The One Mistake That Ruins Oatmeal — And How To Fix It

Oatmeal is a great fiber-filled way to start your day. Whether baked, freshly cooked, or prepared as overnight oats, there is a lot to keep in mind for the most fulfilling bowl. But the most important mistake to avoid when cooking oatmeal is having an unbalanced ratio of liquid to oats. For example, a 2:1 ratio of liquid to oats is ideal for most versions (including overnight oats) to achieve a desirable consistency. Fixing an overly watery or too-thick oatmeal involves a delicate balance of added ingredients to help smooth out the texture issues.

Simply eyeballing how much liquid and oats to add to your bowl is a mistake easily remedied by carefully measuring out each of your ingredients. Whereas old-fashioned oats and other quick oats call for one cup of water, milk, or the liquid of your choosing to a half cup of the oats, you'll likely need between one half and three quarters of a cup of liquid per packet of instant oats. Additionally, a liquid like broth would make an excellent addition to savory-style oats.

For overnight oat aficionados, the 2:1 liquid-to-oat ratio could be expanded to include 1⁄3 cup each of yogurt and your preferred type of standard or plant-based milk, combined with a third cup of oats for an extra creamy dish. If you need to fix any mistakes in consistency, get clever with some thoughtful and complementary mix-ins.

To make a perfect bowl of oatmeal, start with your favorite (and carefully measured out) ingredients. Try cooking your oatmeal in bone broth and using savory herbs and spices for a twist on a typically sweet dish. If your oatmeal has gotten too soupy to be palatable, consider using a portion of protein powder or cooking your oats a little bit longer to help thicken up the dish. Conversely, you can also fix overly thick oatmeal by diluting it using more of the same liquid in which you cooked the oats.

Once you've mastered the best ratio of liquid to oats for your taste preferences, you'll be able to fix any slip-ups in consistency and make room for more culinary creativity. Get the most out of your oatmeal with other ingredients like fruit, seeds, nuts, and more. As a note about dried fruits, you can help plump up raisins or cranberries by soaking them in boiling water first to soften them, which prevents them from absorbing excess liquids in your oatmeal.

It's always prudent to check out your package of oats for any brand-specific cooking tips to get the best of your bowl. Keeping the standard 2:1 ratio in mind, you can easily adjust as needed to stretch your oatmeal further and fix it to your ideal consistency. This delicious and nutritious meal will quickly become a favorite in your weekly rotation.