can even use pumpkin puree instead of the banana (definitely needs more sweetness then). Anyway, have fun playing around with the basic idea.
I eat oatmeal every morning. I make it with milk (no water) peanut butter and honey. 🙂 I use to use the packets, but I realized that they had a lot of auger and I like the old fashioned best. I’m surprised that you can do it in full power without them coming out the top. I do mine for 4 minutes at 70%.
I make steel-cut oats. I usually cook a batch with 1 cup oats, 3 cups water then add 1 cup milk (I use almond). I keep it in the refrigerator after it cooks and it makes 4 servings. When I warm it, I mostly top it with homemade applesauce and some nuts, sometimes some mini choc chips. Yum!
Kristen—So many good ideas for oatmeal. Who knew? But it got me to thinking about a previous post about making breakfast in a small cast iron pan and included an egg on top. But it is not filed under the Breakfast category. Do you know where that might be? I’d like to read it again.
Probably this one! https://www.thefrugalgirl.com/tuesday-tip-make-a-skillet-breakfast-lunch/
That’s it! Thank you! I really love this idea, as well as some of the oatmeal ones. Your photography makes everything look so good. My execution of something is another matter, but I’m inspired to try at least.
To my morning oatmeal, also made in the microwave, usually is added whatever fruit is handy. Lately I've been needing to get through breakfast quickly, so sliced up frozen strawberries quickly cool down the oatmeal and get me on my way. Now, my favorite addition to oatmeal is not the least bit virtuous, but a few M & M's stirred in and allowed to melt for a bit are so very good with a rather satisfying texture. 🙂
Ooo.. M & Ms... sounds fantastic!
M&Ms improve virtually anything
I am so surprised that only one other commenter just adds boiling water to the bowl. My kids make themselves oatmeal quite regularly because it's so simple and they love anything they can add sugar to before consuming! We have an electric kettle so they just boil some water, add it to the oats in a bowl and then place a small plate on top for a couple of minutes. Stone is all about the maple syrup on top and Shepard loves brown sugar with a splash of milk. No pans to wash, no kids pulling hot stuff out of the microwave, (relatively) healthy breakfast without mom's help! Win, win in my book!
Copied from a comment reply I made on another comment:
I tried the boiling water method for the first time this morning with old fashioned oats. It was perfect! I actually prefer the texture compared to cooked (either stovetop or microwave). It was creamy, but not sticky at all, the way regular oatmeal is.
I add ground flax seeds and a couple of prunes
I use the same oatmeal and the same amount of oatmeal. However I use a 1/2 cup almond milk instead of water. Then to make it a little sweet, I add a tsp of maple cream, pecans and a banana. If there are no bananas, I use applesauce (unsweetened of course).
I'm not a huge oatmeal fan but I like doing steel cut oats overnight - 1 part steel cut oats, 2 parts almond milk, some chia and flaxseed, and a few chocolate chips. It's chewy (kind of like grapenuts) but I like it and it's ready to go.
My kids like regular oatmeal with frozen blueberries or cherries (cools it down quick), coconut, and chocolate chips or butterscotch chips. Sometimes we swap the chips for brown sugar.
I've made savory oats while traveling abroad - I've put salsa, pickled veggies, capers, salt/pepper, hot sauce...I know it sounds weird when you're used to thinking of oatmeal with sweet toppings but it's pretty good - Kind of along the lines of grits.
Did the for my kids all the time when they were little. Only difference is I used all milk (full fat) while cooking and as you did, added cold milk after cooking, which helps cool it down. Also added brown sugar or maple syrup for them.. They always loved it!
Thanks for these oatmeal ideas! My favorite thing is to stir in a big dollop of peanut butter.
Ooo must try the carrot cake oatmeal!
I put a few raisins, chia seeds and LOTS of cinnamon and nutmeg. Lately, I cook them in flax milk (but any "mylk" or water will do). I grind up flax and pumpkin seeds to sprinkle on top (when I have them). Must try allspice 😉
My one trick: Put frozen blueberries in the serving bowl and pour the cooked oatmeal over them, stir around and eat. The berries taste fresh this way and don't get mushy. Lately we have had fresh raspberries and blackberries so I put them on top with a handful of whatever nuts I have.
The raisins and spices sweeten it pretty nicely -- it even works for lunch -- cold! I never thought to put vanilla in -- must try this
I have made carrot cake oatmeal before and it's great. The recipe also works great as a smoothie; just add yogurt! My favorite is almonds, dried fruit, local maple syrup, and a little cream in my oatmeal. But, I will also add whatever is leftover in the refrigerator.
I recently started experimenting with savory oats- a little butter, salt, pepper, sundried tomatoes, and topped with a fried egg. It's pretty good and great way to use up odds-and-ends.
I usually make oatmeal or hot cereal on the weekends as I like to "get a bit fancy with it" as my husband says. I toast whatever nuts I want to add first. Then I simmer the raisins in the water for 10-15 minutes, then use the same water to make the oatmeal. The sugar in the raisins often makes it sweet enough that I don't need to add extra sugar at the table. I learned this trick from an oatmeal raisin cookie recipe in my 1961 Betty Crocker cookbook that incorporates the raisin water into the cookie dough and it's so yummy!
