Skip the stovetop and soak your oatmeal overnight for a quick and hearty breakfast. Soaking your oats is just like cooking them, minus the heat. To reap the health benefits from this method, soak them for at least 12 hours, preferably overnight. The soaking process helps to soften the coarse texture of raw oatmeal. This breaks down the starches in the oatmeal which makes them much easier to digest. Although most oatmeal is gluten-free, those with gluten sensitivities may find that oatmeal is even easier to digest when soaked. Soaking oats will also help your body to better absorb the nutrients found within it.