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Home Recipes Breakfast
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Sweet & Satisfying Microwave Oatmeal (in just 90 seconds)

2 min
GF Gluten-Free VG Vegetarian EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free
by: Lindsay Grimes
May 9, 2023 (Updated: September 27, 2024)
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This is an overhead vertical image of a pink glass bowl with oatmeal in it. A silver spoon is dipping into the oatmeal and leaning against the side of the bowl with the handle pointing to the right bottom side of the image. The oatmeal is topped with fresh raspberries, walnuts and a sprinkle of brown sugar. The bowl sits on a white marble surface with walnuts and fresh raspberries scattered around it.
Microwave oatmeal is the perfect breakfast made with only a couple ingredients in 90 seconds! Treat yourself with your favorite toppings!

Microwave oatmeal is something that I grew up on! I went through countless packets of instant oatmeal and have happily introduced the same breakfast tradition to my own kids.

One morning I was low on store-bought packets and I thought the best course of action was to make our own! Turns out, it’s way easier than I thought.

Whether you’re rushing out the door in the morning or simply looking for a fuss-free breakfast option, microwave oatmeal is a great choice.

If you love starting your day with oats you have to try my 1-Min Microwave Chocolate Baked Oats and Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffins!

Why You’ll Love this Recipe for Microwave Oatmeal

  1. Convenience: The recipe is quick and easy to make, making it a great option for busy people who don’t have a lot of time in the morning. They only take 2 minutes to make in the morning and they are unbelievably delicious!
  2. Customizable: The recipe is very versatile, allowing people to add their favorite toppings or flavors to create a breakfast that suits their tastesbuds perfect no matter what your tastebuds are calling for.
  3. Only a few ingredients: The base of this recipe is only 2 ingredients that are super accessible (oats + milk). I always add a splash of vanilla and come cinnamon for the best flavor!

What are the best oats to use for microwave oatmeal?

u003cdiv class=u0022group w-full text-gray-800 dark:text-gray-100 border-b border-black/10 dark:border-gray-900/50 bg-gray-50 dark:bg-[#444654]u0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022flex p-4 gap-4 text-base md:gap-6 md:max-w-2xl lg:max-w-xl xl:max-w-3xl md:py-6 lg:px-0 m-autou0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022relative flex flex-col w-[calc(100%-50px)] gap-1 md:gap-3 lg:w-[calc(100%-115px)]u0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022flex flex-grow flex-col gap-3u0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022min-h-[20px] flex flex-col items-start gap-4 whitespace-pre-wrap break-wordsu0022u003ernu003cdiv class=u0022markdown prose w-full break-words dark:prose-invert lightu0022u003ernrnThe best oats to use for microwave oatmeal are u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underline;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eold-fashioned oatsu003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003e, also known as u003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underline;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003erolled oatsu003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003e.rnrnThese oats are thinner and flatter than steel-cut oats, which makes them cook more quickly and evenly in the microwave.rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underline;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eInstant oats are not recommendedu003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003e for microwave oatmeal because they are precooked and have a finer texture, which can result in a mushy or gluey consistency when microwaved.rnrnu003cspan style=u0022text-decoration: underline;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eSteel-cut oats also aren’t recommendedu003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003e because they take much longer to cook and require more liquid than old-fashioned oats. Subbing them in for this recipe would make for undercooked, tough oats.rnrnu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003ernu003c/divu003e

Ingredients for Microwave Oatmeal

Old Fashioned Oats. Old fashioned oats are a great choice for oatmeal because they are minimally processed.

Milk. Adding milk to oatmeal makes it creamier and more flavorful. I tend to always use dairy milk in this recipe but any milk would work – almond, oat or soy are great options!

Vanilla Extract. It adds a sweet, rich flavor to the oatmeal.

Cinnamon. Cinnamon is a spice that adds warmth and depth to oatmeal. It gives it that home cooked, cozy vibe that is the perfect base for topping with all your favorite things.

This is a vertical image looking into a pink glass bowl with oatmeal in it. A silver spoon is dipping into the oatmeal and leaning against the side of the bowl with the handle pointing to the right bottom side of the image. The oatmeal is topped with fresh raspberries, walnuts and a sprinkle of brown sugar. The bowl sits on a white marble surface with walnuts and fresh raspberries scattered around it.

How to Make Microwave Oatmeal

  1. Measure out the old-fashioned oats and add them to a microwave-safe bowl along with the milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
  2. Use a spoon to stir the ingredients together until they are well combined. Make sure the oats are fully submerged in the milk so they cook evenly.
  3. Place the bowl in the microwave and microwave on high for 90 seconds. Keep an eye on the oatmeal while it cooks to make sure it doesn’t boil over. If the oatmeal starts to rise too high, stop the microwave and let it settle before continuing to cook.
  4. Once the oatmeal is cooked, remove it from the microwave and let it cool for a minute or two. Then, add your favorite toppings. Some options include fresh or frozen berries, chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds, a drizzle of maple syrup or honey, and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar or brown sugar.

