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

Does soaking oats remove lectins? ›

Lectins are reduced by cooking and further reduced by soaking and then cooking. Soaking is simple to do, place the desired amount of oatmeal into a cooking pot 10-12 hours before you plan on preparing the oatmeal. Cover it with water, and add a little lemon juice or vinegar to reduce phytic acid (another gut irritant).

Should you rinse oats after soaking? ›

Gently rinsing soaked oats not only helps them to be less “pasty” in texture, but also helps to reduce any sour flavor that may develop as a result of the soaking process.

How long should you soak oats before eating? ›

This process involves soaking the oats in liquid , such as water or milk , for a period of time before consuming them . The recommended time for soaking oats is typically between 8 - 12 hours , although some sources suggest soaking for as little as 20 minutes .

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 is the point of soaking oats? ›

Soaked oats improve oat digestibility and allow nutrients in the grain to be more easily absorbed by your body.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

Here's what not to do when making overnight oats.
  1. Using water instead of milk. ...
  2. Forgetting to add salt. ...
  3. Using instant or steel cut oats. ...
  4. Adding berries to your oats at night. ...
  5. Not stirring your overnight oats. ...
  6. Forgetting to add spices and seasonings. ...
  7. Omitting nuts and seeds. ...
  8. Assuming you have to eat it cold.
Oct 21, 2023

Is it better to soak oats in water or milk? ›

Can I use water instead of milk in overnight oats? Yes, but the results may be pretty bland in flavor. Milk adds a creaminess as well. But water will work if you prefer to use it in place of a milk option.

How long can you keep soaked oats? ›

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.

Can soaked oats go bad? ›

Again, overnight oats can stay five days in the fridge. But if you like them chewy, just let them stay there for three days. So, to meal prep breakfast for the seven days of the week, follow these easy tips: Make overnight oats in two portions and two jars.

Can you eat soaked oats without cooking? ›

Dietitians agree that raw oats are generally safe to consume after they've been processed post-harvest. From savory meals to drool-worthy desserts, oats are a nutritious whole grain that can be incorporated into your diet in countless ways. Explore the endless possibilities of oats, both raw or cooked.

What to do after soaking oats? ›

So, from here on out, we'll be 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.

How to prevent gas after eating oatmeal? ›

When eating such foods, you may consider trying over-the-counter gas relief medicines (Beano), which may help breakdown the non-absorbable carbohydrates found in these foods. Walking, jogging, calisthenics and other exercise help to stimulate the passage of gas through the digestive tract.

Why did my overnight oats not work? ›

If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

What is the most digestible oatmeal? ›

Oat groats are the oat grains in their rawest state—essentially the whole, intact kernel. Groats should be cooked, as they are more easily digestible if you do so. Because they're so unprocessed, they take the most cook time to soften. To speed things along, soak them overnight before you plan to cook with them.

Does soaking destroy lectins? ›

Cooking, especially with wet high-heat methods like boiling or stewing, or soaking in water for several hours, can inactivate most lectins. [6] Lectins are water-soluble and typically found on the outer surface of a food, so exposure to water removes them. An example is dried beans.

Are overnight oats high in lectin? ›

When oats are soaked overnight, they contain less anti-nutrients including lectins, phytic acid, and enzyme inhibitors. All whole grains naturally contain these anti-nutrients, and soaking grains overnight was a common practice among our early ancestors.

What cancels out lectins? ›

Active lectins are what's found in raw plants. But boiling, baking, pressure-cooking and soaking can deactivate those lectins, so they're not going to have the same effect as they would if you ate them raw. Fermentation, sprouting and removing peels and seeds can also reduce the amount of active lectin in plant foods.

Does oatmeal soak up toxins? ›

With their high content of both soluble and insoluble fiber, oats keep your digestive system functioning. They also act as a natural diuretic, flushing out excess toxins through the kidneys and colon.

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