Oatmeal is a food product prepared from oats. It is commonly eaten as a cooked breakfast cereal. Oatmeal is made by removing the outer husk of the oat kernel. The groats, or inner portion of the kernels, are scoured to remove some of the outer skin. The groats may be sliced into pieces to make steel-cut oats. In rolled oats, the groats are partially cooked by steaming and then rolled to form flakes. Instant oatmeal is made by fully cooking rolled oats and drying them before packaging.
Oatmeal is usually prepared by simmering the oats in water or milk. It may also be sweetened and flavored with fruit and spices.
