Stop buying oatmeal packets and make your own homemade instant oatmeal! As easy as combining oats with your favorite nuts, dried fruit and spices.
Raise your hand if you secretly love maple and brown sugar instant oatmeal. (Raises hand.) Raise your hand if you are hungry 30 minutes after consuming said packet of instant oatmeal. (Raises hand.)
Making your own instant oatmeal is as easy as combining oats with your favorite dried fruit, nuts, brown sugar and spices.
Here are a few tricks to making it extra special so that your family will gobble it up:
Secrets to adding flavor to oatmeal:
1) Toast The Nuts: By popping the chopped walnuts and almonds in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes, the natural oils are released and the end result is a warm, nutty and toasted flavor that you wouldn’t get using raw nuts.
2) Add Fruit. I love raisins, don’t get me wrong. But why not give a shout out to your other favorite dried fruits? Apricots, cranberries, cherries, dates, figs… go crazy with your dried-fruit-loving self.
3) Sneak in Nutrition: Flax seed meal and toasted wheat germ does a body good and I guarantee your children will not notice it’s in there. I do guarantee their bodies will appreciate the omega-3’s, zinc, protein, B vitamins, fiber and other goodies.
Make Your Own Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix
Ingredients
- 8 cups old fashioned oats
- 2 cups dried fruit chopped - I used raisins and dried apricots
- 2 cups nuts chopped - I used walnuts and almonds
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup flax seed meal
- 1/4 cup cinnamon
- 4 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon nutmeg
- 1/2 tablespoon ground cloves
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spread chopped nuts in an even layer on a baking sheet.
- Roast nuts for 10 minutes or until lightly toasted; set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combing all ingredients including toasted nuts. Store in an air-tight container for up to 3 weeks.
- To serve: scoop out 1 cup of the oatmeal mixture and place in a bowl with 1/2 cup water or milk. Microwave for 90 seconds or until liquid is absorbed.
Video
Recipe Notes:
Kerri
May 24, 2019 at 10:42 amThis recipe was….okay. I’m about to make it again, cut the salt in half, double the sugar, and don’t include cloves and nutmeg. I also microwave it with 1 cup of oats to 1 cup of water for 90 seconds.
Liz DellaCroce
May 24, 2019 at 3:24 pmYou should try it sometime with blueberries mixed in and drizzled with peanut butter!
Tif
January 23, 2019 at 5:45 pmWondering what type of salt people are using and if that’s making the “salty difference”? I’m not sure why people can’t tell beforehand if salt or cinnamon levels are going to be too much. If you’re sensitive to it, wouldn’t you know and adjust accordingly up front?
Liz DellaCroce
January 26, 2019 at 2:16 pmI’m not sure either to be honest. I use Kosher salt. :)
Anon
May 10, 2018 at 11:38 amOh my god the salt. You really should edit this recipe for future users. I wasted all those ingredients, and I can see from the comments section many folks felt the same. This was the worst recipe I’ve ever made from online.
Liz DellaCroce
May 11, 2018 at 9:26 amHi Anon, I am going to politely agree to disagree. The salt balances out the sweetness of the sugar and dried fruit. That said, you’re welcome to make it your own and leave it out!
J
September 13, 2017 at 3:13 pmI just made a batch of this last night and tried it myself today. It is SO SALTY!! I can’t even taste any other flavors! Is there a way to fix this batch, other than making another with NO salt to add to it? My kids might not even eat this and I have already wasted all these ingredients. I’m so bummed-this looked like a keeper ????.
Liz DellaCroce
September 13, 2017 at 5:02 pmHi Julie Ann, We make this all the time so i Just want to make sure: did you use four teaspoons? Not tablespoons, right? Just making sure. In general, 4 teaspoons works well with 1/4 cup cinnamon, 8 cups of oats, 2 cups dried fruit, 2 cups nuts and 1/2 cup brown sugar. That said, you can just add more oats and cinnamon and that should fix it!
HC
January 28, 2016 at 9:50 pmHome made granola and yogurt or Oatmeal!
[email protected]
July 26, 2013 at 8:13 amHow awesome is this!!!
Melissa
April 8, 2013 at 11:37 amI just made this and the cinnamon is way overpowering. Next time I will use only 1/2 of the cinnamon called for. As is, I cannot taste the fruit or nuts bacause of the cinnamon.
Liz DellaCroce
April 8, 2013 at 11:47 amHi Melissa – I’m sorry the cinnamon flavor was too strong! I’ve made it for several friends and family with less and they always ask for more. I guess everyone prefers it a bit differently but regardless I’m hopeful you will try it again and make it your own way next time with less cinnamon! I also love using different fruits and nuts depending on what I have on hand. Very customizable! Enjoy!
Cynthia
January 28, 2013 at 4:14 pmI recently discovered your website and I’m enjoying trying out your recipes in an effort to be healthier. I love the taste of the roasted nuts in this oatmeal, but I find it really salty. I think I would leave out the salt altogether if I make this recipe again.
Liz DellaCroce
January 30, 2013 at 7:53 amAren’t roasted nuts the best? Feel free to adjust salt in any of my recipes – it is all up to personal preference. Enjoy!!
Sophia
January 21, 2013 at 7:56 amSmells delicious, but has too much salt. Otherwise I’m certain it much be wonderful. Guess I’ll be making a double batch and not add anymore salt. Next week for breakfast hopefully….
Liz DellaCroce
January 21, 2013 at 8:23 amSophia: Please make it your own and skip the salt!! The great thing about making your own instant oatmeal is that you don’t have to have ingredients found in the packets (like sodium.) :-) Enjoy and please let me know how it turns out!!
Gin
January 9, 2013 at 9:14 amI’m following you on Pinterest!
Gin
January 9, 2013 at 9:12 amI’m following you on Facebook.
Gin
January 9, 2013 at 9:10 amMy easiest breakfast (besides oatmeal) is homemade whole-grain toast and yogurt. I use plain yogurt and mix in fresh fruit, toasted walnuts, wheat germ, and a touch of honey and cinnamon!
Joy
January 9, 2013 at 12:36 amI like making different varieties (strawberry banana, peach coconut, aplle cinnemon, etc) of refrigerated overnight oatmeal in cute little 8oz mason jars. It’s so easy for the kids to grab one and eat. I also enjoy them about 10 am at work for a late morning snack.
Liz M.
January 8, 2013 at 11:48 pmI follow you on Pinterest!
Liz M.
January 8, 2013 at 11:47 pmI liked you on Facebook!
Liz M.
January 8, 2013 at 11:46 pmI subscribed to your RSS feed!
Liz M.
January 8, 2013 at 11:44 pmI follow you on Twitter! @FakeGradSchool
Jean
January 8, 2013 at 6:22 pmwhite eggs on whole toast