How to Microwave Oatmeal

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//cookanyday.com/cdn/shop/files/Anyday_Photos_Basics_Oatmeal_e41ca449-cda7-4046-9ed9-978d06320e33_360x.webp?v=1722358842 Perfectly cooked rolled oats made and served in the glass Anyday dish, providing creamy and wholesome oatmeal. This method ensures evenly cooked oats, ideal for a quick and nutritious breakfast.
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Prep Time

2 mins

Cook Time

3 mins

Free Time

to listen to the morning radio

Simplify your morning routine by preparing your daily oats in the microwave. Skip the stovetop boil and enjoy oats in the same amount of time it takes to boil water. Microwave a single serving of oatmeal for an on-the-go breakfast, or make a big batch and save the leftovers to reheat throughout the week. Enjoy oats with sweet or savory add-ins, like fresh or dried fruit, nuts, or even vegetables, cheese, and a poached egg.

Why Use An Anyday? Using an Anyday is the best way to make a big batch of rolled oats in the microwave. The tight-fitting lid allows leftovers to be stored in the fridge without fear of drying the oatmeal out. Plus, the microwave allows more moisture to stay in the oats, yielding a softer, more tender oatmeal.

All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work— and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.

Anyday Basics, Anyday Basics, group__ Anyday Basics, Oatmeal Anyday Basics

What You’ll Need

What You’ll Need

The Medium Deep Dish

The best dish for 1-2 portions of grains, veggies, mac and cheese, ramen, and more.

The Anyhand Mitts

Handle hot Anyday dishes with care with these microwave mitts that double as trivets!
Try Anyday

Select your serving size and microwave wattage in the dropdown. The recipe will change accordingly.

1/2 cup oats

Select your microwave wattage in the dropdown. The cook times in this recipe will automatically change accordingly.

[[video-wattage]]

To find your microwave’s wattage, look at the front panel, the side of the door, in the back, in the user manual, or Google the model number. If both an input and output wattage are listed, use the output.

Wattage translates to how powerful the microwave is. The higher the wattage, the faster your food will cook. The lower the wattage, the longer the cook time.

When in doubt, start with less time — you can always add more.

Microwave oven by power - 700w
700w

Recommended 

Dish

The Medium Deep Dish

Ingredients

  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup water

Preparation

  1. Add rolled oats and water to an Anyday dish.
  2. Stir and spread oats in an even layer.
  3. Cook in the microwave uncovered for 3 minutes, stirring halfway through for even cooking.
  4. Oats are ready when the water has been absorbed and oats are tender (try a spoonful!).

Serving suggestions & tips

  • For a savory take, season the oatmeal with salt and top with a fried egg, chili oil, cheese, and sliced green onions.
  • Swirl leftover fruit preserves, jam, or fruit compote into the oatmeal.
  • For a decadent take, top oatmeal with warm milk or cream and stir in maple syrup or brown sugar.
  • For Creme Brûlée oatmeal, stir cream, sugar and a splash of vanilla extract into the base. Top with a generous layer of granulated sugar, then use a pastry torch to create a glossy, burnt sugar topping.
  • Add cooked oatmeal to loose pancake batter for extra fiber and carbs.

Recipe notes

  • Note: Do not cook more than 1 cup of oats in a Medium Deep Dish. To cook more than 1 cup of rolled oats, use a Large Deep Dish. The Large Deep Dish can cook up to 2 cups of oatmeal at a time.
  • Why use an Anyday dish? The beveled sides of an Anyday Deep Dish keep oats at the bottom while circulating heat throughout the cooking process. The airtight lid is great for storing leftover oatmeal in the fridge, keeping it fresh and moist.
  • This recipe is for old-fashioned rolled oats, not instant oats! Instant oats will cook faster.
  • Always use a Deep Dish to cook grains (the water will likely overflow in the Shallow Dishes). Do not cook more than the max quantities listed above.
  • Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.

Oatmeal: 4 Ways

Customize your microwaved oatmeal with these easy additions!

PB&J

Strawberries + Peanut Butter

Banana-Honey

Banana + Cinnamon + Honey

Spicy Poached Egg

Poached Egg + Chili Crisp

Classic

Blueberry + Maple Syrup

More breakfast recipes

Microwave Match Up: Rolled Oats

See for yourself— microwaving oats is simply faster, start to finish.

Appliance Cook Time
Microwave in an Anyday dish 2-3 mins
Oven* 20 mins
Stovetop* 15 mins
Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* 15 mins
*Includes preheat time

Step by Step: How to microwave rolled oats

Combine oats and water.

Stir and spread oats in an even layer.

Cook in the microwave uncovered.

Oats are ready when tender.

All you need to know about microwaving oats

How long do rolled oats take to cook in the microwave?

Ingredient Water Cook Time
1/2 cup rolled oats 1 cup water 2-3 mins
1 cup rolled oats 2 cups water 3-4 mins
1 1/2 cups rolled oats 3 cups water 4-5 mins
2 cups rolled oats 4 cups water 5-6 mins
3 cups rolled oats 6 cups water 12 mins
Cook time calculated for 700w microwave

Rolled oats take about 2-3 minutes to cook in the microwave, depending on your microwave’s wattage. Like any starchy grain, rolled oats have a tendency to boil over in the microwave if you’re not careful. When microwaving rolled oats for the first time, start with a Large Deep dish to avoid any spillover. Do not cover the dish with the lid as the cooking liquid will become too hot and create too much pressure.

How to prevent oatmeal from boiling over in the microwave

Like any starchy grain, rolled oats have a tendency to boil over in the microwave if you’re not careful. Start with an uncovered Large Deep dish to avoid spillover when microwaving rolled oats. If you cover the dish with the lid, the cooking liquid will become too hot and create too much pressure. If your oatmeal is still boiling over, that’s okay! This means your microwave is super powered and you may need to turn down the Power Level. Start at Power Level 7 and go from there. You got this!

How to tell when oats are cooked through

Cooking rolled oats in the microwave yields tender oatmeal, but may take some troubleshooting to get right. Sampling the oats is the best way to tell if they’re cooked though. If the oats still have a bite, add a splash of water and continue cooking in the microwave for 1-2 minutes.

How to fix gluey oatmeal

If the oatmeal is too thick and dry, add water by the tablespoon until the oatmeal is soft to your liking. If the oats are still undercooked, stir water into the mixture and microwave for 1-2 minutes. To add more fat, flavor and texture, add milk or a plant-based alternative after cooking.

How to freeze microwaved oatmeal

To prepare the oatmeal for the freezer, the oatmeal must be completely cooled. Spread the oatmeal into an even layer onto a baking sheet and allow to cool completely in the fridge. You can also use Anytime Trays to make 1/2 cup portions. Then transfer the cooked frozen oatmeal into reusable freezer bags. To avoid freezer burn, be sure to push out any air from the surface of the oatmeal.

How to thaw frozen oatmeal

Transfer portioned cooked rolled oats from the freezer and place into an Anyday dish. Add 1 teaspoon of water and cover with the lid. Cook the frozen oats in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until warmed through. To loosen up the texture, add a tablespoon or two of milk, water, or other plant-based alternative.

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