What to do with oatmeal before cooking: it will taste much better

Oatmeal is one of the most popular breakfasts in the world. It's healthy, nutritious, and quick to prepare, but its taste is not always to everyone's liking. Many people are accustomed to improving their oatmeal by adding fruit, nuts, honey, or other ingredients. But there is an easy way to make it much tastier without additional products.

The FoodOboz editorial team will tell you how to prepare oatmeal properly to turn ordinary porridge into a real gastronomic delight. Just one step before cooking is enough, and the product will acquire a pleasant nutty flavor and become more intense in taste

The secret to perfect flavor is toasting the oatmeal

To bring out the natural flavor of oatmeal, lightly brown it in a dry frying pan before cooking. This activates the natural sugars and amino acids, which creates new flavor compounds.

This process is known as the mayo reaction, and it is responsible for the rich flavor of roasted meat, coffee, or brown bread. When you toast oatmeal, it acquires a pleasant nutty or even caramel flavor, which makes the porridge more flavorful and appetizing.

How to roast oatmeal correctly

1. Heat a dry frying pan over medium heat. It is important not to overheat to prevent the flakes from burning.

2. Add the oatmeal and stir or shake the pan constantly.

3. Fry for 2-4 minutes, until you smell a distinct nutty flavor and light golden brown.

4. Optionally, you can add a spoonful of butter or a little cinnamon for an even deeper flavor.

5. Then cook the oatmeal according to the usual recipe – with water or milk.

If you don't have time to fry it in the morning, you can do it in advance:

• Spread the cereal in an even layer on a baking sheet.
• Bake in the oven at 160°C for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Cool and store in an airtight container.

This way, you will always have prepared flakes that can be cooked immediately, enjoying the exquisite taste without any extra effort.