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    Home > American Recipes

    Published: Apr 3, 2018 · Modified: Mar 11, 2019 by Denise Browning · "This post may contain affiliate links which won’t change your price but will share some commission." · 9 Comments

    How to Make the Perfect Oatmeal (4 Useful Tips)

    Gluten Free

    Jump to Recipe ↓

    Learn how to make the perfect oatmeal for breakfast indulgence or a fiber-loaded dessert. Our 4 tips guarantee the creamiest and most delicious oatmeal ever!

    a bowl of oatmeal with blueberries and flowers

    Oatmeal is a very popular breakfast dish in many countries, including in the United States. But do you how to make the perfect oatmeal?

    If not, check out our 4 tips below. Our method is both gluten free and dairy-free!

    How To Make the Perfect Oatmeal

    2 combined images, one of a saucepan with oatmeal being mixed with heavy cream and brown sugar and the other showing a spoon full of oatmeal.

    1. The type of oats: Either steel-cut/Scottish oats or old fashioned oats/rolled oats (100% whole grains) -- both are less processed than instant oatmeal and hold their shape better once cooked. They also take longer to cook, absorb more liquid, and produce a smooth texture (while instant oatmeal cooks faster, yet often winds up mushy and/or lumpy).
    2. Water rather than dairy: Water is the ideal liquid for cooking oats because in contrast to milk, there is less of a chance for scorching. A touch of dairy (whole milk, half-half or heavy cream) or canned coconut milk can be added after cooking for extra creaminess and richness.
    3. Proportion of oats to water: The right proportion is 1:3-- that means, for example, 1 cup of oats to 3 cups of water in order to cook the oats perfectly. The best way to cook them is by first bringing the mixture of oats/water to a boil over high heat, and then reducing heat to medium-low for a simmer.
    4. Breaking oats down by stirring until cooked: The ideal tool is either a pointed wooden spoon or the end of a wooden spoon. Steel-cut oats should take about 12-15 minutes to cook, while rolled oats will take approximately 5-10 minutes. This makes rolled oats my preferred oats because they cook quicker than steel-cut, while holding still their shape relatively well. The heat and stirring cause both oats to release their starch, which adds to the creaminess.

    Overhead shot of a spoon full oatmeal above a bowl of oatmeal topped with blueberry sauce.

    Toppings are a whole separate chapter. I used a blueberry lemon sauce for my oatmeal, but one can vary according to one's preference. My daughters love theirs mixed with a bit of heavy cream and apple sauce.

    However, you can add spices, applesauce, cocoa powder, Nutella, or peanut butter to your cooked oatmeal. Top with chocolate chips, dried fruits and/or chopped nuts, fresh berries, or banana rounds and honey (the latter, very common in Brazil)...

    ... or use preserves as a topping, or a smear of butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar for a caramel-like flavor, etc. The options are endless! 😉

    Every time, it comes out consistently creamy and delicious, but the different toppings make it exciting! That is the beauty of it all!

    In addition, if you're serving oatmeal for breakfast it can be less sweet than serving as a dessert. The type of sweeteners also vary according to each person's choice -- granulated sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave, sugar substitute, etc.

    Adding a pinch of salt while cooking oatmeal is not required but certainly helps to bring out the sweetness of the topping or added mix.

    Well, I hope these tips help you to make the best oatmeal that you have ever had. It certainly helped me because my family says that I make the best!

    Large overhead view of half of a bowl with oatmeal topped with blueberry sauce.

    a bowl of oatmeal with blueberries and flowers
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    5 from 3 votes

    How to Make the Perfect Oatmeal

    Learn how to make the perfect oatmeal for breakfast indulgence or a fiber-loaded dessert. These 4 tips guarantee the creamiest and most delicious oatmeal ever! 
    Prep Time 8 minutes
    Cook Time 7 minutes
    Total Time 15 minutes
    Servings 2 people
    Author Denise Browning

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup old fashioned or rolled oats
    • 3 cups water
    • A pinch sea salt (fine crystals), optional
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • 2-4 Tablespoons heavy cream (or coconut milk for a DF version)
    • ¼ cup light brown sugar (or more if desired) You can replace this with another sweetener of your choice

    Instructions

    • In a saucepan, combine oats, water, and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat.
    • Reduce heat to medium-low and stir constantly with a pointed wooden spoon or the handle end of a wooden spoon.
    • Let simmer, while stirring, until cooked (about 5-10 minutes). If using steel-cut oats this will take around 12-15 minutes.
    • Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, heavy cream or coconut milk, and sweetener.
    • Enjoy by itself or with a topping of your choice!

