Oatmeal

There’s something timeless about starting the day, especially cold mornings, with a bowl of warm oatmeal. Cooking oatmeal on the stovetop is the way to go if you’re making bigger batches to feed a family or meal-prepping oatmeal recipes for the week ahead.

This simple stovetop oatmeal recipe is as cozy as it is versatile, and let’s not forget nutritious! Learn how to make oatmeal by starting with just three pantry staples—old-fashioned oats, water and a pinch of salt. Then, before serving, add a splash of milk, transforming the oats into a creamy, blank canvas ready to be customized with your favorite toppings.

You can keep it classic and top your oatmeal with a sprinkle of cinnamon, or load it up with fruit, nuts or even chocolate. If you want to elevate your next bowl of oats, you could even try savory oatmeal.

How to Make Oatmeal

Just as there are endless ways to customize your bowl of oats, you have options for how to cook oatmeal. Stovetop oatmeal is the most traditional method, and that’s the technique we’ll be perfecting in this recipe. You can also microwave oats for a speedy breakfast, make slow-cooker oatmeal or even use an electric pressure cooker.

To make a pot of oatmeal on the stovetop, you’ll need just water, oats and salt. The process is basically as simple as boiling water! Once the water comes to a boil, stir in the oats and salt, then cook over low heat for about five minutes until the oats absorb the water and become tender. Finally, stir in a splash of milk and whatever mix-ins or toppings your heart—er, stomach—desires!

The stovetop method for cooking oatmeal is simple, fast and foolproof—as long as you always use the correct oat-to-liquid ratio. The ratio is 1:2 for quick, rolled and old-fashioned oats to water. A standard serving of oats is 1/2 cup uncooked, so you’ll use 1 cup of water for every 1/2 cup of oats. You can use this golden rule to prepare a single serving of oatmeal or scale it up to feed a crowd.

Ingredients for Oatmeal

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• Water: Oats need plenty of liquid to cook properly. This oatmeal recipe makes four servings of oatmeal and calls for 2 cups of uncooked oats. Using the 1:2 ratio mentioned above means we need 4 cups of water to cook 2 cups of oats.
• Oats: We’re making this oatmeal recipe with old-fashioned oats, which are the same as rolled oats. Old-fashioned oats cook in about five minutes and retain a pleasant, chewy texture. You can make this recipe with quick oats, but they tend to be mushier. Steel-cut oats won’t work with this recipe since they require more liquid and cooking time.
• Salt: Ina Garten, an oatmeal devotee, said oatmeal without a little salt tastes like wallpaper paste. Just a pinch of salt transforms oats from bland to flavorful and nutty.
• Milk: Stirring a few splashes of milk into the cooked oatmeal gives the oats a creamy texture. We’re using 2%, but you can use whole milk for a richer taste. If you prefer dairy-free, a nondairy milk alternative works too.
• Optional sweetener: Oatmeal tastes fantastic with a hint of sweetness. A sprinkle of sugar or a drizzle of maple syrup or honey enhances the flavor and pairs well with popular oatmeal toppings like fruit and nuts.
• Optional flavorings: As with sweeteners, additional flavorings are optional but highly recommended. Ground cinnamon and vanilla extract are traditional and complement the nuttiness of the oats, but you can experiment with other flavorings to find your favorites.

Directions

Step 1: Boil the water

Bring the water to a boil in a large saucepan set over high heat.

Editor’s Tip: Covering the saucepan with a lid will trap heat in the pot, helping the water reach a boil faster.

Step 2: Cook the oatmeal

Stir the oats and salt into the boiling water, then reduce the heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for five minutes, until the oats are soft.

Editor’s Tip: The oatmeal is done when most of the water has been absorbed. If your oatmeal looks watery after five minutes, cook for several minutes more until the mixture thickens.

Step 3: Add the milk

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the milk. Cover the saucepan and let the oatmeal sit for three to four minutes.

Editor’s Tip: It may be tempting to dive right in to your oatmeal at this point, but don’t skip the rest period! Letting your oatmeal rest off the heat for a few minutes allows the starch in the oats to absorb the milk, creating a smooth and creamy texture.

Step 4: Flavor the oatmeal

If desired, stir in sweetener, cinnamon or vanilla extract, then serve.

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Oatmeal Variations

• Try maple brown sugar: Top your bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar, cinnamon and 1 tablespoon maple syrup for a sweet treat. Nuts and raisins are optional but add great texture.
• Indulge in chocolate peanut butter: Stir 1 or 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder into the oatmeal while cooking. Sweeten with maple syrup or honey to taste, then drizzle with peanut butter and garnish with chocolate chips and peanuts for crunch.
• Make it banana nut: Load your oatmeal bowl with banana slices, nut butter, chopped nuts and cinnamon.
• Add apples and cinnamon: Mix diced apple into the oatmeal while cooking, and flavor it with plenty of cinnamon. Maple syrup and a few drops of vanilla extract will make your oatmeal taste like apple pie.
• Enjoy berries and cream: Add fresh strawberries, blueberries or raspberries and a dollop of plain yogurt or whipped cream to your cooked oatmeal.

How to Store Oatmeal

Leftover oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for up to five days. Let cooked oatmeal cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight storage container and popping it in the fridge.

Can you freeze oatmeal?

Yes! Oatmeal freezes beautifully and will last up to three months in the freezer. For individual portions, divide cooled oatmeal into servings and store it in freezer-safe containers or storage bags. The best part about freezing oatmeal is that you can reheat it from frozen—no thawing required!

How do you reheat oatmeal?

Oatmeal, whether refrigerated or frozen, can be reheated on the stovetop or in the microwave. Before reheating, add a splash of water or milk to help loosen it up.

Can you make oatmeal ahead of time?

Oatmeal is an excellent make-ahead breakfast since it stores well in the fridge or freezer. Make a big batch of stovetop oatmeal for heat-and-eat breakfast bowls throughout the week.

Oatmeal Tips

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What is the ratio of oatmeal to water?

The typical ratio of oatmeal to water is 1:2. You’ll use double the amount of liquid for the amount of oats you cook. This ratio applies to most oats, including old-fashioned, rolled, and instant or quick oats.

Can you make oatmeal with milk instead of water?

Yes, you can cook oatmeal in milk instead of water. Replace the water in this recipe with an equal amount of milk. Alternatively, you could use half water and half milk. You can use any type of milk you like, whether cow’s milk or dairy-free milk, like almond, soy or coconut. Bring the milk to a boil over medium heat to prevent scorching. Cooking oatmeal in milk may take longer than in water, but the extra time is worth it for ultra-creamy oatmeal.

How do you make oatmeal taste good?

To make oatmeal taste good, add a pinch of salt while cooking. The salt enhances the flavor of the oats, taking them from meh to amazing!

If you still find plain oatmeal a little bland in the taste department, you can make oatmeal taste better with toppings. Mix and match dried fruit, nuts, seeds, nut butter, jam, chocolate chips, cocoa powder or yogurt to make a custom and delicious bowl of oatmeal. Browse our collection of oatmeal recipes for more inspiration.