How do you make oatmeal without burning it?

United States
June 19, 2008 11:31pm CST
My family is trying to eat healthier, so we are cooking oatmeal from scratch. Actually I'm using the instant variety, but always find a way to burn it. I'd like to cook oatmeal from scratch, but don't know how to make it without scorching. Does anyone have suggestions for making oatmeal either from instant or scratch? Would love some suggestions. Also, what are your favorite oatmeal toppings. My favorite toppings are cinnamon and sugar. Or maybe honey.
5 people like this
17 responses
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
20 Jun 08
I didn't know that one could burn an oatmeal if its instant since one has only to add water. So I never ever burned the oatmeal instant or not. I love oatmeal if mix with sugar topped with either mango, strawberry, raisins and some milk.
1 person likes this
• United States
21 Jun 08
Thank you, newtondak. As you said, I am speaking of the kind you make in the pan. Not the kind for the microwave. Perhaps I used the wrong terminology when referring to it and that is not uncommon on the Internet. It's easy to get words mixed up when typing. I have used both types and most times have to use the microwave kind. It does not taste very good and never burns, though. It seems too runny for my taste and has too much sugar from all the additives. That is so unhealthy. I would like to make fresh tasting real oatmeal, in a pan, just like the kind most of us grew up with. I would like to make some for my own daughter. But for some reason they keep sticking in the pan. It seems like the simplest thing to make, yet it is not.
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
20 Jun 08
I think maybe she's speaking of the "quick oats" rather than instant, as opposed to "old fashioned oats".
• United States
20 Jun 08
How about putting it in the boiling water and turning the pan off and stirring it until done. The instant kind should be done soon. The microwave works well without scoring it also.
• United States
21 Jun 08
Good luck
• United States
20 Jun 08
For some reason, my oatmeal in the pan always burns. I don't know if the heat is up too high. Maybe it's my pan. I'll try your suggestions. Thanks!
2 people like this
@SViswan (12051)
• India
22 Jun 08
I know just one way to make my oatmeal...and we don't use any toppings. I take a pan of milk-water mixture...add sugar and oatmeal (depends on if I want it thick or thin) and boil it stirring continuously till it is done. I've never burnt it(not yet). If I don't want to add sugar, I add honey AFTER it is cooked. Fruit toppings would be nice....but my son likes his fruits raw and not with his oatmeal.
• United States
23 Jun 08
I will try that. Perhaps it is my pan's fault. I have an older small pan that I use for small dishes like oatmeal. It is not the best. I will buy a new one.
@carlaabt (3504)
• United States
22 Jun 08
I don't cook oatmeal very often, but every once in a while I will cook it for my toddler. We usually just have the quick cooking kind, because I buy it for the peanut butter oatmeal cookies that my family loves. It has microwave directions right on the canister, so I just follow them. I don't know if it tastes worse than cooking it on the stove, because I have never cooked it on the stove! lol When I fix it for my toddler, I put applesauce in it usually. When I first started making it for him, I would put some baby food fruits in and mix it up, but that was back when I was trying to use up the leftover baby food that we had after he quit eating most of them. He really likes it with applesauce, though, and we always have plenty of that!
• United States
23 Jun 08
The apple sauce is a good idea! I will try that. Thanks.
@moneyandgc (3428)
• United States
20 Jun 08
I make mine in the microwave. I actually add less water then it calls for. I let it cook until it is kind of pasty. Then I cool it down with some milk. Maple and Brown sugar is my favorite flavor. Sometimes I add a little syrup in there too. I've never burned it though.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
20 Jun 08
put your instant oatmeal into your bowl, boil some water and stir the boiling water into the oatmeal, no burning and you make it it as thick or thin as you like. I like cinnamon and peanut butter too.
1 person likes this
• United States
20 Jun 08
I've never tried peanut butter. Thanks!
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
20 Jun 08
That makes it taste like a really warm and gooey oatmeal cookie.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
21 Jun 08
well, my hubby and i loved oatmeal as well and i usually cook it with vanilla milk and sugar... it is really yummy... i always make sure to use medium flame and keep on stirring it when i cook it to make sure that it won't get burnt... i think stirring it constantly while cooking it is the secret to prevent it from burning... take care and have a nice day...
