This is the only 90 second microwave oatmeal recipe that you will ever need. It will be your breakfast go-to for creamy, hearty oats every single time!
Cold winter weather begs for a warm and hearty breakfast. In our house, that usually means we rotate between freezer pancakes and oatmeal.
While I’ve shared countless oatmeal recipes with you over the years, it dawned on me that I’ve never shared the one recipe I make most: The ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal!
Not only is oatmeal extremely nutritious and versatile, but it is also gluten-free. For those of you with a gluten allergy, I highly recommend Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oats made in their 100% gluten-free facility and tested for gluten again to ensure their purity. In fact, I got to tour the factory and see this process up close and personal during my visit to Portland last year!
What makes a perfect oatmeal?
- Using milk instead of water
- Add cinnamon, vanilla and a good pinch of salt
- Add in your favorite toppings
From there, the world is your oyster.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What are the best oatmeal toppings to choose from?
The best topping for oatmeal is peanut butter for protein, berries, oats, banana slices, chia seeds, almonds, or raisins.
What is the ratio of oats to milk for oatmeal?
I typically do a 1:1 ratio. One cup of oats to one cup of milk but if you want the oats to be looser I would suggest adding a little more milk.
Can quick-cooking oats be used in the microwave?
Quick-cooking oats in the microwave will make things super mushy to the point you won’t feel like eating breakfast. If you want perfect oatmeal you need to use old fashioned oats.
How do you make hot oatmeal kid-friendly?
Many times oatmeal coming out of the microwave is too hot for kids. If you want to cool it down quickly, mix in some frozen berries when it comes out of the microwave. That will bring the oatmeal down to the right temperature for the kiddos.
What types of milk can be substituted in oatmeal?
If you’d like you can substitute rice milk or water for whole milk. You would substitute with the same quantity of whole milk in the recipe.
Your spoon is waiting.
The ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup Old Fashioned Oats (Don't use quick cooking oats as it will make the oatmeal mushy.)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- maple syrup (brown sugar or banana slices to sweeten – optional)
Instructions
- Place the milk, oats, vanilla, salt and cinnamon in a microwaveable bowl and stir to combine.
- Microwave on high for 90 seconds for a chewy consistency or longer for a softer consistency.
- Sweeten to taste with maple syrup, brown sugar or banana slices.
Recipe Video
Nutrition
More Healthy Breakfast Ideas are waiting for you on Pinterest!
Thanks! I’ve read so many recipes for oatmeal, it’s so simple, but I can’t for the life me figure out why instructions are always 1/2 cup oatmeal and 1 cup liquid to microwave it. Always looking for the ‘correct’ liquid amount. 1/2 cup has always been the way I make it. A whole cup is silly. I use whole milk for creaminess, a scoop of protein powder, almonds and a poached egg on top. I’m a simple guy. Hadn’t thought of vanilla. Good idea. BTW it is very easy to poach an egg in the microwave. 54 seconds in my microwave in a coffee cup with 1/2 cup water. I just finished my first bowl of Red Mill Thick Oats. Nice and chewy and now my new go-to.
No matter what size bowl my oatmeal spatters onto the microwave – do use use some type of cover?
Thank you !
Lay a napkin or paper towel over the top of your bowl to maintain splatter.
Love me some oatmeal!’ Great recipe!
So yummy! Love how chewy the oats are and how easy the recipe was. I sweetened with some homemade pumpkin syrup which was absolutely delicious. Thanks so much!
Didn’t really work was really watery
If you added 1/2 cup milk it should not have been watery. Did you happen to add too much milk?
How do you prevent the oatmeal from overflowing out of bowl? I feel like I always have this problem…thanks!
A bigger bowl! :)
Thank you! Finally, exactly what I’ve been searching for regarding instructions. I buy organic oats in bulk so no instructions come with them and I couldn’t remember what Quaker oats had on its Box. I pick up or get food delivered these days, no looking at other brands in store for instructions. The oats came out exactly the way I like them. At 1st I thought maybe they’re too dry but I added frozen berries & 1/2 frozen banana, crunchy Almond butter (from Traget – it’s yummy).
The water from the fruit squelched any concern. The only deviation from this recipe was milk, I used Almond/Cocunt milk.
I’m so happy to hear this!!!
Thank you! Finally, exactly what I’ve been searching for regarding instructions. I buy organic oats in bulk so no instructions come with them and I couldn’t remember what Quaker oats had on its Box. I pick up or get food delivered these days, no looking at other brands in store for instructions. The oats came out exactly the way I like them. At 1st I thought maybe they’re too dry but I added frozen berries & 1/2 frozen banana, crunchy Almond butter (from Traget – it’s yummy).
The water from the fruit squelched any concern. The only deviation from this recipe was milk, I used Almond/Cocunt milk.
I’m so glad you enjoyed this Kaitlyn!!!! Btw I’m teaching a cooking class March 24th – would love you to join!! https://irielemon.com/events/lebanese-cooking-class-march-2021/
Worked perfectly for me. Simple, warm breakfast comfort food. Used 2% milk, cooked an additional 20 seconds or so. Added chopped walnuts, frozen blueberries (nuked an additional 10 seconds after adding), and just a pinch of brown sugar. Just what I was craving this morning!
I’m so happy you enjoyed it!!!
So, so delicious!!! I added some Lily’s semi sweet chocolate chips to top it off and it was divine. So much better than the packaged, processed kinds. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, it is definitely a new staple in my house!
Ooooo that sounds so good!!! Glad you enjoyed!
Thank you for this recipe. It’s just what I need while I sit with my wife who’s in the hospital. It will save me a long walk to the cafeteria. What wattage microwave are you baseing your 90 seconds on?
Thanks again,
Wayne
Hi Wayne, I hope your wife is ok. This is cooked on high. Enjoy!