How to Make Microwavable Oats
I decided to photograph the cooking process for my oats this morning. I’ve received quite a few questions about the microwavable cooking option over the months, so here’s how the magic happens! 
1. Measure your oats and add them to a microwavable-safe bowl. I use Old-Fashioned Quaker Oats (Quick Quaker Oats works, too) and a big Pyrex mixing bowl. My measurements vary depending on my hunger level, but my standard measurement is 1/2 cup dry oats with 1/2 – 3/4 cup water. However, if I use canned pumpkin or frozen fruit, I will add less water.
2. Add your “mix-ins” to the oats (pretty much anything that you want cooked into the oats). I added canned pumpkin, wheat berries, walnuts, and water to mine.
3. Next, pop the bowl into the microwave for 2 minutes.
4. After 2 minutes, remove the bowl from microwave and stir oats.
5. Transfer oats into a “prettier” bowl, and add toppings. I added shredded coconut and Barney Butter to my oats this morning.
6. Eat and enjoy! 
Jen — January 24, 2009 @ 9:30 am
very pretty!!!
I make my oats in the microwave most mornings…no time for stove cooking 
Inna — January 24, 2009 @ 9:34 am
What proportion of water/milk to oats do you use? Thanks Tina!
Jenny — January 24, 2009 @ 9:38 am
microwaves oats, while allegedly “simple”, can certainly be an art. Thanks for showing us!
Lee (seelivelee) — January 24, 2009 @ 9:45 am
See tina you truly are my hero! i have to rely on this method for college-its so easy, quick, perfect for cleanup and did i mention absolutely delicious?
Sarah (Tales of Expansion) — January 24, 2009 @ 9:46 am
what a cute how-to! my microwave broke two years ago, and i’ve never gotten around to getting another. i’m generally fine with heating everything in the oven, but SOMETIMES (like now, watching your simple and quick process), i get jealous!!
Tina — January 24, 2009 @ 9:47 am
@Inna: It depends on what the other ingredients are. My standard measurement is 1/2 cup dry oats with 1/2 – 3/4 cup water. However, if I use canned pumpkin or frozen fruit, I will add less waster (1/3 – 1/2 cup).
K — January 24, 2009 @ 9:47 am
Thanks for the how-to!!
Micki — January 24, 2009 @ 9:50 am
Thanks for the tips! Do you use the old-fashioned oats, or the kind meant to be microwaved?
Shelby — January 24, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Great tutorial. I always have to soak my oats before cooking because they explode in the microwave!
Michelle — January 24, 2009 @ 9:59 am
Great oats! Have a wonderful Saturday!
Tina — January 24, 2009 @ 10:11 am
@Micki: Either work!
justjen — January 24, 2009 @ 10:19 am
Those look good – but when I make my oats on the stovetop I have to use 2:1 water to oats, does it change for the microwave?
Are you going to give us a wrap up of your first week at the new job???
VeggieGirl — January 24, 2009 @ 10:24 am
Fabulous tutorial!!
emily — January 24, 2009 @ 10:27 am
I always use the microwave; I’ve had stovetop oats and I honestly don’t think they are any better. Hopefully you converted some readers to the easier way today!
Tanya — January 24, 2009 @ 10:30 am
I do both stovetop and microwaveable method too – and I guess since I was used to microwaveable stuff they pretty much taste the same and there is no nutritional difference, so it’s the microwave for me too.
Nicole — January 24, 2009 @ 10:50 am
Definitely bookmarking this! My microwave oats never come out well!! Thanks, girl!
Inna — January 24, 2009 @ 11:11 am
Thanks Tina!
Rose — January 24, 2009 @ 11:12 am
What a great post idea! Putting the oats in a Pyrex bowl? Why hadn’t I ever thought of that? I always tried to put too many ingredients into a small bowl, it overflowed, got messy and the whole thing was a disaster.
Maybe I’ll try this once in a while so I can save some stovetop time in the morning.
Sarah (lovINmytummy) — January 24, 2009 @ 11:24 am
I think maybe the reason my microwave oats aren’t as good as stovetop is because I’m using too much water?! Maybe I’ll give your method a try–thanks!
Jasmine (Sweet and Fit) — January 24, 2009 @ 11:26 am
thanks for the tutorial, I always screw up microwave oats because they explode and make a mess! I always thought that it was 1 cup liquid per 1/2 cup of oats…but you used .5-.75 c water???
Molly — January 24, 2009 @ 12:12 pm
This is super helpful, thanks! I wanted to share another reason to love working in Harvard Square: http://www.theberryline.com/store.html
Kate — January 24, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
haha! Isn’t it amazing how an odd looking food becomes gourmet w/ a cute bowl! Delish. Thanks so much for sharing!
claire — January 24, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
I guess I do a “slow-cook” microwave version. I’ve had issues with the oats boiling over, so I cook a 1:2 ratio of oats to water for 7 minutes at power level 4. It leaves them creamy and delicious!
