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How to make Oats: 5 Tips for making them better
05th January, 2026 06:56 AM
Oats are a quick, healthy, and filling meal perfect for breakfast or even a light dinner. But if your oats often turn out bland, mushy, or just boring, a few simple tricks can take them from basic to delicious. Here are 5 easy tips to make your oats better every time.
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.”
Stovetop:
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 ½ cup of oats and reduce heat to medium; cook for 1 minute.
3. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.
Microwave:
1. Combine 1 cup of milk or water, ½ cup of oats and a pinch of salt (if desired) in a 2-cup microwavable bowl.
2. Microwave on high for 1½ to 2 minutes.
3. Stir before serving.
1. Use Steel-Cut Oats
Steel-cut oats are toasted and cut into oat groats the oat kernel that has been removed from the husk. Yes, they take longer to cook than quick-cooking oats or old-fashioned rolled oats, but they’re worth it. The texture of steel-cut oatmeal is creamy and chewy, and oh-so-delicious.
2. Avoid Flavored Instant Oatmeal
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 helps 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 ¾ to 1 cup of liquid per ¼ cup of oats. If you are using quick-cooking or rolled oats, the ratio is 1 cup of liquid per ½ cup of oats.
4. Think Beyond Water
For more calcium and creamy flavor, make oatmeal with low-fat milk or plant-based milk instead of water. Or try making it with apple cider for a boost of flavor.
The ratio of liquid to oats stays the same, so you can easily make the switch. Once you’ve tried oatmeal infused with flavour during 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 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 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 3 days. In the morning, eat it cold or heat it in the microwave.
