How to Make Oatmeal: Microwave, Stove, Overnight Oats, & More

Oatmeal is a tasty, nutritious way to start your day. And, since it can be prepared in so many different ways, it also makes an incredibly quick and easy breakfast option for hectic mornings! If you’re looking for more information on how to make oatmeal, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll go over how to make oatmeal in the microwave, with boiling water, and on the stove. We’ll also cover how to make delicious, no-cook overnight oats, so keep reading!

How to Cook Oatmeal Perfectly

Add ½ cup (45 g) of rolled oats to 1 cup (240 ml) of water into a microwave-safe bowl and give it a stir. Place the bowl in the microwave for 1½–2 minutes, depending on how thick you like your oatmeal. Remove from the microwave and add your favorite toppings, such as fresh fruit, nuts, raisins, honey, or brown sugar.

Section 1 of 5:

How to Make Oatmeal in the Microwave

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1
Pour ½ cup (45 g) oatmeal into a microwave safe bowl. For most types of oats, like quick-cooking or rolled oats, ½ cup (45 g) is an average serving size, but you can always double or triple this amount to make more oatmeal.^{[1]
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- If you’re using loose oats, measure out the portion with a dry measuring cup.
- If you’re preparing individually packaged instant oatmeal, simply open the package and dump the contents into the bowl. They’re pre-portioned, so there’s no need to do a lot of measuring.
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Add 1 cup (240 ml) of water and stir. Fill a liquid measuring cup to the 1 cup (240 ml) mark with cold water, then pour it on top of the dry oats. Give the oats a stir until the water is evenly distributed throughout. There should be no clumps or dry spots in the bowl.
- 1 cup (240 ml) of water may look like a lot in ½ cup (45 gm) of oats, but keep in mind that the oats will absorb moisture quickly when cooked.
- If you doubled or tripled the amount of oats you used in the first step, make sure to double or triple the amount of water accordingly.
  - For example, if you used 1 cup (90 g) of oats, use 2 cups (480 ml) of water.
- For thicker, creamier oatmeal, use regular or non-dairy milk instead of water.
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Microwave the oatmeal for 1½–2 minutes. Place the oats in the microwave and heat them on high power. For softer, creamier oatmeal, set the cook time to 1½ minutes. If you’d prefer a thicker oatmeal, up the time to 2 minutes, or even slightly longer.^{[2]
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- If you’re using a heartier type of oats, like traditional rolled oats or steel-cut oats, you may need to increase the cook time to 2½-3 minutes to make sure they get tender enough.^{[3]
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Be sure to handle the bowl with care—it will be hot! After a quick stir, your oatmeal will be fully prepared and ready to eat. Just allow it to cool for a minute or two before you take your first spoonful, so you don’t burn yourself.
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Finish your oatmeal with your favorite toppings. You can top your oatmeal with fresh berries, bananas, dried fruit, or toasted nuts, and drizzle sweeteners such as honey or agave. You can also add a dollop of fresh cream or your favorite nut butter. It’s entirely up to you!^{[4]
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- If you used individually packaged instant oatmeal, give it a taste before adding extra toppings and sweeteners.
- These packages tend to be flavored with additives like brown sugar, cinnamon, and apples already, so they might not need too much else.

Section 2 of 5:

How to Make Oatmeal with Boiling Water

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1
Bring a kettle of water to a boil. Fill a regular tea kettle with fresh water and place it on the stovetop over high heat, or fill an electric kettle with water and set it to boil. Depending on how thick you like your oatmeal, you’ll need ½ cup to 1 cup (120-240 ml) boiling water for each ½ cup (45 g) serving of dry oats.
- This method can be used to prepare packaged instant oatmeal, as well as loose steel-cut and rolled oat varieties.
2
Pour ½ cup (45 g) oats into a bowl. This will make enough oatmeal for a single person. For larger servings, portion out another ½ cup (45 g) of oats at a time.
- Add a pinch of salt to the dry oats to bring out more of their flavor.
3
Pour the boiling water over the oats. Once the water reaches a boil, turn off the heat and open the spout to allow some of the steam to escape. Drizzle the water onto the dry oats, stirring continuously as you pour. For creamier oats, use about 1 cup (240 ml) of water. If you prefer your oatmeal thick, use only ½ cup to ¾ cup (120-180 ml) water.
- The oats will thicken and absorb the water as they cook, so it’s typically better to use a little more water than you think you’ll need.
4
Let the oatmeal sit for 2-5 minutes prior to eating. After pouring in the boiling water, the oatmeal will be scalding hot for several minutes. To avoid burning your mouth, hold off on taking a bite until most of the steam has dissipated. This also gives the oats time to soften and fully absorb the water.^{[5]
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- If you’re in a rush, a splash of cream or a dollop of Greek yogurt will help fresh-cooked oats cool off quicker.^{[6]
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Add your favorite toppings and flavors. Sweeten up a bowl of plain oats with honey, brown sugar, or maple syrup, and heap on berries, banana slices, granola clusters, or semisweet chocolate morsels. You can even finish your oatmeal with a dash of cinnamon sugar or apple pie seasoning. The options are endless!^{[7]
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- Don’t be afraid to play around with unusual flavors like dried cherries, pistachios, or shaved coconut when you feel like trying something a little different.