    Recipe Notes

    1. Tips adapted from Jaime Oliver.
    2. Mix/Topping suggestions:  Mixed with apple sauce, spices, cocoa powder, Nutella, or peanut butter to your cooked oatmeal. Topped with blueberry sauce, chocolate chips. dried fruits and/or chopped nuts, fresh berries, banana rounds and honey drizzle, preserves,  a smear of butter and a sprinkle of brown sugar for a caramel-like flavor, etc. The options are endless! 😉

    ** Nutrition labels on easyanddelish.com are for educational purposes only. This info is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate, since the nutrition content of recipes can vary based on ingredient brand or source, portion sizes, recipe changes/variations, and other factors. We suggest making your own calculations using your preferred calculator, based on which ingredients you use, or consulting with a registered dietitian to determine nutritional values more precisely.

    Please note that health-focused and diet information provided on easyanddelish.com is for educational purposes and does not constitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. Consult with your doctor or other qualified health professional prior to initiating any significant change in your diet or exercise regimen, or for any other issue necessitating medical advice.

    DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE?Comment and rate the recipe. Also follow us on Pinterest at @easyanddelish for more delish recipes.

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    Filed Under: American Recipes, Easy And Delish, Easy Breakfast and Brunch Recipes, Easy Gluten-Free Recipes, How-To, Quick & Easy Recipes Tagged With: cooking technique, easy method, oatmeal

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Deb|EastofEdenCooking says

      April 03, 2018 at 5:40 pm

      Oatmeal is such comforting way to begin the day. The cooking you tips are spot on! I like my oatmeal sweet rather than savory. It's milk and brown sugar in my bowl!

      Reply
      • Denise Browning says

        April 03, 2018 at 7:29 pm

        I also enjoy mine sweet. Thanks for stopping by Deb and have a delicious week!

        Reply
    2. Little Cooking Tips says

      April 04, 2018 at 2:39 am

      Exceptional post dear Denise!!! We love oatmeal but never tried it with water, the way you described it. We sure will now however!:) Our favorite spice for this is cinnamon, have you tried it with it?
      Sending you our love,
      Mirella and Panos

      Reply
    3. John / Kitchen Riffs says

      April 04, 2018 at 9:53 am

      Love oatmeal! Often have it for breakfast in the cooler months. Terrific tips, too -- thanks! 🙂

      Reply
    4. Natalie says

      April 09, 2018 at 3:18 am

      oh, thanks for 4 useful tips!
      So I guess I would try my very first oatmeal with the berry jam for topping xD

      Reply
    5. Sheeba says

      April 11, 2018 at 9:05 am

      Thanks for the tips! I love my oatmeal with banana slices and dry fruits.

      Reply
    6. Raymund says

      April 15, 2018 at 2:45 pm

      Great tips! and kudos with the photo, this is the prettiest oatmeal I had seen so far

      Reply
    7. Alka Talwar says

      September 15, 2018 at 4:25 am

      5 stars
      Wow, really, I can’t get over that delicious taste! So simple and yet – sooo great. Thank you for this recipe – it’s a real keeper.

      Reply
    8. Ari says

      October 21, 2019 at 3:09 pm

      5 stars
      I am so glad I found this recipe. I love oatmeal but I never understood why it wasn't never as creamy as should be until I tried to cook with water first and add the dairy later. It came up creamy and delicious. Thanks for all the tips. I feel like I am the oatmeal guru. 🙂

      Reply

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