Written By Lara Wadsworth

Why Oatmeal Is the Perfect Breakfast

Have you ever wondered what to make for breakfast that is filling, affordable, versatile, and delicious? Oatmeal is it! Whether you need a quick 5-minute breakfast, to feed a crowd, or to meal prep for a week’s worth of grab-and-go meals, oatmeal can do it all! Not only is oatmeal easy to cook and versatile in terms of flavors, but it is also incredibly healthy. I’ll go over some great ways to prepare oatmeal, some delicious topping ideas, and why it is so healthy below!

4 Best Ways to Make Oatmeal

Microwave Oatmeal Basics (5-Minute Method)

If you’re needing a quick meal, this is the best option! You don’t even need to use quick oats to use this method. You can use rolled or old-fashioned as well. While you can scale this recipe up, keep in mind that oatmeal tends to boil over in the microwave, so just be sure that you use a bowl that is large enough. I don’t recommend making more than 2 or 3 servings at once with this method. Microwaved oatmeal is soft and creamy, but it can get rubbery if overcooked or overheated. It’s still comforting and tasty when fresh.

• Ingredients: One-third cup rolled oats, two-thirds cup milk of choice (or water), and a pinch of salt per serving. Any add-ins and flavorings you desire.
• Instructions: Combine all ingredients in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high for 1 minute at a time, stirring at intervals until it reaches the desired consistency. Doing it in intervals like this limits the boil-over effect.
• Best For: Busy mornings, spontaneous oatmeal cravings, single servings.

Stovetop Oatmeal Basics (No-Cook Grab-and-Go)

The classic method for making oatmeal is on the stovetop. This method is great because you can do as many or as few servings as you want at a time, and it has the most flexibility in terms of taste, add-ins, and textures. You can monitor it the whole time to make sure it is exactly how you like it. Another benefit is that you can use rolled, steel-cut, old-fashioned, or quick oats! The cooking time will vary, but they are all delicious. Stovetop oatmeal is creamier and more decadent than microwave oatmeal. With steel-cut oats, the result is nutty and chewy, perfect for hearty eaters.

• Ingredients: One-third cup oats, two-thirds cup milk of choice (or water), and a pinch of salt per serving. Any add-ins and flavorings you desire.
• Instructions: Add one-third cup oats and two-thirds cup liquid per serving to a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes for rolled oats (20-30 minutes for steel-cut), stirring occasionally until thickened to your liking. Add in toppings at any time, depending on the effect you want. For example, sliced bananas can be added during the cooking process for more of a jammy taste and texture or added on top at the end for a fresh, firmer effect.
• Best For: Weekend mornings, family breakfasts, when you want something easy but you’re not necessarily rushed.

Baked Oatmeal Basics (Meal Prep & Crowd-Friendly)

If you’re looking to please a crowd or meal prep breakfasts for a week at a time, baked oatmeal is the best option. While it does take the longest to cook in the moment, it has more protein per serving (due to the additional ingredients) and is great for a grab-and-go option. It is firmer, so you can slice it up like cake and eat it with your hand or a fork. Serve it over a bowl of your favorite yogurt for a more substantial meal! The texture in the middle is richer and almost custardy, depending on the ingredients you add. The big downsides of this method are that it takes longer and that once you bake it, it is hard to add more mix-ins. Of course, you can add toppings, but they will sit on top more than other oatmeal types.

• Ingredients: Rolled oats, eggs, butter or oil, milk, baking powder, sweetener, spices/flavorings, fruit/other add-ins.
• Instructions: Mix 6 eggs, 1 cup oil (or butter), 0.5-1 cup sweetener (depending on your preference), 4 cups rolled oats, 1 tablespoon baking powder, 1 teaspoon salt, 2 cups of milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, any other mix ins (such as fruit, nuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, etc) in a large bowl. Pour into a greased 9x13 pan. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered at 350 F for about half an hour. The edges should be golden and the middle a bit custardy.
• Best For: Meal prepping, large groups, family breakfasts, high protein diets, etc.

Overnight Oats Basics (No-Cook Grab-and-Go)

If you’ve been on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, or X at all in the last 3 years, you will have seen or heard of someone doing overnight oats. They have become incredibly popular in the last few years, and for good reason! They are quick and easy to make ahead of time, the night before, or to bring with you to work or school. This is the only oatmeal option we’re talking about here that is typically eaten cold. Some people like how refreshing it is! It is thick and creamy with a pudding-like consistency. It is also slightly tangy if you use Greek yogurt. It can be eaten cold or warm. One of my favorite features of overnight oats is that you can meal prep multiple servings at once, but make the toppings different for each, allowing you to have a unique breakfast every day while only prepping once!

• Ingredients: Rolled oats, milk of choice, yogurt (optional), chia seeds, sweetener (likey honey or maple syrup).
• Instructions: In a jar or container, mix half a cup of oats with half a cup of milk, a quarter cup of yogurt (optional), 1 tsp of chia seeds, any other mix-ins, and sweetener to taste. Stir well and refrigerate overnight.
• Best For: Meal prepping, Grab-and-go breakfast lovers, college students, working professionals, etc.

Other Ways To Cook Oats

These four ways are some of my favorites, but let's not forget that there are even more options! You can also make oatmeal in the crock pot, in an Instant Pot (or other pressure cooker), into muffins, pancakes, waffles, and even in a rice cooker! If you haven’t found your favorite method yet, try a new one!

To Make Oatmeal Pancakes: mix two eggs with one mashed banana and enough oats to make it a pancake batter consistency, then fry as normal.

Best Toppings & Mix-In Ideas for Oatmeal

There are probably an innumerable number of things you can add to oatmeal. Here is an incomplete list of some of the most common delicious toppings and mix-ins that you can happily add to any of the cooking methods. Please note that adding them during the cooking process can affect their texture. It may be what you want, but sometimes it’s best to add them at the end.

• Fresh Fruit: bananas, apples, berries, peaches, cherries, mango, pineapple etc.
• Dried Fruit: raisins, cranberries, chopped dates, apricots, blueberries, cherries, etc.
• Sweeteners: maple syrup, honey, agave syrup, brown sugar, coconut sugar, Swerve, etc.
• Spices and Flavorings: cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, cocoa powder, espresso powder, etc.
• Bulk It Up: Greek yogurt, nut butter, peanut butter powder, coconut cream.
• Nuts and Seeds: almonds, walnuts, pecans, hemp seeds, chia seeds, ground flax seeds (can be an egg substitute in baked oatmeal), pumpkin seeds, etc.
• Garnishes: coconut flakes, cocoa nibs