Did you know that oatmeal is one of the healthiest foods around? The fiber in it helps to regulate your digestive system, and it’s loaded with antioxidants. It also has a low glycemic index which means that it doesn’t cause spikes in blood sugar levels like other carbs do. You can make up some fresh oatmeal for breakfast or save time by preparing batches ahead of time! But how long does cooked oatmeal last?

What is Oatmeal?

Oats are a cereal grain that is commonly eaten as a breakfast food. Oatmeal can be described as a cereal grain that has been ground, rolled, steamed, and then baked to give the texture of a warm porridge as eaten for breakfast as a hot cereal.

How do you cook oatmeal for breakfast?

There are a few methods of cooking oatmeal. You can cook oatmeal on the stovetop, in a microwaveable bowl with hot water, or in an instant pot.

• Cooking oatmeal on a stovetop is the most common method and takes roughly 7-10 minutes. Check out the best pots for cooking oatmeal
• When cooked in a microwaveable bowl in the microwave, it takes roughly 2-3 minutes.
• Cooking in an instant pot takes roughly 3-5 minutes depending on what setting you choose (low pressure or high pressure) and how much oats you are cooking.

How long does cooked oatmeal last?

It depends on the storage conditions. If you leave it out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, you should throw it away because bacteria grows rapidly at those temperatures.

How long does cooked oatmeal last in the refrigerator?

Cooked oats should be put in the fridge within two hours after cooking, and stored in a container or plastic bag. When stored properly, oatmeal will last for 4-6 days.

How long does cooked oatmeal last in the freezer?

To keep the food fresh for a longer time, freeze it. The best way is to put it in a container or a freezer bag. Frozen oatmeal lasts for 6 months, but it will still be safe after that time too. To know if the oatmeal is bad, smell and look at it. If there is an off smell or the appearance changes, get rid of the cooked oatmeal and do not taste it because that could make you sick.

What can you do with leftover oatmeal?

Oatmeal is an incredibly versatile breakfast food. You can eat it sweet or savory, for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even dessert. The possibilities are endless!

If you’re looking for ways to use up leftover oatmeal, look no further!

Here are 5 healthy recipes that use up leftover cooked oatmeal:

1. Oatmeal pancakes – Slightly undercook your remaining oatmeal with some milk so you have a slightly runnier batter. Add a bit of everything you have in your kitchen to the batter and pour it onto a hot greased griddle or nonstick frying pan. Cook until bubbles begin to form, then flip and cook for several more minutes on the other side.

2. Oatmeal muffins – Mix together oatmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt. Add milk, eggs and but

ter and stir until ingredientsare moistened (don’t over mix!). Fill greased muffin tins 2/3 of the way full with batter and bake for 20 minutes at 400 degrees F (204 degrees C).

3. Oatmeal frittata – Combine eggs, oat meal, milk, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Melt some butter over medium heat on the stove top in a 10 inch pan (larger if you want a thinner frittata). When the butter is melted and bubbly, add the egg mixture to the pan. Let cook until the edges of the oatmeal begin to pull away from the side of the pan. Layer cooked spinach on top of half of your oat meal mixture then gently flip over the other half on top. Cook for a few minutes more until bottom is cooked through.

4. Oatmeal smoothie – In a blender, add rolled oats, yogurt, and milk. Blend on high for 30 seconds or until ingredients are well combined Add add-ins such as peanut butter, berries etc, and blend again until desired consistency is achieved. Serve immediately or refrigerate overnight in an airtight container, remembering to stir before serving.

5. Oatmeal breakfast bars – In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar and oil. Stir until sugar has dissolved and the mixture is bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract and oats. Add cereal and mix well then press into an 8×8 inch pan that has been greased or lined with parchment paper. Bake for 10-12 minutes at 350 degrees F (177 degrees C). Allow to cool before removing from pan and cutting into bars.

 

QUICK FAQs:

1) What is the shelf life of cooked oatmeal?

If you leave the cooked oatmeal at room temperature for more than 2 hours, you should throw it away because bacteria grows rapidly at those temperatures. To keep the food fresh for a longer time, freeze it. The best way is to put it in a container or a freezer bag. Frozen oatmeal lasts for 6 months, but it will still be safe after that time too. To know if the oatmeal is bad, smell and look at it. If there is an off smell or the appearance changes, get rid of the cooked oatmeal and do not taste it because that could make you sick.

2) How can I use up leftover cooked oatmeal?

The possibilities are endless. Here are some ideas: make oatmeal pancakes, oatmeal breakfast bars, oatmeal muffins, Oatmeal Frittata, or an Oatmeal Smoothie!

3) Can you eat cooked oatmeal that has been sitting out for a night?

If the room temperature is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius), you can eat it. However, you should know that any time the temperature of the oatmeal is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 to 60 degrees Celsius), bacteria grows rapidly so always be careful when storing cooked oats at room temperature especially for more than 2 hours.

4) Can I reheat oatmeal?

Yes, you can, but it might not taste as good as when it was freshly cooked. Sometimes, the inside of the oatmeal is still cold and will not cook properly when reheated. To prevent that from happening, add a little water and microwave for 30-50 seconds or until hot. You can also toast your oats in a toaster oven or in the oven (if you do it this way, add a small amount of water and make sure to stir often).

5) How long after storing oatmeal in the refrigerator can I reheat it?

If stored in an airtight container, make sure to eat it within 3-4 days. If stored in an airtight container in the freezer, you should be able to eat it after 6 months.

6) Can I reheat oatmeal more than once?

Oatmeal can be reheated twice but, again, it might not taste as good as when it was freshly cooked. You can store cooked oats in the refrigerator up to 2-3 days after cooking, but remember that it’s safer to freeze them for longer storage.

7) How long can I keep cooked oatmeal in the freezer?

If you put hot or warm cooked oatmeal in the freezer, expect it to get clumpy because of the moisture evaporation. However, if you let it cool first before storing, it will retain its normal texture. Cooked oatmeal stored in the freezer can last for 6 months.

8) When should I throw away cooked oatmeal?

If you want to be on the safe side, get rid of the cooked oatmeal if any of the following apply: it has an off smell, it’s discolored, it’s clumpy or if there are visible changes in the oatmeal. Throw away the cooked oats without tasting them!

9) How much does 1/4th or 1/2 cup dry oatmeal be when cooked?

 

1/4 cup dry oatmeal yields how much cooked oatmeal?

1/4 cup dry oatmeal yields roughly 1/2-1 cup cooked oatmeal depending on how much water is added when cooking.

1/2 cup dry oatmeal yields how much cooked oatmeal?

Half cup dry oatmeal yields 1-2 cups cooked oatmeal depending on how much water is added when cooking.