How to Cook Steel Cut Oats in the Microwave Quickly • The Incredible Bulks (2024)

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Making steel-cut oats in the microwave is a great way to prepare a healthy, whole-grain breakfast faster. In the guide below, you’ll find a customizable recipe, step by step instructions, as well as storage tips, nutrition information and everything else you’ll need to make the perfect bowl of steel-cut oats in the microwave.

Steel-cut oats are whole oat grains that have been cut into pieces by large steel blades. They are almost the same nutritionally as other types of oats, like rolled or old-fashioned oats, but they have a different texture when cooked.

Steel-cut oats generally have a longer cooking time than several other types of oats, but you can cut down the time significantly if you prepare them in the microwave.

Although it is quicker to make steel-cut oats in the microwave, it is definitely a more “hands-on” technique. You’ll need to keep an eye on it and stir it every few minutes so it doesn’t boil over. If you’d like a “set and forget” method, I’d recommend cooking your steel-cut oats in an Instant Pot or in the crock pot.

Let’s get cooking!

Ingredients

You’ll need the following ingredients for the base recipe:

• Water (or milk, or a combo of both)
• Steel cut oats

After cooking the oats in the microwave, you can top your bowl of oatmeal with any of your favorite toppings, including:

• Maple syrup
• Brown Sugar
• Fresh Fruit
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices
• Chocolate Chips
• A drizzle of honey
• Chia seeds
• Raisins
• Chopped nuts

Instructions

Start by rinsing ½ cup of steel-cut oats under cool water. This isn’t completely necessary but I find it helps remove some of the oat dust that has built up in storage. That oat dust will make your steel-cut oats more gelatinous.

Add the rinsed oats and 2 cups of water into a large, microwave-safe bowl. I recommend using at least a 1.5-2.5 qt bowl because the oats and water “grow” while being microwaved and often spill over the side of the bowl if it isn’t tall enough.

Microwave the steel-cut oats in 2-3 minute increments until most of the water is absorbed. Stir in between each increment. The reason you want to cook in increments is to make sure the bowl doesn’t overflow. I like to peek in the microwave towards the end of each increment to make sure nothing is spilling.

After most of the water is absorbed (usually 10-15 minutes), remove the bowl from the microwave and let oats rest for 1-2 minutes. Microwaves are sold with different wattages which affect how long your steel cut oats will take to be fully cooked. Most recipes on the internet say they will be ready in 10 minutes, but play around and discover the perfect time for your microwave. (Mine is 15 minutes).

Top with the oatmeal ingredients of your choice and enjoy!

Variations

When it comes to adding liquid to your steel-cut oatmeal, you have a lot of options.

• Water: lowest amount of calories, flavorless
• Milk: Adds more calories, but also more nutritional benefits like vitamins, and protein. Milk can also add more flavor and creaminess to your oatmeal bowl.
  • Feel free to use whatever milk you like, be it cow's milk, soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk, etc.

As I said above, the great thing about microwave steel-cut oats is that they are so versatile and can be eaten in so many ways.

Some of my favorite variations of topping combinations are:

• Sliced apples and brown sugar
• Sliced peaches and cream
• Cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins and pecans
• Peanut butter, chocolate chips, and sliced bananas

You can also make other types of oatmeal in the microwave. For example, check out "How to Make the Perfect Bowl of Rolled Oats in the Microwave."

Equipment

Using the correct bowl is one of the most important things when making steel-cut oats in the microwave. Not only do you need a microwave-safe bowl, but you’ll also really want to use one that is large and has deep sides. This helps prevent the oats from boiling over and making a big mess in your microwave.

1.5 Quart bowl

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2.6 qt bowl

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Microwave safe bowl

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If you don't have a fine mesh strainer I highly recommend getting a metal one. They are great for rinsing small grains, like steel-cut oats, rice, and quinoa, because they can't fall through the mesh. The metal mesh strainers are a lot more durable than plastic or fabric ones. I've had holes rip in the plastic ones before or they’ve melted in the dishwasher.

Bellemain 5 Qt Metal Colander with Handle

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Cuisinart Mesh Strainers, 3 Count

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Kafoor 9" Large Fine Mesh Strainer with Thermo Plastic Rubber Handle

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Storage

Although this recipe is for a single serving, I get it, sometimes you might not finish it all and want to save it for tomorrow. If this is the case, your oatmeal should be transferred to an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic or a reusable wrap.

While the steel-cut oats themselves store really well in the fridge and can be reheated, unfortunately, a lot of the toppings do not.

I’ve noticed that any fruit, ESPECIALLY bananas and fresh berries get really mushy and sludgy when stored with cooked oatmeal in the fridge. Apples might be ok if you’re planning on eating them the next day.

Nuts tend to go soft, even overnight, and after a few days, raisins get kinda gummy.

So if you’re planning on storing extras, either set aside the extras before mixing in toppings or consider picking out any toppings and tossing them before storing them in the fridge.

Nutrition

Oats are a rich source of dietary fiber and vitamins and have many health benefits. Whole-grain oats are also a good source of protein. This means it helps you fill up faster and stay full longer, which can lead to weight loss. This also reduces the risk of heart disease. They are also full of an assortment of vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants.

Oat groats don't naturally contain any sugar, but you'll often see oatmeal breakfast recipes loaded with sugar! So watch how much brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, or dried fruit you add to your morning oatmeal. You can easily make oatmeal unhealthy with the number of things you mix in.

Oats are naturally gluten-free. Oftentimes, however, they come into contact with other gluten products, like wheat or barley, during processing or transportation. So if you are a person who must seriously avoid gluten, you should look for oat groats that are specifically labeled "gluten-free." If you are just casually avoiding gluten then any oats should be just fine for you.

FAQ

Looking for more oatmeal recipes? Try these:

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Want to learn more interesting facts about oatmeal? Check out these articles:

I hope this guide was helpful to you! Let me know your favorite way to top oatmeal in the comments!

✌️Ems

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