Published 5/25/2021 • Updated 3/22/2024 There are so many ways to cook oatmeal (overnight, stovetop, slow cooker, and Instant Pot), but nothing is faster than using the good ol’ microwave! That’s right, it takes no more than 2 minutes to make the perfect bowl of oats in the microwave! I fell in love with oatmeal in college, which is also when I started this website! Some of the very first recipes I ever posted were oatmeal recipes. I love oatmeal because it’s a whole grain, a healthy carb, and a super filling breakfast to nosh on in the morning. It also helps get things moving in the morning if you know what I mean. Since microwave oatmeal is supposed to be a quick and easy breakfast solution, we only recommend using either rolled oats or quick-cooking oats in the microwave.
Oats to Liquid Ratio for Microwave Oatmeal
Rolled Oats
1/2 cup rolled oats 2/3 cups liquid Method: Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
Quick-Cooking Oats
1/2 cup quick-cooking oats 2/3 cup liquid Method: Microwave on high for 1 minute.
Liquid Options
While you can use water to make your oatmeal, you can also use many other different kinds of milk, which really make it creamy and delicious. Here are a few to try out.
almond milk soy milk cow’s milk whole milk oat milk
How to Cook Oatmeal in the Microwave
Microwave Oatmeal Variations
Speaking of toppings, you never want to eat oatmeal without some toppings! I mean, if you could turn plain oatmeal into cookie dough, why wouldn’t you?! Here are some of our favorite combos. We do this because we think the best kind of oatmeal is thick, creamy, and a little meatier. If you use the full cup of liquid, you’ll notice that 1. it takes longer to cook and 2. it’s a lot soupier.
cookie dough: 1/2 tablespoon cashew butter + 2 teaspoons maple syrup + 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips lemon cheesecake: 2 teaspoons honey + 1 teaspoon lemon zest peanut butter banana: 1/2 tablespoons peanut butter + 2 teaspoons honey + 1/2 medium banana (mashed) apple cinnamon: 1/2 medium apple (grated) + 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon + 2 teaspoons maple syrup
Storage
Got leftover microwave oatmeal? Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat: add a little bit more milk and stir. Then microwave on high for 60 seconds.
How to Make Oatmeal
How to Make Oatmeal: Learn how to make every variation of oatmeal (steel-cut, rolled, and quick-cooking) in every method (stovetop, slow cooker, Instant Pot, overnight, and microwave)!
Oatmeal Recipes
Overnight Oats – 8 Ways Best Baked Oatmeal Instant Oatmeal – 4 Ways Chocolate Sea Salt Protein Oatmeal
