If you’re doing a time crunch, making oatmeal in the microwave is quick and easy. Here are my tips on how to make oatmeal in the microwave!
Back at the beginning of my blog, I made stove top oatmeal, which was cooked slowly almost every morning. It was a ritual I loved from start to finish: stirring, creaminess, toppings. Recently, the mornings were a little different, leaving the door with the kids to complete a limited number of school hours to complete work, training and home tasks. Most days, Thomas and I share a very efficient green smoothie. But sometimes I make oatmeal – in the microwave!
And what do you think is Birch’s favorite breakfast? Microwave oats, plain and simple style (the chunks of bananas will surprise him!).
Check out all of my creative oatmeal recipes here!
How to make oatmeal in the microwave
Can I make oatmeal in the microwave?
Cooking steel cut oats in microwaves may prove difficult, but some factors lead to a simple process for quick cooking. There are a few scientific things to consider.
You need to make sure the oats have reached a sufficient temperature for gelatinization and that the oats absorb water and contain starch that gives them gelatin when heated. As the temperature rises, the starch granules become swelled, absorbing water and thickening the mixture. In a microwave, the liquid (milk or water) is rapidly heated, causing faster gelatinization. If you’re looking for the creamiest bowl of oatmeal, try this recipe: How to Make Creamy Oatmeal. Cook in several blocks and heat the food via dielectric heating, stirring between microwaves. There, water molecules vibrate to generate heat. Oats absorb microwaves unevenly, so stirring is required to distribute and cook heat. Use a bowl large enough that does not overflow as the starch gelatinizes and the viscosity increases. If the bowl is too small or the microwave power is too high, the oatmeal can overflow as steam bubbles rise through the thickening mixture. Use a medium power setting and consider lower, slower and ultra-fast heat. My microwave has a power level dial with about 60-70% power. Container Shape and Material: The wide and shallow container allows for more uniform cooking and reduces the risk of overflow. Microwave-safe materials such as glass and ceramics distribute heat evenly than plastic. Plus, you don’t want to put plastic in your microwave anyway! The oats become a little thicker when they are cooled, so sit down a few minutes after cooking.
Which oats are best for microwaves?
Oatmeal on stovetops is often made from steel cut or old-fashioned rolled oats, but quick oats are the go-to for microwave oatmeal as they are the fastest to cook. Why is this? Increased surface area (as they were cut and rolled).
Different types of oats all have the same nutrition, but vary in surface area and cooking time.
Steel cut oats = Cut Quick Steel cut oats = Cut and steamed old fashioned rolled oats = Cut and wrapped Quick cook oats = Cut, rolled, steamed oatmeal packets = Often the fastest cooking and often taste.
How do you cook oatmeal in microwaves?
You can make simple microwave oatmeal with water or milk. Use only water, half water/half milk, or all milk. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the combination used. I usually don’t add a lot of mixins to microwave-made oatmeal, so I tend to keep the base simpler and do all the additions and toppings at the end. Feel free to use non-dairy milk alternatives such as soy milk and oat milk. However, be aware that fat content can also slightly alter cooking time.
material
1/2 cup quick oats, a small cup whole milk pinch salt pinch
Instructions
Step 1: Scoop the oats into a microwave safe bowl
Step 2: Add liquid
Step 3: Microwave at 60-70% power for 1 minute. Next, mix
Step 4: Microwave for an additional minute at 60-70% power
Step 5: Continue until you reach the required consistency
Depending on the microwave and volume, you may need to do a few rounds. I take it out a bit before it gets too thick and cools a little. It thickens perfectly consistent in just 1-2 minutes from the outside of the microwave!
Jazz up oatmeal with toppings and protein:
If you want to make your protein heavier, have a specific protein oatmeal recipe! Other favorites include cottage cheese, Greek yogurt and protein powder.
Favorite oatmeal toppings
Granola Peanut Butter, Sunflower Butter, Almond Butter Fresh Fruit, Blueberry, Strawberry, Sliced Banana, Fresh Peach Dried Fruit Chopped Nut Coconut Flake Chia Seed
Favourite stirring oatmeal ingredients
Any flavor of collagen, chia seeds or flax seed protein powder! All kinds of pumpkin cottage cheese Greek yogurt fruit (fresh fruit like raisins or chopped pears) a little extra sweet for maple syrup or brown sugar
More Oatmeal Ideas:
