I love your question Kimberly! I have a couple different answers for you based on the type of oats you might want to use. All of the directions below are for single servings of oatmeal.
Usually when you prepare Old Fashioned oats, a water to oats ratio of 2 to 1 is the way to go. I find that the oats want to absorb more liquid in the microwave so I increase the water just a touch.
In a microwave-safe dish, stir together the oats, 1 cup of water and the salt. Microwave on high for 1 minute and 45 seconds. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of water and microwave on high for 1 additional minute.
Mix in any sweeteners, nuts, fresh fruit, dried fruit or other add-ins immediately after cooking. Let oatmeal cool 1 minute before serving.
From personal experience, stopping the cooking process mid-way prevents the water and oats from boiling out of bowl. But as a safety precaution, you should use a bowl somewhat larger than the serving of oatmeal you're preparing.
Quick cooking oats take less time to microwave than Old Fashioned oats and tend to come out just a little creamier. Of the three type of oats listed here, I find that quick cooking oats yield the best results in the microwave.
Mix together the oats, water and salt in a microwave-bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute and 45 seconds. Stir immediately after cooking.
If you're adding dried fruit, brown sugar or anything else to the oatmeal, stir it in as soon as the cooking time is done. The one exception is apples or any fruit that you want to soften within the oatmeal. I'd recommend adding anything like that at the 1 minute mark and then microwave the combined ingredients for the remain 45 seconds.
Steel cut oats aren't ideal for the microwave, but it can be done. My first recommendation for making steel cut oatmeal in the microwave is to trust no one! No one except for me. I tried 4 different methods from various oat companies and every one resulted in oatmeal splattered all over the inside of my microwave. I mean, come on, these were directions from people who make oats. Trust me, throwing all the ingredients in the microwave at the same time will result in a huge mess.
After much trial and error and many cleanings of my microwave, I present you with an effective method of making steel cut oats in the microwave.
Use a microwave-safe bowl that's at least 5 times as big as the serving you're making.
Combine the oats and 1/4 cup of the water and microwave on high for 2 minutes.
Stir in 1/4 cup more water and microwave on high for 1 minute.
Stir in remaining 1/2 cup water and microwave on high for 4 more minutes, stirring after every minute.
Let the oatmeal set 1 minute before serving. If adding add-ins like maple syrup, raisins or nuts, stir them in before letting the oatmeal rest.
Suggestion: The perfect finishing touch for a serving of steel cut oatmeal is a pat of butter.
For creamier oatmeal, you can use 1/2 milk and 1/2 water to make up the liquid component. This applies to all three oat types mentioned.
And that's how to make oatmeal in the microwave. Thanks for the question Kimberly!
For over 150 oatmeal recipes, check out the oatmeal section of MrBreakfast.com.