How to Cook Oatmeal on the Stovetop (2024)

Learn how to cook oatmeal on the stovetop in just ten minutes with minimal ingredients! Creamy with a touch of warm spice, it’s a hearty comfort food you’ll look forward to eating. Serve it warm with your toppings of choice!

While it may be tempting to buy those little sachets of instant oats, they’re often loaded with added sugars and can become expensive. However, when you learn how easy stovetop oatmeal is to make, you’ll never go back to pre-made oatmeal packets again.

Truthfully, stovetop oatmeal actually doesn’t take that much longer to make. Plus, it has the added benefit of giving you full control over the ingredients.

It’s easy to adapt and is a great way to add vitamins and nutrients to your day. For example, you can add fresh fruit and chopped nuts. Or, treat yourself to something a little more indulgent with add-ins and sweeteners such as a drizzle of caramel sauce and chocolate chips.

Stovetop Oatmeal Recipe

There are many ways to cook oatmeal ranging from the Instant Pot to the microwave. However, when it comes to using old-fashioned rolled oats, nothing beats the stovetop method. It creates ultra-creamy and comforting oatmeal every time!

Even better, you only need a handful of pantry-staple ingredients. In just ten minutes or less, you can have a bowl of hearty and comforting stovetop oatmeal ready to eat. It’s the kind of breakfast food I never get sick of, especially since it’s so easy to vary with add-ins. Double or triple this recipe when serving a hungry family or when you need an extra serving boost for the day!

Don’t forget to spare some oats to make Oatmeal Cranberry Cookies, Oatmeal Pancakes, or , too!

Ingredients for Stovetop Oatmeal

See recipe card below this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions.

• Oats – Use classic old-fashioned rolled oats. Instant, quick-cooking oats can become quite mushy, and steel-cut oats take much longer to cook.
• Milk – I prefer to use whole milk to add a rich flavor and a touch of creaminess. However, you can use any milk or non-dairy milk you like best. Water also works! A 1:2 ratio of oats to liquid is best.
• Vanilla extract
• Sweetener (Optional) – Sweeten your oatmeal with white sugar, light brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or stevia.
• Sea salt – Just a pinch.This draws out the naturally nutty flavor in the oats.
• Spices – Cinnamon and nutmeg are great spices to add to plain oatmeal and add some warmth to the dish.
• Toppings – Consider topping your stovetop oatmeal with fresh whole berries like blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, or sliced peaches. Chocolate shavings, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, drizzled peanut butter, or a berry compote would also be delicious options!

Variations

• Use half and half in place of water to cook the oats. It adds a rich flavor and makes them unbelievably creamy.
• Add different toppings such as fresh or dried fruit, caramel, yogurt, nut or seed butter, jam, berry compote, granola, honey, maple syrup, chocolate chips, or coconut shavings.
• Make delicious flavor combinations by pairing certain ingredients together. Consider chopped apples (or fried apples) and cinnamon, maple syrup and brown sugar, banana and nut butter, or chocolate chips and fresh berries.
• Add chia seeds or flax seeds for a thicker consistency, fiber, and healthy fats. Add an extra splash of liquid as needed to create your desired consistency.

How to Make Stovetop Oatmeal

1. Heat the milk: Heat the milk in a deep pot over medium heat on the stovetop. Bring the milk to a boil, stirring occasionally to prevent the milk from bubbling over.
2. Add the oats: As soon as the milk boils, add the salt, vanilla, and the oats. Then, stir continuously for the next few minutes. Most of the milk will have reduced and been absorbed by the oats.
3. Season: Once the oatmeal is thick, mix in sugar and any spices you may wish to include, such as cinnamon and nutmeg. You can also add in other ingredients such as chopped nuts, coconut flakes, raisins, or chocolate chips.
4. Top and serve: Serve your oatmeal in individual bowls. Top it with fresh fruit, a dollop of yogurt, and a drizzle of honey or melted peanut butter. The options are endless!

How to Store Stovetop Oatmeal

Store leftover oatmeal in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two to three days. Reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of milk to loosen it as it reheats.

This stovetop oatmeal can also be frozen for up to three months. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, and reheat it as directed above.

Serving Suggestions

This stovetop oatmeal is best served warm from the pot! Enjoy it with your favorite toppings. Add a side of warmed milk for anyone who wants to add some creaminess or moisture to the mixture.

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