How to Make Oatmeal

Have you ever wondered how to make oatmeal?  Do you that you can make a bowl of oatmeal on the stove in about five minutes?  All you need is rolled oats (also known as old fashioned oats, not the quick oats) and a pot of water.   

If the last time you made oatmeal for breakfast, it came out of a little packet that you poured in a bowl, added water, then nuked it in the microwave… then this post is for you. 

This post is also for my husband who told my daughter that she could not have oatmeal for breakfast this week because he did not know how to make it.  What?  Who doesn’t know how to make oatmeal? 

It’s oatmeal people, not rocket science. 

But I can sympathize, because there was a time in my life that I thought oatmeal only came with added flavors like Maple & Brown Sugar or Apples & Cinnamon.  While instant oatmeal can be a great option when you are traveling, there is no reason that you can’t make your own bowl of oatmeal at home. 

With actual rolled oats, no quick oats here.  Then you can add your own toppings/mix-ins/sweeteners yourself and that is the best part!

Once we master the art of making rolled oats, we can move on to the harder stuff.  Like how to make steel-cut oatmeal.  Ooooohhh.  Aaaaahhhh. 

 

How To Make Rolled Oats:

Serves 1*

*I always make 2-4 servings at a time and refrigerate the extra servings for later.  

Cook time: Approximately 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup rolled oats (not instant or quick oats)
• 1/3 cup milk (or your favorite non-dairy alternative, I use unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze)
• 1/3 cup water

 Directions:

1. Combine oats, milk and water in a medium pan.  Turn the stove on medium to medium-high heat and bring to a boil. 
2. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until oatmeal reaches desired thickness. 
3. Spoon oatmeal into a bowl and add toppings.

For an even creamier version of regular rolled oats, follow Kath’s instructions for Whipped Banana Oatmeal.  She’s kinda famous for her oatmeal recipe and she is the reason I almost always add 1/4 of a sliced banana (per serving) to my oatmeal while it is cooking.  It makes it turn out extra creamy and delicious!

Endless oatmeal creations can be made by adding a variety of toppings.  At the Healthy Living Summit, Quaker sponsored our breakfast with an oatmeal toppings bar that I recreated a few weeks later at home.  I have come up with a few options for you or feel free to create your own. 

Banana Bread – Add 1/2 sliced banana, 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips and 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts

Apples & Cinnamon – Add 1/2 chopped apple (you can even leave the peel on) and sprinkle with cinnamon.  If you have time, microwave the cinnamon topped chopped apples for about 30-45 seconds first then add to your oatmeal.

Brown Sugar & Cinnamon – A simple classic taste that both adults and kids love.  Add 1 tablespoon of brown sugar and sprinkle with cinnamon. 

Peanut Butter Protein - Add 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder to cooked oatmeal and mix well.  Then top hot oatmeal with 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter and watch it melt.  Mmmm. 

Blueberry Flax – Add 1/4 cup of blueberries to hot oatmeal and stir.  Then top with 1/2 to 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed.  Sweeten with a drizzle of agave or honey. 

Raisins & Granola – Add 1 tablespoon of raisins (or even dried cranberries) then top with 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite granola. 

I can’t wait to hear what other combinations can come up with!  What are your favorite oatmeal toppings??

Tagged as: bananas, breakfast, Oatmeal, Recipes