Ellen — January 24, 2009 @ 12:54 pm
i do 1/2 c oats to 1 c water in a pyrex bowl with the spices, and microwave for about minute and a half. then i take it out, add another splash of water, stir in a sliced banana, and microwave for another minute. makes for very creamy oats
i like mine fully cooked, i can’t do the super chewy. i love hearing the different methods because really, oatmeal is hard to mess up (you can eat it raw if you wanted to!) but different techniques create really different end products.
Sandy — January 24, 2009 @ 1:45 pm
I find stovetop SO much tastier-only takes 5 minutes compared to two in microwave…I tried microwave for 2 weeks ,then switched to stovetop and for me the taste and texture was SO much better and it only takes 3 min more!Well worth 3 minutes!!!
caitlin — January 24, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
hey there! i do think stovetop is tastier, but this is a great option that i’ve never tried so thank you for sharing! im sure it will come in handy some day!!
Pearl — January 24, 2009 @ 2:26 pm
the lavender cup is so pretty!
yes the stovetop does taste better – but what i do is that i lower my microwave power down to about a 5 or so and microwave for about 10 minutes… the oats come out SOOOO soft and creamy, and close to (but not quite) the taste of stovetop oats!
sabs — January 24, 2009 @ 2:31 pm
Never thought of adding pumkpin to my microwave oats, but it sounds tasty so maybe I should give it a go!
Liz — January 24, 2009 @ 2:32 pm
Hey Tina! That looks soooo good!
I was just looking around your site for any links to blogs that you read regularly. If it is here, where is it? If not, I would love some recommendations!
Amelia — January 24, 2009 @ 4:04 pm
I HAVE to try this. I’m always doing stovetop oats and it cuts into my morning prep time. I knew you could do oats in the microwave but didn’t know how long to heat them, etc. Thanks!
Kimberly — January 24, 2009 @ 5:01 pm
Great directions! I always soak my steel cut oats overnight, then add a bit more hot water before popping them into the microwave. I add the wheatberries at the end because they’re fully cooked already. Your oatmeal always look so awesome!
Sandy — January 24, 2009 @ 5:44 pm
Kimberley,how long and at what power do you cook your steel cut the next morn?Thanks…
Lara — January 24, 2009 @ 6:07 pm
This was interesting because I always microwave my oats too but I add the “mix-ins” in the end. Maybe this will be better from now on! Also I have never used pumpkin but I am going to give it a whril so I’ll remember to use less water. Thanks!
coco — January 24, 2009 @ 6:26 pm
great idea to use the big glass bowl for the microwave because I created a huge mess when I microwave my oats…… oh…. thanks Tina for pointing out the key of the procedure: the big bowl!!!!
Alexia — January 24, 2009 @ 7:36 pm
Well done! Thanks!
Foodsthatfit — January 24, 2009 @ 8:30 pm
That is a great idea using the larger bowl, I can’t tell you how many times my oats have overflowed in the microwave b/c my bowl is too small! I will keep your suggestions in mind. Your mug/bowl is very cute!
jaime — January 24, 2009 @ 8:49 pm
tina! i love your blog sooo much! i have been reading it for a few months now! i live in boston too
thank you for this post– i am sooo illiterate in the kitchen but i think this is something i can manage & i LOVE oatmeal! thank you!
Sophia — January 24, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
yay~ thanks for the tutorial! this is perfect for mornings when I’m in a rush!
I love your blog and look forward to reading through it!
Meg — January 24, 2009 @ 10:19 pm
Loved this!
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Shari Roberts-Osojnak — August 11, 2010 @ 2:12 pm
I went through all these processes, also. Ended up with a very large microwaveable cereal bowl. I do the same thing everyday: Half cup old-fashioned oats, full cup water, a pinch of raisins, and a pinch of seeds or walnuts in a Pam Butter sprayed bowl. Stir. Put in microwave full speed until it comes to a full boil. My microwave is low wattage, and this takes 3 minutes. Figure out how long yours takes, push the button and go take your shower. When you come back it will be cool enough to eat — right out of the bowl. Fill the bowl with water and let it set ten minutes (or all day) for easy cleanup. If you wish, add 1/4 c Eggbeaters for protein. (When I do this I add a bit of fake sugar, and cover the top with lots of nutmeg. It is reminiscent of rice pudding.) Splenda brown sugar is good if you require milk and sugar, which is how many serve oatmeal.
Lots of busy-mom trial and error to get to this point! Enjoy.