9/25

5 Minute Oatmeal

Breakfast, Cereal + Oatmeal, Food, Healthy, Hot
By Emma Chapman

Five minute oatmealRandom story from high school: I used to be in SGA, which stands for Student Government Association. My junior year I think I was a representative (or something, I can’t remember), but then my senior year I was vice president. So, basically I was the Joe Biden of my high school. 

Anyway, once a month we had a super early morning meeting. And I remember one of the gals in the group always showed up with a coffee mug filled with warm, delicious smelling oatmeal. I don’t know if she woke up and made it or if her mom or dad did, but I totally coveted that oatmeal. I also thought she was a genius to carry it in a mug because it had a handle and just generally seemed less weird than showing up to school with a big cereal bowl.

Even though I totally coveted that oatmeal, I never got up early enough to make it. And I still don’t like waking up early to make breakfast before work. Luckily, there are a few ways to make some pretty delicious oatmeal in about 5 minutes or less! If only I had known this in high school. Regrets!

Carrot cake oatmeal First, let’s talk flavors, and then I’ll tell you three different ways you can make lightning fast oatmeal. One flavor I’m really digging lately is carrot cake. This is not as sweet as a piece of cake, but it still has all the delicious flavors. 

For one serving: 2/3 cup oats*, 2/3 cup milk, 1 teaspoon chopped pecans, 1 shredded baby carrot, 1 teaspoon brown sugar or maple syrup, big pinch of cinnamon, and a little pinch of nutmeg.

*I used old fashioned (rolled) oats in all these but you could easily substitute with quick cooking oats if you prefer. Both work well in this.

Peanutbutter and jelly oatmealThis one is even easier to throw together, peanut butter and jelly oatmeal. For one serving: 2/3 cup oats, 2/3 cup milk, 1 teaspoon peanut butter or almond butter, and 1 teaspoon jam.

Chocolate oatmealThis is a super easy chocolate oatmeal variation. All you need for one serving: 2/3 cup oats, 2/3 cup chocolate milk, fresh fruit or mini chocolate chips for the top.

Carrot cake oatmealThe first step to any of these variations is to combine all the ingredients except the milk. You can combine in a heat proof mug or glass jar.

For the PB&J oatmeal, I like to stir in the jam after the oats have softened, but you could do it before. It doesn’t matter all that much. It mostly just keeps the colors brighter if you add it after.

How to make five minute oatmeal There are two methods to making this just before you head out the door. You can heat the milk on the stove top for 2-3 minutes over high heat. I like to whisk so it gets kind of foamy, like a latte. Or you can microwave the milk on high for 1 minute. 

Then pour it over the oats and cover with the jar lid or just a piece of aluminum foil. This will trap all the heat in and help the oats to soften quickly. Let it cool just until it’s cool enough to eat. Then remove the top and dig in.

How to make five minute oatmealOr you can make any of these variations using the classic overnight oats method. This will make the oats chilled, since they sat in the refrigerator overnight. But you can pop it in the microwave if you want to warm them up. xo. Emma

Credits // Author and Photography: Emma Chapman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.

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5 Minute Oatmeal

Servings 1

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup oats*
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon chopped pecans
  • 1 shredded baby carrot
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar or maple syrup
  • big pinch of cinnamon
  • little pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

  1. *I used old fashioned (rolled) oats in all these but you could easily substitute with quick cooking oats if you prefer. Both work well in this.
  2. The first step to any of these variations is to combine all the ingredients except the milk. You can combine in a heat proof mug or glass jar.
  3. There are two methods to making this just before you head out the door. You can heat the milk on the stove top for 2-3 minutes over high heat. I like to whisk so it gets kind of foamy, like a latte. Or you can microwave the milk on high for 1 minute.
  4. Then pour it over the oats and cover with the jar lid or just a piece of aluminum foil. This will trap all the heat in and help the oats to soften quickly. Let it cool just until it's cool enough to eat. Then remove the top and dig in.

Recipe Notes

See the blog post for additional variations, this one makes a carrot cake flavored 5 minute oatmeal.

53 Comments

  • I’ve been trying to make more healthy choices for breakfast (instead of, you know, bagels or croissants), but my bit limitation is time. Smoothies have been my go-to, but I’d love to work some of these puppies into the mix before I burn out of always having fruit for breakfast.

    Cat
    http://oddlylovely.com

    Reply

  • Definitely trying this out asap! A co-worker of mine is always bringing in mugs of delicious oatmeal in the morning. She gave me the recipe but it’s been a little too time-intensive for my morning routine. This seems much more my speed 🙂

    Reply

  • This is definitely worth trying! I’ve tried the overnight oats method and I just couldn’t get on board with it. The texture + the taste were not doing it for me. I think I prefer my oatmeal warm, though usually on someone else’s plate. 😉 I still keep investigating different recipes for oatmeal and this one seems to be pretty fast and simple, which is important to me! I’m SUPER interested in the idea of this carrot cake oatmeal because.. well… it’s supposed to taste like cake! I would definitely give that one a go!

    Neha // http://nehasharmaphoto.com/blog

    Reply

  • I love this idea!!! I have been looking for a better oatmeal recipe. It always ended up being more of an oatmeal soup. lol. I did make this version (on toast and oatmeal) that is really good – brown sugar, butter, and honey. =)

    Kelli
    http://www.blog.bodeoo.com

    Reply

  • May be helpful to note whether you use rolled or quick oats (my apologies if I somehow missed it). Thanks!

    Reply

  • Pretty much the best fall/winter breakfast! This has inspired me to get back on the oatmeal wagon! Thanks, ABM!
    Xx from the Girl in the Houndstooth Coat

    Reply

  • I always love oatmeal! I usually make steel oats ahead of time, and eat them throughout the week, but this is a great alternative!