Section 3 of 5:

How to Make Rolled or Steel-Cut Oats on the Stove

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1
Fill a shallow pot with 1 cup (240 ml) of water or milk. If you cook your oats in water, they’ll cook a bit faster and retain more of their firmness. If you use milk, on the other hand, your oatmeal will have a softer, creamier texture. You can also use a non-dairy milk substitute, such as almond, coconut, or oat milk.^{[8]
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- You can also use a combination of milk and water for a middle ground between the two!
Heat the pot over medium-high heat until it’s just begun to bubble. This is the optimal temperature for simmering oats, so hold off on adding the oats until your water or milk reaches this point. This also ensures that your oats don’t absorb too much moisture and become soggy.^{[9]
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Add in ½ cup (45 gm) oats and stir. Portion out your oats using level scoops with a dry measuring cup. ½ cup (45 g) of oats is considered a standard serving for one person. If you want, you can also throw in a pinch of salt and a splash of vanilla for some added flavor.^{[10]
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- If you want to make more servings of oatmeal, you can always double or triple the amount of dried oats you’re using.
- If you choose to do this, just make sure to double or triple the amount of water or milk accordingly.
4
Simmer the oatmeal until it reaches the desired consistency. Exact cook times will vary depending on the amount and type of oats you’re using. Rather than watching the clock, keep a close eye on the oatmeal as it thickens, and stir periodically while it's cooking.^{[11]
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- It may take anywhere from 8-10 minutes to simmer a pot of old fashioned rolled oats.
- Because of their tougher texture, steel-cut oats may require as long as 20 minutes to soften up enough.^{[12]
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- Over stirring oats breaks down their starches, causing them to turn gluey and neutralizing much of their natural flavor. To avoid this, stir the mixture periodically, but be careful not to overdo it.
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Remove the oatmeal from the heat. Once the oatmeal has cooked to your preferred texture, turn off the stove and remove the pot from the heat. Transfer the oatmeal to a bowl, and use a spoon or spatula to scrape the sides of the pot to make sure you get everything.
- Keep in mind that the oatmeal will continue to thicken a little as it cools, so it may be a good idea to take it off the stovetop a tad before it looks just right.
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Mix in your desired toppings and flavorful ingredients. While the oatmeal is piping hot, add a spoonful of peanut butter, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or fruit preserves for some added flavor. Top the mixture with a handful of raisins, chopped nuts, or fresh sliced fruit. Don’t be afraid to get creative with your flavor and topping combos—it's hard to go wrong here!^{[13]
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- Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice can offer a good counterbalance to sweeter ingredients and give your oatmeal some added flavor.^{[14]
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Section 4 of 5:

