Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (2024)

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Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (1)

Alright gang. So this is the motherload of all things oatmeal.

One of my life goals is to show people that boxed cereal isn’t the only simple, quick breakfast option!

On Mondays I make a large pot of plain oatmeal that we use a few times per week for fast, nourishing breakfasts. I have it stored in the fridge in a large bowl with a lid. Scoop out a few cups of cooked oatmeal and add ins to a pot, warm through and breakfast is done with a side of eggs or bacon, and raw milk!

It takes just a couple minutes to get the oats in a bowl to soak overnight and then cooks up within 10 minutes the next morning. SIMPLE. The soaking not only helps the oats cook faster, but it makes them digest easier! Bonus!

And because oatmeal is on the menu 2-3 times per week here, I have come up with a variety of ways to change up the flavors to keep things fun.

Give it a try this week and let me know which flavor your family likes best!

BASIC PLAIN SOAKED OATMEAL

Renee - www.raisinggenerationnourished.com

This is a "base" recipe that, once perfected, you can dress up with any flavor you can dream of!

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Soak 12 hours hrs

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 cups oats NOT quick oats. If you are gluten free be sure to get a brand that labels GF – like Bob’s Red Mill GF Oats
  • Juice of 1 lemon for soaking
  • Filtered water to cover oats plus another few cups for cooking

Instructions

  • The night before you want to cook the oatmeal, combine the oats and lemon juice in a mixing bowl with enough water to cover the oats.

  • Set under the light in your oven or warm spot in your kitchen over night. This soaking breaks down the phytic acid in the grain helping it digest better.

  • The next morning pour the oat mixture into a large pot and add a few cups of water to cover the oats.

  • Bring the oats to a bubble and simmer for about 5 minutes. If you want thicker oatmeal you can simmer longer.

  • At this point you can either add your favorite mix-ins or store plain in the fridge up to a week.

Keyword basic soaked oatmeal, easiest soaked oatmeal, easiest soaked oatmeal recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

So now that you have made your base oatmeal for the week, let’s give it some fun! The amount in each recipe feeds my husband, girls, and I – about 4 cups of oatmeal. All you need to do is add the ingredients into a pot and warm through! FAST!

BANANA BREAD OATMEAL

    • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
    • 3 TB butter or coconut oil
    • 2 mashed banana plus more to top if you wish
    • 1 ½ TB cinnamon
    • ½ tsp vanilla extract
    • 2-4 TB pure maple syrup (Optional – I rarely use this with the girls – the bananas are sweet enough on their own)
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (3)

BLUEBERRY COCONUT OATMEAL

      • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
      • 3 TB butter or coconut oil
      • 1 cup shredded coconut (I get this cheapest in bulk at our local health food store)
      • 1 ½ cups blueberries, pureed (I use thawed blueberries from our summer picking and when we run out either frozen organic from Costco…or we wait until July picking again!)
      • ½ tsp vanilla extract
      • 2-4 TB raw honey (Optional – I rarely use this with the girls – the blueberries are sweet enough on their own)
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (4)

APPLESAUCE OATMEAL

        • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
        • 3 TB butter or coconut oil
        • 1 cup organic unsweetened applesauce (I use homemade from our fall apple picking and when that runs out I get it cheapest at our local grocer).
        • ¾ cup organic raisins (I get mine cheapest in bulk at Costco)
        • ½ tsp vanilla extract
        • 2-4 TB pure maple syrup (Optional – I rarely use this with the girls – the applesauce and raisins are sweet enough on their own)
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (5)

STRAWBERRIES AND CREAM OATMEAL

          • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
          • ¼ cup whole organic cream or coconut cream
          • 1 ½ cups strawberries, pureed (I use thawed strawberries from our summer picking and when we run out either frozen organic from Costco…or we wait until June picking again!)
          • ½ tsp vanilla extract
          • 2-4 TB raw honey (Optional – I rarely use this with the girls – the strawberries and raisins are sweet enough on their own)
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (6)

PUMPKIN PIE OATMEAL

            • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
            • ¼ cup whole organic cream or coconut cream
            • 1 cup pumpkin puree (I use thawed out from my fall freezer stash but canned organic is fine!)
            • 2 tsp cinnamon
            • 2 tsp ground ginger
            • ½ tsp cloves
            • ½ tsp nutmeg
            • ¼ tsp allspice
            • 2-4 TB pure maple syrup
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (7)

CHERRY ALMOND OATMEAL

              • 4 cups cooked soaked oatmeal
              • 3 TB butter or coconut oil
              • ¼ cup blanched almonds or soaked/crispy almonds, pulsed in the processor
              • 1 cup cherries, pureed (I use thawed cherries from our summer picking – and when we run out we wait until July picking!)
              • ½ tsp almond extract
              • 2-4 TB raw honey (Optional – I rarely use this with the girls – the cherries and raisins are sweet enough on their own)
Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (8)

OK! So keep me posted once you get started on how this process runs in your house on busy mornings!

