Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (2024)

Jump to Recipe

Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (1)

Alright gang. So this is the motherload of all things oatmeal.

One of my life goals is to show people that boxed cereal isn’t the only simple, quick breakfast option!

On Mondays I make a large pot of plain oatmeal that we use a few times per week for fast, nourishing breakfasts. I have it stored in the fridge in a large bowl with a lid. Scoop out a few cups of cooked oatmeal and add ins to a pot, warm through and breakfast is done with a side of eggs or bacon, and raw milk!

It takes just a couple minutes to get the oats in a bowl to soak overnight and then cooks up within 10 minutes the next morning. SIMPLE. The soaking not only helps the oats cook faster, but it makes them digest easier! Bonus!

And because oatmeal is on the menu 2-3 times per week here, I have come up with a variety of ways to change up the flavors to keep things fun.

Give it a try this week and let me know which flavor your family likes best!

BASIC PLAIN SOAKED OATMEAL

Renee - www.raisinggenerationnourished.com

This is a "base" recipe that, once perfected, you can dress up with any flavor you can dream of!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Soak 12 hours hrs

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 cups oats NOT quick oats. If you are gluten free be sure to get a brand that labels GF – like Bob’s Red Mill GF Oats
  • Juice of 1 lemon for soaking
  • Filtered water to cover oats plus another few cups for cooking

Instructions

  • The night before you want to cook the oatmeal, combine the oats and lemon juice in a mixing bowl with enough water to cover the oats.

  • Set under the light in your oven or warm spot in your kitchen over night. This soaking breaks down the phytic acid in the grain helping it digest better.

  • The next morning pour the oat mixture into a large pot and add a few cups of water to cover the oats.

  • Bring the oats to a bubble and simmer for about 5 minutes. If you want thicker oatmeal you can simmer longer.

  • At this point you can either add your favorite mix-ins or store plain in the fridge up to a week.

Keyword basic soaked oatmeal, easiest soaked oatmeal, easiest soaked oatmeal recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

So now that you have made your base oatmeal for the week, let’s give it some fun! The amount in each recipe feeds my husband, girls, and I – about 4 cups of oatmeal. All you need to do is add the ingredients into a pot and warm through! FAST!

BANANA BREAD OATMEAL

    • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
    • 3 TB butter or coconut oil
    • 2 mashed banana plus more to top if you wish
    • 1 ½ TB cinnamon
    • ½ tsp vanilla extract
    • 2-4 TB pure maple syrup (Optional – I rarely use this with the girls – the bananas are sweet enough on their own)
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (3)

BLUEBERRY COCONUT OATMEAL

      • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
      • 3 TB butter or coconut oil
      • 1 cup shredded coconut (I get this cheapest in bulk at our local health food store)
      • 1 ½ cups blueberries, pureed (I use thawed blueberries from our summer picking and when we run out either frozen organic from Costco…or we wait until July picking again!)
      • ½ tsp vanilla extract
      • 2-4 TB raw honey (Optional – I rarely use this with the girls – the blueberries are sweet enough on their own)
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (4)

APPLESAUCE OATMEAL

        • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
        • 3 TB butter or coconut oil
        • 1 cup organic unsweetened applesauce (I use homemade from our fall apple picking and when that runs out I get it cheapest at our local grocer).
        • ¾ cup organic raisins (I get mine cheapest in bulk at Costco)
        • ½ tsp vanilla extract
        • 2-4 TB pure maple syrup (Optional – I rarely use this with the girls – the applesauce and raisins are sweet enough on their own)
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (5)

STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM OATMEAL

          • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
          • ¼ cup whole organic cream or coconut cream
          • 1 ½ cups strawberries, pureed (I use thawed strawberries from our summer picking and when we run out either frozen organic from Costco…or we wait until June picking again!)
          • ½ tsp vanilla extract
          • 2-4 TB raw honey (Optional – I rarely use this with the girls – the strawberries and raisins are sweet enough on their own)
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (6)

PUMPKIN PIE OATMEAL

            • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
            • ¼ cup whole organic cream or coconut cream
            • 1 cup pumpkin puree (I use thawed out from my fall freezer stash but canned organic is fine!)
            • 2 tsp cinnamon
            • 2 tsp ground ginger
            • ½ tsp cloves
            • ½ tsp nutmeg
            • ¼ tsp allspice
            • 2-4 TB pure maple syrup
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (7)

CHERRY ALMOND OATMEAL

              • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
              • 3 TB butter or coconut oil
              • ¼ cup blanched almonds or soaked/crispy almonds, pulsed in the processor
              • 1 cup cherries, pureed (I use thawed cherries from our summer picking – and when we run out we wait until July picking!)
              • ½ tsp almond extract
              • 2-4 TB raw honey (Optional – I rarely use this with the girls – the cherries and raisins are sweet enough on their own)
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (8)

OK! So keep me posted once you get started on how this process runs in your house on busy mornings!

This post was shared at Allergy Free Wednesdays and Real Food Wednesdays!

Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (2024)

FAQs

What can I mix with oatmeal to make it taste better? ›

Fresh fruit: berries, bananas, apples, peaches, mango, or pears. Spices: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or nutmeg. Natural sweeteners: a dash of maple syrup or honey. Unsweetened or lightly sweetened chocolate: shaved dark chocolate (with a cocoa content of 70% or more)

What can I add to original oatmeal? ›

Dried fruit like mulberries, goji berries, jujube, and dates lend chewy texture in addition to fruity flavor. Top with nuts and seeds for an extra crunchy, extra hearty bowl of oats. We like hemp seeds, toasted sesame seeds, pepitas, chia seeds, and toasted coconut.

