Chopped oats (steel-cut oats) are oats (haver) that have been chopped or coarsely chopped into pieces, instead of being rolled like the usual oatmeal we see. Chopped oats take longer to cook than flaked or instant oats, but their chewy texture and rich nutty taste make it worth the cooking time. Chopped oats can be cooked on the stovetop or baked in the oven and enriched with spices, fruit and maple syrup. Read on for instructions on how to make basic stove-top chopped oatmeal, oven-roasted chopped oatmeal, and slow-cooker chopped oatmeal.
Ingredients
Basic Minced Oatmeal with Stove
- 1 cup chopped oats (steel-cut oats)
- 3 cups water (1 cup = 240 ml)
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/2 tsp salt
(Optional)
- Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or ground cloves
- Maple syrup or brown sugar
- Fruits such as berries, chopped apples, or chopped bananas
Oven Chopped Oatmeal
- 1 cup chopped oats
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 1/2 cups milk
(Optional)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 apples, cored and core removed, peeled and cut into cubes
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
Minced Oatmeal Cooked Overnight with Slow Cooker
- 1 cup chopped oats
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 1/2 tsp salt
(optional)
- 2 apples, peeled, cored and core removed, then diced
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Step
Method 1 of 3: Basic Chopped Oatmeal on Stove
Step 1. Boil the water
Pour three cups of water into a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. You can also boil water in the microwave if you wish.
Step 2. Add the chopped oats to the saucepan, along with a pinch of salt, and bring to a boil again
Stir in the oats with a wooden spoon.
Step 3. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook uncovered for about 20 to 30 minutes
Start checking for doneness in about 20 minutes. For chewier oats, cook faster. For more cooked oats, cook longer.
- Do not stir the oats while they are slowly simmering. Let the oats sit in place while the water cooks them.
- Turn down the heat if the oats seem to be drying out too quickly.
Step 4. Add milk to the oats
Stir the mixture well using a wooden spoon. Let the oats simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 5. Remove the oatmeal from the heat
Transfer to a bowl to serve. Sprinkle with cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar, maple syrup, or fruit.
Method 2 of 3: Baked Minced Oatmeal in the Oven
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 191°C
Step 2. Boil the water
Pour water into a small saucepan, and bring to a boil. You can also boil water in the microwave.
Remember that some of the water will be lost to evaporation as you boil it. If you need 2 cups of boiling water for your oats, consider boiling about 2 1/4 cups of water
Step 3. Meanwhile, place a medium saucepan on the stove over medium heat
Put the butter in a saucepan and let it melt.
Step 4. Add chopped oats to the pan
Use a wooden spoon to stir the oats with the butter. Saute the oats, stirring occasionally, for about three minutes, or until brown.
Step 5. Pour boiling water into a pot of oats
Stir the water and oats with a wooden spoon.
Step 6. Add cinnamon, apple, salt and milk
Step 7. Transfer the mixture to a greased glass or metal baking dish
Put the pan in the oven.
Step 8. Bake the oatmeal for 50 minutes - an hour
Check after 30 minutes to make sure the oats don't burn. Oatmeal is done when the top is brown.
Step 9. Serve with cream, fresh apples, or your choice of toppings
Method 3 of 3: Minced Oatmeal Cooked Overnight in Slow Cooker
Step 1. Spray your slow cooker pan with a small amount of vegetable oil spray
If you don't coat your pan with oil first, you'll have a hard time getting the oats out of your slow cooker the next morning.
Step 2. Place the chopped oats, salt, milk and water in a slow cooker pot
Optional: Place the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, butter, and/or nuts in the slow cooker along with the oats, salt, milk, and water.
Step 3. Mix all ingredients together until well blended
Step 4. Put the lid on the slow cooker and turn the knob to the low setting
Let the oatmeal cook overnight.
Step 5. In the morning, remove the pan from the slow cooker and stir in the oatmeal
Spoon into a bowl and add the toppings of your choice. To avoid overcooking or overcooking your oats, try these tips and tricks before you cook this overnight method of oats for the first time:
- Try cooking this same recipe in the slow cooker during the day instead of overnight. Keep an eye on the oats and start checking for doneness after 5 hours. This way, you'll learn how long it takes to cook oats with your utensil. If you have a slow cooker with a clear lid, you can easily keep an eye on the oats. If you must open them to check for doneness, be aware that this will increase the cooking time by about 30 minutes.
- Connect your slow cooker to an on/off timer if you don't have an adjustable slow cooker. Set the time on the timer to the time you would normally need to cook the overnight method oats. This way, you now have a slow cooker that you can set up using a trick.
Tips
- Make up to two or three batches of oats, and refrigerate in a tightly closed container, to reheat in the microwave per serving on weekdays.
- Make sure each time you cook chopped oats you use a pot that is much larger than the contents, or the oats will overflow out of the pan.
- Try adding dried fruit when cooking oats. Increase the amount of water, as dried fruit will also absorb some water.
Warning
- Some recipes suggest soaking the oats overnight. It may not be safe due to concerns about contamination by bacteria.
- Don't try this with a rice cooker, as you'll likely end up with oats overflowing and making a mess.
