From breakfast to dinner, porridge is hearty and healthy meal option to enjoy at any time of the day. With countless toppings and liquid bases, porridge is versatile and easy to make in the microwave.
Depend on your preference, porridge is commonly cooked with milk or water. To achieve creamy and not gooey texture, milk is better substitute than water, but adding water to the porridge can minimize the sticky and thick result.
How do you make porridge in the microwave with water? For single serving, mix ⅓ cup or 50g of porridge meal, and 1½ cup or 350ml of water in a microwave-safe bowl. Ensure to use a large size bowl to prevent from spilling over when cooking.
Uncover the bowl and place in the microwave to run on high power for 3 minutes. Stir at 30 second intervals and continue to cook until the porridge starts to boil, thickens, and becomes smooth and creamy.
Leave to stand for 2 minutes before serving. Stir well and add your favorite toppings such as sliced banana, dried fruit, chopped nuts or dates with yogurt.
One of the most popular types of porridge to microwave oatmeal, this healthy breakfast is full of vitamins and minerals that guarantee a filling energetic start to the day. Preparing porridge in the microwave is much easier and does not alter its nutrients while cooking.
In this article, we are going to share step-by-step instructions to make porridge with water in the microwave to avoid burning. Answered below are frequently asked questions about the cooking time and best tips to microwave delicious porridge with water.
Is it healthy to cook porridge in the microwave?
Yes, it is healthy to cook porridge in the microwave. There is absolutely not harmful side effects, and microwaving does not alter or damage the nutritional value, vitamins or minerals.
However, it is important to constantly stir the porridge while microwaving to avoid from burning the bottom or thickening the consistency too quickly. In this case, adding more water periodically or towards the end of cooking can help to loosen the texture.
Can you make porridge with just water?
Yes, you can make porridge with just water. Adding water as base liquid makes the porridge less sticky or creamy, leaving room to add yogurt or splash of milk later to control the texture.
Traditionally, porridge has been cooked with water for several hundred if not thousands of years, which counterbalances with spices such as cinnamon or vanilla and taste less flavorful. As a result, adding toppings and seasons with butter and salt complement well with water based porridges.
How long should porridge be in the microwave with water?
Generally, water based porridge takes between 3 to 5 minutes to cook 50g or ⅓ cup of porridge and let it is stand for 2 minutes. Microwave cook time is determined by serving size, type of porridge and appliance wattage.
Depending on the granule size and type of porridge, microwave cooking may need to be adjusted.
It is best practice to breakdown into 30 seconds at a time and remove from microwave to stir well after each duration. As a result, you will be breaking air bubbles to prevent overflow and distribute heat in the bowl for even cooking.
Tips to make porridge in the microwave with water
Making porridge in the microwave with water is pretty simple and quick task. However, there is risk to burning or boiling over the delicious porridge when cooked without proper instructions.
Here are helpful tips to cook porridge with water in the microwave that can help you significantly:
- Use a microwave safe bowl that is deep enough to hold the porridge mixture, fill up about ⅔ way and leave space on top to prevent from boiling over.
- Always stop microwaving every 15 to 30 seconds to stir.
- The microwave wattage determines length of cooking, the higher the power, the less time needed to cook porridge.
- Porridge thickens as it cools, allow it to sit for 2 minutes after cooking and adjust the consistency by pouring additional water to milk for flavor as needed.
- Add a pinch of salt to make water based porridge more flavorful.
Best way to make porridge in the microwave with water
The best way to make porridge in the microwave with water is following the water to porridge ratio. Stop the microwave to stir well and prevent burning or boiling over.
Combine desired amount of porridge, water, and pinch of salt in a microwaveable bowl and leave uncovered. Microwave on high for 3 to 5 minutes and remove every 15 to 30 seconds to stir thoroughly.
Continue to microwave until the porridge starts creating air bubbles and steam forms consistently. Let it sit for 2 minutes to absorb any additional liquid remaining in the bowl.
Before serving, stir well, garnish with toppings and add additional water or milk to adjust the consistency if needed.
Microwaving Porridge With Water: Conclusion
From sweet to savory, porridge is easy to digest and quickly prepared for breakfast or dinner. It is versatile to mix and match ingredients for a creamy or runny porridge with water or milk base.
Making porridge with water as the liquid ingredient helps the consistency be less sticky and thicker texture. Additionally, allows to blend well with variety of toppings at the end without overpowering creaminess.
When using water, simply replace the milk amount with water and combine the remaining ingredients well in the microwave-safe bowl.
Depending on the serving size and wattage of microwave, it may take between 3 to 5 minutes in total to fully cook the porridge. It is highly recommended to stop the appliance and stir the porridge every 15 to 30 seconds to distribute heat and evenly cook the grains.
For best results, let the porridge sit for 2 minutes before eating to cool to a comfortable temperature for eating and allow any remaining liquid to absorb and fully thicken.
Using a microwave to cook porridge is a convenient method to prepare a healthy meal. It is not harmful, nor does it remove any nutritional benefits from the porridge.