Homemade Instant Oatmeal

by Erin

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!

Homemade Instant Oatmeal in a bowl.
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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.

Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix-Ins.

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


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Homemade Instant Oatmeal in Jars.

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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: Cooking Time:
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.
Did You Make This Recipe?
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Source: Inspired by Half Baked Harvest.

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

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Susan November 13, 2015 - 7:55 pm

Funny, I’ve never been much of an oatmeal eater until I discovered overnight oats. The one from-scratch oatmeal I make has cocoa powder, dried cherries and a hint of almond extract. Dried cherries, almonds, and chocolate chips would be my choice for mix-ins for this instant oatmeal. It’s really a great idea to do your own instant oatmeal for those times when you haven’t planned ahead (I’m talking to me, here), or just want something hot. Another thought I just had is that this would be great for when we’re driving across country, and want breakfast at our motel but don’t like their choices. One can always get hot water for cooking up their oatmeal. I’ll make sure we have some of this mix with us on our next trip across country.

Reply
spiffycookie November 14, 2015 - 8:19 am

Heck yea definitely perfect for traveling! Most motels have microwaves right?

Reply
Autumn | It's Autumn's Life November 13, 2015 - 5:16 pm

What a great idea! I’m so lazy in the mornings and slow moving… I run out of time to cook breakfast. I should try this!

Reply
spiffycookie November 14, 2015 - 8:20 am

Absolutely! I prepare a bunch in advance and then later feel spoiled with how many flavor options I have at 6am haha.

Reply

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