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Recipe Index » Breakfast Recipes » The ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal

The ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal

Name: The ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 2 min
Total time: 4 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats (Don't use quick cooking oats as it will make the oatmeal mushy.); 1 teaspoon vanilla; 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; pinch salt; maple syrup (brown sugar or banana slices to sweeten - optional)

LIZ DELLA CROCE

Updated:

02/07/2025

This is the only 90 second microwave oatmeal recipe that you will ever need. It will be your breakfast go-to for creamy, hearty oats every single time!

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prep timePrep Time 2 minutes minutes

Cold winter weather begs for a warm and hearty breakfast. In our house, that usually means we rotate between my how to freeze and reheat pancakes recipe and this recipe or my how to make your own instant oatmeal.

While I’ve shared countless oatmeal recipes with you over the years, it dawned on me that I’ve never shared the one recipe I make most: The ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal, one of my most popular healthy oatmeal recipes of all time!

Not only is oatmeal extremely nutritious and versatile, but it is also gluten-free. For those of you with a gluten allergy, I highly recommend Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oats made in their 100% gluten-free facility and tested for gluten again to ensure their purity. In fact, I got to tour the factory and see this process up close and personal during my visit to Portland.

What makes a perfect oatmeal?

Using milk instead of water
Add cinnamon, vanilla and a good pinch of salt
Add in your favorite toppings

From there, the world is your oyster.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the best oatmeal toppings to choose from?

The best topping for oatmeal is peanut butter for protein, berries, oats, banana slices, chia seeds, almonds, or raisins.

What is the ratio of oats to milk for oatmeal?

I typically do a 1:1 ratio. One cup of oats to one cup of milk but if you want the oats to be looser I would suggest adding a little more milk.

Can quick-cooking oats be used in the microwave?

Quick-cooking oats in the microwave will make things super mushy to the point you won’t feel like eating breakfast. If you want perfect oatmeal you need to use old fashioned oats.

How do you make hot oatmeal kid-friendly?

Many times oatmeal coming out of the microwave is too hot for kids. If you want to cool it down quickly, mix in some frozen berries when it comes out of the microwave. That will bring the oatmeal down to the right temperature for the kiddos.

What types of milk can be substituted in oatmeal?

If you’d like you can substitute rice milk or water for whole milk. You would substitute with the same quantity of whole milk in the recipe.

Your spoon is waiting.

Have you tried my

The ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal?

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The ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal

Liz Della Croce

4.47 stars average

This is the only 90 second microwave oatmeal recipe that will be your breakfast go-to for creamy, hearty oats every single time!

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Prep Time 2 minutes mins

Cook Time 2 minutes mins

Total Time 4 minutes mins

CourseCourse: Breakfast

ServesServes: 1 bowl

Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Video

Ingredients

US MeasurementsConvert to Metric

▢ ½ cup whole milk
▢ ½ cup Old Fashioned Oats Don't use quick cooking oats as it will make the oatmeal mushy.
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla
▢ ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
▢ pinch salt
▢ maple syrup brown sugar or banana slices to sweeten – optional

Video

Equipment

Microwave Bowls
Measuring Spoons

Instructions

▢
Place the milk, oats, vanilla, salt and cinnamon in a microwaveable bowl and stir to combine.
1/2 cup whole milk, 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Oats, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon, pinch salt
▢
Microwave on high for 90 seconds for a chewy consistency or longer for a softer consistency.
▢
Sweeten to taste with maple syrup, brown sugar or banana slices.
maple syrup

Nutrition

Have you tried my

The ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal?

More Healthy Breakfast Ideas are waiting for you on Pinterest!

Hi, I’m Liz!

Hey there, I’m Liz Della Croce and I’m thrilled to have you here! My aim is to motivate and ignite your passion for cooking amazing meals for your loved ones. I believe in the power of real, wholesome ingredients that are bursting with flavor and won’t break the bank. Whether it’s a traditional Lebanese recipe from my family or a culinary creation from across the globe, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to discover that nutritious food can be exciting, affordable, and easy to prepare.