@GardenGerty (157027)
• United States
20 Jun 08
I cook all oatmeal in the microwave, even the old fashioned kind. I have never burnt it. I put about one half cup of oats in a bowl and cover it with milk. I like to stir a big spoonful of pumpkin puree and cinnamon or pie spice and a little sweetener into my bowl. Pumpkin is a veggie, you know, and full of healthy things so I start my day with a good serving of veggies. I also have been known to stir a spoonful of peanut butter in, with cinnamon and sugar. You may want to do a search on crockpot oatmeal. I understand that is an easy way to have a healthy breakfast. I add flaxseed meal to mine as well.
• United States
21 Jun 08
See! I knew someone would have the answer. I have been making oatmeal the wrong way. I will look into getting pumpkin and cooking the oatmeal with milk. I have not done that before. Thank you so much!
@fredgame (1260)
• China
24 Jun 08
i make my instant oatmeal by boiling the water and adding the amount of oat to it and then cover it for at least for five minutes then add the toppings. my favourite toppings are milk and sugar or honey and milk. note* after adding the oat to the hot water, you stir it to the desire thickness.
@barehugs (8973)
• Canada
20 Jun 08
Healthy oatmeal porridge is made with natural rolled oats. The Instant Oatmeal has been already cooked once. Each time food is cooked, nutrients are lost. However natural oatmeal will cook as quickly as instant if you measure the oats and water the night before and let them soak all night.I like to throw in a Handful of raisins with the oats and water and soak the whole mess overnight. This Oatmeal porridge needs no topping! Its delicious just as it comes from the pot!
• United States
22 Jun 08
Thank you for your suggestions. i had no idea that whole oatmeal could be so easy to cook. I suppose that the big commercials have brain washed many of us into believing that fast food oatmeal can be just as good. But that is simply not true. I'm happy to hear that there is a better way. I really love the raisin idea. Will definitely try that out. Thanks!
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
21 Jun 08
well, I use the microwave for the instant. It's been years since I've made the original kind but I remember you had to cook it on very low heat and constantly stir it.
• United States
20 Jun 08
I used to buy the instant when my boys were young and pop it in the microwave for 90 seconds. However, I now buy the old fashioned oats, they are better, and more whole than the instant or quick cooking. My boyfriend likes his oats more mushy than me, so I put the oats in the water prior to boiling and stir so it does not stick to the bottom. I like my oats more stiff I suppose and I follow the directions, wait for the water to boil, then add the oats, stirring all the while. Brown sugar is my favorite in any hot cereal, while my boyfriend likes any dried fruits. Enjoy your breakfast!
• United States
22 Jun 08
I will try all your suggestions. Yes, I am also trying to use the more healthy version of oats as we are on a low fat, low sodium diet for health reasons. I am concerned about our health and want to pass along good eating habits to my young daughter. Thank you for all your suggestions. They are very much appreciated.
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
21 Jun 08
It's amazing how many people say they cook it in so many different ways. I usually just add hot water from the spicket, and mix it together. I think that I have had it with milk, but I am not sure. I don't know how it would taste, but have you tried mxiing bananas with it?
• United States
23 Jun 08
I have not tried that! But I will. I love banana bread, so maybe putting bananas and cinnamon in oatmeal would be a similar experience without all the calories! Thanks for the idea.
• Canada
23 Jun 08
I think the secret to not burning oatmeal is to keep the heat on medium/low and stirring constantly. If you leave the burner on high and not stir, the bottom will just burn. Not very tasty. I just like a little brown sugar or honey on top of my oatmeal.
@Jemina (5770)
20 Jun 08
Well, I always cook my oatmeal by just boiling it and make sure I stir all the time so they won't stick in the pan. Unfortunately though, today I burned it a little because I left it in the cooker and I came online. Anyway, I don't know anything else how to cook oatmeals but to boil it. I know I have seen some oatmeal made into like cookies but I don't know how to do it. I love honey on my oatmeal for sure.
@newtondak (3946)
• United States
20 Jun 08
Use the regular old-fashioned oats, and follow the microwave directions on the box. You can either make individual servings or use a larger glass bowl and make several at once. It's done in no time with no burning! We like brown sugar on top of our oatmeal.
@judy43 (299)
• United States
20 Jun 08
I dont eat oatmeal but my husband and son does. They both like butter and milk in their oatmeal