Oatmeal: Anyway to make it less mushy?

s4rawberry
s4rawberry Posts: 15
in Food and Nutrition
For some strange reason I've always been the kind of person that needed foods to feel a certain way. Mushy is fine with certain vegetables, desserts, and fruits, but so far it's become a problem with oatmeal.

Is there any way I can make it so that it is less mush, and more solid? Does it have to be somewhat mushy, or could I just eat it dry? Thanks!
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Replies

  • GoatBoat66
    GoatBoat66 Posts: 56
    Use less milk/water. But oatmeal is like mush by definition so I don't know if you can completely unmushify it.
  • runnninginmd
    runnninginmd Posts: 67
    Maybe oatmeal is just not for you. There are plenty of other healthy options, don't try to force yourself to eat stuff you don't like.
  • beckajw
    beckajw Posts: 1,728 Member
    As long as you're not making instant, you can change the texture of your oatmeal by using less (or more) water in the cooking process.
  • pamela387
    pamela387 Posts: 4 Member
    I tend to use very little water and undercook it. Requires more chewing. Another alternative is to go to the other extreme and make it much more water/milky so that it's soupy, not mushy.
  • MED2012COLORADO
    MED2012COLORADO Posts: 238
    Use Quaker "Steel Cut" Oats stays crunchy and much better for you.
  • Arleigh7
    Arleigh7 Posts: 150 Member
    add a really good non flavored protein powder to it. This helps to thicken it up and also adds protein which will help to have the carbs absorb even slower.
  • jfrog123
    jfrog123 Posts: 432 Member
    Have you tried baked oatmeal? More cookie texture, less mushy. Lots of recipes on the web (all the way from healthy to decadent).
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    Just eat it dry, out of a bag, like a horse.
  • kenazfehu
    kenazfehu Posts: 1,188 Member
    Use old fashioned rolled oats rather than instant oats or quick oats and add more or less water than the box says. I find I enjoy my oatmeal more if I use 1-1/4 cups of water to 1/2 cup of oats (rather than 1 cup of water). You might prefer yours with 3/4 cup water instead.
  • tonightokayalright
    tonightokayalright Posts: 289 Member
    Buy rolled oats instead. Less milk/water, slightly less cooking time. I use 1/4 cup rolled oats to a little less than 1/2 cup almond milk.
  • zaph0d
    zaph0d Posts: 1,172 Member
    Steel cut oats.
  • Cindy311
    Cindy311 Posts: 780 Member
    You could always eat it uncooked, just like dry cereal. It doesn't get mushy but it's pretty chewy, lol! One way we've done it is uncooked oatmeal, another cereal that you like, freeze dried strawberries, and mini chocolate chips put into a container...shake it up and voile you have your own take on muesli :)
  • suegmune
    suegmune Posts: 81
    Skip the "regular" oatmeal and go for steel cut and use a crockpot. I used to HATE oatmeal, and now i cannot get enough. its NEVER mushy, always on the side of crunchy, and soooo flavorful. http://www.theyummylife.com/Slow_Cooker_Apple_Cinnamon_Oatmeal
  • Marmitegeoff
    Marmitegeoff Posts: 373 Member
    Eat it raw with milk.
  • jfrog123
    jfrog123 Posts: 432 Member
    Baked oatmeal for one from chocolate covered katie:

    http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2010/11/11/check-out-my-oatmeal-cake/
  • AnninStPaul
    AnninStPaul Posts: 1,372 Member
    I am on board with the steel cut oats in a small crockpot. 17oz water, 140g steel cut oats, 2.5 hours on low for three servings.
  • chelle_fri
    chelle_fri Posts: 333 Member
    Steel cut oats. I'll take 1/2 cup oats and 1/3 cup milk, put that in a bowl and let it sit in the fridge over night. Microwave it in the morning for about a minute and add some berries, honey, or whatever you like. It doesn't make it mushy, but it'll make them soft enough to chew.
  • LuckyLeprechaun
    LuckyLeprechaun Posts: 6,296 Member
    steel cut oats definitely have a firmer texture. Similar to brown rice, and definitely less mushy than regular quick oats.