    I also love that line about being the Joe Biden of your high school. Awww, high school. 😉

    Always, Anita

    Reply

  • Such a good idea!! Also looks easy to eat while you are popping in and out of other people’s offices in the morning catching up on what’s going on for the day

    Reply

  • Oatmeals were our go-to 3am dinners in our college dorms(or we call it hostel), ah fond memories…love the carrot cake option, will try..

    xo

    agoldentulip.blogspot.com

    Reply

  • I’ve been making a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast E V E R Y D A Y for the past 9 months (doctor’s orders to lower my cholesterol) and I’d like to chime in that I use the old-fashioned variety of oats and water (you can use milk), sprinkle with cinnamon and microwave on high for 2.5 minutes. Voila!

    Reply

  • Simplest oats ever. Each morning when I get up I boil water in my electric kettle, make either my mug of tea or french press coffee, and also pour boiling water just to cover over 1/3 cups of old fashioned oats in a bowl. By the time I’ve finished my tea or coffee the oats have absorbed the boiling water and are perfectly al dente. I add yogurt, berries, nuts, flax, what have you, for an easy breezy, no fuss, easy to clean up after, oatmeal breakfast.

    Reply

  • I prefer the overnight method. I usually make up 4-5 jars at once with just the dry ingredients….I place the lids on the jars and store them in the pantry. Each night I pull one out, add almond milk and place in fridge overnight…the next am…I grab it and eat it or take it with me to work…I never have time to make breakfast in am….I’m habitually 5 min late…. No matter how early or prepared I am. So annoying….

    Reply

  • These all look delicious…will try the carrot cake one first! Kelli’s idea of using brown sugar, butter, and honey is awesome as well. I eat oatmeal every day so these recipes are very helpful. Hmmm. Maybe Nutella would work, too? Does anyone have a genius recipe for mixing pumpkin in…I never seem to get that right! Thanks as always, ABM!

    Reply

  • I really love how all your recipes are simple and relatable! So many times I’ll read a blog and the recipes will sound amazing but realistically I’m not going to be making them anytime soon! Ha ha. But yours are always great! Also, I swear you read my mind.. Anything I’m wanting to make the next day you have a recipe up! 🙂

    Reply

  • I’m definitely going to be trying this soon. My husband constantly teases me about eating oatmeal from packets and has tried to get me on the whole oats bandwagon. The carrot cake variation might just do that.

    Reply

  • carrot cake oatmeal? that sounds absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to try it. fall puts me in the mood for carrot cake 24/7, but eating it that often isn’t really a good idea, so thanks for this!

    love, arielle
    a simple elegance

    Reply

  • I’m definitely loving hot porridge oats at the moment. The cold has started to bite here in London and there’s something about hot porridge and sultanas that just makes everything feel better.

    Reply

  • I am in college and oatmeal is my go to recipe. But I usually keep it simple by just adding a cut up apple or banana with a touch of cinnamon. So glad I saw this..because my day to day routine was getting a bit old, need to try these out asap!
    xo Nan – Simply Elegant Blog

    Reply

  • I´m very much of an oatmeal person, and it´s usually my go to-breakfast. I usually have mine done in only a couple minutes, as I simply put oat and milk in a small pan(the trick is to not use too much milk) and just put the stove on full temperature until i´ve reached the desired texture. Voila, ready to go. And, as this is a very basic recipe, I like playing around with adding different kinds of nuts, seeds and dried fruits(basically whatever i have in hand) and top it with fresh berries and honey, along with a little butter and cinnamon! So much healthier and so much better than the regular sugar! This way I have a filling and super healthy breakfast in two minutes!

    Reply

  • Super cute post. I love oatmeal. It is the perfect breakfast. I make my own “instant oatmeal” packets with rolled oats, oat bran (makes it creamy! plus, adds protein & fiber), chia seeds, nuts, dried fruit, cinnamon.. just put it all together in snack size baggies, and then I have an easy breakfast or lunch on crazy days at work. Or, take them traveling- they are the perfect airport food when the only other options are unhealthy processed junk!

    Reply

  • This is great! I eat oatmeal every day for breakfast but I use those little packets because somehow I feel like it’s easier?? Anyway I’ve been thinking lately about how easy it would be to just portion out oatmeal like this instead of throwing away a little paper baggie every day but was kind of stumped by recipes. So I am super excited to see this!!! It must be something about fall that makes everyone want oatmeal 🙂

    Reply

  • Do you have any suggestions for if I wanted to add pumpkin, banana, or brown sugar? I’m new to cooking and don’t know how to just wing these kinds of things.

    Reply

  • Hi there
    While i love the recipes I wish you would not suggest the use of such an environmentally unfriendly product as tin foil. Sure a lid or even a saucer would be a much better alternative. After all, we only have this one planet, right?
    cheers
    Nora

    Reply

  • I am always looking for quick and easy ideas for my kids for breakfast, can’t wait to try thjs healthier version of a quick staple

    Reply

  • Just made the PB&J version for lunch, using almond butter and blueberry jam. I also added some chia seeds. Quick and delicious! 🙂

    Reply

  • So I was thinking: awesome idea! Looks amazing. I clicked the link to overnight oats because there’s no way I can chop or shred a carrot in the morning, and I thought: what if you made one big batch at the beginning of the week and then took a scoop from it each morning? Would that even work for oats??? I’m new to this whole porridge/oats thing (and loving it!) and would like to know your opinion.
    My carrot cake one is in the fridge right now =)

    Reply

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