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4.47 from 96 votes (72 ratings without comment)

82 responses to “The ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal”

suzi

I have made microwave oatmeal for many years and have had some spillovers bu I love the method. I do find for me, the recipes that are most delicious to me use more liquid. I tried your method exactly as written and the oats soaked up all the milk and seemed still very chewy and raw. I have to return to using 2/3 cup milk (or sometimes water and I add milk later (which is always soy or oat milk. I never add vanilla but it was good, but i had to recook at 30 sec intervals adding more liquid as I went along. I guess some like them chewy and dryish, for me I need more milk and then I add hemp seeds, flaxseed, chia seeds, nuts berries or dried cranberries and nuts as well as a date chopped up.

Reply
Linda

Thank you for sharing this recipe

Reply
Candy

Didn’t work out for me. Milk overflowed and oats are barely cooked. I would stop every 30 seconds and mix it.

Reply
Luigi

Another windbag!
Not enough liquid to make porridge.

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Sorry you ran into trouble! 1/2 cup has always been perfect for me and others who try it. Did you use any substitutions?
  
  Reply
Sarah

I enjoyed this with almond extract instead of vanilla extract. I also added 1/4 tsp each of cloves, ginger and nutmeg. And at the end I added some golden raisins and goldenberries (a supposed superfood from the Peruvian Andes). Thank you for the recipe!!!!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Great choice going with the almond extract, I’ll have to try that next! Thanks for sharing, I’m glad you like the recipe!
  
  Reply
Sarah

Great, convenient recipe. I used almond extract instead of vanilla. And in addition to the cinnamon I added 1/4 tsp of cloves and of ginger and of nutmeg. And I added golden raisins and a few goldenberries (they come from the mountains of Peru and are considered a “superfood.” Thanks for the easy recipe!!!!🥹🥹🥹🥹

Reply
Stacie Feltenberger

This turned out perfectly! I’ve never had great success with microwaving oats so thank you so much for this recipe! I let it sit in the microwave for a couple minutes after heating so it could fully absorb the liquid. Yummy!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Happy it worked out so well for you!
  
  Reply
Juan

Simple and delicious.

Reply
Will Knot

This is one of the most absurd recipes I have ever read. You could not possibly have actually tried this before writing it down out of your head.*

Firstly, all oats and most other grains require a ratio of 1:2 grain to liquid. 1:1 oats to milk (the only liquid in your recipe) is not going to cook the whole oats to an edible chewy texture (or creamy for rolled oats).

Secondly, when I tried this just out of curiosity, the 90 seconds was not even long enough in the microwave on high to start absorbing the water into the grain (but was long enough to start splattering everything out before I quickly shut it down). I followed up with several 15-second increments of microwaving to avoid splattering before the water all disappeared. The oats did not end up chewy enough (too hard and chalky to eat, so I added the missing cup of water and moved it all over to a stovetop pot to finish cooking – sorry but the whole idea of microwaving whole oats is a pipe dream).

*You should actually try this recipe. Every day for a week, stopping it after 90 seconds. And consume all of it and the unabsorbed water each day. As your training in the concept of try before publishing.

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Yep you caught me! I never actually make the recipes I post😛 But really, I usually lay a paper towel over the top of my bowl to avoid any splatter, and otherwise make this all of the time and it turns out perfect! Other factors could contribute to your result. Microwave’s have different power settings, and it seems like you used water instead of milk? Sorry it didn’t work out for you, but glad moving it to the stove seemed to fix it!
  
  Reply
Benji Silverman

Thanks! I’ve read so many recipes for oatmeal, it’s so simple, but I can’t for the life me figure out why instructions are always 1/2 cup oatmeal and 1 cup liquid to microwave it. Always looking for the ‘correct’ liquid amount. 1/2 cup has always been the way I make it. A whole cup is silly. I use whole milk for creaminess, a scoop of protein powder, almonds and a poached egg on top. I’m a simple guy. Hadn’t thought of vanilla. Good idea. BTW it is very easy to poach an egg in the microwave. 54 seconds in my microwave in a coffee cup with 1/2 cup water. I just finished my first bowl of Red Mill Thick Oats. Nice and chewy and now my new go-to.

