How to Reheat Oatmeal: The ultimate Guidance!

0
726
how to reheat oatmeal

Oatmeal is a popular breakfast option. It is a mood in the morning, not just because it is simple to prepare. If you’ve ever wondered how to reheat oatmeal, we’ve put up a handy guide to teach you the best methods to do it.

It’s critical to understand how you should reheat oatmeal as you can’t eat cold. Furthermore, it is always vital to eat warm meals to reduce the risk of food poisoning pursuant to food safety rules.

When it comes to breakfast, we are typically in a rush. We can’t afford to be late! So there you have it, some of the easy methods to reheat your oatmeal! The many techniques for reheating oatmeal will be emphasized as well, so you can test them out the next time you cook oatmeal.

Health Benefits of Oatmeal

Oatmeal is full of fiber and nutritional value. They are good for losing weight, and keeping you energized throughout the day. Some other health benefits of oatmeal are-

  • Oats are full of antioxidants
  • Increases the growth of helpful bacteria in your stomach
  • Helps to reduce cholesterol level
  • Helps to reduce blood sugar
  • Prevents colon cancer and heart disease
  • Doesn’t contain any gluten
  • Helps to reduce the risk of asthma
  • Full of essential minerals and vitamins.

Is It Okay to Reheat Oatmeal?

For a lot of people, oatmeal is a common breakfast option. Simple and unpleasant on the surface, but with the correct additions of syrups or fruits, the simplest porridge transforms into a wonderful breakfast.

Reheat Oatmeal

But what if you’ve prepared too much food for the day? Or perhaps you’d want to prepare some oatmeal ahead of time?

Based on the oats you use, cooking oatmeal might take up to 25 minutes. Not everyone has the time in the morning to do it. However, there is some good news for busy oatmeal fans. It may be prepared once and then reheated for a few days.

It won’t take long to reheat oatmeal. Even so, you’ll get a delicious and nutritious meal to help you through the day. It is okay to reheat heated oatmeal as long as it has not been left out overnight.

It is a common misperception that food that doesn’t have animal products would last longer. As a result, many people believe that putting warm porridge out on the counter till morning would not ruin it.

So, yes, it is okay to reheat oatmeal. Just don’t leave cooked oatmeal out overnight. If the oats contain any germs, allowing them to live their best lives all night will result in health problems.

Everything You Need to Know about How to Reheat Oatmeal

We’ve already made a verdict that reheating oatmeal is absolutely fine. But, there are some factors that you need to consider and some questions that you need to have answered. Bear with us to know everything about reheating oatmeal.

Can You Make Oatmeal in Advance?

Porridge (oatmeal) can be made in advance and reheated in the microwave in the morning. We recommend using regular rolled porridge oats rather than the coarser “Old Fashioned” oats. If you just want to make one dish ahead of time, combine the oats with the amount of liquid required and let it soak overnight in a microwaveable container in the fridge.

The porridge may be frozen for up to 3 months. Microwave the porridge until it’s steaming hot, then stir thoroughly before eating, adding more liquid if required.

How Long Should You Reheat Oatmeal?

Microwave the oats in high power till you boil in the next morning, then cook for an additional 20-30 seconds. Before eating, give it a good stir and thin it down with a bit more milk or water if it’s too thick. If you’re cooking on the stove, pour the soaked oats into a pot and heat until boiling, stirring regularly.

If you wish to create a bigger batch, combine the liquid and oats in a pot, bring to a boil, and then reduce to low heat for 3 minutes. Cool completely before dividing into parts and storing each part in an airtight container.

Can You Reheat Baked Oatmeal?

Yes, you definitely can reheat baked oatmeal. The best oats for baking are regular rolled oats. Over quick or steel-cut oats, we recommend them for baked oatmeal.

Reheating Baked Oatmeal

Baked oatmeal with apples, which can be made ahead of time, is sweet, hearty, and delightful when served with warm milk. It gives it a more upscale vibe as if it were a complete dinner.

Baked oatmeal is a hearty breakfast that will keep your kids satisfied until lunchtime. To make this baked oatmeal even more full and healthful, cover it with milk.

After being carefully kept in the fridge, you can either warm baked oatmeal in the microwave or on the stove. Microwaving your favorite oatmeal is easier rather than cooking it on the stove. Just make sure you do it correctly or you’ll wind up with sticky oatmeal.

