Cooking basics

How to cook oatmeal: a beginner’s guide to microwave oats

Start with microwave rice-style oats, then try a savory dashi porridge or oatmeal with banana. Learn which oats to buy.

Oatmeal is made from oats. For a first bowl, choose between rice-style oats with a more distinct texture, soft porridge with dashi, and a sweet bowl with banana.

Microwave rice-style oats

Put 30 g of rolled oats and water in a deep microwave-safe bowl. Follow your package for water and timing.
Stir and microwave. One product-specific example from Gyomu Super uses 50 mL of water and 1 minute 30 seconds at 600 W.
Stir to separate the flakes. If too firm, add a little water and microwave briefly. Add sesame or shredded nori if you like.

Dashi porridge or banana oatmeal

For savory porridge, cook oats with dashi according to the package’s porridge directions and top with nori or scallions. For banana oatmeal, prepare oats with water or milk as directed, then top with sliced banana and optional cinnamon.

Should I buy rolled or quick oats?

Choose rolled oats when you want the flakes to retain their shape. Choose quick oats when you want a softer porridge or soup. Cooking times vary by product, so check the package.

From the Tensai Japan archive

A reader comment dated September 25, 2013, survives on the original Tensai Japan oatmeal article. The archived article covered how to choose and prepare oats.