Reply
Dyan

No matter what size bowl my oatmeal spatters onto the microwave – do use use some type of cover?
Thank you !

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Lay a napkin or paper towel over the top of your bowl to maintain splatter.
  
  Reply
Scotty g

Love me some oatmeal!’ Great recipe!

Reply
Taylor

So yummy! Love how chewy the oats are and how easy the recipe was. I sweetened with some homemade pumpkin syrup which was absolutely delicious. Thanks so much!

Reply
Billy bob joe

Didn’t really work was really watery

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  If you added 1/2 cup milk it should not have been watery. Did you happen to add too much milk?
  
  Reply
Kaitlyn

How do you prevent the oatmeal from overflowing out of bowl? I feel like I always have this problem…thanks!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  A bigger bowl! :)
  
  Reply
  1. DG5
    
    Thank you! Finally, exactly what I’ve been searching for regarding instructions. I buy organic oats in bulk so no instructions come with them and I couldn’t remember what Quaker oats had on its Box. I pick up or get food delivered these days, no looking at other brands in store for instructions. The oats came out exactly the way I like them. At 1st I thought maybe they’re too dry but I added frozen berries & 1/2 frozen banana, crunchy Almond butter (from Traget – it’s yummy).
    The water from the fruit squelched any concern. The only deviation from this recipe was milk, I used Almond/Cocunt milk.
    
    Reply
    1. Liz DellaCroce
      
      I’m so happy to hear this!!!
      
      Reply
2. DG5
  
  Thank you! Finally, exactly what I’ve been searching for regarding instructions. I buy organic oats in bulk so no instructions come with them and I couldn’t remember what Quaker oats had on its Box. I pick up or get food delivered these days, no looking at other brands in store for instructions. The oats came out exactly the way I like them. At 1st I thought maybe they’re too dry but I added frozen berries & 1/2 frozen banana, crunchy Almond butter (from Traget – it’s yummy).
  The water from the fruit squelched any concern. The only deviation from this recipe was milk, I used Almond/Cocunt milk.
  
  Reply
  1. Liz DellaCroce
    
    I’m so glad you enjoyed this Kaitlyn!!!! Btw I’m teaching a cooking class March 24th – would love you to join!!
    
    Reply
Michelle

Worked perfectly for me. Simple, warm breakfast comfort food. Used 2% milk, cooked an additional 20 seconds or so. Added chopped walnuts, frozen blueberries (nuked an additional 10 seconds after adding), and just a pinch of brown sugar. Just what I was craving this morning!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  I’m so happy you enjoyed it!!!
  
  Reply
Alyssa

So, so delicious!!! I added some Lily’s semi sweet chocolate chips to top it off and it was divine. So much better than the packaged, processed kinds. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe, it is definitely a new staple in my house!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Ooooo that sounds so good!!! Glad you enjoyed!
  
  Reply
  1. Wayne
    
    Thank you for this recipe. It’s just what I need while I sit with my wife who’s in the hospital. It will save me a long walk to the cafeteria. What wattage microwave are you baseing your 90 seconds on?
    Thanks again,
    Wayne
    
    Reply
    1. Liz DellaCroce
      
      Hi Wayne, I hope your wife is ok. This is cooked on high. Enjoy!
      
      Reply
Alene

I thought this was delicious. I like my oatmeal chewy but wet, so I just poured skim milk in the bowl before I ate it, which is what I always do, stovetop or microwave. The vanilla was a brilliant idea! And 1/4 tsp of cinnamon was perfect. One question though. Can I use skim milk for the cooking part, instead of whole milk? I don’t want the extra calories. With milk to thin it, chopped walnuts, sliced banana, and a small squeeze of honey, it was my perfect breakfast, without dirtying that horrid oatmeal pot! Thank you so much. This will be on my regular rotation.

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Yes you can use any type of milk or even water! So glad you enjoyed iT!
  
  Reply
  1. Perry Ash
    
    If you have any more cooking classes online let me know. Would love to attend!!
    
    Reply
    1. Liz DellaCroce
      
      Yes!! We have one March 24th please join us!!
      
