2 Minute Microwave Steel-Cut Oats is a perfect breakfast solution if you are in a hurry. It’s nutritious, flexible, and makes a single serving jar with your favorite nut butter, fruits, and toppings.

Lately, I haven’t been feeling smoothies like I used to in the morning. I am aiming for more sustenance in so I am not hangry at 10:00 am. To keep things cold and refreshing, I am alternating between chia pudding (golden milk or a variation of berry chia pudding), yogurt parfait, and overnight oats. Warm oatmeal is really not my thing but you will find oats in my pantry for other things like cookies,granola, and energy balls. I do like overnight-oats though, preferably with  “steel-cut” variety because of the texture (unlike the mushy old-fashioned/rolled/instant oats)…and I have been making 2 Minute Microwave Steel-Cut Oats, on repeat because I can prep. my breakfast before heading to bed and have it ready to go in the morning.

Unlike old-fashioned/rolled/instant oats,  steel-cut oats takes longer to cook. On a stovetop, it takes 30 minutes but if you are short on time, try the overnight method. The overnight method is pretty much the same thing as the 2 Minute Microwave Steel-Cut Oats I am sharing today.

Except that, I am cooking individual oats directly in a jar in a microwave..If you don’t want to make a large batch of oats, hate washing pots, or don’t have access to a stovetop –  2 Minute Microwave Steel-Cut Oats is perfect for you. Nutritionally speaking, steel-cut, rolled, and instant oats all have the same nutritional profile since they’re all made from whole oat groats. Per 1/2 cup serving, oats provide 74 calories, 3 grams of protein and 2 of grams fiber along with other vitamins and minerals.

They go through different level of processing, resulting in different textures and cook times. 2 Minute Microwave Steel-Cut Oats is a blank-slate; you can jazz things up based on your likes or what you have. Fruity, chocolately, or just classic with cinnamon – you can’t really go wrong when it comes to chilled, refreshing steel-cut oats.

2 Minute Microwave Steel-Cut Oats

Author: Dixya @Food, Pleasure, and Health
Serves: 1

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup oats
• 3/4 cup water
• see notes for toppings

Directions

1. In a glass-jar, combine oats with water. Use a jar that holds 2 least cups as oat mixture will expand and need room for toppings.
2. Microwave for 1 minute and 30 seconds. Keep an eye on the microwave and once it starts bubbling, turn off the power. Remove from the microwave, allow it to cool for few seconds.I have tried 2 minutes but it tends to boil over and spill everywhere.
3. Depending upon the toppings, add mix-ins if possible. Otherwise, close the lid and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.
4. Assemble the needed toppings and enjoy.

Notes

• peanut butter apple – 1/2 apple chopped, 2 tablespoon peanut butter, dash of cinnamon, and sprinkle hemp seeds. I add peanut butter, cinnamon ahead of time and add chopped apples and hemp seeds in the morning.
• chocolate banana – 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 ripe banana mashed, 1 tablespoon flax meal. I add cocoa powder ahead of time and mix mashed banana and flax meal right before serving.
• vanilla berry almond – 1 tablespoon honey, splash of vanilla extract, smashed berries, and sliced almond. I add honey and vanilla extract ahead of time and add berries and almond right before serving.
• **If needed I will add 2-3 tablespoon of milk to loosen the consistency.