Why It's A Major Mistake To Let Your Oatmeal Reach A Boil

You wake up in the morning, slowly stretching, walking sleepy-eyed to the kitchen to make a creamy, warm bowl of stovetop oatmeal. What a perfect way to start the day! But it's also something that can be ruined quickly by having too much heat. The only thing standing between you and expert execution of your oatmeal is the perfect water temperature. Because if you let those oats hit a boil, there's a good chance they're going to boil over and you're going to be left with more than one mess on your hands.

"Letting oatmeal come to a boil will give it a goopy texture," says chef and content creator Violet Witchel. The cause of this unwanted texture comes from the oats being heated too fast. According to Witchel, oats need to be gently hydrated in order to obtain the perfect texture. And that is something boiling does not do.

"It's still safe to eat," Witchel adds as a consolation. But are you really going to want to? Stovetop oatmeal is one of the top ways to get the yummiest oatmeal flavors and textures. It should be creamy but still firm. So, let's do it right.

It seems that when it comes to pasta and oatmeal, we've all let that pot boil over. It's a common problem. When the heat begins to cook the oats, their starches expand, and this in turn traps the air in the pot. Since the air can't escape properly, it pushes against the swollen starches, causing everything to propel toward the top. This is what leads to that all too familiar angry, sizzle sound on your hot burner. So, start low and slow with the heat and gently stir it as it cooks. This will allow the air to escape while cooking the oats properly.

"Adding a pinch of salt and seasoning like vanilla or cinnamon to your oats while cooking will make them much more flavorful," Witchel suggests. Once you know how to make perfectly cooked oatmeal, there are so many flavor combinations to explore. You might like some brown sugar and butter for a rich, sweet, and savory breakfast. Or perhaps you can try adding berries and nuts to lighten things up on a bright day. We've even found that a drizzle of barbecue sauce can create a myriad of luscious profiles depending on your sauce of choice. A little miso can add a unique umami profile. So, experiment with your flavors and measure with your heart. If you need any more inspiration, check out our favorite oatmeal recipes.