Oatmeal is a popular breakfast option for most people. It’s fast, simple, and pretty healthful. But what if your oatmeal comes out thin and watery? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. How can I make oatmeal thicker? A thickening agent, such as protein powder, coconut flour, milk, egg whites, or flax meal, is the best way to thicken oatmeal. If you want to make the oats even healthier, add mashed bananas, yogurt, or even silken tofu.
In this blog post, we’ll show you how to thicken oatmeal using a variety of techniques. So, whether you use steel-cut or old-fashioned oats, your oatmeal will always be thick and tasty. Let’s get this party started!
Ways To Thicken Oatmeal
Nobody enjoys thin, watery oatmeal; it’s a surefire way to have a bad day. Here are several techniques for thickening mushy, watery oatmeal to give it the ideal consistency.
1. Use The Right Oats
First and foremost: The type of oats you use is a key aspect in determining how well your oatmeal will come out. Steel-cut or old-fashioned oats will take longer to cook than quick oats, but they will be less mushy. Steel-cut oats are little bits of entire oat groats, whereas old-fashioned oats are steamed and flaked rolled oats.
Quick oats are created from traditional oats that have been broken into even smaller pieces and cooked for an extended period of time. If they aren’t cooked properly, the extra steaming makes them softer and more likely to turn to mush. Steel-cut or old-fashioned oats are the best choice for perfectly cooked oatmeal. Quick oats, on the other hand, are still a feasible alternative if you are short on time; just be mindful that they may not be as fluffy and light as the other options.
2. Let The Oatmeal Simmer
Oatmeal that is too watery despite using the appropriate kind of oats can be thickened by simply letting the pot simmer uncovered for a few minutes to let all the moisture evaporate. To prevent the oats from burning at the bottom of the pot, stir it frequently! You can turn off the heat and keep stirring the pot after a while. The remaining heat will continue to evaporate the extra liquid, giving you the ideal consistency for oatmeal.
3. Protein Powder
Protein powder is an excellent ingredient for thickening oatmeal and adding protein to your diet. Protein powder absorbs extra liquid, making it an excellent component for thickening oatmeal. Simply whisk in a tablespoon of protein powder until it’s equally distributed. Any protein powder will do, but whey protein powder is especially good at thickening oatmeal.
Protein powder also comes in a variety of flavors, including chocolate and vanilla, so it can enhance the flavor of your oatmeal! If your oatmeal is still liquid after adding the protein powder, add more until it is creamy. Just be sure to gently add it so you don’t wind up with a bowl of thick muck!
4. Coconut Flour
Coconuts are processed to make coconut flour. Due to its lack of nuts and grains, it is a staple in many gluten-free and Paleo dishes. Additionally, coconut flour has a lot of good lipids in it. With roughly 40% nutritional fiber, coconut flour is significantly higher in fiber than other types of flour. Due to its great absorbency, it is frequently used to thicken sauces, soups, and porridge.
A spoonful of coconut powder is sufficient to thicken a plate of oats due to coconut flour’s high absorption capacity. You may see the outcome almost instantly if you simply add the flour to your saucepan and thoroughly stir it.
You can also use all-purpose flour, tapioca powder, maize flour, xanthan gum, or arrowroot powder as a substitute if you don’t have coconut flour or any similar starchy flour. To ensure that your oatmeal doesn’t get too thick, add a small amount at a time, keeping in mind that each of these types of flour has a distinct level of starchiness.
5. Flax Meal
Another thickening ingredient that can be used to thicken liquid oatmeal is flax meal, which is prepared from ground flaxseeds. Flax meal is high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, so it will not only make your oatmeal taste better, but it will also provide numerous health benefits. Flax meal contains fiber, which can help to maintain regularity and prevent constipation, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which can help to reduce inflammation. To thicken your oatmeal, add a spoonful of flax meal per serving and watch as the water thickens.
6. Egg Whites
Oatmeal will thicken and gain additional protein by adding egg whites. Toss two egg whites into your oatmeal while it’s still hot after whisking up two egg whites per dish (but removed from direct heat). Your oatmeal will effectively incorporate the egg whites without resulting in scrambled eggs. Since egg whites frequently overpower the flavors, you can also enhance flavor by using a teaspoon of honey or vanilla essence.
You might be wondering if you can thicken your oatmeal with a whole egg, but the answer is regrettably no. When the egg yolk comes into contact with the heat of the pot, it will cook, resulting in scrambled eggs instead of pleasantly thick oatmeal.
7. Nut Butter
If you have a favorite nut butter, you can thicken your runny oatmeal with a tablespoon of it. The nut butter’s thick texture will combine with the runny oats, giving it a heartier texture. You can also enjoy the delightful flavors of the nut butter in your porridge. Furthermore, nut butter is high in healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals, so adding it to your oatmeal can provide an added nutritious boost.
Whether you use almond butter, peanut butter, or another sort of nut butter, simply stir a teaspoon or two into your hot porridge and enjoy. If the nut butter is too sticky and difficult to blend in, add a few drops of hot water or warm milk to loosen it up before mixing it into your porridge.
8. Mashed Banana
Mash a banana and mix it into your oatmeal for a wholesome way to thicken it. Without adding any additional fat or sugar, the banana will bring both sweetness and creaminess. Bananas also contain a lot of potassium, which can aid in regulating blood pressure. Add a mashed banana to your dish of oats for a thicker, tastier result! While the porridge is still hot, you can combine it with mashed banana. Add a pinch of cinnamon for a delightful twist to bring out the flavors even more.
9. Milk
Milk is an excellent thickening agent that almost everyone has in their refrigerator. Simply add some milk to the pot and let it to simmer for a few minutes. As the water evaporates, the liquid thickens, making the oatmeal richer and more tasty. Other ingredients, such as cinnamon and brown sugar, can be added to the pot to compliment the heavy taste of milk. If you don’t have milk, you can substitute another liquid, such as coconut cream or other nut milk in your fridge.
10. Yogurt
It’s simple to thicken oats by mixing in yogurt. Simply whisk in the yogurt after your oatmeal has finished cooking until it reaches the desired consistency. Flavored yogurts can also be utilized, although plain yogurt works best for this technique. The ultimate flavor of the oats will depend on the sort of yogurt you choose, so be careful to pick one you like. Non-fat yogurt will give the oatmeal a somewhat tangy flavor, while Greek yogurt is a fantastic option for adding creaminess and body. Use fruit-flavored yogurt or honey to thicken the consistency of your oatmeal and add sweetness.
11. Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is an excellent vegan substitute to milk and yogurt, which may seem strange when discussing oats. Use soft tofu instead of firm tofu since firm tofu comes in large bits that you won’t be able to break up. Tofu is an excellent source of vegan protein that will not alter the flavor of your oats. Simply whisk a quarter-cup of silken tofu per dish of oatmeal and mix it in when the oats are done.
Because tofu cooks quickly, you can add it at the very end of the cooking process to thicken it. This will give the oats a creamy texture and increase its nutritious profile. You can sweeten the tofu with honey or maple syrup, or keep it savory by tossing in some salt or cinnamon.