This savory miso sesame oatmeal is a creamy, umami-packed breakfast that will change how you see oats. It’s ready in 15 minutes and deeply satisfying. The combination of nutty oats, miso, and sesame makes this oatmeal recipe a comforting meal any time of day.
Nothing beats a great Miso Sesame Oatmeal. Whether you're a fan of Savory Oatmeal or want to try something from our Burgers selection, keep scrolling!
Why You’ll Love This Miso Sesame Oatmeal
- Flavor explosion: Umami miso and nutty sesame oil wake up your taste buds.
- Incredibly versatile: Top with an egg, greens, or leftover veggies.
- Comes together fast: Ready in under 15 minutes for a warm, comforting meal.
- Changes your perspective: A savory revelation that opens up a new world of cozy grain bowls.
Ingredients & Tools
- 80 g rolled oats (old-fashioned)
- 480 ml water or vegetable broth
- 1 tbsp white or yellow miso paste
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 tsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 small clove garlic, finely minced or grated
- 1/2 tsp freshly grated ginger
- 1 spring onion, thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds
- Optional toppings: soft-boiled egg, chili crisp, nori strips, extra spring onions
Tools: A small saucepan, a whisk or fork, and a couple of bowls.
Notes: The quality of your miso and sesame oil really makes a difference here—they’re the stars of the show. Using broth instead of water adds another layer of savory depth, but water works perfectly fine too if that’s what you have.
Nutrition (per serving)
| Calories: | 320 kcal |
| Protein: | 12 g |
| Fat: | 11 g |
| Carbs: | 45 g |
| Fiber: | 7 g |
Serves: 1 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Cook Time: 10 minutes | Total Time: 15 minutes
Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes
- Don’t boil the miso! Miso is a fermented product, and adding it at the end of cooking preserves its beneficial bacteria and complex flavor. If you boil it, the flavor becomes flatter.
- Rolled oats are your best bet. They provide the perfect texture—creamy but with a slight chew. Steel-cut oats will take much longer to cook, and instant oats can turn to mush too quickly.
- Toasted sesame oil is non-negotiable. The regular, untoasted kind just doesn’t have the same deep, nutty aroma. That one ingredient makes the entire bowl smell incredible.
- Taste and adjust at the end. The saltiness of miso can vary by brand, so always do a final taste once everything is combined and add a little more soy sauce or a pinch of salt if needed.
How to Make Miso Sesame Oatmeal
Step 1: Start by toasting your oats. Add the rolled oats to your dry saucepan over medium heat. Stir them around for 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and smell a little nutty. This simple step adds a wonderful depth of flavor and prevents the oatmeal from being gluey. You’ll notice the color doesn’t change much, but your kitchen will smell amazing.
Step 2: Add the liquid and aromatics. Pour in your water or broth, then add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats have absorbed most of the liquid and the mixture has thickened nicely.
Step 3: Prepare the miso mixture. While the oats are cooking, take a small bowl and add your miso paste. Spoon a few tablespoons of the hot cooking liquid from the saucepan into the bowl with the miso and whisk it vigorously until it’s completely smooth and dissolved. This is the trick to avoiding lumpy miso in your final dish.
Step 4: Combine everything off the heat. Once the oats are cooked to your desired consistency, turn off the heat. Stir in the dissolved miso mixture, the soy sauce, and the toasted sesame oil. The aroma at this point is just incredible—savory, nutty, and so inviting. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is perfectly combined.
Step 5: Serve and garnish immediately. Pour your savory oatmeal into a bowl. Top with the sliced spring onions, a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds, and any of your chosen additional toppings. The contrast between the hot, creamy oats and the cool, crisp toppings is part of the magic.
Storage & Freshness Guide
- Fridge: Store without toppings in an airtight container for up to 2 days.
- Freezer: Not recommended; texture becomes mushy upon thawing.
- Reviving: Reheat with a splash of water or broth to loosen consistency.
Serving Suggestions
Complementary Dishes
- A simple cucumber salad — The cool, crisp freshness of cucumber with a little rice vinegar cuts through the richness of the oatmeal beautifully.
- Quick-pickled vegetables — A small side of pickled radishes or carrots adds a bright, acidic punch that balances the umami depth.
