Homemade Microwave Oatmeal

You know how last week I had microwave oatmeal and a latte for lunch because my leftovers sounded icky? I'm sure you don't because it's weird enough that I remember everything I eat, and to remember what someone else eats would border in insane. So yeah—I did that. It was delicious.

The whole time, I was thinking, "I could totally make this microwave oatmeal instead of paying $3 for it." Well, guess what? I was right. My homemade version went a little something like this.

Wash up a whole small apple.

Dice up that apple. You could also use any dried fruit here. Raisins, craisins, dried strawberries, blueberries, whatever. I happened to have apples going bad on top of my microwave.

Scrape the apple into a Tupperware container to make this portable like the delicious-but-expensive original. I seasoned mine with about a tablespoon of brown sugar and maybe half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Apples are naturally sweet, so if you can go without the added sugar, good for you. Don't judge me, please... I need brown sugar in my oatmeal.

Fill the container most of the rest of the way with plain, dry oats. These are like $2 for a humongous container of off-brand flakes at a grocery store, Walmart, wherever. When I make it out that way, I get bulk organic oats at Whole Foods or the like and store them in old storebought oats containers. I just don't like quick oats. What the heck is up with those? Oats are quick enough as it is. I feel the same way about rice.

But I digress... And I admit that all statements above are made by someone who does not have her life rushed by the existence of children.

Back to the oatmeal. Mix it up a bit, or put the lid on and shake it up.

You could add nuts or seeds if you'd like. I didn't have any seeds and wasn't in the mood for the cashews that may have been in my cabinet if my husband hasn't eaten them all already. If you're using dried fruit, this should keep like this for a really long time. My fresh apple meant that I had to eat it pretty quickly, which is fine because I wanted this for breakfast as soon as I got to work. The only downside is not being able to put it together the night before.

When you get wherever you're wanting to take your portable, healthy, delicious meal, just cover the ingredients about 2/3 of the way with water, cover lightly with the lid (but don't seal) and microwave about two minutes. Stir and eat.

Because this is so relatively imprecise, I yet again don't have a specific "recipe" so much as a guideline of how to throw this together for a hot breakfast you can eat as soon as you get to the office.

Portable Microwave Oatmeal
(serves 1)

1 apple, chopped (or equivalent dried fruit)
Nuts and/or seeds (optional)
About 1 tablespoon brown sugar
About 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
About 3/4 cup plain oats
About 2/3 cup water


1. Combine all ingredients except water in small Tupperware container.
2. Transport wherever breakfast is desired.
3. Add water to ingredients. Cover lightly and microwave about 2 minutes.
4. Stir, let cool, and eat!

You could use milk (or a vegan milk alternative) instead of the water. You could add a little salt if you like that sort of thing. Vanilla makes everything taste better. The possibilities are practically endless!