How to Prepare Oatmeal and 5 Tips for Making It Better

Oatmeal is a satisfying, nutritious morning meal. Here’s how to make quick-cooking oats, old-fashioned oats and steel-cut oats, as well as ways to add flavor and nutrition without a lot of calories.

Updated on December 8, 2023
Reviewed by Dietitian

Novella Lui is a registered dietitian and a nutrition and health writer. She is passionate about supporting others in building healthy relationships with food by sharing practical and easy-to-follow tips. Novella combines her interest in providing evidence-based nutrition and health education with food and culture through creating consumer-focused content for brands and publications. As a foodie and a globetrotter, she loves to seek new flavors and explore different cuisines. In her spare time, you can find her looking for hidden food gems and spending time outdoors hiking local trails.

In This Article
In This Article

Oatmeal is a satisfying, healthy morning meal. It’s a whole grain—something that most Americans don’t eat often enough. It is high in soluble fiber, which may help lower "bad" LDL cholesterol, and has 26 grams of protein per 1 cup serving, per the USDA, which will help you feel satisfied until lunch.

Oatmeal is also a low-glycemic-index (GI) food, which can help keep your blood sugar in check. And bonus: A 2019 review in Obesity Reviews suggests eating a low-GI meal before you exercise may help you burn more fat.

No matter what type of oats you choose—quick oats, steel-cut and rolled oats—all are equally nutritious. Top it with your favorite fruit to add more fiber and nuts for extra crunch and filling healthy fats.

Here are cooking methods for the most common types of oatmeal. Use these instructions to prepare one serving of oatmeal, or follow package directions. One serving of each type of oatmeal below is about 150 calories (prepared with water) and 4 grams of fiber, according to the USDA.

How to Make Oatmeal with Quick-Cooking Oats

Pictured Recipe: Quick-Cooking Oats

Quick-cooking oats, or quick oats, have been precooked, then dried and rolled. As the name suggests, they have a short cooking time and are sometimes labeled "instant oats" or "instant oatmeal."

Stove Top:

1. Bring 1 cup of milk or water and a pinch of salt (if desired) to a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Stir in 1/2 cup of oats and reduce heat to medium; cook for 1 minute.
3. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.

Microwave:

1. Combine 1 cup of water (or nonfat or low-fat milk), 1/2 cup of oats and a pinch of salt (if desired) in a 2-cup microwavable bowl.
2. Microwave on High for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.
3. Stir before serving.

How to Make Oatmeal with Old-Fashioned Oats

Old-fashioned oats have been steamed and then rolled. They are sometimes labeled "rolled oats." For creamier oatmeal, use milk.

Stove Top:

1. Bring 1 cup of water (or nonfat or low-fat milk) and a pinch of salt (if desired) to a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Stir in 1/2 cup of oats and reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
3. Remove from the heat, cover and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.

Microwave:

1. Combine 1 cup of water (or nonfat or low-fat milk), 1/2 cup of oats and a pinch of salt (if desired) in a 2-cup microwavable bowl.
2. Microwave on High for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes.
3. Stir before serving.

How to Make Oatmeal with Steel-Cut Oats

Pictured Recipe: Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Steel-cut oats are toasted and cut into oat groats—the oat kernel that has been removed from the husk. It’s not difficult to cook steel-cut oats, but they do take a little bit more time. They are sometimes labeled "Irish oatmeal."

Stove Top:

1. Bring 1 cup of water or milk and a pinch of salt (if desired) to a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Stir in 1/4 cup of oats and reduce heat to low; cook, stirring occasionally until the oats are the desired texture, 20 to 30 minutes.

Oatmeal Topping Ideas

Add-ins make any oatmeal better-tasting—and they can also make it more nutritious. Topping oatmeal with your favorite fruit boosts the fiber. Adding unsalted nuts offers healthy fats and makes your breakfast more filling.

Fruit:

• Dried fruit (such as raisins, cranberries, cherries or chopped apricots or dates)
• Fresh or frozen berries
• Applesauce
• Jam or preserves
• Chopped or sliced fresh fruit (such as bananas or apples)

Nuts or Seeds:

• Almonds, pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, pistachios, peanuts or peanut butter
• Sesame seeds, ground flaxseeds or chia seeds

Sweeteners:

• Maple syrup
• Brown sugar
• Honey

Spices:

Sprinkle a hint of your favorite spice to boost the flavor and aroma of your oatmeal. Plus, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger can give an antioxidant boost.

• Cinnamon
• Nutmeg
• Ginger
• Cardamom

Dairy and Dairy Alternatives:

• Add more calcium by topping your oatmeal with a little bit of yogurt, milk or plant-based, calcium-fortified milk

5 Tips for Preparing Your Best Bowl of Oatmeal

1. Use Steel-Cut Oats

Yes, they take much longer to cook than quick-cooking oats or old-fashioned rolled oats, but they’re worth it. The texture of steel-cut oatmeal is simultaneously delicious, creamy and chewy.

2. Avoid Flavored Instant Oatmeals

Most flavored instant oatmeal packets have added sugars. Too much added sugar over time may lead to negative health outcomes, like weight gain and increased inflammation. Making your own oatmeal can help you control the amount of added sugar in your breakfast while still enjoying the flavors you like.

3. Mind the Liquid-to-Oat Ratio

Read the instructions on the side of your oatmeal container and do what they say to avoid a pasty, sticky mess or a soupy mush. For steel-cut oats, the ratio is 3/4 to 1 cup of liquid per 1/4 cup of oats. If you are using quick-cooking or rolled oats, the ratio is 1 cup of liquid per 1/2 cup of oats.

4. Think Beyond Water

For a boost of calcium and creamy flavor, make oatmeal with low-fat milk or plant-based milk instead of water. Or, try making it with apple cider instead for a boost of flavor. The ratio of liquid to oats stays the same, so you can easily make this switch. Once you’ve tried oatmeal with a hint of flavor infused into the cooking, you may never go back to making oatmeal with just water.

5. Make It Ahead

What’s better than a delicious, comforting bowl of oatmeal in the morning? How about having it ready when you wake up! Make a big batch of steel-cut oats in your slow cooker on a Sunday and keep it in your fridge. Each morning, simply spoon up a serving’s worth in a microwave-safe bowl, add a tablespoon or two of water and then microwave until hot (1 to 2 minutes). It’s a simple, tasty way to have your favorite breakfast ready and waiting any day of the week.

Or try making overnight oats: Mix equal parts old-fashioned oats (not quick-cooking) and water along with a pinch of salt in a jar, cover and refrigerate overnight for up to three days. In the morning, you can eat it cold or heat it up in the microwave.

How to Store Your Oats

If a "use by" or "best by" date on the oats package is available, you can use the date to determine its freshness. You can also keep unprepared oats sealed in their original packaging or store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark spot in your pantry for up to 12 months before they go stale. Uncooked oats can also last in the freezer for one year.

Bottom Line

Oatmeal is a whole grain that will help keep your blood sugar more level and will keep you feeling fuller longer compared to cereal made with refined white flour. Add mix-ins to increase the flavor and nutrition levels. No matter what mix-in or cooking method you use, a bowl of oatmeal in the morning is a stick-to-your-ribs way to kick-start your day.