When it comes to oatmeal, texture is everything. In fact, what turned me off from oatmeal for the first 20 years of my life was that I thought all oatmeal had the texture of watery bread. Ew is right.
After trying just about every method for cooking oats, I’ve found that there are many ways of getting a delicious bowl of oatmeal. But after my oatmeal experience at brunch a few weeks ago, I realized that my favorite way to eat oatmeal is when it’s cooked in milk.
More specifically – when it’s cooked in coconut milk.
I’m generally a creamy-oatmeal type of gal, and I’ve tried adding everything from yogurt to heavy cream to my oatmeal to get that consistency I’m looking for. While you might get a creamy-factor that way, there’s really nothing like the consistency and flavor of cooking oats in milk and milk only.
Step one: choose your milk. As I just mentioned, I’ve found that coconut milk is prime.
Regular milk does the trick as well. Almond milk works okay – it leaves the oats still a bit too watery for my liking.
Step two: add one part regular oats to two parts milk (i.e. 1/2 cup oats + 1 cup milk) to a pot. None of that “1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup milk” here. I’ve been there and done that, and it doesn’t work nearly as well!
Step three: place pot on burner, set to medium-low heat. Stir as much as possible – preferably continuously – because you don’t want the milk to bubble over and/or turn into “milk skin” (wow, that’s the most disgusting word combination ever).
Step four: After about 6-8 minutes, turn off the burner and let the oatmeal sit for another couple of minutes to cool. I usually put mine in the freezer to a) speed up the process and b) I like the texture of “set” oatmeal.
Step five: Stir in 1/4 tsp vanilla extract, and add your spices/mix-ins of choice. Then…well, I think you can take over from here 
This might not be the quickest method of making oatmeal, but I personally find it to be the most delicious!
- What’s your favorite method for cooking oatmeal?
I have had coconut milk so many times. It tastes so watery on its own, but I have never tried it with oats! I can def see how it would make the oatmeal creamy! I am going to try that for breakfast this morning, got some in my fridge! Thanks for the idea girl! =)
whoa coconut milk that is smarrrrrrt . . . I do have a carton of hemp milk, maybe I’ll crack that open and give it a whirl and see what happens
“None of that “1/2 cup water and 1/2 cup milk” here” hahaha I love it! Have you ever tried using canned light coconut milk, like that people use in Indian dishes? It’s actually really good! Since I never have any time in the morning I resort to either overnight oats or microwaved hot oats. When I’m home and relaxing on winter break, though, it’ll be stovetop oats all day every day!
Thanks for the tip. I may have to try that one day. Oatmeal is one of those things that I have never liked. And it’s mainly a texture thing, not so much a taste thing. I would like my oats a lot more creamy, but they have never come out that way.
Two words: slow cooker. Overnight, of course. I found that to be my favorite way! You can only do it with steel cut oats though. BUT, you’re totally right about using all milk- if you do half part water then it just gets disgusting.
I usually cook oatmeal in water, with a bit of milk, and chopped banana. I never tried cooking them only in milk, I should try it.
So light in color compared to mine after dumping a lb. of cinnamon into it
I have an open can of coconut milk in the fridge and was was thinking to put that in my oats tomorrow! It’s a bit thicker than the kind in the carton so I might thing it out a bit.
I might thing it out? lol….*thin
I bet that is SO good! I LOVE cooking my oats in coconut kefir, which i assume is kind of like coconut milk? I love how thick it gets! I am NOT one of those people who like water-y oats.. yuck
I put my oats in the fridge to have them cool down faster too! I’ve burned my tongue on them one too many times…
yum!! never tried coconut before! these look delish
i have a bad habit microwaving them 
I always cook oatmeal the night before in extra water and heat it up again in the morning..it becomes much more volumous because it soaks up the extra water overnight but it still has a good, thick oatmeal texture in the morning! Plus, it’s sooo much faster.
I should try the coconut milk..that sounds yummy!
Ohh, great idea!! Especially for those early mornings where I don’t have time to stovetop-it. Thanks for the suggestion
I actually just had oatmeal this morning for the first time this fall. The mixins were inspired by you, I put apples in it like you did a couple of posts ago. There was also earth balance, brown sugar, a splash of heavy cream and melted peanut butter. Delicious, and I’m full and warm now
I definitely prefer to cook in some sort of milk as well.
I usually cook my oats in water, but I’ll have to get a small container of coconut milk to test this out. Thanks!
LOVE your oatmeal ideas! I tried a new recipe this morning with my own oatmeal… using apple juice in place of water while cooking the oats and sprinkling some cinnamon on top! MMMMM!!
Yum!! Stovetop oats beat microwave oats by a landslide!! Also try adding some cottage cheese (i liked whipped.. it’s a texture thing), makes them sooooo creamy..
I either do overnight oats or hot oats with the same plan in mind: half the liquid water, half the liquid almond milk, 1/2 a smashed bananer. Works every time.
I always cook my oats with half water, half almond milk, and banana mashed in. Once I tried this combo, I could never go back to cooking them with just water!
I really want to try them with coconut milk now. I bet it gives the whole bowl an amazing flavour!
i really MUST try it, actually u make some of the best oatmeal combos ive seen around!! im always impressed <3
ive never tried coconut milk!!! I used the coconut creamer for my coffee sometimes but never milk! yummmm thanks for the idea
MASHED BANANA in oatmeal = super creamy!!
Yes - agreed!
I add a half a cup of plain yogurt and fruit, such as blueberries or strawberries, to 1 cup of oatmeal. Delicious!
It seems like the vanilla extract would add a beautifully fragrant touch!
i don’t want to cook my oatmeal…i want an instant oatmeal.
Lately I’ve been loving baked oatmeal- sooooooo delish! I just mix my oatmeal with milk and a splash of vanilla ( yes I agree oats+milk= pure bliss) and bake it for about 15 minutes and towards the end I sprinkle some crushed cereal and nuts to give it some fantastic crunch factor. That’s pretty much the best weekend breakfast ever. (:
Things that make you go hmmmmm then run home and try to recreate