Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets

Mornings can be hectic, and finding a quick, nutritious breakfast often feels like a challenge. Store-bought instant oatmeal packets are convenient, but they can be pricey and loaded with unnecessary sugars and preservatives. Enter: Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets. With a few simple ingredients and customizable flavors, these packets are perfect for meal prep and busy mornings.

Why Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal Packets?

1. Cost-Effective: Making your own oatmeal packets is significantly cheaper than buying prepackaged options.
2. Customizable: Control the sweetness, add-ins, and flavors to suit your tastes and dietary needs.
3. Healthier Ingredients: Skip the artificial additives and adjust the sugar levels for a more wholesome breakfast.
4. Meal Prep Friendly: A single batch makes 20 packets, ensuring you’re stocked up for weeks.
5. Environmentally Friendly: Use reusable containers or eco-friendly bags for a sustainable option.

Ingredients for Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets:

• 10 cups instant oats, divided
• 1 cup powdered milk (optional for creaminess; skip for dairy-free)
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon (optional, for a warm, spiced flavor)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Base Mix:
   • In a large mixing bowl, combine 6 cups of instant oats, powdered milk, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon (if using).
2. Blend the Oats:
   • Take the remaining 4 cups of oats and blend them in a blender or food processor until powdery. This step helps create the creamy texture typical of instant oatmeal.
   • Add the powdered oats to the large bowl with the base mix and stir well to combine.
3. Portion the Mixture:
   • Measure out ½ cup of the oatmeal mixture and place it into small zip-top bags or reusable containers.
   • Repeat until all the mixture is used, yielding about 20 packets.
4. Label and Store:
   • Label each packet with the type of oatmeal and cooking instructions: “Add ⅔ cup water, microwave for 1-2 minutes, stir, and enjoy!”
   • Store the packets in a cool, dry place. They’ll stay fresh for up to 3 months.

Flavor Variations:

Customize your oatmeal packets with these fun and delicious variations:

• Original: Omit the cinnamon and brown sugar for a plain version. Sweeten to taste after cooking.
• Apples & Cinnamon: Add 1 cup chopped dried apples to the base mix.
• Chocolate: Mix in ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder and use white sugar instead of brown.
• Cookies & Cream: Crumble 4 Oreo cookies into the base mix, omit the cinnamon, and use white sugar.
• Banana Nut: Add ½ cup finely chopped walnuts to the mix. Top with ½ sliced banana after cooking.
• Cranberry Almond: Add ½ cup dried cranberries and ¼ cup finely chopped almonds to the base mix.

How to Serve:

1. Empty one packet of oatmeal mix into a bowl.
2. Add ⅔ cup of water (or milk for extra creaminess).
3. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
4. Let sit for a minute, then stir again and enjoy. Add fresh fruit, nuts, or honey for extra flavor!

Tips for the Best Instant Oatmeal Packets:

• Gluten-Free Option: Use certified gluten-free oats and check that your powdered milk is gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free Option: Omit powdered milk or substitute with a plant-based powdered creamer.
• Sugar Adjustments: You can reduce or replace the brown sugar with a natural sweetener like coconut sugar or stevia.
• Eco-Friendly Packaging: Use small reusable jars or silicone bags instead of disposable ones.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Homemade instant oatmeal packets are a lifesaver for busy mornings. Not only do they taste better than store-bought versions, but they also let you take control of your breakfast—no more surprise additives or too-sweet packets. With endless flavor possibilities, you’ll never get bored of this easy, budget-friendly breakfast.

Whip up a batch today, and start your mornings off right with a warm, hearty bowl of oatmeal that’s as convenient as it is nourishing. Happy breakfast prepping! 🍯🥣

Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets

Making homemade instant oatmeal packets is simple and convenient. Just mix rolled oats with your choice of dried fruits, nuts, and spices, then portion them into individual bags for easy breakfasts on the go.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 3 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 20 Servings

Ingredients

 

US CustomaryMetric

 

1x2x3x

• 10 cups instant oats divided
• 1 cup powdered milk*
• ½ cup brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 ½ tablespoons cinnamon optional

Instructions

 

• For Serving:
• ⅔ cup water
• Instructions
• Make the oatmeal mix:
• In a large bowl, add 6 cups of instant oats, powdered milk, brown sugar, salt, and cinnamon.
• Put 4 cups of oats in a blender and blend until they’re powdery, stopping a few times to shake (if needed). Transfer the oats from the blender to a large bowl and mix with the oats and other ingredients.
• Measure ½ cup of the oatmeal mixture and place it inside a zip bag. Repeat the process with the remaining mixture to fill all 20 bags.

Notes

Variety of Flavors:
Original: omit the cinnamon and brown sugar.
Apples & cinnamon: add 1 cup chopped dried apples to the bowl.
Chocolate: add ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder to the bowl, use white sugar.
Cookies & cream: crumble 4 Oreo cookies into the bowl, omit the cinnamon, and use white sugar.
Banana nut: add ½ cup finely chopped walnuts to the bowl and top with ½ banana after cooking the oats.
Cranberry almond: add ½ cup dried cranberries to the bowl and ¼ cup finely chopped almonds.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!