How do you soak oatmeal? ›

Add 1 cup oats to a large saucepan and top with 2 cups water (or, if making more or less, just make sure there is double the water as there are oats). Cover and soak for 6 hours or overnight (see notes for shortcuts). This will improve digestibility and also slightly speed cooking time.

What can I add to my oatmeal to make me full? ›

5 Superfood Oatmeal Toppings That Keep You Full
  1. Fruit. Fruits are rich in fiber, micronutrients, and antioxidants. ...
  2. Nuts. Nuts are high in protein, fiber, and heart-healthy fats - all of which will keep you satiated until lunch. ...
  3. Nut Butter. ...
  4. Chia, Flax, or Hemp Seeds. ...
  5. Coconut Flakes.
Jan 13, 2021

What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

High-sugar toppings like chocolate, syrup, and dried fruit

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

What is the healthiest way to sweeten oatmeal? ›

How To Sweeten Your Oatmeal Without Sugar
  1. 1. Fruits. Using the natural sweetness of fruits to your advantage is an easy way to add a sweet flavor to your oatmeal. ...
  2. Plant Milks. Oatmeal is delicious with plant milk like cashew, soy, or almond. ...
  3. Syrups and Nectars. ...
  4. Seed and Nut Butter. ...
  5. Spices. ...
  6. Extracts. ...
  7. Protein Powders.
Mar 7, 2023

What makes original oatmeal taste better? ›

One of my favorite ways to make oatmeal taste good without adding any sugar is to add a super ripe mashed banana to the bowl before adding the oats and milk. It makes it nice and sweet and creamy! I also love adding berries to oatmeal (if they are frozen, add them before cooking, otherwise, add them after it's cooked).

Is it better to put honey or maple syrup in oatmeal? ›

Used in moderation, both maple syrup and honey can be a part of a healthy diet, sweetening up everything from breakfast oatmeal to dinnertime meat dishes. Depending on your dietary goals or taste preferences, you may have a personal favorite–but neither is inherently better than the other.

Why do people soak oatmeal? ›

By soaking your oats you neutralize the phytic acid. This soaking allows the beneficial enzymes to work and increases the number of vitamins and minerals present that your body will absorb. On the plus side, the process of rolling oats removes at least part of the bran, where a large portion of the phytic acid resides.

Should you soak oats in the fridge or room temperature? ›

All grains contain something called “phytic acid”—or phytates—in the outer layer or bran, and oats contain more phytates than almost any other grain. If you soak your oats overnight at room temperature (do not put them in the fridge!)

How long should you soak in oatmeal? ›

Sprinkle the recommended amount or 1 cup of your DIY oatmeal under running water as the tub fills. Soak for about 10-15 minutes. After the bath, gently pat yourself dry so your skin still feels damp. Immediately apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer.

How to make oatmeal more delicious? ›

Favorite Oatmeal Toppings
  1. Fruit: Sliced ripe banana, fresh or defrosted berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), or fresh pomegranate.
  2. Chia jam or fruit compote.
  3. Applesauce.
  4. Drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
  5. Pat of butter or drizzle of heavy cream.
  6. Sprinkle of whole chia seeds, flax seeds or ground flaxseed.
Apr 8, 2021

What is the healthiest liquid for oatmeal? ›

Nadeau recommends milk instead of water because it adds protein and makes the oatmeal creamier. Next, look to protein. Try Greek yogurt, which has about 13 grams of protein per cup or peanut butter, which also packs in fiber and healthy fats.

Why am I starving after eating oatmeal? ›

Oatmeal is lacking in two macronutrients that help you stave off hunger for hours. Fat and protein are key ingredients to add to your oatmeal to keep you fuller, longer. And while it does have some protein, it's not enough to keep hunger at bay.

How do you make oatmeal taste good if you don't like it? ›

8 Easy Ways to Make Oatmeal Taste Amazing (Seriously)
  1. Whip in Thinly Sliced Banana for Creamy Sweetness. ...
  2. Cook Oats in Milk to Boost Flavor and Protein. ...
  3. Add Apple and Spices for a Bowl That Tastes like Pie. ...
  4. Prefer Carrot Cake? ...
  5. Use a Spiced Tea Bag to Add Serious Flavor. ...
  6. Whisk in an Egg for High-Protein Breakfast Pudding.
Mar 17, 2021

How do you make packaged oatmeal taste better? ›

Add Spices

Spices can add lots of flavor to anything, and they're a great option if you don't have much time to get fancy with your bowl of oats. Try topping your instant oatmeal with cinnamon or nutmeg for a sweet and spicy flavor. If you want to eat something that tastes like fall, opt for pumpkin pie spice.

Is oatmeal better with milk or water? ›

Simple tip #1: Make oatmeal with milk (or a non-dairy alternative) versus water. Not only does oatmeal made with water taste way less delicious, but you're also missing out on the extra protein staying power that milk will add to the breakfast. Water will also make the oats more gummy instead of creamy.

How do you eat oats in a tasty way? ›

Warm steel-cut oats with brown sugar pears and pecans. A simple vegan breakfast with full servings of fruit, fiber, and protein. Perfect baked oatmeal with pumpkin purée, warm spices, and maple syrup, studded with pecans and cranberries. Made in just 1 bowl with 10 ingredients.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Aracelis Kilback

Last Updated:

Views: 6281

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (64 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Aracelis Kilback

Birthday: 1994-11-22

Address: Apt. 895 30151 Green Plain, Lake Mariela, RI 98141

Phone: +5992291857476

Job: Legal Officer

Hobby: LARPing, role-playing games, Slacklining, Reading, Inline skating, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Dance

Introduction: My name is Aracelis Kilback, I am a nice, gentle, agreeable, joyous, attractive, combative, gifted person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.