Oatmeal Cake {Old Fashioned Recipe} - Cooking Classy (2024)

FAQs

How do you make oatmeal not mushy? ›

The method is pretty simple. Instead of a 2-1 ratio of water to oats that most manufacturer's recommend, use a 1-1 ratio. Equal parts of oats and water will allow the oats to absorb all the liquid and be slightly al dente. No mush.

Read the instructions on the side of your oatmeal container and do what they say to avoid a pasty, sticky mess or a soupy mush. For steel-cut oats, the ratio is 3/4 to 1 cup of liquid per 1/4 cup of oats. If you are using quick-cooking or rolled oats, the ratio is 1 cup of liquid per 1/2 cup of oats.

It's tempting to want to continually stir the oats as they simmer in the pot, but it can lead to too much starch, which results in a gummy, gluey texture. Follow this tip: Try to leave your oats undisturbed while they cook. Cover the pot as it simmers and give it just one or two stirs here and there.

Egg Whites. Egg whites enhance oatmeal with a fluffier texture and up to 7 grams of protein (if using the recommended 2 egg whites per serving of oats). To do this, remove the cooked oatmeal from heat and add the whisked raw egg whites. Stir for 2 minutes or until everything is combined.

High-sugar toppings like chocolate, syrup, and dried fruit

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Add different spices, such as nutmeg, ginger, allspice, or cloves. Add different sweeteners, such as honey, maple syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar. Top your oatmeal with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or fresh fruit. Add a dollop of yogurt or Greek yogurt to your oatmeal for extra creaminess and protein.

A cup of cooked oatmeal (1/2 cup of dried oats) contains approximately 30 grams of carbs, which can fit into a nutritious meal plan for people with diabetes. Oatmeal is high in fiber and nutrients but low in saturated and trans fats and sugar and can help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level.

Combine water (or milk) and salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Stir in oats and reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes.

Is 1 cup oatmeal too much? ›

The bottom line. The general oatmeal serving size is around half a cup of uncooked oats or one cup of cooked oatmeal. A serving of oats provides a variety of important nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals.

Technically, oats refers to the whole grains themselves, and oatmeal to the porridge-like dish often made from them, and/or to the processed form of the whole grains—but now, the terms are often used interchangeably.

There is a major flavor difference. Stove top oatmeal has a much better flavor and texture than microwave oatmeal that has been ripped to pieces from the extreme vibrating of excited water molecules. There are no nutritional differences between the two cooking methods.

There is no difference between rolled oats and old-fashioned oats. Their names are used interchangeably to indicate the same type of oat. Sometimes even “regular oats” is used!

Old Fashioned: Also called rolled oats, old fashioned oats are flat and flakey. They absorb more water and cook faster than steel-cut oats — usually in about 5 minutes — and are the oat of choice for granola bars, cookies, and muffins.

Simple tip #1: Make oatmeal with milk (or a non-dairy alternative) versus water. Not only does oatmeal made with water taste way less delicious, but you're also missing out on the extra protein staying power that milk will add to the breakfast. Water will also make the oats more gummy instead of creamy.

Blended Oats

Just add everything in your blender and GO! At my house, we like a bit of milk, some rolled oats, and whatever fresh fruits are lying around — currently, that's bananas. And I must say, a banana oat smoothie is an excellent way to start the day. Besides a smoothie, you can also make oat milk in a blender.

LPT: if you don't like the taste or texture of oatmeal, try it with cold milk, left to absorb for 5 minutes. It's like muesli. It's really delicious. Throw some nuts or dried fruit in there.