Can Porridge (Oatmeal) Be Made in Advance? | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

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Can Porridge (Oatmeal) Be Made in Advance? | Ask Nigella.com? ›

It is possible to make porridge (oatmeal) in advance and quickly reheat it in the morning in a microwave (or a saucepan, which will take slightly longer). We suggest using normal rolled porridge oats (in the US known as quick-cooking oats) rather than the coarser type of oats sometimes known as "Old Fashioned" oats.

In a container (jar type or other individual container), pour the oatmeal. Add the milk, the chia seeds (cocoa if the chocolate version), finish with the agave syrup according to your taste. Mix and put in the refrigerator overnight, to obtain the porridge the next day. Add the toppings of your choice and enjoy.

You can prepare several single-serving batches in canning jars and refrigerate them for quick breakfasts throughout the week. The oats soaking in their liquid will keep for up to 5 days, refrigerated.

Cooked oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, extending its shelf life and ensuring it remains safe to eat. The United States Department of Agriculture's general directives for leftovers are that they will remain fresh for up to four days in the fridge or as long as four months in the freezer.

How Long Do Overnight Oats Last? 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.

That's okay too because you just made yourself a delicious whole grain breakfast you can adapt all week long. In the AMs, add a splash of water to the oatmeal and reheat on the stove or in the microwave. You're welcome. This was my breakfast probably 80% of days during culinary school.

The porridge can be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat the porridge in a microwave until piping hot and stir well before eating, again adding extra liquid if necessary.

The concept is easy. Prepare your oats on one day, divide, and freeze for easy reheating later. It's pretty much the same thing I do with my baked oatmeal, but this is regular oatmeal with all sorts of chunky toppings (plus the initial preparation is much faster).

Cover and put in the fridge overnight. In the morning, add whatever topping you like, and eat cold as it is. Alternatively for a hot breakfast, tip the mixture into a saucepan and heat through for 1 minute until hot. You might need to add a little water to loosen.

Preventing oats from going bad is easy. If the oats are stored in paper, after opening the package, transfer the grains to an airtight glass or metal container and stash them in the fridge or freezer.

How long do porridge oats stay fresh? ›

While the general guideline for oats gives them about two years, Taub-Dix and Revell say that instant and flavored oats might not last that long. "Instant oats may spoil more quickly than other types of oats, because they are rolled thinner, which makes them more susceptible to moisture and spoilage," says Revell.

Answer: Porridge is the name for oats cooked with milk or water. Question: Can you eat raw oats? Answer: Yes, you can eat rolled oats without cooking them as during the milling process they are cleaned and heat treated.

But it might be the easiest (and tastiest) way to meal prep oats: simply mix oats, milk, sweetener and add-ins, stir, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, you can simply grab a spoon and dig in, or add additional toppings! You can also heat them up in the microwave, if you're not quite ready for cold oats.

Ball Mason Jars are a classic choice for preparing overnight oats, and as an added bonus, they're generally inexpensive to buy. These 8-ounce versions come in a pack of two for just $10, but you can also buy sets of 12 jars if you want to stock up.

They're definitely best on day one and two, when they are soft but still have retained some of that toothsome chew, but five days is the max. Over time, you'll find that the liquid will separate from the oats while the container sits in the fridge — just give it a quick stir to reincorporate everything before enjoying.

It's generally not recommended to leave overnight oats at room temperature for more than 2 hours. This is because oatmeal can easily spoil and become contaminated with bacteria if left out for too long.

Cook porridge to eat during the day and should not be left overnight or stored in the refrigerator. Parents who cook porridge should not add a lot of spices, because the child's kidneys are not fully developed, so eating salty food is not good for children's health.

In the morning, add whatever topping you like, and eat cold as it is. Alternatively for a hot breakfast, tip the mixture into a saucepan and heat through for 1 minute until hot. You might need to add a little water to loosen.