Single Serving Oatmeal

Name: Single Serving Oatmeal
Prep time: 3 min
Cook time: 7 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 1/2-1 1/2 cup liquid (milk or water); 1/2-2/3 cup old fashioned/rolled oats; pinch salt; toppings (see topping ideas in notes below)

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This classic single serving oatmeal recipe makes a cozy breakfast in 10 minutes. Add peanut butter, fruit, and other toppings to add flavor and help your fiber filled breakfast feel more satisfying. Make on the stove or microwave.

single serving oatmeal with toppings in bowl

Ingredients
How much liquid to add
Instructions
Topping Ideas
Microwave Instructions
Storage/Reheating Tips
Substitutions/Tips
FAQ
Other good breakfast recipes
What to do with leftover ingredients

I always look up the following recipes when I cook: oatmeal, quinoa, rice, couscous. Well, now I just do that for quinoa and couscous. And probably others.

Even though these foods are simple, the liquid to grain ratios often escape me. Now, though, I know I like 1 part rice to slightly over one part water when I cook rice in my Instant Pot.

Same goes for oatmeal, I like one part oats to 1.5-2 parts liquid. I can easily adjust the recipe to make enough for my hunger level. It's a great trick. It's also great to have a trusty recipe online to refer to, just to be safe.

That's how I think of this single serving oatmeal recipe. It's a great starting place, quick reminder, or whatever. Knowing the ratios is so helpful. But you won't just find the ratios here, I'll share cooking tips and topping ideas.

Ingredients

Scroll down to the single serving oatmeal recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.

bowls of oats, milk, and salt on sheet pan with labesl

Oats: This single serving oatmeal recipe uses old fashioned, or rolled oats (they're the same). You can use steel cut or quick cooking, but the oats to liquid ratios and cooking times will be different.
Liquid: I prefer milk for it's added flavor, protein, and energy. But use water or your other favorite liquid in this recipe.
Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the oats flavor. It's not necessary, but often recommended.
Toppings: Definitely add toppings, simple as a handful of frozen berries or brown sugar, or a combination of toppings. Plain oatmeal isn't packed with exciting flavors. It can also help you feel more satisfied after breakfast.

How much liquid to add

Even though this oatmeal recipe is technically a single serving oatmeal recipe, I want to encourage you to think outside the 'single serving' box. Hunger levels change, as they do for all of us. So you may need more/less than a serving.

Many oatmeal recipes call for equal parts oats and liquid, or one part oats to two parts liquid. That's just preference, if you like chewier oats without extra liquid, I recommend 1:1 ratios, but if you like some leftover liquid, use 1:2 ratio.

1:1 ratio makes chewy oats, with no leftover liquid after cooking. 1:2 ratio makes creamier oats (especially with milk) and there will be leftover liquid after cooking. Both are great options, just do what you prefer.

This is really helpful information to have, so you can adjust this basic single serving oatmeal recipe to make enough to be satisfying. Some days you'll want more than the typical ½ cup serving for a meal, sometimes less.

Or you can adjust the toppings on your single serving oatmeal to meet your hunger needs.

Instructions

Scroll down to the single serving oatmeal recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.

1. Choose a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio of oats to liquid. Add liquid to pan, cover and bring to a boil.

2. Stir in oats and salt. Boil on medium/low for about 5 minutes. Stir occasionally, add more liquid if needed.

plain oatmeal in bowl with ingredients around it

3. Transfer your cooked single serving oatmeal to serving bowl. Add desired toppings. Enjoy immediately.

Topping Ideas

If you've ever had oatmeal and then felt hungry an hour or so later, and been so confused, topping choices may help with that. The high amount of fiber in oatmeal can mask fullness.

Sure fiber is great to have, but it can fill us up without providing as much energy as we may need to hold us over until the next meal.

If this is your experience (it's mine occasionally, and used to be way more!), make sure to top your single serving oatmeal with topping(s).

Peanut Butter/other nut butter
Chopped nuts
Banana
Fresh, frozen, or dried fruit
Brown sugar, maple syrup, or honey for sweetness
Jam

OR add in the toppings from these overnight oats recipes

Microwave Instructions

I find the textures of stovetop oatmeal and microwave oatmeal to be comparable. Microwave is easier, and stovetop takes a bit more oversight.

BUT 9 times out of 10 making oatmeal in the microwave has made a big giant mess. Here's what I do now, to make single serving oatmeal in the microwave:

Use a big bowl (like a mixing bowl) without a lid. The one I use is at least 3 times bigger than how many oats I add, and it hasn't overflowed.
Use water in your single serving oatmeal instead of milk, it doesn't boil as big. Since I like milk in mine, I mix equal parts oats and water, then add a dash or more of milk after, cover, and let it sit for a few minutes before serving.
Cook for 2-ish minutes in the microwave, remove and stir as needed, if large bubbles form. You may need to watch it.
You can also turn down the power of your microwave to 70 ish percent.

Storage/Reheating Tips

Store leftover single serving oatmeal in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week. Add a dash of water or milk, and reheat in the microwave, covered. Oatmeal doesn't freeze well.

Substitutions/Tips

You can make classic oatmeal with 1:1 or 1:2 ratio of oats to liquid. Choose 1:1 ratio if you prefer chewier oats, with no leftover milk. 1:2 ratio if you like creamier oats and some leftover milk after cooking.
Just use rolled or old fashioned oats in this recipe (they're the same). You can make single serving oatmeal with quick cooking oats or steel cut oats, but the amount of liquid you add and cooking time will vary with these types of oats.
Swap water for milk for creamier oatmeal, with extra protein. I prefer milk over water in my oatmeal. Or you can cook your oats in water (1:1 ratio) and add milk after it's been cooked.
Cook single serving oatmeal on the stove or in the microwave. See microwave instructions above for tips to avoid bubbling over.
Other great add-ins: see topping options above for a list of great single serving oatmeal add-ins.

FAQ

What is a single serving of oatmeal?

It's ½ cup dry oats. But, when it comes to actually eating, that number is somewhat arbitrary. I recommend adjusting that to meet your hunger needs. You can also add toppings to single serving oatmeal for energy.

How do I make oatmeal for one person?

You'll make oatmeal for one similarly to a couple servings. You'll just use smaller amounts, maybe between ½-2/3 cup of oats, and that or double the liquid depending on your preference. Cook on the stove or microwave.

How do you make a creamy bowl of oatmeal?

Use milk, or cream for the creamiest oatmeal. Use a 1:2 ratio of oats to liquid, and cook it for 5 minutes, or even a bit longer. Just watch it so it doesn't burn.

oatmeal with blueberries and toppings in bowl, ingredients surrounding it

Other good breakfast recipes

What to do with leftover ingredients

When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.

Oats: Homemade Hight Protein Granola, Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins, or Single Serving Apple Crisp.
Milk: Single Serving Mac & Cheese, Homemade Chia Latte with Pumpkin Spice, Biscoff Milkshake for One.

Did you make this single serving oatmeal? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!