Oatmeal has been a staple in the kitchen, especially for breakfast for many people over the years. Whether you enjoy them with a little butter and milk, or some brown sugar and your favorite fruits, oatmeal is one of the healthiest and heartiest breakfasts you can have. But just how long does it last in the fridge once it has been cooked?
Cooked oatmeal will typically last about 4-6 days in the fridge if it has been stored properly. For best results, storing in an airtight container will keep the cooked oatmeal from going bad.
Knowing the basic recommendations about cooked oatmeal can usually save you quite a bit of time and energy, not to mention it can keep you from getting sick. Read on to find out how to tell if your oatmeal is bad and some safe storage and reheating options.
How to Tell if Cooked Oatmeal is Bad?
When cooked oatmeal has gone bad, it typically has an obvious change in smell and appearance. In most cases, bad oatmeal will have discoloration all over or in spots as well as an odor that is foul.
Many people who enjoy a steaming bowl of oatmeal in the mornings will cook them each day so that the oats are fresh. However, there are others that prepare meals in advance to save time who will cook a week’s worth of oatmeal on Sunday with the intention of it lasting the week.
If you choose to cook your oatmeal in advance, you will need to be aware of a few things to look for, especially as it nears the end of the week. This is because cooked oatmeal does not last an indefinite amount of time.
The first sign that cooked oatmeal has gone bad is usually when you open the container to toss it into the microwave or in a pan on the stove. If you see any darkened spots or areas that look like mold, you should throw them out immediately to avoid food poisoning.
Additionally, when the container lid has been removed from the cooked oatmeal, you typically get a sniff of what is inside. If there is any kind of odor that just does not smell like oatmeal, you should probably toss that too.
Overall, noticing a few telltale signs of food spoilage and/or mold can save you a lot of time and keep you from being exposed to harmful bacteria that can cause illness.
Does Cooked Oatmeal Need to Be Refrigerated?
Although it depends on what you have put into it, it is recommended that cooked oatmeal be stored in the refrigerator. This is because the cool temperature of the fridge will keep the oatmeal from spoiling.
Making just the right amount of oatmeal can sometimes be a challenge, especially if you are preparing it for your family. Since tastes vary, you may end of with more leftovers than you had originally planned for.
If this happens, you will need to keep in mind that food that has been cooked should typically be put into the refrigerator if you plan to eat it at a later date. In most cases, this can come in handy to prevent you from having to cook it again the next day.
When you are storing cooked oatmeal in the refrigerator, you need to ensure that it has been cooled completely. Putting hot food into a cold environment can cause undue moisture to build which can result in food spoilage.
In addition, once the cooked oatmeal has cooled, you will need to transfer it to a sealed container that is preferably airtight. This will keep any harmful bacteria from entering the container.
Altogether, putting your leftover cooked oatmeal into a storage container and then keeping them in the refrigerator will prevent you from wasting food as well.
How Long Can Cooked Oatmeal Be Left Unrefrigerated?
Cooked oatmeal should not be left unrefrigerated for more than two hours because of the risk of harmful bacteria contaminating it. Since room temperature is typically above 40℉, any food left longer than this timeframe is considered a danger to your health.
For many people, making and serving breakfast can be a long-drawn-out event, especially if you have family members visiting. It is important to keep in mind that any food, specifically oatmeal, should be put away as soon as possible to avoid contamination.
Those who are prepping their meals in advance should also be aware that while it is important for the oatmeal to be fully cooled before storing in sealed containers and placing them in the fridge, they should not be left to cool for an extended period of time.
If you happen to have made a big batch of oatmeal and forgot about it for several hours or overnight, it is best to throw it out and start fresh. Even those who make overnight oatmeal recommend that while the oats are soaking, they do so in the refrigerator for safety purposes.
Can You Reheat Cooked Oatmeal?
Reheating cooked oatmeal can be done as long as it has been stored and kept refrigerated properly. The method used to reheat the oats can make a difference in the texture outcome, so it is important to know the various ways it can be done.
When it comes to reheating cooked oatmeal, there are several ways that it can be done safely while maintaining the delicious flavors. While many people who have stored their oatmeal in the fridge are looking to make their morning routine easier, others may want to explore options.
One method of reheating oatmeal is putting it into the microwave for a few seconds to minutes. Be sure that it is in a microwave-safe container, add in a bit of liquid, and then microwave it in 30-second increments, stirring in between sessions. You will need to watch it carefully as microwave reheating can cause the oatmeal to become gooey if left in for too long.
Another method for reheating cooked oatmeal is to do so on the stovetop. For this method, which tends to be a favorite since there is more control, you will place the oatmeal in the pan with either milk or water. Stirring continuously while it cooks will keep the oatmeal from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Something to keep in mind whether you are using the stovetop or microwave method is that you can add other ingredients to get the desired flavor you would like. Some people add in fruits, nuts, syrup, or other seasonings.
If you have a little more time on your hands while you are preparing your oatmeal, some people prefer to reheat their oatmeal in the oven. It is a simple process but takes a bit more time, so if you are in a hurry, this is not the method for you.
Reheating in the oven requires you to put the oatmeal in a casserole dish and spread it out evenly to ensure it cooks completely. You can also add additional toppings to the oats while they bake. While you won’t have the same texture as standard oatmeal, you may enjoy the variety it provides.
What’s the Best Way to Store Cooked Oatmeal?
The best way to store cooked oatmeal depends on how soon you intend to reheat it for consumption. Most people, however, recommend that oatmeal be stored in an airtight container after it has been cooled and placed in the refrigerator or freezer.
While many people choose to make their own oatmeal in advance so they will have it to eat for the week, others end up making too much when they are preparing it for the family. Either way, you will need to know how to store it properly so that it is safe to eat next time around.
After the oatmeal has been cooked, it is best to ensure it has cooled completely before you place it in storage containers. You will need to be sure that the containers you are using can seal completely to keep moisture from seeping in.
For most cases, you can keep the container of cooked oatmeal in the refrigerator for up to six days. When you do this, be sure you keep the oats in individual containers so that you are not reheating a large amount over and over.
You can also keep the cooked oatmeal in the freezer if you do not plan to eat it right away, or if you are nearing the end of the six days and do not want it to spoil. Keeping it in the freezer, cooked oatmeal will safely last for up to six months.
Overall, deciding what to do with extra oatmeal once it has been cooked depends greatly on when you intend to eat it again. Whether you store it in the refrigerator or freezer, you have the luxury of reheating and enjoying a nice bowl of oatmeal anytime you would like a hearty breakfast.