My Favorite Toppings

Berries: Adding berries to oatmeal is a great way to add natural sweetness and flavor to the dish without adding any extra sugar.

Turbinado Sugar: Turbinado sugar is a less processed type of sugar that retains more of its natural molasses content. It has a slightly coarser texture and a subtle caramel flavor, which can add sweetness and complexity to oatmeal. Using a small amount of turbinado sugar can be a good way to sweeten oatmeal.

Walnuts: Adding chopped walnuts to oatmeal can add a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor.

Maple Syrup: Maple syrup tops the oatmeal with a rich, caramel flavor.

Variations and Toppings to Try

Peanut Butter Banana: Add 1-2 tablespoons of peanut butter to the oatmeal before microwaving. Once the oatmeal is cooked, top with sliced banana and a drizzle of honey.

Apple Cinnamon: Add diced apple and a sprinkle of cinnamon to the oatmeal before microwaving. Once the oatmeal is cooked, top with chopped walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Double Chocolate: Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder to the oatmeal before microwaving. Once the oatmeal is cooked, top with some chocolate chips.

Blueberry Lemon: Add a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to the oatmeal before microwaving. Once the oatmeal is cooked, top with sliced almonds and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar.

This is a vertical image focusing on a silver spoon with oatmeal and a raspberry on it. A hand is holding the handle of the spoon and is in the bottom right corner of the image. Blurred in the background behind the spoon is a bowl with more oatmeal and raspberries on a white marble surface.

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

This is an overhead vertical image of a pink glass bowl with oatmeal in it. A silver spoon is dipping into the oatmeal and leaning against the side of the bowl with the handle pointing to the right bottom side of the image. The oatmeal is topped with fresh raspberries, walnuts and a sprinkle of brown sugar. The bowl sits on a white marble surface with walnuts and fresh raspberries scattered around it. Recipe
GF Gluten-Free VG Vegetarian EF Egg-Free NF Nut-Free

Sweet & Satisfying Microwave Oatmeal (in just 90 seconds)

Microwave oatmeal is the perfect breakfast made with only a couple ingredients in 90 seconds! Treat yourself with your favorite toppings!

Recipe by:Lindsay Grimes
5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star No reviews
Prep: 30 secCook: 90 secTotal: 2 min
Print recipe Rate recipe Pin Save recipe
Servings: 1 serving 1x

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
  • 1/2 cup milk (any milk works)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • toppings: berries, walnuts, turbinado or brown sugar, drizzle of maple syrup

Instructions

  1. Measure out the old-fashioned oats and add them to a microwave-safe bowl along with the milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
    This is an overhead horizontal image of a white bowl on a white marble surface. In the bowl is milk, oats, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
  2. Use a spoon to stir the ingredients together until they are well combined. Make sure the oats are fully submerged in the milk so they cook evenly.
    This is an overhead horizontal image of a white bowl on a white marble surface. In the bowl is a milk, spice and oat combination. A silver spoon is in the oatmeal and leaning against the side of the bowl with the handle pointing to the bottom right corner of the image.
  3. Place the bowl in the microwave and microwave on high for 90 seconds. Keep an eye on the oatmeal while it cooks to make sure it doesn’t boil over. If the oatmeal starts to rise too high, stop the microwave and let it settle before continuing to cook.
    This is an overhead horizontal image of a white bowl on a white marble surface. In the bowl is cooked oatmeal.
  4. Once the oatmeal is cooked, remove it from the microwave and let it cool for a minute or two. Then, add your favorite toppings. Some options include fresh or frozen berries, chopped nuts like walnuts or almonds, a drizzle of maple syrup or honey, and a sprinkle of turbinado sugar or brown sugar.
    This is an overhead horizontal image of a pink glass bowl with oatmeal in it. A silver spoon is dipping into the oatmeal and leaning against the side of the bowl with the handle pointing to the right bottom corner of the image. The oatmeal is topped with fresh raspberries, walnuts and a sprinkle of brown sugar. The bowl sits on a white marble surface with walnuts and fresh raspberries scattered around it.

Nutrition Info:

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 382
  • Sugar: 7.9g
  • Sodium: 58mg
  • Fat: 7.7g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.5g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 0g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 60.9g
  • Fiber: 8.4g
  • Protein: 14.1g
  • Cholesterol: 10mg
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This is an overhead vertical image of a pink glass bowl with oatmeal in it. A silver spoon is dipping into the oatmeal and leaning against the side of the bowl with the handle pointing to the right bottom side of the image. The oatmeal is topped with fresh raspberries, walnuts and a sprinkle of brown sugar. The bowl sits on a white marble surface with walnuts and fresh raspberries scattered around it. Text overlay reads "microwave oatmeal only 2-min!"
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Lindsay

Nice to Meet You!

I’m Lindsay - cookbook author, blogger and chocolate lover! If gluten-free desserts are your jam, you’re in the right place! I live in south Jersey with my family and new puppy Roxie! Some of my favorite things are oat milk lattes, sunny days and warm, gooey chocolate chip cookies.

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