16 Tips You Need To Make A Perfect Bowl Of Oatmeal

While all oats will have a similar flavor profile, not all oats are created equally, so it's important to figure out which type will work best for your needs and preferences. There are actually several types of oats out there, including raw oats, whole oat groats, Scottish oats, and even oat flour. For the sake of making a bowl of oatmeal, however, there are three main types you'll want to distinguish — rolled oats, steel-cut oats, and instant oats.

Instant oats are the most processed of the three, and therefore they cook very quickly — ideal for a super-quick, microwaved bowl, but not so ideal if you want the best-tasting bowl possible. Then there are rolled oats, which are also processed (and steamed and pressed, hence their flat appearance), but they're not quite as processed as the instant variety. Rolled oats may also be called old-fashioned oats, and they're perhaps the most distinguishable of all the types out there. These oats make for a tasty bowl of hot oatmeal, though they're also ideal for overnight oats as they can absorb liquid without going full mush-mode. 

Finally, we have steel-cut oats, which are the least processed on this list. Because they're neither steamed nor pressed, steel-cut oats take the longest to cook, so it's best to save this variety for those slow Saturday mornings.

If you're looking for the absolute quickest method to cook your oats, then the microwave is the best bet. You can cook instant, rolled, or steel-cut oats in the microwave, though the latter option will take the longest. If you're working with classic rolled oats, which are the best for microwave cooking, then you'll want a 1-to-1 ratio of oats to water. Pop the oats into the microwave for an initial minute or two, then give them a stir. Microwave for another two minutes and they should be good to go — if they're still a bit soupy, microwave in one-minute increments until they're nice and thick.

While the microwave offers convenience, the stovetop is the best method for cooking oatmeal to perfection. You'll want a 2-to-1 ratio of liquid to oats here, and you'll start by bringing the water to a boil in a pot. Once boiling, add in the oats and reduce the heat, allowing the oatmeal to cook for about five minutes. Steel-cut oats may need more time, but you'll know that the oats are ready when they've absorbed nearly all of the water.

If you're really looking to get creative with cooking the oats, you can even do so in an Instant Pot or rice cooker. It's important to note that both of these methods will take longer to cook the oats, but if you have the appliances, you might as well put them to good use.

If you're the type who is go-go-go in the mornings, then you might not have even five minutes to spare for breakfast. No time, no problem — this sentiment is true thanks to overnight oats. Meal-preppers and cold food lovers unite over overnight oats, a method of preparing oatmeal that requires no heat. 

It does require a smidge of patience, but the idea is that you'll prepare the oats the night before, so they'll be waiting for you in the fridge come morning. Rolled oats will work best here, though you could use steel-cut, they just might need more time to absorb the liquid. To prep overnight oats, you'll need a sealable jar or a small Tupperware container. The ratio of oats to liquid should be 1-to-1, and unlike with cooking oats, it's ideal to add milk right away; it will enhance the flavor and creaminess of the finished product. 

Add the oats and liquid of choice to your container, and optionally add any sweeteners or perhaps a dash of salt. Then just pop the oats into the fridge and in roughly eight hours (aka a good night's sleep) you'll have tender and delicious oatmeal. Overnight oats tend to have a more pudding-like texture, and the cool, refreshing temperature pairs well with fresh berries or a good drizzle of peanut butter.

If you enjoy a freshly-cooked batch of oatmeal without stirring in any liquid, it will have that thick, porridge-like consistency. If this is the consistency that you like, then you should definitely avoid any other liquid additions.

For those who enjoy their oatmeal on the looser side, however, adding liquid will naturally get your bowl to the desired consistency. How much you add really matters here: just a drizzle of milk will certainly loosen up the oatmeal, but it will still be pretty thick otherwise. If you add a larger quantity, like 1/4 cup of milk, then you'll have a soupier bowl. There's no right or wrong way to enjoy a bowl of oatmeal — spooning it or slurping it, it all comes down to finding what consistency you like best.

You can pile a whole bunch of sweet toppings onto a bowl of oatmeal, but what about the oatmeal itself? If you prefer your breakfast on the sweeter side, then there's no better option than stirring in some sugar. It doesn't have to be straight sugar, however — maple syrup, honey, agave, simple syrup, or even molasses will sweeten your bowl right up. On its own, oatmeal has a very neutral, bland flavor, so sweetening up your bowl will no doubt make it much more palatable. 

If you don't want to incorporate sweetener into the oatmeal itself, you could certainly add it in the form of toppings. Fruits such as blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and bananas all make for tasty oatmeal toppers, and they provide a natural sweetness that isn't overbearing. Looking for a topping that's even sweeter? Try sprinkling on some chocolate chips for a treat-like addition.

Oatmeal is a notoriously mushy food, but there are ways to liven up even the mushiest of bowls with more texturally interesting foods. If you're a fan of nuts, then just about any type pairs well with a bowl of oatmeal — cashews, walnuts, pecans, and almonds are all good options to help crunch things up. 

If you aren't a fan of nuts or have an allergy restriction, fear not, as there are plenty of other crunchy options out there. Though granola is basically just oatmeal in a different form, it will definitely elevate the texture of your bowl. Pumpkin seeds will add a light crunch, and even dried fruits like cranberries, dehydrated strawberries, or banana chips will add some contrast.

There are few foods that a good dollop of sauce can't improve, and oatmeal is no exception. The definition of sauce can be pretty liberal here — anything from nut butter, yogurt, jam, hot sauce, and purees can count as a sauce. Not only will these additions bulk up the calorie and nutrition content of your oatmeal, but they'll add textural contrast and maybe even some creaminess, depending on the addition. 

One of the best dollops for a bowl of oatmeal happens to be pumpkin puree. The canned ingredient will change your bowl of oatmeal for the better, adding a subtle earthy flavor and lots of nutrients, including fiber. Add a spoonful of pumpkin puree and a dash of pumpkin pie spice and voila, you've got an autumnal bowl that will warm you right up no matter the season.

With the vast amount of foods that you can add to oatmeal, it can be quite easy to overdo it. Sure, it's a good idea to experiment and get creative when crafting your ideal bowl. That said, less can be more, especially when oatmeal is a hearty base all on its own.

When putting together a bowl of oatmeal, only add toppings or mix-ins that complement one another. For example, almonds, peanut butter, and granola would all pair well on top of a bowl of toasted oats, and the warm, nutty flavors will play well together. On the other hand, eggs, avocado, and a drizzle of hot sauce would all work well in a savory bowl, seeing as the fatty foods would benefit from a hit of spice. 

Separately, those bowls would taste great, but if you were to combine the ingredients of both bowls into one, it would be a nightmare. Stick with a theme when constructing your bowl, and as tempting as it may be, don't pile on too many toppings.