Love thick oats for breakfast and want to learn how to achieve perfectly thickened oatmeal?
As an oatmeal fanatic, I love eating oats in all forms. Whether it's banana bread, overnight oats, granola, or baked oats, I love oats at anytime of the day.
In this guide, I'll show you my favorite techniques and ingredients to help you with thickening oatmeal and achieving the perfect texture.
Thick oatmeal vs thin oatmeal
Adjusting the thickness of oatmeal to suit different texture preferences, whether you like it runny or thick and creamy, is all about controlling the amount of liquid and cook time.
Making Runny Oatmeal:
For those who enjoy a runnier oatmeal, the key is to adjust the ratio of liquid to oats:
Liquid Ratio:
Begin by increasing the amount of liquid you use in your oatmeal.
Instead of the standard 1:2 ratio (1 part oats to 2 parts liquid), try a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio. This means using 1 cup of oats with 3-4 cups of liquid, depending on how runny you prefer it.
Cooking Time:
To maintain a runny texture, cook the oatmeal briefly. Over medium heat, stir the oats and liquid occasionally. Your oatmeal should be ready in just 3-5 minutes.
How to Thicken Oatmeal
For those love a thick and creamy bowl of oatmeal, here's how:
Liquid Ratio:
Use a standard 1:2 ratio of oats to liquid for a creamy texture. This equates to 1 cup of oats with 2 cups of liquid. Adjust slightly if needed, but don't veer too far from this ratio.
Cook for longer:
The best way to achieve thicker oats is with time. This slow cooking process, usually taking around 10-15 minutes, allows the oats to absorb the liquid and become creamier.
Thicker oats are my personal favorite because they are much more hearty, satisfying, and warming compared to runnier oats.
Additions for thicker oatmeal
As an oatmeal fan, these are my favorite additions to create a thicker bowl of oatmeal.
Protein Powder
I love adding in protein powders after my oatmeal is cooked to thicken up my bowl of oats.
This can include whey, casein, collagen peptides and other plant-based options, which I find significantly thickens my oatmeal.
You'll want to make sure that you add the protein powder once the oatmeal has cooled off a little bit to avoid cooking and curdling the protein.
Protein powder is also a great addition that thickens up these blueberry protein overnight oats recipe.
PbFit
PbFit is essentially defatted peanut butter that is also known as peanut flour which adds a natural nuttiness and thickness to my oats.
It is a great alternative to natural peanut butter that is lower in fat and also easier to mix in. I love also ading PbFit to this easy microwave mug cake recipe for a quick dessert option.
Coconut Flour
Coconut flour is exceptionally rich in dietary fiber. This is one of the main reasons why I like using it to thicken substances like oatmeal.
The high fiber content not only helps thicken the oatmeal but also provides a feeling of fullness to promote digestive health.
Eggs/Egg Whites
When you add beaten eggs or egg whites to your oatmeal, the proteins in the eggs denature (unfold) due to the heat and create a network that thickens the oatmeal.
This network traps liquid and forms a custard-like consistency, adding creaminess and thickness to the oatmeal.
Nut Butter
Nut butters, including peanut butter, almond butter, or other seed butters are inherently creamy and add a natural creaminess to oatmeal.
This creaminess also adds depth and roasted notes to the oatmeal's texture.
Flax Meal
Flax meal, which is derived from flax seeds, is a very nutritionally dense seed that I like to use when thickening oatmeal and also adding a subtly nutty flavor.
When flax meal comes into contact with the liquid in your oatmeal, it swells and forms a gel-like consistency. This gel traps liquid and expands, thickening the overall texture of your oatmeal.
Dairy and yogurt products
Adding dairy products including yogurt or other milk early in the cooking process of oatmeal is a great way to create a creamier texture.
You can use dairy or non-dairy yogurt depending on your preferences.
In addition to the cooking process, you can also add yogurt as a creamy topping to add more protein and creaminess.
Fruits and Vegetables
You can also use various fruits and vegetable purees, such as applesauce, pumpkin puree, mashed banana, to add thickness and flavor to oatmeal.
Mashed banana is my favorite natural thickener and sweetener. I love mashing a ripe banana and mix it into this single serving serving baked oatmeal because it mixes well to thicken the oats and also adds natural sweetness.
To use any of these purees, simply add them to your oatmeal during or after cooking, depending on your preference, and mix until well combined.
Nutritional benefits of oatmeal
Oatmeal has a wide range of nutritional benefits which makes it a nutritious and wholesome breakfast choice.
It's notably rich in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and weight management, and contains heart-healthy beta-glucans that can lower cholesterol levels.
Time-Saving Tips:
One of the secrets to achieving a thick bowl of oatmeal is to cook the oats long enough to release all of the starches.
Here are some shortcuts and quick methods to achieve perfectly thickened oatmeal on a time crunch.
