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How to Make Oatmeal in Microwave With Milk

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Whether you prefer dairy or non-dairy milk, adding a splash of milk into the bowl of oats results in delicious and creamy oatmeal in the microwave. Additionally, the liquid adds rich flavor and thickens the texture to satisfy your taste buds.

Oatmeal can be made with milk or water as base liquid for improved taste and consistency. But when it comes to warming up milk in microwave to cook oatmeal, there needs to be cautious to avoid from scorching which is very unpleasant and cannot be reused. 

How do you make oatmeal in the microwave with milk? Milk is a great protein source to add to oatmeal. Simply, combine desired amount of oats, milk, salt into a medium microwave-safe bowl and mix well.

Microwave on high for 90 seconds to 3 minutes. Stir well before serving and garnish with butter, nuts, fruits, splash some vanilla extract and sprinkle cinnamon for flavor and drizzle over honey or maple syrup for extra sweetness. 

Milk is loaded with nutrients including fats, calcium, and Vitamin D, which complement well with the benefits of oats. As a result, oatmeal made with milk has advantages over oats cooked in water.

If you haven’t tried to make oatmeal in the microwave with milk before, you will love these tips and tricks to save time and prevent from boiling over so you don’t have to clean up a mess afterwards.

Microwave is a perfect quick fix kitchen gadget that helps to make oatmeal quickly. Answered below are frequently asked questions about microwaving oatmeal with milk, and the detailed nuances you should be aware of.

Can you make oatmeal with just milk?

Yes, you can make oatmeal with just milk. In fact, milk is an excellent source of minerals and vitamins as well as make the oatmeal taste richer and creamier.

There are minimal fats, calcium, and Vitamin D in processed oats, which are fortified furthermore with milk. Therefore, when making oatmeal, replace the recommended amount of water with dairy or non dairy milk for added nutritional benefit. 

Milk can be the base liquid for oatmeal, or it can even be added afterwards for additional moisture to cream the consistency.

Is microwave oatmeal better with milk or water?

Oatmeal tastes better with milk when microwaved. Milk helps oatmeal to have a thicker and creamier texture compared to the gooey consistency when made with water.

Not only taste and texture, milk offers additional protein, fat, calcium, and Vitamin D that oats does contain enough of.

If you are looking to improve the taste of your oatmeal, consider replacing water with milk as the liquid ingredients. It makes a rich and delicious bowl of joy to consume in the morning time.

How long to microwave oatmeal with milk?

Similar to microwaving oatmeal, with milk the microwave time is not much different. Depending on the serving size and microwave wattage, oatmeal takes about 90 seconds to 3 minutes until the oats are cooked to your desired tenderness.

Type of oats also plays an important role to cooking time.

  • For single serving rolled oats will take about 1½ minutes to 3 minutes and a double serving may take up to 5 minutes.
  • For single serving steel cut oats with milk, it takes between 7 and 10 minutes to fully cook and become tender. 

The microwave heats up pretty quickly to reach boiling point, therefore lowering the power and taking a much slower pace for lengthier cooking time is recommended.

In addition, verify the wattage of the microwave because this determines the microwave cooking time. The average wattage of microwave ranges from 900 to 1100w, which allow you to simply follow the cooking time for oatmeal.

But if your microwave wattage is between 600 to 800w, it requires more time needed to cook oatmeal with milk. A wattage of 1200 to 1300w should be decreased with a lower power setting to better regulate the cooking time. 

Can you heat up oatmeal with milk?

Yes, you can heat up oatmeal with milk. Oatmeal tastes creamier and more delicious when made with milk.

Ensure to use a deep, microwave safe bowl to prevent from overflowing. When reheating oatmeal, the liquid tends to heat up much quicker than the oats, causing a tendency to explode in the microwave. 

When heating up oatmeal with milk in it, break the heating up into less than 30 second increments to prevent the milk from scorching on the bottom and causing a protein film on the surface. 

Tips to make oatmeal in the microwave with milk

Extra protein to stay powerful is what makes adding milk to oatmeal so important. On the other hand, oatmeal with water gives the oats a more gummy texture instead of creaminess.

Without adding too much toppings, here are useful tips to make oatmeal in the microwave with milk to upgrade the taste to the next level:

  • Splash a little milk at the end of the oatmeal to increase moister and fluffiness instead of drying up.
  • Use an oatmeal microwaveable bowl that is deeper and bigger than the amount of oatmeal you are cooking to allow more space for the oats to expand. 
  • Instead of using quick oats or instant, always use old fashioned oats when making oatmeal in the microwave. This will help to get better texture and bite as opposed to using quick oats that will produce a mushier result.
  • Ensure the bowl being placed in the microwave is made with glass or ceramic. Plastic has a tendency to overheat and melt, and the natural materials are more trustworthy. 
  • Do not use lids or paper towel to cover the bowl, instead place a chopstick or cinnamon stick to break the surface tension and prevent the oatmeal from overflowing. 

Best way to make oatmeal in the microwave with milk

Adding milk to oatmeal is wonderful way to introduce the healthy and filling breakfast. With added protein, fats, calcium and vitamins, there are a handful of nutritional benefits to strengthen bones and build muscles you need.

Oats itself does not have all the nutrients, therefore adding milk and other toppings with boost the taste and enhance the health benefits.

To make oatmeal in the microwave with milk is quite simple and quick turnaround. Place ½ cup of oats, ½ cup of milk, teaspoon of vanilla and cinnamon with pinch of salt into a microwaveable bowl. 

The milk and oat ratio for microwaving should stay 1:1. However, if you want the oats to be looser is consistency, add a little bit extra milk to the mixture. To have more control, add the milk after the oats are done cooking to have a better idea of the final consistency.

Microwave on high for 90 seconds for a chewy consistency or longer for a softer consistency. Time will ultimately depend on the quantity of oats and the wattage of the microwave.

Sweeten to taste with maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, fruits, nuts and a pad of butter as toppings.  Serve while hot and enjoy.

How to make oatmeal in microwave with milk

Microwaving Oatmeal With Milk: Conclusion

Oatmeal is a versatile dish that you can make with just milk, or water, depending on your preference. Milk is great protein source to include in oatmeal, and it also helps to make the porridge extra creamy and rich in flavor

It is possible to heat up oatmeal with milk in the microwave without scorching or creating protein film on the top of surface. 

Depending on the wattage of the microwave appliance, kind of oats, and serving portion of oatmeal, the microwave cooking time will vary. Typically it takes between 90 seconds to 5 minutes to make oats fluffy and fully cooked to serve. 

Consider splashing additional dairy or non dairy milk after the oats are cooked to give a looser and moister consistency. Finish by adding toppings and stir thoroughly before serving. 

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