If it's a weekday I will keep it simple and just add a bit of milk and maple syrup at the table. Thanks for the recipe suggestions though, love the carrot cake-ish idea!
Your comment about "adding more of the good stuff" got me thinking, and I went and re-read that post. Did you know that philosophy also aligns with the current treatment for eating disorders? (Binge eating disorder in particular.) No longer do they advocate any dieting, fasting, calorie counting or any manipulation of what the person eats, but instead, a process called "mechanical eating" is added to whatever the person eats. It doesn't sound appealing, but it really just means eating meals and snacks with a vague proportion of food groups at regular intervals, to mimic how a person with a healthy relationship with food eats. Nothing excessive like weighing or counting because they trigger the disorder. Apparently if you eat that way for awhile your body will begin responding with appropriate hunger and fullness signals and generally operating more normally. Restricting triggers eating disordered thought and behaviour! Finally they're working with that instead of against it. You're in good company with your philosophy. 🙂
Oh, that's so interesting!
I like to add blueberries, whipping cream, brown sugar and toasted salted pecans. The salt plays very nicely with the brown sugar and cream.
I love oatmeal, but have never tried it with milk or cream. I’ve never known anyone who ate it that way, but I may just try it!
We have factions in our household. Some like the dairy in porridges; others claim the dairy users to be porridge heretics. It's the like the nation's politics in a microcosm with no meeting of the minds.
I keep a canister with quick oatmeal, nuts, dried fruit and cinnamon. It cooks in 90 seconds. Either of these types are superior to packets because there is more fiber and no sugar. You could still add carrots.
Thanks for the explanation behind the carrot. That makes sense!
I used to make oatmeal at work for lunch. It was cheap, easy, healthy, and move to have something warm in the winter.
For breakfasts for my family now I cook the oats with chopped apples and brown sugar. But I'm inspired by all of the other ideas here! We could use some variety in our oatmeal these days.
My current favorite is
Rolled oats
Water
Cocoa powder
Frozen fruit (lately cherries)
Stevia
So, so yummy
I love oatmeal too! I always add wild blueberries, walnuts, maple syrup, cinnamon, flax, raw sunflower kernels, and chia seed. Yum!
I like to add some crunchy peanut butter to mine for a little protein. And a splash of flavored creamer since I can't have dairy until lunch due to medicine conflict. Will try the carrots. And I do like to have a pan of baked oatmeal already made and cooked for mornings when grands show up at 7 a.m. One gets hangry very quickly is she's not fed after her drive here.
Also delicious is to put candied pecans on top with your fruit! https://www.southernkitchen.com/recipes/condiment/candied-pecans
Can I also just say, I love that you can write a post about Oatmeal and immediately get 100 comments on it - which are actually giving me lots of new ideas about how to make our oatmeal? (Reason #489 why I like your blog : )
Right? The readers here are so good!
This morning I had "banana bread" oatmeal. Add a banana slightly past it's prime, some cinnamon, and chopped pecans. Great way to use that last sad banana that doesn't have enough sad friends for a whole batch of banana bread.
Yes, oatmeal!
I eat it almost daily:
Quick oats
Water/almond milk
Frozen sliced strawberries or blueberries
roasted, unsalted almonds (SO GOOD!)
Hemp hearts & chia
Drizzle of maple syrup
Frugal Girl Community, you rock! Now we're up to 114 comments about oatmeal <3
I wasn't going to comment on this post, partly because I already detailed my recipe/process for "trash oatmeal" in a previous five frugal things post, and also because after 100+ comments, what more could I possibly add? But, then I read the comments again and saw Jody's brilliant comment about using oatmeal packets as stocking and Easter basket stuffers, and I immediately went back to a high school memory. I never got them in a stocking, but I used to LOVE to eat the individual packets as a snack...dry...as in I would tuck a packet or two into my lunch along with a spoon and just eat the sugary oats right out of the packet, usually on the bus ride to school. My favorite was maple and brown sugar. I was obviously weird, but I bet my weirdo kids would like this too, so I'm definitely adding them to Easter baskets this year, maybe along with a bunny-shaped spoon. 😉
Thanks for the carrot cake oatmeal idea! I've been making something similar since I saw this, and I love it. And it makes me feel good that I'm starting the day off with a veggie.
I like my old fashioned oats chewy I guess so only use a 1-1.5 ratio for oats/water (usually 1/3 c oats with 1/3 plus a little more water) and micro 2-3 minutes.
Toppings are a variety of whatever we have on hand-Costco dried cherries, cinnamon, brown sugar, cut up fresh fruit, frozen fruit, maple syrup, pecans or almonds. Sometimes I have more toppings than oats. My husband converted me to a pat of butter instead of milk.
Recently I bought a box of Cream of Wheat on sale as my mom used to make it when we were kids years ago. Not a fan. We are Team Oatmeal.
For the last nearly 15 years of my life I have eaten (almost) every morning:
microwave oatmeal (cooked in water or water + some dairy that I need to use up)
3/4 scoop vanilla whey protein powder (approx 20grams or so protein)
1-2 tsp. cocoa powder
top with whatever dried fruit and nuts I have on hand
plus top with some kind of fresh fruit I have on hand
In the prosy text you state that you use ⅓ cup oats. In the recipe you claim it’s ½ cup oats. Which is correct?
It should be 1/2 cup! I will fix it now; thank you.