Do you struggle to eat breakfast in the morning (but know you should)? Do you like oatmeal? Do you like inexpensive, easy, healthy, delicious things to eat? Then these DIY instant oatmeal packets are for you!
Making my own instant oatmeal packets has been a lifesaver for me. They are incredibly easy to assemble and you can add whatever ingredients to the packets you want. Dried fruit, nuts, spices… there are so many delicious combos (see below). They have a really long shelf life because they are just made from pantry items, they are portable, and – oh, right – they are SO much more inexpensive, delicious and healthy than packets that are from the grocery store (which usually contain things like artificial ingredients and too much sugar)!
On a typical work day, Zach and I have to be out the door at 7:00 at the latest (we are both teachers at the same school, and our days start super early). We’ve gotten into the habit of getting up early enough to make time for breakfast in the morning; we eat it while watching the first 15 minutes of The Daily Show from the night before (it’s an awesome routine and the perfect way to start the day!).
But sometimes, we are in a rush, or it’s just too early to be hungry enough for breakfast. Enter DIY instant oatmeal packets. I keep some in my pantry for rushed mornings, and I take some to work and leave them in my desk.
So. Here’s what to do.
- Get some plastic sandwich bags and arrange them so they are “standing” by folding the tops over (see photo). This way, it’s easy to add individual ingredients to each and create a kind of assembly line.
- Get out your ingredients and measuring spoons. You will need: quick oats (you can also use regular rolled oats which will have more of a crunch when you add hot water to them), salt, nuts (I used sliced almonds), dried fruit (I used chopped dates), and sugar (I used brown sugar. Alternatively, you can omit the sugar and add honey or maple syrup to the oatmeal when you actually use the packet). If you want, add some spices as well, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, ginger, cloves, or dried orange zest (I used cinnamon).
- Add to each bag: 3 tablespoons of oats, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon of nuts, 1 tablespoon of dried fruit, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1/4-1/2 teaspoon of spices, if you are using any. (Or more or less of any of those ingredients. I don’t measure- I just eyeball it.)
Done! Wasn’t that easy? When you are ready to eat, just mix about 1/2 cup of hot water and the contents of the oatmeal packet in a bowl and allow to sit for one minute. Stir and enjoy!
At work, I’ll put the contents from the oatmeal packet into my coffee mug and add hot water from the water cooler (or, if one isn’t available, I’ll add cold water and microwave for a minute). At home, I’ll heat water in my tea kettle to add to the oats in a bowl. And BOOM! OATMEAL! It’s like magic.
The base of the oatmeal will always have oats, salt, and sugar. You can leave it like that if you want a simple blend. Or, here are some ideas for other flavor combos:
- Cinnamon raisin (add raisins and cinnamon)
- Orange cranberry (add dried orange zest and dried cranberries)
- Maple and Brown Sugar (add maple syrup to the cooked oats and use brown sugar in the mix)
- Fig Newton (add dried figs)
- Peanut butter (add peanut butter powder, which can be made in your food processor by grinding up peanuts, and chopped peanuts)
- Apple Cinnamon (add dehydrated apples and cinnamon)
- Strawberries and Cream (add dehydrated strawberries and a splash of milk or cream to the cooked oats)
- Gingerbread (add ground ginger, cloves, and cinnamon to the mix, with a tad of molasses to the cooked oats)
- Banana Bread (add dehydrated bananas, pecans, and cinnamon)
- Hot Chocolate (add cocoa powder and chocolate chips to the mix- they will melt when you add hot water!)
I could probably go on forever with these combos. Any other ideas? Leave them in the comments below!
How To Make Your Own DIY Instant Oatmeal Packets
Ingredients
For each oatmeal packet:
- 3 tablespoons quick oats
- 1 pinch kosher salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon chopped or sliced nuts almonds, pecans, peanuts, etc.
- 1 tablespoon dried fruit dates, raisins, cranberries, apples, bananas, etc.
- 1 teaspoon sugar brown or white
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a plastic baggie or small tupperware, and store on the shelf for up to 6 months.
- When you are ready to eat, add 1/2 to 3/4 cup hot water to the contents of the oatmeal packet in a bowl or mug. Allow to sit for one minute, stir, and eat!
Notes
- Don't have quick oats? You can also use regular old fashioned oats, which will have more of a crunch when hot water is added.
- Don't want to use sugar? Leave it out, and add honey or maple syrup after adding hot water to the oats.