Instant Oats:
These oats are pre-rolled and partially cooked, which means they require significantly less time to prepare compared to steel-cut oats.
Instant oats can be ready in just a few minutes compared to 10-15 minutes with rolled oats.
Overnight Oats:
My favorite oatmeal recipe for busy mornings are overnight oats.
Overnight oats are my favorite way to prepare oats in a nutritious manner where they are ready to eat without any cooking required.
Soaking your oats overnight can also help with some of the breakdown with phytic acid, which can reduce mineral absorption and cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Microwave Oats:
I actually use my microwave to cook my oatmeal 99% of the time.
It is so much easier and works just as well as using the conventional stovetop, which requires stirring and more attention.
Simply combine oats and liquid in a microwave-safe bowl, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until the oats are cooked to your desired thickness.
Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker:
I like using a pressure cooker like an Instant Pot to cook my oats because it cuts down the cooking time just a few minutes in a pressure cooker.
| Oat Type | Pressure Cooker (e.g., Instant Pot) | Stove-top |
|---|---|---|
| Rolled Oats | 1 to 2 minutes under pressure | 5 to 7 minutes |
| Steel-Cut Oats | 3 to 5 minutes under pressure | 20 to 30 minutes |
Batch Cooking/Meal Prep:
I love making a large batch of oatmeal in the beginning of the week and being able to simply reheat oatmeal on busy mornings.
Whether it's using an instant pot, slow cooker, or with overnight oats, meal prepping is the best way to save on time.
Frequently Asked Questions
The thickness of oatmeal is a matter of personal preference.
Some people prefer thick and creamy oatmeal, while others like it runnier.
There's no one-size-fits-all answer; it depends on your taste.
Oatmeal may not be thick enough due to insufficient cooking time, too little oats, or not enough liquid.
To thicken it, continue cooking, add more oats, or reduce the liquid, depending on your desired outcome.
Yes, oatmeal can thicken as it stands.
Oats continue to absorb liquid even after cooking, so if your oatmeal is slightly runny when you first make it, it might thicken to your liking as it cools.
The time it takes for oatmeal to thicken depends on the type of oats and cooking method.
Instant oats thicken within minutes, rolled oats thicken anywhere between 5-10 minutes while steel-cut oats may take longer, up to 20-30 minutes on the stove.
Adjust cooking time to reach your desired thickness.
To increase the texture of oatmeal, try adding toppings like sliced nuts, seeds, dried fruits, or fresh berries.
These additions provide a delightful crunch and variation in texture.
Yes, oatmeal tends to thicken as it cools because the oats continue absorbing liquid.
If you prefer a thicker consistency, cook it slightly runnier, knowing it will thicken upon standing.
Soupy oatmeal can occur if you've added too much liquid or if you've used quick-cooking oats that absorb less liquid.
Adjust the ingredients and cooking time to reach your desired thickness.
my favorite oatmeal recipes
- Easy Strawberry Protein Bars RECIPE (Healthy, Gluten-Free)
- Blueberry Overnight Oats with Protein Powder
- Easy and Healthy Homemade Granola RECIPE (4-ingredients)
- Healthy Pear Crisp Recipe (Gluten-Free)
- Single Serving Baked Oatmeal RECIPE (No eggs, High Protein)
- Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread RECIPE (Easy, Gluten-Free)
- Easy 5-Ingredient Orange Oat Bars RECIPE (Healthy, Vegan)
- Healthy Heavenly Hunks Oatmeal Dark Chocolate RECIPE
- Crispy Oatmeal Cookies with Oil RECIPE (Vegan, No Butter)
- Flourless Pumpkin Bread Recipe (Healthy, Gluten-Free)
- Healthy Heavenly Hunks Oatmeal Dark Chocolate RECIPE
- 12 Healthy Oatmeal Dessert and Snack Recipes (Gluten-Free)
- Protein Pumpkin Overnight Oats (Easy, Healthy)
Expert advice on oatmeal
- Can You Eat Uncooked Oatmeal in a Smoothie – Dietitian Reviews
- Is Oatmeal Better With Milk or Water? Tips For The Best Oatmeal
- Can You Eat Uncooked Oatmeal in a Smoothie – Dietitian Reviews
- Can Oatmeal Cause Gas? Oatmeal and Digestive Health
- Is It Okay to Eat Oatmeal at Night? Foods for a Restful Sleep
- Is Instant Oatmeal Good for Diarrhea?
- Oatmeal Pros and Cons – Dietitian Reviews
- Benefits of Overnight Oats vs Cooked
- What is Blended Oatmeal
- How Long Can Oatmeal Sit Out: A Comprehensive Guide
- Can I Reheat Oatmeal? A Guide to Leftover Oatmeal
- The Ultimate Guide to Perfectly Thickened Oatmeal
- The Perfect Ratio Oats to Milk for Overnight Oats
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