Microwave the baked oatmeal for 45-60 seconds in separate bowls. After that, pour the milk on cooked oats. Baked oats can also be reheated in a pan with some milk. Heat it up on moderate heat till it’s warm all the way through.

Does Reheating Change Oatmeal’s Texture?

Yes, oatmeal will change texture after you reheat it. The oatmeal will be a bit thicker when it remains at a cold temperature and absorbs the remaining moisture. As it heats up, this will start getting softer.

When pre-cooked oatmeal is soaked in water or milk, it continues to absorb the liquid. It gets soggy and mushy as a result of this. So, when you reheat oatmeal, you should add water or milk while bringing it to a boil.

How Long Can You Keep Oatmeal in the Fridge?

Refrigerate cooked oats in sealed containers to extend its shelf life. Cooked oats will stay in the refrigerator for 4 to 6 days if refrigerated properly. Bacteria grow quickly at 140°F and 40°F. So, oatmeal that has been left out at room temperature for 2 hours or more should be removed. The best method is to smell and examine the oats. Reject any oatmeal that has an odd odor or appearance.

Can You Freeze Oatmeal?

Yes, you can reheat oatmeal. You can freeze individual servings of oats in muffin moulds and keep them in the freezer if you prepare a large quantity (we suggest steel cut since it’s so wonderful, but rolled works too). When you’re ready for breakfast in the morning, simply reheat them.

How To Store Cooked Oatmeal For Weeks

The first step in storing bulk oatmeal is to remove oxygen and put them within an airtight container. Prepare oatmeal in a big batch and store it for the whole week. Do this on a Sunday night which is quite logical. Divide the oats in five separate jars for each day of the week. This is an excellent activity to do in the afternoon, possibly while preparing supper.

Simply prepare the oats and place them in jars. Bring the oats and water to a boiling temperature, and then cover and remove from the heat. Reheat them up in the morning after they’ve been left overnight.

Best Ways to Reheat Oatmeal

There are several ways you can reheat oatmeal. Let’s explore some of the easiest among them.

Can You Reheat Oatmeal on a Stove?

You can reheat oatmeal on a stove following some simple steps. Your delicious and nutritious breakfast will be ready in no time!

  • Get a pan and keep the oatmeal in it
  • For adding a bit moisture, add some milk or water as per your preference
  • In medium temperature, warm up the oatmeal for 1-2 minutes
  • Keep stirring it when it’s being heated
  • To make the oatmeal smoother, add some more milk
  • Turn the stove off, and voila! Your delicious breakfast is done.

Can You Reheat Oatmeal in a Microwave

Oatmeal in Microwave

Reheating oatmeal in a microwave is easier than using a stovetop. While some people might prefer the stove, go through the following steps for reheating oatmeal in a microwave if you’re more like a microwave person.

  • Store the oatmeal in a bowl that is safe for microwave
  • Add some milk or water if you want it to be creamier
  • Make sure to cover the mixture and keep it in the microwave
  • Heat up it for 30 seconds, and take it out
  • Stir for a few seconds and put it in the microwave again
  • Heat the oatmeal again, and keep repeating the process until the meal is warm and ready

How to Reheat Oatmeal without a Microwave

For reheating oatmeal without a microwave, there are several ways that you can follow. You could just use an oven with radiant heat and convection. However, if you want the oven to function faster, you need an extremely hot oven, such as a commercial pizza oven, that’s very hot when you put the oats in. It isn’t feasible in the majority of homes.

Water would be the most useful liquid for this, and it may reach a maximum temperature of 100 degrees Celsius. You’d have to use oil if you want to utilize a liquid that could be heated to greater degrees. However, you’d be deep-frying the oatmeal. And it not only looks dirty but also significantly alters the flavor.

Use a pot made of cast iron or steel. In a large saucepan, combine the cereal and a large amount of water. To break up clumps, keep stirring the mixture.

A potato masher or a bamboo spoon would work nicely for slicing up the pieces. Increase the temperature to medium-low. With a wooden spoon, stir the mixture constantly.

While you reheat, keep adding water as much as you need. If there is too much water in the oatmeal, let it simmer with the cover off so that the extra water may evaporate. Lower the heat and cover the oatmeal when it reaches the appropriate temperature.

