In addition to the fact that it’s budget-friendly, tasty, and easy, learning how to make microwave oatmeal means you have a healthier alternative to many store-bought options. Consider, for example, what I found on the label of Quaker Oats Peaches and Cream instant oatmeal, the kind that comes in little packets and heats up in the microwave in the time it takes to retrieve a spoon to go with it:
–partially hydrogenated soybean oil
–artificial color
–artificial flavor
–corn syrup solids
They do this, to poor, humble, wholesome oatmeal. The label boasts well over 20 ingredients. And even the more natural brands tend to be higher than need be in sugar, which is why it’s wise to do it yourself.
How to Make Microwave Oatmeal
So I set to learning how to make microwave oatmeal. It’s one the kids can do on busy weekday mornings with as much ease as opening a little packet. Compared to the boxed version, this one tastes better and is cheaper and greener and may help with kids’ math skills and solve world peace.
How to Assemble Microwave Oatmeal
It’s a snap to do up a jar of your own oatmeal mix. Here’s how:
- Start with just a few ingredients, not a few dozen: Rolled oats, nuts, dried fruit, and brown sugar. Add a little cinnamon or other spices if you like.
- Put everything into a big jar with enough room that you can shake it all up. When you’re ready to make a bowl of oatmeal, just scoop it from the container, add twice as much water as oats, and pop into the microwave.
- Once it’s cooked, give it a stir and add a splash of milk if you like. Feel free to add in any extras, such as fresh berries, sliced bananas, or diced pears. A drizzle of honey or maple syrup work is a fine addition as well.
- Tip: you can turn this into single serve packets by measuring 1/3 cup portions into wax or parchment bags and storing them in your pantry.
Breakfast is done. And it’s a much nicer way to treat your oats.
How Long will the Oatmeal Mix Last?
The ingredients in this oatmeal mix are all shelf-stable. If properly sealed, the mix should keep for up to three months in your pantry. For a longer shelf life you can store it in the fridge or even the freezer.
Now that you know how to make microwave oatmeal, check out:
Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Easy Breakfast Quinoa
Dark Chocolate Muesli
Blueberry Baked Oatmeal Cups
Healthy Granola from Brain Health Kitchen
Make Your Own Microwave Oatmeal
This recipe makes a lightly sweetened oats mixture that's ready to be scooped up and microwaved into single-serving bowls of nourishing oatmeal. Be sure to use a deep cereal bowl for cooking the oats since they can bubble up and overflow. Thick-cut oats will require a little extra cooking time
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled/old-fashioned oats (not quick oats or instant oats)
- ½ cup dried fruit (raisins; dried cranberries, blueberries or cherries; or diced dried apples, apricots or peaches)
- ½ cup sliced, slivered, or chopped nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts)
- ¼ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
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Put the oats, dried fruit, nuts, brown sugar, and cinnamon into a large jar, storage container, or ziplock bag. Shake well until all of the ingredients are thoroughly mixed together.
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To cook a bowl of oatmeal, first give your jar a hearty shake to mix any ingredients that have settled to the bottom of the container. Pour a rounded 1/3 cup of the oatmeal mixture into a deep cereal bowl. If the bowl is too shallow, the oatmeal may overflow in the microwave.
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Pour 2/3 cup of water into the bowl and stir well. Microwave on high for 1 minute, stir, and continue to cook until the water is absorbed and the oats are tender, another minute or so. Remove from the microwave and stir. The oatmeal will thicken as it cools.
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Add fresh fruit, more nuts, and milk if desired.
Photo credits: Alena Haurylik/Shutterstock (bowl of oats), Erin Scott (jar of oats)pin of how to make microwave oatmeal
Comments
09.04.2012 at6:37 AM #
Mary LG
Lovely idea and so agree about the instant packets! We don’t have a microwave so my own solution has been to make a big batch of oatmeal the night before, dole it out into individual ceramic bowls, and refrigerate. In the morning, the girls pop their bowl into the toaster oven with a spoonful of brown sugar and milk. Super simple and yummy without all the unnecessary gunk.
09.04.2012 at6:37 AM #
Katie Morford
Good to know you can do this in the toaster oven as well. I’ve also heard you can pour milk in with the oatmeal, effectively soak it overnight, and then heat it in the morning. That boosts protein and calcium as well.
