With fall break approaching, you’re likely to be tempted by some warm seasonal cravings, whether it’s cinnamon, warm melted cheese, more pumpkin spice than you imagine, or even something that’s comforting and tastes homemade. Or at least dorm-made. Before you get too ambitious with your cooking, remember: not everything is allowed in your residence hall.
No air fryers, hot plates, or toaster ovens. You can find a full list of on-campus prohibited appliances on Monmouth University’s Residence Life homepage. You can bring a microwave (as long as it’s university-approved).
With a little bit of patience and a lot of creativity, you can make a surprising number of delicious fall dishes with only a microwave.
Below is a Microwave Edition survival guide for students craving more than cereal and ramen during the coziest season of the semester.
Breakfast foods:
- Fruity microwaved oats: an easy and nutrient-rich breakfast option.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 cup water or milk
- 1 tbsp honey
- ¼ cup of granola
- ¼ cup of fruit
- ¼ tsp cinnamon*
- ¼ tsp nutmeg*
- 1 tbsp pumpkin puree*
Instructions:
Combine ½ of the old-fashioned oats with 1 cup of water or milk (I prefer evaporated milk). Microwave for 1 ½ to 2 minutes, keeping a close eye on it to catch any spills. Remove from the microwave, stir, and add granola, honey, and your fruit of choice, then you’re done!
Pro tip: If you want more of an autumn twist, add warmed apples with cinnamon or a spoonful of pumpkin puree and nutmeg. It’ll taste like dessert, but it’s still just breakfast!
- Breakfast sweet potato: A vegetable that’ll keep you looking and feeling lively as the deathly cold months approach.
Ingredients:
- 1 sweet potato
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tsp butter
- ½ sliced banana
- 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions:
Firmly pierce the sweet potato with a fork a few times. Microwave for 5-6 minutes, turning it intermittently. Finally, carefully slice it open, buttering it (with peanut butter and regular butter) and top with bananas, then dig in!
Lunch / Dinner foods:
- Burrito bowl: a college student’s rendition of Chipotle.
Ingredients:
- ½ can of black beans
- 1 box of instant rice
- ¼ cup of a Mexican cheese blend
- ¼ cup of salsa
- ¼ cup of sour cream
- ½ can of corn
- ½ avocado
- Pre-grilled chicken
Instructions:
Microwave rice as called for by the instructions on the box. In a separate bowl, heat beans, corn, and chicken until warmed. Combine them, add cheese, then microwave for an additional 15-25 seconds. Remove, then top with salsa, sour cream, avocados, and any other toppings your heart desires.
- Chicken Pot Pie in a mug: a classic comfort food, but accessible for college students.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cooked chicken
- ¼ frozen mixed vegetables
- ¼ cream of chicken
- 2 tbsp milk
- Premade biscuit dough
- 1 tsp butter
- Seasonings to taste
Instructions:
In a large mug, combine and mix all ingredients but the butter and the biscuit dough. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, then cover with the dough. Microwave for an additional 2 minutes or until the dough has puffed up, then cover the surface with a thin swipe of butter.
A Sweet treat:
- Apple crisp in a cup:
The key to making your dorm smell like autumn
Ingredients:
- ¾ of a peeled and chopped apple
- ½ tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp oats
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp butter
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine and mix the oats, brown sugar, butter, and salt. In a mug, place the apples, sugar, and cinnamon. After mixing, pour the oat mixture on top. Microwave for 2 ½ minutes, then you’re done.
Pro tip: Top it with vanilla ice cream for some extra razzle dazzle.
If you live in on-campus apartments, the Bluffs, or have a good friend who will give you access to their kitchen, you’ll have a wider range of things to make rather than just having microwavable meals. a few more options you have include the option to roast vegetables, simmer soups all day on the stovetop, and bake pumpkin-filled desserts.
Still, I suggest you give these recipes a try! They’re easy, cheap, and convenient. Did I mention that they taste amazing, too?
