This ‘baked’ oatmeal recipe is an easy way to try baked oats without an oven!

I eat oatmeal probably 350 days out of the year. For the past two months, I’ve eaten this particular recipe every single day (so I’d say it’s pretty dang good). If you’re like me, you’ve probably seen baked oats trending everywhere and have finally been convinced to give them a try. I am a BIG baked oatmeal fan. The consistency is amazing, and it’s like having cake for breakfast! However, taking 45 minutes to make breakfast every morning is asking a bit much from me (especially since I eat oatmeal every day). 

That’s where this recipe comes in. I have mastered making microwaved oatmeal that has the same thick, cake-like consistency as baked oats! The best part is– it takes a fraction of the time and you don’t need an oven to make it. As a college student, this is the perfect breakfast to make when you lack access to a kitchen and have a packed schedule.

5 MINUTE ‘BAKED’ OATMEAL RECIPE INGREDIENTS:

First, let’s chat ingredients.  To make this 5 minute ‘baked’ oatmeal recipe, you will need…

½ cup quick oats: You can’t have an oatmeal recipe without oats! Quick oats are the absolute best tasting oats because they help contribute to that perfect consistency, and they cook quickly (hence the name). 

1 serving of protein powder: This is technically optional, but also not really. Protein powder not only acts as the sweetener and flavoring of this recipe, but it makes it way more filling and satisfying.

1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds or chia seeds: You can use both! Both help bind the recipe together. They also add healthy fats and fiber which helps keep you fuller for longer. I prefer flax meal, but for this recipe all I had was chia seeds!

1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon: This is also optional, but I add cinnamon to basically everything. It’s a great addition to sweets and an easy way to add in antioxidants.

¾ cup of water: Honestly, I don’t ever measure this out, so this is an educated guess. I would start with half a cup of water (or a milk of your choice) and slowly add it in while mixing the oatmeal to get the right consistency. Oatmeal making is truly an art that you will master with a bit of trial and error.

HOW TO MAKE 5 MINUTE ‘BAKED’ OATMEAL:

1. Combine all the dry ingredients. Add the oats, protein powder, chia seeds, and cinnamon into a microwave safe bowl and stir until combined.

2. Add in your water. Slowly add your liquid of choice into the oatmeal mixture, stirring regularly to avoid dealing with huge clumps later on. The oatmeal should be relatively thick, but still stirrable.

3. Microwave. Microwave your oats for two minutes. Then, let it sit for a minute or two to allow the oatmeal to absorb the liquid. Finally, microwave it for one more minute.

4. Top and serve. Carefully grab your oatmeal out of the microwave and then top it with your toppings of choice. I always add nut butter, frozen fruit, more cinnamon, and a splash of almond milk.

NOTES/TIPS/POSSIBLE SUBSTITUTIONS

1. To make this oatmeal even more like true baked oats, blend all of the ingredients before microwaving it. For the purpose of ease and convenience in the mornings, I do not blend them.
2. Quick oats are necessary to achieve the best consistency without blending because of their softer texture. If you do choose to blend your oatmeal mixture, other types of oats can be substituted (but still not recommended).
3. Feel free to get creative with this recipe. You can do this by swapping out the chocolate protein powder with vanilla, adding in some pumpkin pie spice or matcha, etc. Creativity and customization has allowed me to eat this recipe every single day.

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