You can cook almost anything in the microwave, including rolled oats. The best part about making oatmeal from scratch, rather than buying ready-made porridge, is that you can add as many ingredients as you like to create ever-changing combinations. Check the packaging for instructions on how to cook them in the microwave. If you don't find specific directions, follow the instructions in the article regarding classic oat flakes.
Ingrediants
Classic Oat Soup
- 50 g of "old fashioned / rolled" oat flakes (whole flaked grains) or "quick cooking oats" (flaked grains then broken for faster cooking)
- 250 ml of water
- 1 pinch of salt
Steel Cut Oats
- 20 g of oats in grains
- 250 ml of water
- 2 pinches of salt
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Make Classic Oat Soup
Step 1. Get a large bowl suitable for microwave use
It must have a capacity of at least half a liter, as the oat flakes will increase in volume during cooking. This will prevent them from leaking out of the container and dirtying the oven. Once cooked, you can transfer the rolled oats to your favorite cup.
Step 2. Put 50 g of oat flakes, 250 ml of water and a pinch of salt in the bowl
These doses refer to one serving. If you want to make oatmeal for more than one person, you will need to cook one serving at a time.
Whole oats ("old fashioned / rolled oats") or broken ("quick cooking oats") are best suited for microwave cooking. If you want to use oats in grains, click here
Step 3. Cook the oat flakes in the uncovered bowl
The time required ranges from 1 and a half to 3 minutes, depending on the type of oat. Below you will find the recommended cooking times for the two most popular rolled oat varieties:
- Whole oat flakes ("old fashioned oats" or "rolled oats") should cook for about 2 and a half to 3 minutes, at maximum power;
- Quick cooking oats should cook for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes at maximum power.
Step 4. Remove the bowl from the microwave and place it on a heat resistant surface
It will be hot, so grab it with pot holders or oven mitts and be careful.
Step 5. Add the desired ingredients
At this point you can decorate or enrich the oat flakes as you like, for example with honey, raisins and cinnamon. For more ideas, click here.
Step 6. Let the oat flakes rest for one minute before serving
This way they will have time to absorb excess water and, moreover, you will not risk getting burned.
Method 2 of 3: Make Steel Cut Oats
Step 1. Get a large bowl suitable for microwave use
It must have a capacity of at least half a liter, as the oat grains will increase in volume during cooking. This will prevent them from leaking out of the container and dirtying the oven. Once the oats are cooked, you can transfer them to your favorite cup.
Step 2. Put 20 g of steel cut oats, 60 ml of water and 2 pinches of salt in the bowl
These doses refer to one serving. If you want to make oatmeal for more than one person, you will need to cook one serving at a time.
In this first phase you only have to add part of the water, the rest will be added later. Grain oats should be cooked differently from classic oat flakes
Step 3. Cook the oats for 2 minutes on maximum power
When the time expires it will not be ready yet, you will have to alternate short cooking intervals with the addition of more water until it is completely cooked.
You can leave the bowl uncovered
Step 4. Add another 60ml of water and cook the oats for another minute
You will notice that the beans will absorb the liquid and become more full-bodied.
Step 5. Add the last 130ml of water, stir and cook for 4 minutes on maximum power
Pause the oven every 60 seconds to mix the oats. This will prevent it from boiling too hard and risk leaking out of the bowl.
Step 6. Remove the bowl from the microwave
It will be hot, so grab it with pot holders or oven mitts and place it on a heat-resistant surface.
Step 7. Add desired ingredients
At this point, you can decorate or enrich the oats as you like, for example with honey, raisins and cinnamon. For more ideas, click here.
Step 8. Let the oatmeal sit for one minute before serving
In this way, the oat grains will have time to absorb excess water and, in addition, you will not risk getting burned.
Method 3 of 3: Variants and Ideas for Enriching Oat Soup
Step 1. Add some milk for a creamier oatmeal (or porridge)
If the oats seem too dry for your taste when cooked, try adding a little milk or cream. Next time you can consider using half water and half milk while cooking.
If you are vegan, you can use an original vegetable milk, for example from almonds, rice or soy
Step 2. Add a crunchy note to the porridge with the chopped nuts
Oats have an aftertaste reminiscent of toasted hazelnuts, so there's nothing like dried fruit to enrich porridge. You can use whatever variety you like, as in general all nuts go well with the flavor of oats, especially almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts and pecans.
Step 3. Complete the porridge healthily with fruit
You can use fresh fruit or dried fruit, the important thing is to cut it into bite-sized pieces or even smaller. You can create several delicious combinations using fruit, cream and spices.
- Try using dried fruits, such as apricots, cherries, blueberries, cranberries, dates, and raisins.
- You can also use fresh fruit, such as apples, bananas, peaches, and strawberries.
- You can use fresh or frozen berries, all varieties are fine and blueberries in particular are very popular with porridge lovers.
Step 4. Make your porridge more interesting with sweeteners and spices
According to some, oats have a too delicate flavor and there are those who are not satisfied with adding fresh, dried or dried fruit. If you are one of those who want to indulge their palate, you can consider the following options - no need to overdo it, just a teaspoon, a few drops or a small pinch of the following ingredients.
- If you want to sweeten the porridge you can use for example: agave syrup, brown sugar, honey, jam, maple syrup or fruit in syrup.
- For example, if you want to flavor porridge with spices, you can use: cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom or ginger.
Step 5. Try out particular combinations
Some flavors tend to marry better with each other. Honey and brown sugar make a great combination, as do apples with cinnamon. You can't go wrong with matching these ingredients, while there are other combinations that are to be avoided. You can take a cue from the following ideas:
- If sweets are your thing, use some dark chocolate chips and a few slices of banana.
- If you like berries and nuts, try pairing blueberries with pecans and top the porridge with a dollop of Greek yogurt.
- If you like Middle Eastern sweets, try combining cinnamon, honey, pine nuts and dried dates.
Step 6. Enjoy your meal
Advice
- The "rolled oats" and the "old fashioned oats" are the same thing.
- If the oatmeal is too thick or dry, you can add water or milk.
Warnings
- Do not put any metal objects in the microwave.
- Do not lose sight of the microwave while the oats are cooking as they could risk falling out of the bowl. If the level gets dangerously close to the edge, put the oven on pause and wait about ten seconds before turning it back on.
- Handle the bowl carefully after removing it from the microwave as it will be hot.
