Easy Soaked Oatmeal Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the ratio of oats to water for soaking? ›

Add 1 cup oats to a large saucepan and top with 2 cups water (or, if making more or less, just make sure there is double the water as there are oats). Cover and soak for 6 hours or overnight (see notes for shortcuts). This will improve digestibility and also slightly speed cooking time.

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

To prepare overnight oats, simply put porridge oats in a container, fill them with water, your choice of milk or yoghurt, and place them in the fridge. Remember to always soak the oats for at least 12 hours, but 24 hours is better.

Grind the oats into a fine powder using a coffee grinder, blender, or food processor. You'll know when you've ground the oats finely enough when a tablespoon of oats dissolves easily in hot water. Draw your bath with warm (but not hot) water. Start by adding a half-cup of oats to the bath.

Just bring 2 cups water and ¼ teaspoon salt to a boil, and then add 1 cup of oats. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. For a faster alternative, you can also make your oats in the microwave!

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

The Bottom Line

Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer. If you're ready to start your morning with a bowl of oats, try our Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats.

Another mistake people make is not adding enough liquid to their overnight oats. If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

Again, overnight oats can stay five days in the fridge. But if you like them chewy, just let them stay there for three days. So, to meal prep breakfast for the seven days of the week, follow these easy tips: Make overnight oats in two portions and two jars.

Do you rinse oats after soaking them? ›

Soak the oats for 8-24 hours in enough water to cover them plus a few extra inches. They tend to swell a bit while they soak. Drain and rinse really well. Rinse until the milky water starts to turn clear.

By soaking your oats you neutralize the phytic acid. This soaking allows the beneficial enzymes to work and increases the number of vitamins and minerals present that your body will absorb. On the plus side, the process of rolling oats removes at least part of the bran, where a large portion of the phytic acid resides.

Soak in milk

Go with regular or choose an alternative milk if you prefer the flavour, or if you're vegan. Soak the oats overnight until soft and creamy.

Soaking the oats overnight with the addition of an acid, in the form of liquid whey, yogurt, buttermilk, lemon juice, or apple cider vinegar, which lightly ferments the oats and helps to break down starches, reduce phytates, and increase the bioavailability of nutrients and minerals.

Soaking the oats overnight reduces the phytic acid content present in the oats better than cooking them. Phytic acid is an antioxidant naturally present in grains, legumes, tubers and certain vegetables.

The only ratio you need to remember when making overnight oats is 1:1. You'll soak one part rolled oats with one part liquid overnight. Use less liquid if you want thicker oatmeal, more if you like it runny. You can use water or any type of milk (like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.)

What's the Best Ratio for Overnight Oats? Making overnight oats is actually as easy as memorizing a simple ratio: Use equal parts old-fashioned rolled oats and milk, plus half as much yogurt. For example, the recipe below calls for 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, 2 cups milk, and 1 cup yogurt.

Cover the oats and soak them in the fridge for 12 hours.

Allow your oats to soak for at least twelve hours before serving. The longer your oats can soak, the more flavor they will absorb. Avoid keeping prepared oatmeal in the fridge for any longer than 5-7 days.