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How to Make Overnight Oatmeal

How to Make Overnight Oatmeal
  • Category

    Breakfast and Brunch

  • Cusine

    American

What do you need?
How to make?

Ingredients

1/4 cup steel-cut oats or old-fashioned rolled oats

1/2 to 3/4 cup water, non-dairy milk, or milk

Pinch salt

Brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or other sweetener

Dried fruit, like dried cherries, cranberries, or figs

Fresh fruit, like raspberries, blue berries, bananas, apples, or pears

Chopped nuts, like pecans, pistachios, walnuts, or almonds

Splash of milk, creme fraiche, or yogurt

1- to 2-cup microwave-safe containers with lids

Directions

Combine the oats, water, and salt in a container. Use 1/2 cup of water for thick, spoonable oatmeal, or 3/4 cup for a softer, more porridge-like oatmeal. Secure the lid and swirl the contents a few times so that the oats are soaked.

Combine a handful of chosen oatmeal toppings in a small container. Refrigerate overnight or up to 5 days.

Remove the lid from the container and set aside. If desired, transfer the oats and their soaking liquid to a separate microwave-safe bowl. Place the container on a microwave-safe plate , and place in the microwave. Microwave on high power for 30 seconds, then remove the oatmeal and stir. Microwave for another 30 seconds, then remove and stir again. If the liquid is not quite piping hot, microwave for another 15 to 30 seconds, or as needed until the liquid is very hot. Cooking time may vary from microwave to microwave; in my microwave, 1 minute and 20 seconds total cooking time was perfect. Be very watchful when microwaving longer than 1 minute. The liquid will start to foam up and out of the container if it starts to boil. Be especially careful with smaller containers. At this point, the oats probably won't quite look like oatmeal yet; there will still be a thin layer of foamy liquid on top of the oats. This is ok. Let the oats stand for 2 to 3 minutes to thicken. After letting them stand a few minutes, give the oats a stir. The oatmeal should become thick and creamy as you stir. If it still seems more liquidy than you'd like, microwave for another 15 to 30 seconds, but be very watchful for foaming liquid. If the oats seem too stiff and thick, stir in splash of milk, water, or other liquid to loosen them up again. Stir in toppings and serve. Enjoy!.