- The provided nutrition information does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. Feel free to calculate it yourself using this calculator or by adding the recipe to Yummly.
Nutrition
Nutrition Information Disclaimer
The provided nutrition information is my best estimate and reflects one serving of the recipe (total servings indicated at top of recipe card). It does not include any added sodium from seasoning to taste, any optional ingredients, and it does not take brands into account. I use an automatic API to calculate this information. Feel free to calculate it yourself using one of these tools:
Sue G.
Because of my husband’s work, we often stay overnight in motels and often don’t have time to stop at the breakfast buffet before we leave for the day. This is a great option for making a quick breakfast in the room, as we always bring some milk and juice to stick in the mini-fridge. I’ve often wondered if you could somehow make your own oatmeal packets and save money (and have better choices for flavors) — now I know! Thanks for this great recipe.
Elizabeth Lindemann
So glad you liked it!
Mike
I really like the idea and overall the recipe was good, but that’s a whole lot of salt in a small pkg. The salt ruined it for me. I’m not particularly sensitive to salt either. I’m not sure what it’s purpose is here. I’ll try it next time without.
Elizabeth Lindemann
Thanks so much for the feedback, and sorry this ended up being a frustrating experience for you! Salt in oatmeal is, to me, essential- I love balancing any sweetness from added sugars and fruits with a little salt. That said, I’m looking at the recipe instructions again and think this recipe would benefit from a pinch of salt rather than 1/4 teaspoon. I’m going to update the recipe now and add it to my list of recipes to revisit soon. Try without next time- you can always add a little bit after cooking if you think it needs it!
Amy
I have a sweet tooth so I don’t mind the sugar. The combinations are endless.
DRY INGREDIENTS:
4 tbspns regular oats (I love the crunch)
1Tbspn chopped pecans & hazelnuts
1 1/2 Tbspns dried apple & cranberry (small pieces)
1/4 Tspn salt
1/8 Tspn nutmeg
1/8 Tspn cinnamon
2 Tspns powdered sugar
WET INGREDIENTS:
1/4 C half & half
1/8 Tspn Vanilla
Hot water (how much depends on how you like the consistency of your oatmeal
While water is boiling combine dry ingredients (except for powdered sugar) in your bowl. Pour boiling water over your dry ingredients & stir until desired consistency is reached. Cover bowl with foil & let sit a few minutes. Combine half & half, vanilla, & powdered sugar & stir.
Uncover oatmeal & pour half & half mixture over oatmeal. Stir. Enjoy.
Receipe can be adjusted. People like different consistencies & sweetness.
Elizabeth
Love these suggestions, thank you! I LOVE half and half added to already cooked oatmeal.
Sue G.
That sounds really good! Will definitely have to try that combination. Thanks for sharing.
Shanan
I think the packets at the store are like glue. I am wondering if the quick oats in these would have better texture. I will try just one to start in a little Mason jar. These would be great for my work snack drawer.
Elizabeth Lindemann
I agree about the glue-like texture! So, that can happen with quick oats as well. The more the oats are processed/cut up before cooking, the more starch comes out of them which results in that paste-like texture. More starch also comes out the more you stir oats. You can try old fashioned oats here – I recommend adding the hot water, then covering the container for 10-15-ish minutes to let the oats absorb everything. Or if you use quick oats, try not to stir it at all until it’s all absorbed. But yeah, I totally get what you mean!
liz1054
So delicious!
Anne Marie | ciao-mama.com
Wow, I absolutely love this idea! I can’t believe homemade oatmeal packets have never been a part of my life until now. I can’t wait to experiment with different flavor combos! In fact, I think you just gave me the perfect excuse to procrastinate on work and go mix up some little bags of oats in my kitchen. :)
Elizabeth
Glad you like the idea!! Happy to help- both with the idea and with the procrastination :-)
thenutritiouskitchen
Ahh I LOVE love love this idea! I am obsessed with oatmeal and have to have some version of it for breakfast every morning…this is such a great idea for my early days!
Sam ~ it doesn't taste like chicken
Great idea! Those packets usually have way too much sugar for my taste. Looks yummy
Amy
My husband and I eat homemade oatmeal every morning. He’s about to start traveling 4 days a week and this is the perfect solution to make sure he gets a good breakfast. So much better than that stuff they put out on the hotel breakfast buffet! Thanks!