How to Reheat Oatmeal on Stove?

Reheating oatmeal using an oven takes more time than a microwave or stovetop. But, you can still do it and have a delicious breakfast.

Get an oven-safe dish, and keep the oatmeal in it. Add some milk or water, and bake it at 400 degrees for around 15 minutes. Make sure to cover the dish with foil.

If you can bake it correctly, oven-baked oatmeal will have a delicious crust. The topping will also be toasted which will give a mouth-watering flavor.

Can You Reheat Instant Oatmeal?

Yes, you can reheat instant oatmeal and have a delicious breakfast within minutes! You can reheat instant oatmeal just as you would the usual oatmeal. If you’re using a stove, put a saucepan on top of the stove, and keep the oatmeal in it. Add some milk or water, and stir it while heating.

If you’re using a microwave, use a microwave-safe bowl and warm up the instant oatmeal for 25-30 seconds. Add some milk or water and heat it again. Make sure to stir the mixture before you put it back in the microwave. Keep doing it for 2-3 times until it’s ready to consume.

Reheating Overnight Oats

Overnight oatmeal is a way of softening oats by soaking them in a liquid, generally milk, and overnight. Unlike typical oatmeal, there is no need to boil it. While overnight oats may be eaten warm, most people prefer them cold straight from the fridge. They’re an excellent substitute for an on-the-go breakfast choice. Nuts, fruits, and other mix-ins are commonly added to overnight oats to provide taste and texture.

Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are supposed to be eaten cold. But if you prefer them warm, just heat them up on a stove or microwave for 1-2 minutes like regular oatmeal.

Now, you might wonder why you should go through the hassle of soaking overnight oatmeal instead of having almost-ready instant oatmeal. Have a look at the following reasons to why you should consume overnight oatmeal:

  • You don’t have to prepare them in the morning
  • You can have them cold, so no need to use extra dishes for stirring
  • Additional foods can be added and that will not make the mixture sticky
  • Instant oatmeal has some additives that might be harmful which are absent here
  • You can prepare different jars with different flavors for each day of the week.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • Can you reheat steel cut oats?

Steel-cut oats are easily customizable and perfect for storing. You can definitely reheat steel-cut oatmeal!

Make large oatmeal for the whole week, and store them in the refrigerator in sealed bags or jars. You can even store them for a month if you store them in small portions. If you’re reheating steel cut oats on stovetops, keep heating it at medium temperature, and stir it until it gets ready. Add milk or water for thinning out the oats.

You can reheat Little portions of steel-cut oatmeal using a microwave. In a microwave, you have to heat the oats in high power. Just like regular oatmeal, heat the steel-cut oatmeal for 30 seconds, bring it out and add liquids, and heat it up again. Keep doing it until the meal is ready.

  • Can you reheat instant oatmeal?

Instant oatmeal is a popular breakfast item in a lot of households. Just like regular oatmeal, you can reheat instant oatmeal using a stovetop or a microwave. Follow the same steps of reheating regular oatmeal in this case as well.

  • Is instant oatmeal bad for health?

Instant oatmeal is partly cooked for quicker preparation. Instant oats, contrary to common assumption, have the same nutritional advantages as normal oats. The added sugar for extra flavor might be a concern for some people. But, that’s nothing that would make them too bad for health. Some companies may use salt as a preservative, although there are some ones that do not. If you pick unsweetened instant ones, they will be both convenient and good for your health.

  • Can you eat oatmeal with cold water?

Yes, you can definitely eat oatmeal with cold water. But, you can’t prepare it in minutes like heated oatmeal. As the heat softens the oatmeal in minutes, it becomes edible within a short time. With cold water, that will take some more time. You have to soak the oatmeal in cold water for at least 30 minutes to make it suitable for eating.

Conclusion

Oatmeal is a delicious breakfast that you can make within minutes in the morning. If you’re tired of having burnt toasts and don’t have much time to prepare a fancy breakfast, oatmeal is the perfect breakfast for you!

Preparing oatmeal beforehand and reheating stored oatmeal doesn’t reduce their nutritional value. You can store oatmeal for a long time and reheat using a microwave or stovetop. Even a baking oven would work if you can cook it properly. Hope our article on how to reheat oatmeal was helpful for you! So, save your precious time in the morning and stay energized for the day with the help of this nutritious and delicious meal!

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here