      Reply
Sharrie

This makes mornings so much easier! I have one early riser who wants to eat as soon as she wakes up and a son who likes to sleep in—now everyone can make their oatmeal when they’re ready for it. Thank you for the great idea. (And we loved the addition of the vanilla! We’ve never tried that before, and it was great!)

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Oh good I’m so glad!
  
  Reply
Tim

I prefer the “bland, mushy” quick cooked microwaved oatmeal.

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Perfect just cook it longer or add more liquid!
  
  Reply
  1. Jasmine Smith
    
    Sooooo good!! Excited for this to be my go-to breakfast!! I added chocolate chips as a sweetener and it turned into this delicious gooey heaven, perfect consistency!!!
    
    Reply
    1. Liz DellaCroce
      
      I’m so glad you enjoyed!
      
      Reply
Alli

It was great! Add some chocolate melting wafers halfway in, and your whole morning turns into chocolate heaven…

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Oh man what a great idea!
  
  Reply
Alene

I didn’t read all the comments, but I think this is a brilliant idea! I needed to cook mine in my microwave for almost double the time and added a bit more milk. And I prefer chewy oatmeal. But this saves me from having to wash that oatmeal pot, which almost ruins the joy of eating oatmeal! So thank you for such a great idea.

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Yes it saves TONS of dishes!! Enjoy!
  
  Reply
DARCEL BISHOP

Does the oatmeal turn out loose or thick?

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  It turns out thick but if you want it to be loose add more liquid!
  
  Reply
Ashley Combs

Hi. If I want to substitute rice milk or water for the whole milk, would I use the same amount? Thank you!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Yes absolutely!
  
  Reply
Eldridge

The ingredients that is shown has “1/2 cup of whole milk” vs 1 cup whole milk which I believe is the correct amount. The ratio of liquid to oatmeal is “2 to 1” whether it be milk, water or other choices like coconut or almond milk.

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Hi Eldridge, I actually prefer a 1:1 ratio so we do 1/2 cup oats to 1/2 cup milk but if you want your oats to be a bit more loose you’re welcome to add more! :)
  
  Reply
Elle Alfaro

I just made mine and for a lazy person this was the most spectacular experience I’ve ever encoutnered. I have celiacs disease and finding alternatives is expensive and restaurants don’t usually provide options for people like me. Loved this to its absolute pleasure. Thank you.

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  I’m so so glad you enjoyed it!!!
  
  Reply
Robert

Tried with quick oats and didnt come out right .so i 50/50 the mix and it was perpect ! i also lost the vanalla but each to there own great recipe thanks ROBERT

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  So glad!! Enjoy!
  
  Reply
Amber

I noticed no one actually commented on this recipe after they made it. I’m here to give my honest opinion: I made this and it was TERRIBLE! You need to take a look at the measurements because something is seriously wrong with this! First of all, there is way too much milk in it, mine turned out watery and not cooked. It would have to cook a lot longer than 90 seconds to look like the pictures. Secondly, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon is a lot for a little bowl of oatmeal! Maybe some people like that much cinnamon, but I found it to be very overwhelming! Lastly, there is WAY too much salt in this! It seriously tasted like play dough! I ended up throwing the whole thing out! I found this recipe on Pinterest and I’m sorry to say it’s the worst recipe I’ve ever made from there! Sorry but this is my honest opinion and I hope this review will stop others from wasting the ingredients to make this!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Hi Amber – First of all, thank you so much for taking the time to leave your honest feedback. I truly appreciate it and know how frustrating it can be when a recipe doesn’t turn out as expected. Second, I am sorry you didn’t enjoy the oatmeal. I ended up changing the recipe to 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon to reflect your suggestion as I realize not everyone likes it as strongly spiced as I do. With regards to the 1 cup of liquid to 1/2 cup oats, that is a formula I’ve always used but I understand it might not be your preference. Either way, I apologize that this didn’t turn out as you expected and hope you’ll try it again perhaps adding salt and cinnamon to taste.
  