    their drawback is a longer cooking time. But it's worth it!
  • jfrog123
    jfrog123 Posts: 432 Member
    Have you tried overnight oats aka refrigerator oats? People do it different ways, but I sometimes stir dry oats, Greek yogurt, and fruit together then let it sit in the refrigerator overnight. You eat it for breakfast the next morning - no cooking required - the yogurt (or whatever other liquid you use) softens the oats without making them mushy.
  • healthybabs
    healthybabs Posts: 600 Member
    Make a homemade granola, add nuts, seeds, a little cinnamon, maple syrup. Toss and layout on a baking dish and bake at 300* for an hour, tossing every 20 minutes. Great over yogurt with some banana or berries.
  • lindseyrh
    lindseyrh Posts: 19
    I make a baked oatmeal that is delicious, and it has 4 servings that re-heat well, so you can make it once and have it for breakfast for several days! It is also very adaptable to whatever you have on hand! Here is a link to the recipe that I use:
    http://www.annies-eats.com/2011/09/12/baked-oatmeal-with-fruit/

    I use fat-free skim milk and honey (approx. 3 Tbsp.) in place of the maple syrup. As she states, any fruit on hand is good in this! We really like it with raspberries and bananas (even made a fall version with pumpkin butter in place of sweetener!)! Also, to make prep faster in the morning, I'll mix up all the dry ingredients the night before. It only takes about 5 minutes to put it together in the morning and is sooo yummy!!!
  • bilberryjam
    bilberryjam Posts: 72 Member
    What everyone else said:

    1. Use 'old fashioned' oats, not instant.

    2. Use less liquid. Try starting with equal amounts liquid and oats, adding more liquid if needed. (So 1/4 cup oats, 1/4 cup milk.)

    The important thing when cooking porridge is to stir, stir, stir, so don't go away and leave it. Keep a watchful eye on the consistency as it cooks.

    I'd also suggest:

    Experimenting with a sturdier grain, like rye flakes or spelt. (Caution: may not be delicious.)

    Baking your oats into granola or chewy granola bars.
  • bilberryjam
    bilberryjam Posts: 72 Member
    I make a baked oatmeal that is delicious, and it has 4 servings that re-heat well, so you can make it once and have it for breakfast for several days! It is also very adaptable to whatever you have on hand! Here is a link to the recipe that I use:
    http://www.annies-eats.com/2011/09/12/baked-oatmeal-with-fruit/

    Am going to try this, thanks!

    (Without the quarter cup of maple syrup :wink: )
  • HypersonicFitNess
    HypersonicFitNess Posts: 1,219 Member
    Don't buy instant..buy the REAL stuff, then don't cook it until it's mush. On another note...as a kid we would eat (at my aunt's house) instant oatmeal with cold milk (we didn't cook it) and I still like it that way.

    Buy steel cut oats and again...don't cook it so long, let it stay a little firm.
  • FabMrFox
    FabMrFox Posts: 259 Member
    Cookie or bar form it?
  • ladytxn
    ladytxn Posts: 97 Member
    I don't like it mushy and I usually use the instant as its quicker. I add less water/milk to it and throw in some walnuts, dried fruit, etc and stir and warm it up a little. I feel like I'm eating cookie dough...but its healthy AND filling. a win/win!! :tongue:
  • Montanarush
    Montanarush Posts: 76
    use the old-fashioned whole grain oatmeal. the quick oatmeal get mushier than it does. also boil water first and then add, and don't overcook. it will still be a little mushy but the texture is more dry. one more thing, if you let it sit for a few minutes after you take it off the heat, it will harden up a little. I eat it a lot, thats how i know.
  • WendyTerry420
    WendyTerry420 Posts: 13,274 Member
    For some strange reason I've always been the kind of person that needed foods to feel a certain way. Mushy is fine with certain vegetables, desserts, and fruits, but so far it's become a problem with oatmeal.

    Is there any way I can make it so that it is less mush, and more solid? Does it have to be somewhat mushy, or could I just eat it dry? Thanks!

    The only way to do it is to bake it! I love baked oatmeal bars for breakfast. I add peanut butter and hemp protein powder with a little brown sugar. It's delicious.
  • norcal_yogi
    norcal_yogi Posts: 675 Member
    cookies? mmm.
  • wfnugent
    wfnugent Posts: 30 Member
    Use Quaker "Steel Cut" Oats stays crunchy and much better for you.

    Great suggestion - it is my morning go-to breakfast. Latest trick is to make it on a sunday and put it in the fridge. Come the weekday mornings, a splash of skim milk, a stir and then into the microwave. Nutty, with some "tooth" to it. Have taken to stirring in some frozen blueberries to cool it off and add a bit of antioxidant

    A GREAT way to start the day

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