Learn how to make oatmeal that isn’t mushy or runny with my fail-proof method – plus four flavor combinations! Once you know how to cook oatmeal perfectly your breakfast game will be forever changed.

We eat oatmeal at least once a week for breakfast, and over the years I’ve mastered the art of how to cook oatmeal so it is not soggy or soupy, but soft with a perfect texture.

This method is for people who don’t like their oats liquidy. We use a 1:1 ratio of water to oats, which results in a thick but still soft and moist, perfectly cooked oatmeal. Plus, I’ve included 4 flavor combinations – apple cinnamon, peanut butter & honey, maple brown sugar and banana nut.

This recipe makes enough to feed 6 to 8 people (since I have a large family). It’s very easily scalable since it’s a 1:1 ratio of water to oatmeal.

How to Make Oatmeal: Ingredients & Substitutions

• Old-fashioned oatmeal. You can use quick cooking oatmeal as well. Steel cut oatmeal has a different cooking method so I don’t suggest that as a substitute here.
• Water. You can cook the oatmeal in milk if you’d prefer. Or half water, half milk.

How to Make Oatmeal

Begin by bringing four cups of water (32 fluid ounces) to a boil. It’s important to measure the water in a glass measuring container used for measuring liquids like this pyrex measuring cup.

Then, add 4 cups of oatmeal (measured in standard measuring cups) which comes out to be about 340 grams to the boiling water and stir.

Return the mixture to a boil and boil for 1 minute.

Then, turn off the heat and cover the pot of oatmeal. Let it sit, covered on the warm burner for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, use a wooden spoon to stir the oatmeal and fluff it up in the pot.

Then transfer the cooked oatmeal to bowls and serve it warm with your favorite toppings. Often, my kids will just choose brown sugar and a sprinkle of chocolate chips. Or, try these flavors.

Oatmeal Toppings

I created four flavors for you to enjoy. Each one is made individually, with 1 cup of cooked oatmeal.

Maple Brown Sugar is made by mixing 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon maple syrup, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of salt into 1 cup warm, cooked oatmeal.

Make Peanut Butter & Honey oatmeal by adding 1 Tablespoon peanut butter, 1 Tablespoon honey, a dash of cinnamon and pinch of salt to 1 cup of warm oatmeal.

Make Apple Cinnamon oatmeal by stirring in ½ small, finely diced apple, 1 Tablespoon brown sugar ¼ teaspoon cinnamon and a pinch of sea salt into 1 cup warm oatmeal.

And make Banana Nut oatmeal by mixing in 1 sliced banana, a pinch of cinnamon and a tablespoon of honey into 1 cup of cooked oatmeal.

Serve

Serve the oatmeal warm with one of these topping combinations, or with your favorite toppings. I love making one batch of cooked oatmeal for my kids and letting them choose their own toppings – so breakfast feels customized but I really only have to cook one dish.

I often serve oatmeal with some cottage cheese scrambled eggs and one of our favorite smoothie recipes.

Store/Freeze

Store cooked oatmeal without toppings (or with, but we prefer to store it without), in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.

How to Make Oatmeal FAQS

If you make and love my recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, TikTok and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so I can see your creations!

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