How much oatmeal to liquids should I use?

The standard ratio is 1:2. The typical serving size is 1/2 cup oats to 1 cup of water, milk, or a combination of the two. For thicker oatmeal, use a ratio of 1:1.5 or 1:1.75. I prefer making thicker oatmeal with water, stirring milk in at the end thinning to desired consistency.

Should I cook oatmeal with water or milk?

It will depend on how you cook your oatmeal. I recommend using water only when cooking oatmeal in an Instant Pot or slow cooker. When cooking on the stovetop or microwave, you can use half milk and half water. But really, I think oatmeal is best when cooked with water, then stir in a bit of milk at the end or drizzle a little over the top when serving.

Healthy Oatmeal (Stovetop, Instant Pot + Slow Cooker)

Healthy Oatmeal Recipe (Vegan)

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

This is my favorite go-to oatmeal recipe that is 100% vegan and easily customizable with healthy toppings! It’s hearty and simple to make using the stovetop, Instant Pot, slow cooker, or microwave.

Author: Julie | The Simple Veganista
Prep Time: 2 min
Cook Time: 10 min
Total Time: 12 minutes
Yield: Serves 2 - 4 1x
Category: Breakfast, Oatmeal
Method: Instant Pot, slow cooker, stovetop, microwave
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups oats (old fashioned or quick)
3 1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon vanilla, optional
pinch of salt

To serve

2 – 4 tablespoon unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or vegan cream
1 – 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, optional
1/8 teaspoon cardamom, optional
small handful mixed nuts
small handful dried or fresh fruit

Healthy variations:

Strawberries and Cream: Top with fresh sliced strawberries, coconut cream or Vegan Cream, pure maple syrup, and sprinkle of cardamom. It’s so simple, yet utterly decadent!
Blueberry, Pecan & Applesauce: Top with fresh blueberries, pecans, Unsweetened Applesauce, drizzle of pure maple syrup and coconut cream or almond milk.
Peanut Butter, Banana + Chocolate Chips: For a healthy, protein rich oatmeal, serve with 2 – 3 tablespoons of Almond Butter over top with sliced banana, sprinkle of chocolate chips (or cacao nibs), drizzle of maple syrup and coconut cream (or almond milk).
Berries and Cream: Top oatmeal with raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries with a sprinkle of cardamom or cinnamon, and drizzle with coconut cream (or plant milk) and maple syrup.
Peanut Butter & Jelly: Another protein rich oatmeal with 2 – 3 tablespoons of your favorite Almond Butter and Berry Chia Jam with a drizzle of pure maple syrup and coconut cream or plant milk.
Cherry, Chocolate & Coconut: Serve with dried cherries, mini chocolate chips (or cacao nibs), toasted or shredded coconut, and drizzle of maple syrup and coconut cream.

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Instant Pot: Combine 2 cups of oats with 3 1/2 cups of water (or double the amounts) in the Instant Pot insert. Attach lid, turn to lock, and set valve to SEALING. Manually set to cook for 1 minute on HIGH pressure, and let the pressure natural release for 5 minutes. Total time, including coming to pressure, is about 17 – 20 minutes. Let cool a few minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of unsweetened plant milk, if needed to thin.

Stovetop: Bring 3 1/2 cups water to a boil in a saucepan, add 2 cups oats, stir well, reduce heat and cook over a gentle boil for 5 – 7 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 1/2 cup of unsweetened plant milk, if needed to thin.

Slow Cooker: Combine 2 cups of oats and 3 1/2 cups of water in a slow cooker. Cook on LOW for 8 hours, without stirring. Let cool a few minutes, stir in 1/2 cup of plant milk as needed to thin.

Microwave: Add water and oats to a microwave safe bowl, and microwave on HIGH for 5 – 7 minutes (maybe a little longer if the water is cold), stopping to stir every 45 – 60 seconds. To prevent the oatmeal from boiling over, be sure to use a larger, wider bowl. Let cool a few minutes, stir in 1/2 cup of plant milk as needed to thin.

Serve: Place oatmeal in your serving bowl, top with any one of the combinations above or make your creation, and enjoy!

Serves 3 – 4

Store: Leftover oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 – 6 days and make for great grab-n-go meals. For longer storage, freeze for up to 2 – 3 months. Let thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Notes

You can easily cut the recipe half if making on the stovetop or microwave. Cooking time with be cut in half as well.

If you don’t like the flavor of maple, use coconut sugar, date sugar or pure cane brown sugar.

Dried fruits you might like to use (preferably unsweetened)…cranberries, blueberries, goji berries, raisins, currants, barberries, chopped dates, apricots and cherries. Fresh fruits can be blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples and bananas.

Nuts, seeds and nut butter you might like to use are almonds, walnuts, pecans, pepitas, hemp hearts and chia seeds.

Find it online: https://simple-veganista.com/everyday-oatmea/