This post was shared at Allergy Free Wednesdays and Real Food Wednesdays!

Soaked Oatmeal Basics :: Plus 6 Different Recipes! (2024)

FAQs

Do you need to rinse oats after soaking? ›

Make sure that you are rinsing them well. People tend to skip this step, but from my personal experience, I find rinsing them well omits this. It also helps in washing away the sticky starch that can make oats gummy. Try using lemon juice or apple cider vinegar as the acidic medium instead of the kefir or yogurts.

What happens to oats when soaked? ›

When you soak oats, it's almost like you're cooking them without heat. Soaking helps the starches break down and reduces the natural phytic acid, which may help your body utilize the oats' nutrients much more efficiently. Overnight oats are healthier for your gut.

Does soaking oats remove lectins? ›

Cooking, especially with wet high-heat methods like boiling or stewing, or soaking in water for several hours, can inactivate most lectins.

Should you soak oats in the fridge or room temperature? ›

All grains contain something called “phytic acid”—or phytates—in the outer layer or bran, and oats contain more phytates than almost any other grain. If you soak your oats overnight at room temperature (do not put them in the fridge!)

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

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."

How to cook oats after soaking? ›

Once they're soaked, it's time to cook. Simply bring oats to a low boil. Then reduce heat, cover, and simmer until tender. Lastly, add in your sweetener of choice, along with cinnamon and flaxseed.

Is it better to eat oats soaked or cooked? ›

Soaking the oats overnight reduces the phytic acid content present in the oats better than cooking them.

Why can't you use water with oats overnight? ›

Adding enough water to make your oats drinkable will greatly damage the taste. Think of it like eating cereal with water, don't do it! How long do Oats Overnight last?

How long should you soak oats for? ›

To prepare overnight oats, simply put porridge oats in a container, fill them with water, your choice of milk or yoghurt, and place them in the fridge. Remember to always soak the oats for at least 12 hours, but 24 hours is better.

Why does Dr Gundry say not to eat oatmeal? ›

Did you know that oats in oatmeal are packed with lectins which poke holes in your gut lining and can lead to health issues in the future, according to Dr. Gundry. One great way to avoid this is by using sorghum in your breakfast bowl rather than oats.

What are the symptoms of too much lectin? ›

Certain types of lectin may bind with the walls of your digestive system which can lead to serious problems. Eating one particular lectin, phytohemagglutinin, can lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some proponents of lectin-free diets claim that lectins can cause symptoms of auto-immune disorders.

What are the worst foods for lectins? ›

Some foods that contain higher amounts of lectins include beans, peanuts, lentils, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant, fruits, and wheat and other grains.

How to get rid of phytic acid in oats? ›

The main method is to soak the oats 12 hours or overnight in water. Using the same ratio of water to oats as you normally would to cook them. Soaking activates an enzyme in the oats called phytase that naturally breaks down phytic acid.

Does microwaving oats remove phytic acid? ›

Heating or cooking the oats reduces the phytic acid to some extent but it also kills off the phytase.

Why do my overnight oats taste bitter? ›

Prior research with oats has shown that bitterness and associated off-flavours are linked to the accumulation of free fatty acids, their volatile oxidation products, and possibly amino acids and certain phenols.

Can you eat raw oats soaked in water? ›

Raw oats are an incredibly versatile ingredient. You can add them as a topping to your favorite yogurt or blend them into a smoothie. One easy and nutritious way to enjoy raw oats is to make overnight oats by letting them soak in the refrigerator in water or milk.

How long should you soak oats before eating? ›

It takes roughly 10 hours to fully soften them, and even then, they will likely be chewy. Old fashioned, or rolled oats, are the most common type to use in overnight oats, but the quickest option is to use instant oats because they soften in only 10 minutes.

Do you rinse steel cut oats after soaking? ›

When finished soaking, rinse the oats with water. Bring 1 cup of fresh water and sea salt to boil in a pot. Add in rinsed soaked oats and simmer on low. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes or until oats reach a desired consistency, stirring occasionally.

How long can you soak oats before they go bad? ›

We recommend storing overnight oats in the refrigerator in airtight containers for up to five days. That means if you're meal-prepping on Sunday, you can make a work week's worth of overnight oats and not have to think about breakfast again until Saturday.

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