09.04.2012 at9:54 PM #
Miranda
Instead of microwaving the oatmeal, can you pour boiling water over it? Or is that just with instant oatmeal?
09.04.2012 at9:54 PM #
Katie Morford
I don’t think that would do it, unfortunately. If the boiling water method is a must for you, try this same recipe using quick oats. Add the boiling water to the oat mixture, cover tightly with plastic wrap until the oats absorb the water, then stir. It’s worth a try!
09.05.2012 at7:22 AM #
Pamela
Thanks for this Katie~~what a shame to take something as wholesome as oats and create an unhealthy breakfast for kids! Your ideas are so simple and so delicious~~and healthy!
09.05.2012 at7:22 AM #
Katie Morford
Thanks Pamela!
09.05.2012 at7:22 AM #
Margie
I find the home cooked oatmeal coarse. Is there a way to make the texture a bit softer to the palette?
09.10.2012 at2:02 PM #
Tina
My sister-in-law makes old fashion oats, just like microwave packages. She puts the oats and water in a mug an zaps it. Works just the same, only this time you can pronounce all the ingredients!
09.10.2012 at2:02 PM #
Katie Morford
Smart sister-in-law!
09.27.2012 at10:17 AM #
Leslie
Another great idea!, thank you. I just made a batch and then a bowl for myself..delicious..
01.21.2013 at4:30 AM #
marla
Love this recipe! Will be linking back to this in my upcoming post 🙂
01.21.2013 at4:30 AM #
Katie Morford
Thanks Marla….I’ll keep my eye out for it. Lovely to be included on your terrific blog.
01.21.2013 at4:30 AM #
Katie Morford
Thanks Marla….I’ll keep my eye out for it. Lovely to be included on your terrific blog.
03.06.2013 at3:58 PM #
Robin
Easy enough! I love empowering the kids to make food for themselves. This is definitely a keeper.
06.24.2013 at12:03 PM #
KevinE
Much too sweet for me with the added sugar, I found the fruit made it sweet enough!
06.24.2013 at12:03 PM #
Katie Morford
The beauty of home cooking…making it just as you like it! Thanks for the comment.
07.02.2013 at8:24 PM #
Desiree
How wonderful it is to have stumbled upon your site! Thank you!
07.02.2013 at8:24 PM #
Katie Morford
Glad you found me, Desiree. Welcome.
11.01.2013 at8:31 AM #
arabillie
Another way to flavor with fruit, especially if you have kids who (like 2 of mine) are picky about texture or “chunks in their food” – add pure fruit baby food. I use this technique for both oatmeal and yogurt… we buy plain, unflavored, unsweetened base along with a wide assortment of pure fruit purees (I still make these at home sometimes, but never with as wide a variety as you can buy!). It lets the kids customize their choices a lot more than what’s on the shelf at the store since they can mix and blend as they like, too.
I do get people wondering why I’m buying baby food when my kids range from 7-18 at this point, though….
11.01.2013 at8:31 AM #
Katie Morford
Good tip for easily incorporating fruit into oatmeal. Agreed, this might be a good option for kids who don’t like a lot of texture. Thanks for sharing.
03.16.2014 at11:16 AM #
Carrie
Just yesterday I picked up the microwave oatmeal at the store. I couldn’t believe what I was reading, put that box down. Decided to stick to my old fashioned oats in have at home. I add cinnamon and a little brown sugar. This is great, I can have them ready to go in the mornings! Thanks!
03.16.2014 at11:16 AM #
Katie Morford
Great. I know, so easy, right?
02.06.2017 at8:37 AM #
caitlyn
i am 11 and lookin for a healthy snack and fast but turned it into I want way more then 5MINUETS so i wake up at 7:00 and love the 10 mineuts to eat this dilshouse oatmeal
07.25.2020 at6:10 AM #
Nan Goldberg
Great ideas!
12.17.2020 at9:24 AM #
Barbara L Gomez
WOW! This is so much healthier than the store-bought packages. There’s too much sugar in them for me. I love being able to make enough for a week in advance and make daily servings. I used less brown sugar, more cinnamon and added 1/2 banana (before I cooked it) for sweetness without the sugar.