  Reply
  1. Sarah
    
    Just ran across this recipe tonight while searching for a quick breakfast in the morning. I need a change from my smoothies. I hate mornings and didn’t want to be disappointed in the morning so decided to try it for a midnight snack. The flavors are great! It’s runny and I’m wondering if it’s the oats I used, old fashioned versus quick cooking. Which would you consider Bob’s?
    
    Reply
    1. Liz DellaCroce
      
      Ah yes you need to use old fashioned. Quick cooking aren’t great – super mushy. :)
      
      Reply
  2. Jay
    
    We tried it and it was great. Rather then slam people on the net who take time to share and offer their kindness, perhaps a kinder response could be less dramatic and provide valuable insight to the people that take their time to share with the rest of us. Thank you for sharing and taking time to do this. If you have an opinion which stems from a negative place, please Think twice Before posting. Perhaps Mediation is your best recipe.
    
    Reply
    1. Liz DellaCroce
      
      Thanks for your kind note Jay! I’m glad you enjoyed it!! :) Appreciate this so much!
      
      Reply
2. Li
  
  I have to agree with you here Amber – this was absolutely disgusting, something is off with the ratios-it was a liquid flavorless mess that went straight into the trash after first bite. Maybe it’s the salt? I’ve never heard of salt in oatmeal unless it’s a savory oatmeal, but overall the flavors were so bland, definitely not ‘ultimate.’
  
  Reply
  1. Liz DellaCroce
    
    I am so sorry you didn’t enjoy this Li! I always add salt to oatmeal but you are always welcome to leave it out. I find the salt helps balance the flavors of the cinnamon and vanilla and creamy oats made with milk. Regardless I apologize you didn’t like it!
    
    Reply
Jamie | My Baking Addiction

I love Bob’s Red Mill and this oatmeal, so perfect for on-the-go mornings!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  I totally agree!!
  
  Reply
Alida // Alida’s Kitchen

This is perfect to squash those excuses for not having time for a healthy breakfast…everybody has 90 seconds! Bob’s Red Mill is the BEST!!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Aren’t they the best?? I love Bob!
  
  Reply
Angie | Big Bear’s Wife

This is how I want to start my mornings! I have fallen in love with oatmeal over the past few weeks. I bet those banana slices with the brown sugar would be wonderful!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Don’t forget the chia!! :)
  
  Reply
Kate

This is so great! I’ve finally convinced my 4-year-old that he does, indeed like oatmeal. So we’ve been making it a lot. Love this quick version.

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  hahah YES!! I’m so glad he does!!
  
  Reply
fabiola@notjustbaked

Perfection breakfast in a bowl! I am all over this tomorrow morning and I can have my smoothie for a snack! xoxo

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  I hope you love it lady!
  
  Reply
Sam @ PancakeWarriors

I love adding a touch of peanut flour or protein powder to my eggs after they are in the microwave if I don’t have milk around (like at the office). It helps make them super creamy! I love this simple method though :)

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Oooooh I’ve done peanut flour but never eggs. Great idea!!!!
  
  Reply
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain

This is why I love you. 91 seconds and things could get nasty in the morning! can’t wait to try!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  hahaha I heart you so much!!
  
  Reply
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough

Love the video, LOOOVE this oatmeal! I’m going to have to try it for breakfast tomorrow!

P.S. Can we go back to Portland?

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Girl come to Indulge with me in April!!!!! Not even kidding. Not even a little bit. I miss you!
  
  Reply
sue|theviewfromgreatisland

Who doesn’t love Bob’s Red Mill — they take up a lot of real estate in my cupboards! I also love anything that gets me a hot bowl of oatmeal in the morning without all that work, thanks Liz!

Reply
1. Liz DellaCroce
  
  Oh my gosh I think I have two dedicated BRM cupboards – haha!!
  
  Reply

Hi, I’m Liz!

Welcome to The Lemon Bowl®!

I’m Liz Della Croce, a healthy food blogger dedicated to sharing nutritious, flavorful recipes made with seasonal ingredients and whole foods. Inspired by my Syrian and Jewish heritage, as well as my travels, I create easy dishes and practical tips to help you embrace a healthy lifestyle every day.

More About Me ->