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Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets are an easy breakfast to prep and have on hand for busy mornings! A basic recipe with loads of flavor varieties. Plus, these packets are simple enough for the kids to make breakfast on their own!
I grew up eating oatmeal packets. I loved them, I still do! My kids also love oatmeal, however I do not love all the processed ingredients that are in the packaged oatmeal packets. With this easy recipe, you can control what you put in your oatmeal. Plus, I share loads of flavor suggestions!
The convenience of the packets is what I really liked as a kid. Everything measured for you, all you did was add water and heat in the microwave. Growing up, I could totally handle that! Now, I make these simple and fast homemade oatmeal packets so my kids can make their own breakfast and sometimes snack too. Turns out creamy and delicious every time!
Ingredients for Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets
- Quick Cooking Oats
- Brown Sugar
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Zip Top Bags, Reusable Bags, or Small Containers
- Water
- Milk
Substitution Suggestions:
- Quick Cooking Oats: to ensure the oatmeal cooks quickly, I only use quick oats. Rolled oats can be used, the cooking time is going to increase and the texture of oatmeal will be a bit more thick and chunky.
- Brown Sugar: I prefer brown sugar, but you can use any sweetener of choice. White sugar, coconut sugar, or sugar alternatives will work.
- Cinnamon: I add cinnamon to every packet. You can leave this out if you prefer and only add it to certain packets as an extra flavor.
How to Make Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets
- First, gather your ingredients and some zip top bags, reusable bags or small containers.
- Add ½ cup of quick oats, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and just a pinch of salt into each bag.
- Now add any extra flavors you'd like to make. My kids especially like Berries & Cream and Chocolate Peanut Butter.
- Once you have finished you can add a label with instructions:
- Empty contents into bowl.
- Add 1 cup water or milk.
- Stir together.
- Cook in microwave for 2 minutes.
Flavor Suggestions:
- Berries & Cream: Add 1 tablespoon of Freeze Dried Strawberries, Blueberries or other Berries and make oatmeal with milk.
- Apple Cinnamon: Add 1 tablespoon of Freeze Dried Apples, chopped Dehydrated Apples or Unsweetened Applesauce and an extra ½ teaspoon of Cinnamon
- Chocolate Coconut: Add 2 tablespoons Unsweetened Coconut Chips or Flakes and 1 heaping teaspoon of Mini Chocolate Chips
- Peanut Butter Banana: Add 1 tablespoon Powdered Peanut Butter and 1 tablespoon Dried Banana Slices
- Cinnamon Raisin: Add 1 tablespoon of Raisins and an extra ½ teaspoon of Cinnamon
- Spiced: Add a ½ teaspoon of Allspice
- Cranberry Crunch: Add 1 tablespoon of Dried Cranberries & ½ tablespoon of Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Add 1 tablespoon of Powdered Peanut Butter and 1 heaping teaspoon of Mini Chocolate Chips
- Pumpkin Spice: Add ½ teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice and ½ tablespoon of Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- Mango Coconut: Add 1 tablespoon of chopped Dried Mango and 2 tablespoons of Unsweetened Coconut Chips or Flakes
- Banana Bread: Add 1 tablespoon Dried Banana Slices, ½ tablespoon of chopped Walnuts and an extra ½ teaspoon of Cinnamon
Make the Oatmeal
- Empty the contents of the packet into a large microwave safe bowl.
- Add 1 cup water or milk to the bowl and stir the oats and water together.
- Microwave the oatmeal for 2 minutes.
- Stir and let it cool for a few minutes.
- Alternative: Top plain packets with frozen fruit.
- If desired, drizzle it with a little milk or cream.
FAQs About Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets
Very simple to make homemade instant oatmeal packets. Add ½ cup quick oats, 1 tablespoon of brown sugar, ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of salt to a zip top bag. When ready to make add contents of bag to a microwave safe bowl with 1 cup of water and cook for 2 minutes.
There are plenty of flavor variations to add to homemade oatmeal packets. Freeze dried berries, raisins, dehydrated fruit, powdered peanut butter, nuts, chocolate chips and a variety of spices.
Store oatmeal packets in a dry cool area like your pantry, a kitchen drawer or cupboard. Place them in a basket or box to keep it all organized neatly.
Other Easy Make Ahead Breakfast Ideas:
- Whole Wheat Banana Pancakes
- Mini Ham & Cheese Frittatas
- Chocolate Chip Waffles
- Oatmeal Banana Breakfast Bread
- Blueberry Scones
- Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches
- Chocolate Chip Breakfast Cookies
- Homemade Granola
- Applesauce Carrot Breakfast Muffins
Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets
Equipment
- zip top bags, reusable bags or small containers
Ingredients
- 5 cups quick cooking oats
- 10 tablespoons brown sugar
- 5 teaspoons cinnamon
- 10 pinches salt
- water or milk
Instructions
- Add ½ cup quick oats to each bag.
- Add 1 tablespoon brown sugar to each bag.
- Add any other flavor combinations you like.
- Seal bags, add a label with instructions if desired and store in dry cool place.
To Make the Oatmeal
- Add contents of bag into a large microwave safe bowl.
- Add 1 cup of water or milk to the bowl. Stir it together.
- Microwave for 2 minutes.
- Stir and let cool a few minutes.
- Optional: Drizzle with a little milk or cream.
- Alternative to added flavors: Top cooked oatmeal with frozen fruit.
Notes
- Berries & Cream: Add 1 tablespoon of Freeze Dried Strawberries, Blueberries or other Berries and make oatmeal with milk.
- Apple Cinnamon: Add 1 tablespoon of Freeze Dried Apples, chopped Dehydrated Apples or Unsweetened Applesauce and an extra ½ teaspoon of Cinnamon
- Chocolate Coconut: Add 2 tablespoons Unsweetened Coconut Chips or Flakes and 1 heaping teaspoon of Mini Chocolate Chips
- Peanut Butter Banana: Add 1 tablespoon Powdered Peanut Butter and 1 tablespoon Dried Banana Slices
- Cinnamon Raisin: Add 1 tablespoon of Raisins and an extra ½ teaspoon of Cinnamon
- Spiced: Add a ½ teaspoon of Allspice
- Cranberry Crunch: Add 1 tablespoon of Dried Cranberries & ½ tablespoon of Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Add 1 tablespoon of Powdered Peanut Butter and 1 heaping teaspoon of Mini Chocolate Chips
- Pumpkin Spice: Add ½ teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice and ½ tablespoon of Pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- Mango Coconut: Add 1 tablespoon of chopped Dried Mango and 2 tablespoons of Unsweetened Coconut Chips or Flakes
- Banana Bread: Add 1 tablespoon Dried Banana Slices, ½ tablespoon of chopped Walnuts and an extra ½ teaspoon of Cinnamon
beatrice says
Do you add the dry fruit before you cook the oatmeal or after?
Heather says
I add it before I cook the oatmeal, but either way works.