- Steamed or roasted broccoli — Its earthy flavor and satisfying texture make it a hearty and healthy addition to the meal.
Drinks
- Green tea — Its slight bitterness and clean finish help to cleanse the palate between bites of the savory, rich oatmeal.
- A light, crisp lager — If you’re having this for dinner, a cold beer complements the miso and sesame flavors surprisingly well.
- Ginger tea — The spicy warmth of ginger echoes the fresh ginger in the oatmeal and feels wonderfully soothing.
Something Sweet
- A ripe, juicy pear — The natural sweetness and juicy texture provide a perfect, light finish after the savory bowl.
- A small square of dark chocolate — A piece of high-cocoa chocolate offers a bittersweet contrast that feels sophisticated and satisfying.
- Orange segments — Their bright, citrusy burst is a refreshing and healthy way to end the meal on a sweet note.
Top Mistakes to Avoid
- Mistake: Adding miso directly to the hot pot. You’ll end up with clumps of miso that never fully incorporate, and you’ll lose some of that delicate fermented flavor. Always dissolve it in a separate bowl first.
- Mistake: Using quick or instant oats. They absorb liquid too quickly and can become mushy and pasty, lacking the pleasant texture that rolled oats provide.
- Mistake: Skipping the toasting step. Toasting the oats is what gives them a nutty, robust base. If you skip it, the flavor profile will be much flatter and less complex.
- Mistake: Overcooking the oatmeal. If you cook it for too long, it will become too thick and sticky. Remember, it will continue to thicken a bit even after you take it off the heat.
Expert Tips
- Tip: Make a big batch of the dry mix. Combine the oats and sesame seeds in a jar for a ready-to-go savory oatmeal base on busy mornings. Just scoop out a portion and cook as directed.
- Tip: Infuse your cooking liquid. For an even deeper flavor, steep a piece of kombu (dried kelp) in your water or broth as it heats up, then remove it before adding the oats.
- Tip: Get creative with your toppings. Think of this oatmeal like a savory congee. A soft-boiled egg, crispy fried shallots, or a dollop of chili crisp can take it from simple to spectacular.
- Tip
Miso Sesame Oatmeal
Discover savory Miso Sesame Oatmeal - a 15-minute breakfast packed with umami flavor. Ready in minutes and perfect for any time of day. Get the recipe now!
Ingredients
For the oatmeal:
-
80 g rolled oats (old-fashioned)
-
480 ml water or vegetable broth
-
1 tbsp white or yellow miso paste
-
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
-
1 tsp soy sauce or tamari
-
1 small clove garlic (finely minced or grated)
-
0.5 tsp freshly grated ginger
-
1 spring onion (thinly sliced)
-
1 tbsp sesame seeds
For the optional toppings:
-
soft-boiled egg
-
chili crisp
-
nori strips
-
extra spring onions
Instructions
-
Start by toasting your oats. Add the rolled oats to your dry saucepan over medium heat. Stir them around for 2-3 minutes until they become fragrant and smell a little nutty. This simple step adds a wonderful depth of flavor and prevents the oatmeal from being gluey. You'll notice the color doesn't change much, but your kitchen will smell amazing.01
-
Add the liquid and aromatics. Pour in your water or broth, then add the minced garlic and grated ginger. Bring everything to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a simmer. Let it cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the oats have absorbed most of the liquid and the mixture has thickened nicely.02
-
Prepare the miso mixture. While the oats are cooking, take a small bowl and add your miso paste. Spoon a few tablespoons of the hot cooking liquid from the saucepan into the bowl with the miso and whisk it vigorously until it's completely smooth and dissolved. This is the trick to avoiding lumpy miso in your final dish.03
-
Combine everything off the heat. Once the oats are cooked to your desired consistency, turn off the heat. Stir in the dissolved miso mixture, the soy sauce, and the toasted sesame oil. The aroma at this point is just incredible—savory, nutty, and so inviting. Give it a good stir to make sure everything is perfectly combined.04
-
Serve and garnish immediately. Pour your savory oatmeal into a bowl. Top with the sliced spring onions, a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds, and any of your chosen additional toppings. The contrast between the hot, creamy oats and the cool, crisp toppings is part of the magic.05
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