Making your own instant oatmeal is as easy as combining oats with your favorite nuts, dried fruit and spices. Fast, healthy and a great cost savings!
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.)
MY LATEST VIDEOSMaking 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:
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. (This is the same reason I always toast the pine nuts for my hummus.)
2) Don’t Let Raisins Have All The Fun: 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) Sneaky 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.
Prefer video? Recently, I had the opportunity to visit my friends from EightWest to demonstrate this recipe on TV! Check it out!
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 toasted wheat germ
- 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.
Notes
Anon
Oh 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
Hi 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
I 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
Hi 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
Home made granola and yogurt or Oatmeal!
steph@stephsbitebybite
How awesome is this!!!
Melissa
I 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
Hi 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
I 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
Aren’t roasted nuts the best? Feel free to adjust salt in any of my recipes – it is all up to personal preference. Enjoy!!
Sophia
Smells 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
Sophia: 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
I’m following you on Pinterest!
Gin
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Gin
My 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
I 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.
I follow you on Pinterest!
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I tweeted!
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Liz M.
I follow you on Twitter! @FakeGradSchool
Liz M.
Thanks for the giveaway! I like instant oatmeal, croissants and muffins for quick breakfasts!
Jean
white eggs on whole toast
Sert
I love a bagel with raisin and peanut butter
Marie
A mixture of apples cheese and walnuts
Anna
I follow on twitter @annaDishes
Anna
My fave on the go breakfast is a green smoothie, packed with veggies, fruits, protein and it delish and packs a healthy punch!
Jennifer
My own egg sandwich, it lasts longer on the way out the door than cold cereal.
Linda
I always love having grits with blueberries.
Donna
Greek yogurt and almonds
Michelle
my favorite busy morning breakfast is an egg white omelet full of yummy veggies!
Neiddy Ruiz
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Neiddy Ruiz
I really enjoy having yogurt, fresh fruit and a cup of orange juice for breakfast, that’s all I need to start my day
Madeline
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Madeline
I follow you on Pinterest (username: Madeline Brubaker).
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Madeline
I follow you on Twitter (@shala_darkstone).
Madeline
I’ve been soaking my oatmeal the night before with a bit of rye flour and vinegar. Then I just add a banana and almond milk and cocoa powder in the morning. Very delicious!
Amanda, RD- The Nutritionist Reviews
My favorite busy morning breakfast is oatmeal.
Jessie
Lately, I’m really into oranges. There’s nothing better than a quick orange when they’re in season.
Amy
My favorite quick breakfast is raw oatmeal and yogurt mixed together with a bit of whatever fruit i have in the fridge. I keep this in fridge overnite and in the morning it is delish!
Kim Delfsma
I eat plain oatmeal. But I made you homemade oatmeal recipe today and Imcan’t wait till morning to try it!
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think!! We have been eating it all week. :-)
Afton Collins
whole grain Eggo waffles with MorningStar veggie sausage.
Paula C.
I like The Lemon Bowl on Facebook.
Paula C.
A high fiber granola bar and a piece of fruit. It seems to hold me until lunch time.
Kim Delfsma
My healthy breakfast is oatmeal. i am making your recipe right now and can’t wait to try it!!
Kera
Greek yogurt with kashi GoLean Crunch cereal as granola.
Michele
Your oatmeal recipe looks wonderful. I can’t wait to try it this weekend. My favorite morning meal is yogurt and granola. Quick easy and good for you.
Wild Orchid
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