The Ultimate Oatmeal

The guide to making the perfect bowl of oatmeal. This isn't your grandma's bowl of oats 👵🏼

Nothing makes us happier than a creamy bowl of oats on a chilly morning. Oatmeal has a bad rep for being bland, boring, and not pleasant to eat. We're here to change how you view this amazing breakfast. Whether you like a sweet or savory meal in the morning, oatmeal is the perfect way to start your day. So ditch the gluey, hard to eat oatmeal and try out this perfect bowl of oats (it will blow your mind!)

What makes the perfect bowl of oats?

Type of Oat

There are multiple types of oats, and each has its own unique qualities. We prefer rolled oats or steel cut oats, but quick oats are also great (especially if you don't have a lot of time in the morning). Understanding the cooking time of your preferred oats is key to making the perfect bowl of oatmeal.

• Steel cut oats - least processed; chopped into pieces with a steel blade, have a coarser, chewier texture and nuttier flavor; take the longest to cook; 15-30 mins cook time

• Rolled oats - go through a steaming & flattening process; milder flavor and softer; takes less time to cook than steel-cut oats; 5-10 mins cook time

• Quick oats - most processed; go through a steaming & flattening process (flattened more than rolled oats); soft, mushy texture and mild flavor; quick cooking time; 2-5 mins cook time

• Instant oats - sometimes the same as quick oats, but could also be packaged oats that include extra ingredient like skim milk powder, sugar and flavoring. We recommend you not purchase these since you can't control what additives are in the package.

Liquid to Oat Ratio

Whether you like your oats thick or thin, the liquid to oat ratio is what makes or breaks a bowl of oatmeal.

• Steel cut oats - 1: 2: 1 ratio of oats, water, and plant milk

• Rolled oats - 1:1:1 ratio of oats, water, and plant milk

• Quick oats - 1:1:1 ratio of oats, water, and plant milk

We like to mix our oats, water and plant milk before cooking. We allow the mixture to soak and combine for a couple of seconds before adding it into a pot.

Let it Simmer

To ensure your oatmeal is cooked through, but not burnt, keep it at a simmer. We like to start by brining our oatmeal to a boil, then turning the heat down and letting it slowly get thicker and creamier. If you like your oatmeal on the thinner side, you can add some plant milk at the end. This allows you to have the creamy flavor while also enjoying the oatmeal at your preferred texture.

Flavor

Don't skip out on adding flavor to your oatmeal while they cook. This is the perfect way to make sure your oatmeal doesn't come out bland and boring. Whether you're making savory or sweet oatmeal, don't forget to ADD SALT! (just a sprinkle)

Our favorite additions:

• Banana - cut up a ripe banana and add it to the oatmeal while it's simmering. This allows the sweetness from the banana to incorporate into the oatmeal.

• Dates - another way to naturally sweeten oatmeal is with dates. We like to add medjool date into our oatmeal while it is simmering.

• Cinnamon - one of our favorite spices is cinnamon. We add a generous amount to our oatmeal. The perfect way to spice things up!

• Vanilla extract- another amazing ingredient. We've always loved the flavor of vanilla and it makes oatmeal even more enjoyable.

We prefer sweet oats, but for a savory breakfast try this!

• Everything but the bagel seasoning - a great combination of flavors for savory oatmeal.

• Swap the milk - rather than cooking with plant milk, use vegan broth (like dashi).

Topping

The best way to give oatmeal texture is by topping it with amazing things. We like to keep our oatmeal simple and often just add a spoonful of peanut butter and a drizzle of maple syrup.

For sweet oatmeal try this:

• Granola - this is a great compliment to the soft texture of oatmeal, adding some crunch.

• Frozen fruit - the hot oatmeal will melt the frozen fruit and create a delicious fruit syrup.

• Fresh fruit - another great way to eat more fruit and incorporate natural sweetness is to add seasonal fruits.

• Cacao nibs - an amazing superfood to top on oatmeal, and add some texture.

• Chocolate - adding a square of chocolate elevates oatmeal to another level.

• Yogurt - perfect for making creamier oatmeal. We recommend combining this with granola.

• Other Nut Butters - some of our other favorites are hazelnut butter (mix it with chocolate to make a Nutella oatmeal!) and almond butter

For savory oatmeal try this:

• Fried shallot - these add a lovely crunch and flavor.

• Pickled cucumber in soy sauce, bamboo shoots in chili oil - staple toppings for Chinese congee, also perfect for savory oatmeal.

• Hempseed - a superfood packed with protein and omega.

• Nutritional yeast - a great way to get protein & B12, it also adds a cheese-like flavor.

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Our Classical Bowl of Oatmeal

Serving Size: 2 bowls

Prep Time: 5 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Total Time: 15 mins

Description

The guide to making the perfect bowl of oatmeal. This isn't your grandma's bowl of oats 👵🏼

Ingredients:

1 cup rolled oats

1 cup plant milk

1 cup water

1 tsp cinnamon (more to taste)

Pinch of salt

1 banana (optional)

Instructions:

1. Combine rolled oats and cinnamon, give it a good stir. Then add in the plant milk and water. Let it sit for a minute.

2. In a medium pot over high heat, add your oat and liquid mixture. Bring the oats to a boil and add a pinch of salt, then lower the heat and bring to simmer. Stir occasionally to prevent the oatmeal from boiling over.

3. Cut up a banana into slices and add it to the oatmeal. Mix your oats to spread out the banana pieces.

4. Let the oatmeal cook for 5 mins or until it reaches your preferred consistency. If the oatmeal is too thick, add a dash of plant milk.

5. Transfer to a bowl and add you favorite toppings. We like to top ours with peanut butter and a drizzle of maple syrup. You can also mix in some protein powder or add frozen fruits. And enjoy!