How to Make No-Cook Overnight Oats

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1
Scoop ½ cup (45 g) rolled oats into a small container. Mason jars are ideal for this, but any small tupperware with a lid will work. Once the oats are inside, give them a shake to level them.^{[15]
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- Rolled oats work best for making overnight oatmeal.^{[16]
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- Instant oats will quickly become mushy once liquid is added, and steel-cut oats won’t soften enough, making the oatmeal too dry and tough.
2
Pour in ½ cup (120 ml) milk or non-dairy milk substitute. You’re aiming for approximately a 1:1 ratio of oats to milk, so if you double or triple the amount of oats you’re using, be sure to increase the amount of milk accordingly.
- It may take a couple trial runs before you get the proportions exactly right. If your overnight oatmeal turns out a little soggy the first time, cut back on the amount of milk you use on your next attempt. If they’re overly dry, add an extra splash just before serving.^{[17]
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Stir the contents of the container thoroughly. Keep stirring until the texture of the oats is consistent from top to bottom. Otherwise, you’ll end up with unappetizing dry patches.^{[18]
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- You can also add other dry ingredients at this stage, such as chia seeds, flax, and ground spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Check out more overnight oat recipes from wikiHow users on the “Best overnight oats recipe ideas” forum.
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Refrigerate the oats overnight. Cover the container and place it on the center shelf of your refrigerator. As the oatmeal sits, it will slowly absorb the milk and become plump and tender. It will need at least 3-5 hours before it’s ready to eat, but for the smoothest possible texture, try to give it around 7-8 hours.^{[19]
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- If you don’t have a container with a lid, cover it with a piece of plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
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Top with your favorite flavors, and enjoy your oats cold. After the oatmeal comes out of the fridge, fill the container the rest of the way with tasty toppings like honey, Greek yogurt, or chocolate-hazelnut spread. You can also add nourishing ingredients like fresh fruit, raisins, and chopped nuts.^{[20]
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- If you don’t want to use sweeteners like honey or agave, try mixing in some mashed bananas for extra sweetness.

Section 5 of 5:

Oatmeal Flavor & Topping Ideas

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There are tons of delicious topping and flavor combos to try out. Don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment! There’s virtually no limit to the number of unique flavor combinations you can come up with. If you’re having trouble thinking of ideas, here are some suggestions to inspire you:
- Apple Pie: Stir a few spoonfuls of applesauce into your oatmeal, then top it with diced apples, chopped pecans, and sprinkles of cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Peanut Butter & Jelly: Top your oatmeal with a generous drizzle of peanut butter or almond butter, and a spoonful of your favorite jelly.^{[21]
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- Chunky Monkey: Top your oatmeal with sliced bananas, chopped walnuts, and dark chocolate chips.
- Strawberry Cheesecake: Stir a spoonful of Greek yogurt into your oatmeal, then top with sliced strawberries and crumbled graham crackers.
- Pumpkin Spice: Mix in a spoonful of pureed pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and brown sugar to taste. Top with chopped nuts and a dollop of whipped cream.
- Tropical: Cook your oatmeal with coconut milk instead of water, then top with diced mango, pineapple, and shaved coconut.
- Banana Split: Top with sliced bananas, chocolate chips, chopped walnuts or pecans, sprinkles, and a maraschino cherry. You can even add whipped cream!
- S’mores: Top your oatmeal with crumbled graham crackers, mini marshmallows, and chocolate chips.^{[22]
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Oatmeal Add-In Ideas

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Is cooking time the same if I increase the amount of oatmeal?

Community Answer

If you increase the amount of oatmeal, then you may have to increase the cooking time slightly to get the same consistency. Just keep an eye on the oatmeal and turn it off whenever it gets to the consistency you desire.

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How I make oatmeal with only water in an electric kettle?

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Just put the oatmeal in a bowl, boil some water in the kettle, pour the hot water over the oatmeal, and let it sit and 'make' itself for a few minutes.

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Why do people seem to have trouble following the instructions on the box?

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Some people might have thrown away the box without looking at the directions, or they may struggle to follow written instructions (especially if they have something like dyslexia). It can be nice for some people to have step-by-step pictures along with the opportunity to ask questions.

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Tips

When you’re making oatmeal for the whole family, set out your toppings buffet-style to create a build-your-own oatmeal bar.

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For the sake of convenience, consider whipping up a large batch of oatmeal in advance and keeping it in the fridge until you need it. You can then scoop out as much as you want, add 1-2 tablespoons of water or milk, and heat it up in the microwave.

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If you want to add some protein to your oatmeal, try mixing in some nut butter, plain yogurt, or Greek yogurt.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Overnight oats are a great option if you don't have time to make breakfast in the mornings. Prepare them and put them in the fridge the night before, then they're ready to grab and eat on the go in the morning!
We like to take a cup of overnight oats and blend it with a dash of vanilla, a cup of milk/heavy cream, brown sugar, and raspberries for oatmeal ice cream. Divine.

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Warnings

It’s a good idea to clean your pot immediately after making oatmeal on the stovetop. Once the remnants dry, they’ll be next to impossible to get off without a long soak.

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Never leave a boiling pot or kettle unattended. Not only is this a fire hazard, but you also risk ruining your breakfast!

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