Oatmeal is a highly nutritious breakfast that is high in fiber and can help you feel full all morning.
There are many types of oatmeal recipes which makes it a flexible and versatile option for an enjoyable and comforting breakfast.
However, on busy weekday mornings, it can be very tempting to skip a warm and freshly cooked breakfast. After all, it does take time to prepare and eat.
What if you wanted to batch cook or meal prep oatmeal? Can you even reheat oatmeal? Yes, the good news is that you can reheat oatmeal, and meal prep is a convenient method to save time and enjoy a delicious bowl of breakfast each morning. Reheating oatmeal can be done on the stovetop or in the microwave, which only takes minutes.
Is Reheating Oatmeal good for meal prep?
If you enjoy oatmeal or need it for your meal plan, but find yourself too busy to prepare breakfast in the mornings, then meal prep or batch cooking is a great solution.
This is why overnight oats are a popular meal prep recipe, but the difference is that oatmeal should be reheated.
Meal prep can also save you around 20 – 30 minutes each morning by merely reheating oatmeal in the microwave or stovetop.
The key is to make basic oatmeal which is easier to reheat, and you can add fresh fruit, syrups, and nut butter which does not take up much time.
As a result, on Sundays, many meal preppers will cook the oatmeal in advance, and this will keep well in the fridge for 5 days which can be Monday to Friday breakfast meals made-ahead.
To key to reheating oatmeal is how you keep it stored which is why you should follow the 2-hour rule, use an air-tight meal prep container and store it in the fridge as soon as it has cooled down
How to Reheat Oatmeal (best way)
Reheating oatmeal is very straightforward and can be done within minutes. There are two main ways to reheat pre-cooked oatmeal: use the microwave or stovetop.
Method One: Microwave
The quickest fastest and most continent method for reheating cooked oatmeal is by using the microwave which only takes 2 minutes. Here is how:
- Transfer the oatmeal into a microwave-safe bowl or container.
- Add a few teaspoons of water or milk to the oatmeal.
- Cover the bowl or container with a microwave cover.
- Reheat for 1 minute and stir. Reheat for another minute.
- Serve immediately and add your favorite fruit, nut butter, and syrups.
Method Two: Stovetop
If you have more time and prefer another method, you can use the stovetop which takes around 10 minutes to fully reheat. Here is how:
- Set the temperature to medium-low.
- Transfer the oatmeal to a saucepan.
- Add a few teaspoons of water or milk to the oatmeal.
- Stir and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately and add your favorite fruit, nut butter, and syrups.
How long does oatmeal last in the fridge?
The main benefit of batch cooking or meal prepping cooked oatmeal is that it lasts in the fridge for up to 5 days which is extremely convenient if you plan to prepare your breakfast meals for the week ahead.
The best way to keep cooked oatmeal stored is by using an airtight container and keep the oatmeal as basic as possible because you can add toppings such as fruits, nuts, nut butter, and syrups on the morning you plan to reheat the oatmeal.
Does Oatmeal Change Texture When Reheated?
One of the main concerns of meal prepping oatmeal is the texture and how it can change when reheated.
Cooked oatmeal becomes thicker and when stored in a container, more liquid is absorbed which sounds less desirable right?
However, the key to keeping it super smooth is simply adding a few teaspoons of water or milk to the oatmeal when you reheat it.
This is why it makes perfect sense to meal prep or batch cook your oatmeal because it will taste just as good when you reheat it.
Can You Freeze Oatmeal?
Yes, you can freeze cooked oatmeal for 4 to 6 months by using steel-cut oats, rolled oats or instant oatmeal.
If you’re an extreme batch cooker and want to freeze many portions for the months ahead, you might be wondering if you can freeze oatmeal and the good news is you can keep it stored for a long time.
Even if you have leftover oatmeal and do not plan to use it for the upcoming week, just freeze it and use an air-tight container or plastic freezer bag.
This is why many meal preppers also look to freeze their overnight oats too.
Warming up frozen oatmeal is also very easy because you can simply follow the same instructions as above, however, the microwave will be the best option.
Can You Reheat Baked Oatmeal?
Yes, you can also reheat baked oatmeal and the best method is the microwave for around 2 minutes.
Baked oatmeal is an amazing recipe for batch cooking and meal prep because it’s very easy to store and reheat.
We are dedicated to providing the best and most effective meal plans to help you stay on track with your goals. Our team constantly tests and experiments with different recipes and approaches to ensure our offerings are of the highest quality. We also collaborate with a network of nutrition and data experts from around the globe to bring you innovative and advanced meal plans.