How to Microwave Oatmeal Without Making a Mess

Cooking single servings of oatmeal in your microwave oven is very convenient. No extra dishes to wash, and you can walk away to continue your morning routine while the microwave does all the work. At least that’s the case when the oatmeal doesn’t boil over, making a sticky mess in the microwave.

So, how can you make microwave oatmeal without the mess? You already know that the package instructions for microwaving oatmeal don’t work. Don’t even bother trying it that way ever again. Instead, follow my easy method for cooking oatmeal in the microwave without making a mess. This method works with both old-fashioned oatmeal and quick cooking steel-cut oatmeal.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• large, deep bowl
• microwave oven
• oatmeal, either old-fashioned oatmeal or quick cooking steel-cut oatmeal
• water

1. 
   Quick steel-cut oatmeal

   Get out a large, deep bowl. You need a large bowl to allow the oatmeal to rise up while it is cooking. Find one that has at least one inch to spare above the oatmeal and water. Two inches is even better, just in case.

2. 
   Old-fashioned oatmeal

   Measure the oatmeal and water for one serving into the bowl. Go with the amount listed on the package for one serving.

3. Put the bowl into the microwave and cook on high (100% power) for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.

4. Cook on low (30% power) for 4 to 6 minutes. If your microwave oven has two-stage programming, take advantage of it and save even more time.

5. Stir the oatmeal. Is the oatmeal the consistency you like? Is there extra water sitting in the bowl? If the oatmeal is not cooked to your liking, put it back in the microwave and cook for an additional 2 minutes on low (30% power). Repeat as necessary until the oatmeal is fully cooked.

6. Carefully remove the bowl of oatmeal from the microwave. Use a potholder, because the bowl will probably be too hot to handle.

7. Stir in milk, sugar, maple syrup. nuts, and fruits—whatever additions you like. Then sit down and enjoy a freshly cooked, hot bowl of oatmeal.

Tips & Warnings

• Microwave ovens vary greatly in their cooking power; most are between 800 and 1200 watts. This method was tested in my 800-watt microwave oven.
• Use the suggested cooking times as a starting point. You need to adjust them to work in your own microwave.
• The first time you make oatmeal this way, don’t leave the kitchen. Stick around so you can keep an eye on it. After you have the timing worked out for your microwave, then you can wander off while it is cooking.
• Quick cooking steel-cut oatmeal is a different product than regular steel-cut oatmeal. Make sure you try this recipe with quick cooking steel-cut oatmeal only.
• Regular steel-cut oatmeal can be cooked in the microwave, but it will take just as long as it does to cook on the stovetop—about 30 minutes.

Resources

• McCanns's Quick Steel-Cut Irish Oatmeal
• Trader Joe's sells quick cooking steel-cut oatmeal
• Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats

[kittycooks]

on 8/17/2009 I hate when my oatmeal boils over in the microwave! Your tips will go a long way to prevent that.

[cherry67]

on 8/17/2009 love it