How to Make No-Stir Oatmeal (on the Stove top)

side angle view of no-stir oatmeal in bowl with sliced banana and coconut sugar sprinkled over the top

How to Make No-Stir Oatmeal (on the Stove top)

How to Make NO-STIR Oatmeal is the method I use to make our family oatmeal daily. I first discovered it by accident, because I often experiment with what's easiest -- out of necessity, because we have a busy life! I found that this method makes the best tasting and best textured oatmeal, too. So I'm sharing the recipe for its multiple benefits! Gluten-free, Vegan.

It is okay to half this recipe for a smaller portion.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword gluten-free, low oxalate, no stir, oatmeal, stove top, vegan

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Total Time 35

Servings servings

Calories 205kcal

Author Megan

Cost $1.00

Equipment

heavy bottomed saucepan

Ingredients

4 cups water
2 cups rolled oats
1/2 teaspoon good quality salt

Instructions

Place water, oats and salt in a good quality heavy bottomed saucepan. Give the oats a quick stir.
Now, choose between one of two options:
A. Preferred method: Heat water uncovered over HIGH heat. When the water almost begins to simmer (5 minutes), turn the heat to *the very lowest cook setting possible (but hotter than a "Keep Warm" setting), optionally give it a quick stir, cover, and walk away. (This method is faster, but you need to stay present long enough to lower the heat and cover the pot.)
B. Or: Turn heat to the very lowest setting (but hotter than a "Keep Warm" setting), cover, and walk away. (This method is slower overall, but requires no hovering over the stove top at all. Just set the heat, and leave. The only reason this method is less preferred is it can take 15 to 30 minutes for the water to fully heat, so the whole process can take up to 1 hour, dependent on finding that "sweet spot" low setting that heats the water quickly enough but doesn't simmer the oats too quickly. I have done this method many days, and it's wonderful, but only if you have the time.)
Option A: Allow oats to cook 25 minutes.
Option B: Just check on the oats at some point to see how they're coming along. As soon as the water is almost simmering, the oats will take 25 minutes to cook. But you don't need to time this method as long as you check them at some point before an hour.
(Neither option requires any stirring. If you wish to stir the oats midway through cooking, or check on them, you sure can, and it won't hurt. But it's also not necessary.)
After 25 minutes of covered slow-cooking, carefully remove the lid, protecting yourself from the steam. (Oatmeal will be thicker and hotter on the bottom and gooier on the top [see textures in photo below before the good stir].) To serve, give the oatmeal a good stir.
And serve! Or, as I often do, if preferred, turn off the heat, cover, and allow oats to sit for 5 minutes to an hour before serving, based on when everyone needs to eat. They'll stay hot.

Nutrition