Homemade Instant Oatmeal

Never buy processed oatmeal packets again. Get the taste of homemade oatmeal in an instant with this homemade instant oatmeal mix recipe. Just add your favorite mix-ins to individual packets!

This content contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Jump to recipe

When I left for college (12 years ago is it now? yeesh), I bought a Sam’s club sized package of the individual microwaveable oatmeal packets in the apple cinnamon flavor thinking they would be adequate substitutes for my dad’s homemade oatmeal that I was used to. Moving away from home to another state requires some reminders of home, right?

Just when I thought I had the cure for homesickness figured out, oatmeal now cooked in the microwave/mini-fridge combo that came with my dorm room, I took a bite and immediately regretted it. After my taste buds revolted my next thought was “how the heck do people eat this!?”. 

Yes, processed oatmeal packets made for the microwave were ruined for me because I was spoiled by homemade from scratch oatmeal, made with fresh and love. Or maybe I was saved, growing up knowing what oatmeal should taste like.

But sometimes I just don’t have the 20ish minutes in the morning to make oatmeal for breakfast during the week and yet still crave a nice warm bowl of homemade oatmeal, especially now with the temperatures slowly dropping. So I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and make homemade instant oatmeal packets made with quick cook oats which are perfect for cooking in the microwave. Then I got to play with all kinds of flavor combos! 

I took pictures of my first 5 mix-in ideas but while writing up this post I thought of a couple more. Pictured are berries and cream, apple walnut, cherry almond, peanut butter and chocolate chip (the prepared version is the first photo), and chocolate coconut. Some other ideas include pumpkin pecan, banana bread, and even s’mores if you can get your hands on those dehydrated marshmallow bits.

Whatever flavor you choose, store them in zip-top baggies to take to work or throw it in a small glass jar and nuke the oatmeal in it too! You could even add fresh fruit when you make it if you prefer. Or if you’re not a planner, you can just make one portion of oatmeal as needed.

How to make rolled oats into instant oats?

If you only have whole rolled oats on hand, all you have to do it pulse them in a food processor or blender a few times to break them down into smaller pieces. Those smaller pieces allow them to be cooked faster or in this case “instantly”!

What mix-ins will you add to your homemade instant oatmeal mix recipe?

Outstanding Oatmeal

• Baked Oatmeal with Berries from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Baked Oatmeal with Blueberries from Blogghetti
• Chai Tea Overnight Oats from Palatable Pastime
• Chocolate Baked Oatmeal from Jen Around the World
• Overnight Oats Lower Carb Option from Art of Natural Living
• Pebble Top Oatmeal Bread from That Recipe
• Rasmalai Oat Pancakes from Magical Ingredients

We share Recipes From Our Dinner Table! Join our group and share your recipes, too! While you’re at it, join our Pinterest board, too!

P.S. Don’t forget to fill out the first ever reader survey to have your voice heard! To reward you, I also have it paired with a great giveaway with some of my favorites. CLICK HERE. **CLOSED**

One year ago: Pear-Cranberry Sauce

Two years ago: Gluten-Free Chipotle Cornbread Muffins

Three years ago: Streusel-Topped Milky Way Apple Butter Bread

HOMEMADE INSTANT OATMEAL

Print

Yield: 1 serving Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cooking Time: 3 Minutes 3 Minutes

Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

BASE

• 4 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/3 cup dry milk powder
• 1/3 cup ground flaxseed or oat bran
• 1/4 to 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1-1/2 tsp salt
• 1-1/2 tsp cinnamon

MIX-INS

• 1/2 cup base
• 3/4 cup water

APPLE WALNUT

• 2 Tbsp chopped dried apples
• 1 Tbsp chopped toasted walnuts
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg

CHERRY ALMOND

• 2 Tbsp dried cherries
• 1 Tbsp slivered or chopped almonds

PEANUT BUTTER & CHOCOLATE CHIP

• 1 Tbsp peanut butter powder (I like PB& Co mighty nut original)
• 1 Tbsp mini semisweet chocolate chips

BERRIES & CREAM

• 2 Tbsp dried strawberries/cranberries/berry mix
• 1 Tbsp chopped white chocolate

CHOCOLATE-COCONUT

• 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp toasted coconut

PUMPKIN PECAN

• 1 Tbsp chopped toasted pecans
• 1 Tbsp pumpkin spice flavored morsels
• 1/8 tsp pumpkin pie spice

BANANA BREAD

• 2 Tbsp chopped dried bananas, chopped
• 1 Tbsp chopped toasted walnuts
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon

S'MORES

• 1 Tbsp graham cracker crumbs
• 1 Tbsp marshmallow bits
• 1 Tbsp mini semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the base ingredients. Divide into 1/2 cup portions, storing in zip-top sandwich baggies or 8 ounce glass jars. Add desired mix ins.
2. To cook, place mixture in a microwave safe bowl with 3/4 cup water. Microwave for 1 minute, stir, and then microwave another 1-2 minutes or until desired consistency.

Source: Inspired by Half Baked Harvest.

Did you make this recipe? I want to see! Tag @THESPIFFYCOOKIE on Instagram and hashtag it #THESPIFFYCOOKIE