We regret to be the bearer of this news, but if you’re not toasting your oats, you’re preparing oatmeal incorrectly. Perhaps due to its fundamental simplicity, oatmeal is one of those meals that has undergone extensive experimentation. People have combined it with every kind of jam, nut, syrup, and alternative milk imaginable in an attempt to enhance it. Although there are numerous even easier methods to improve your oatmeal’s flavor — from adding a dash of salt to cooking it with tea instead of water — the technique that needs no extra components can make the most significant impact.
When you place your oats in a skillet to brown prior to mixing them with your beverage of choice, they acquire a nutty, nearly caramel-like sweetness that resembles the flavor of cereal or granola. This is the Maillard reaction occurring — a chemical process that transpires between sugars and proteins in the presence of heat. Humanity has a rich history of enjoying foods that have experienced the big M, and this is certainly no exception. The richness of flavor imparted to the oats is absorbed by the entire creamy ensemble that will become your morning bowl of oatmeal — a potentially life-changing experience for those who have yet to experience it.
Prepare it fresh, or meal prep those gems
Although toasted oats may sound rather sophisticated, it truly couldn’t be simpler to give any oats you have lying around the toasted treatment. Just toss them in a skillet, turn the heat to medium, and move them around until that golden brown aroma fills the air — you know exactly what we’re talking about. If you wish to add a bit of butter, we assure you won’t be dissatisfied with the additional richness. We’ll elevate your experience further by suggesting you brown the butter with a cinnamon stick before introducing the oats for some elevated flavor.
If the extra step appears too intimidating to tackle first thing in the morning, feel free to pre-toast your oats if you prefer! You can complete the entire process at once by spreading them in a thin layer on a baking tray, placing them in the oven (let’s say, 10 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit), and then returning them to their proper airtight oat container. If you have some stewed apples ready in the fridge, you’ll have a gourmet breakfast in no time.
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