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Oatmeal makes an easy, quick, nutritious, and energizing breakfast just about any morning. It can be prepped the night before or quickly cooked up just prior to enjoying. And there are so many options to kick up the flavor!

How to Prepare Oatmeal

Ratios

Before I dive into the preparation methods, you need to know the ratios of oats and liquid. Here they are:

old fashioned rolled oats – 1:2
1 part uncooked oats to 2 parts liquid (that’s the equivalent of 1 cup oats and 2 cups liquid)
steel cut oats – 1:3-4
1 part uncooked oats to 3 to 4 parts liquid (that’s the equivalent of 1 cup oats and 3 to 4 cups liquid)

LIQUIDS: purified water, unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened cashew milk, unsweetened hemp milk

NOTE: You could also add mineral salt for added flavor and quicker cooking speed. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt per 1 cup uncooked oats.

Overnight Oatmeal

Prepping your oatmeal overnight makes it easier to enjoy come the morning because everything is already ready to go (besides heating if you choose to heat it). This is a great option for those who work or for kids who are rushed to get out the door to school.

What You Need

old fashioned rolled oats or steel cut oats
salt (optional)
liquid of choice
a bowl or mason jar
add-ins of choice (see below for ideas)

What You Do

Put the desired amount of oats and salt in a bowl or mason jar.
Cover with the proper amount of liquid (see ratios above).
Add desired add-ins.
Cover the bowl or jar with a lid or plastic wrap.
Pop in the fridge overnight.
In the morning, stir and enjoy cold or warm up over medium heat then enjoy.

Stovetop Oatmeal

Prepping your oatmeal on the stove is fast and easy and tastes amazing because it’s fresh and warm.

What You Need

liquid of choice
salt (optional)
a small saucepan
old fashioned rolled oats or steel cut oats
add-ins of choice (see below for ideas)

What You Do

Pour the necessary amount of liquid and salt (see ratios above) into the saucepan. Bring to a boil.
Turn heat down to medium-low. Add the oats and allow to simmer, stirring often. This is a good time to add any add-ins that you’d like heated as well.
Once the liquid has absorbed (takes around 5 minutes), remove from heat and add any remaining add-ins you desire.

Microwave Oatmeal

Prepping your oatmeal in the microwave saves a little bit of time and possibly dishes, but it doesn’t taste as good and the microwave tends to destroy nutrition. But here are the directions just in case.

What You Need

old fashioned rolled oats or steel cut oats
liquid of choice
salt (optional)
microwave safe bowl
add-ins of choice (see below for ideas)

What You Do

Add one serving of oats, liquid, salt, and add-ins you want heated to a bowl.
Pop in the microwave and cook for 1½ to 3 minutes (time varies based on microwave and amount of oatmeal being cooked).
Allow to cool for about 5 minutes before removing from microwave (bowl will be HOT).

Add-in Ideas

Jazz up your oatmeal by adding yummy stuff! Below is a list of delicious ideas. If you have any more suggestions, please share them in a comment below!

Energizing Oatmeal

Below is a list of add-in ideas for ENERGIZING oatmeal. This means low fat, Carbalicious oatmeal. If you’re doing the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle, these would be considered an E. In this list, I put limits on some items for those doing THM; if you’re doing a different diet, go according to their recommendations.

allspice
apple (up to 1 average sized)
banana (up to ½ of 1 medium banana in as much as ½ cup worth dry oats)
blackberries (up to 1 cup)
blueberries (up to 1 cup)
cinnamon
cloves
cacao nibs (up to 1 teaspoon)
cocoa powder (unsweetened)
collagen
dried fruit (unsweetened, up to 1 tablespoon)
erythritol
essential oils (Young Living Vitality kinds only; orange, lemon, peppermint, cinnamon, etc.; 1 or 2 drops)
extracts (vanilla, almond, maple, etc.)
Gentle Sweet
goji berries (up to 1 tablespoon)
Greek yogurt (0%, plain)
herbs (fresh or dried)
honey substitute (sugar free; such as my Homemade Honey or Nature’s Hollow)
Just Like Brown Sugar

lemon fruit, juice, or zest
lime fruit, juice, or zest
maple syrup substitute (sugar free; such as my homemade verision or the one made by Nature’s Hollow)
mango (up to 1 average sized)
mint (fresh or dried)
molasses (up to ½ teaspoon)
nutmeg
nutritional yeast
orange (up to 1 average sized)
pear (up to 1 average sized)
Pristine Whey Protein Powder
pumpkin pie spice (or DIY essential oil blend)
raspberries (up to 1 cup)
salt
stevia
strawberries (up to 1 cup)
Super Sweet Blend
preserves (sugar free jams or jellies; 1 or teaspoons)
vanilla beans
xylitol
yogurt (low fat, plain)

Energizing & Filling Oatmeal

Below is a list of add-in ideas for ENERGIZING AND FILLING (Fusiontacular) oatmeal. If you’re doing the Trim Healthy Mama lifestyle, these would be considered Crossovers (XO) which are good for on-plan treats, pregnant ladies, and those in maintenance mode (not recommended for weight loss). In this list, I put limits on some items for those doing THM; if you’re doing a different diet, go according to their recommendations.