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Make Your Own Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix

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LIZ DELLA CROCE

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Make your own homemade instant oatmeal mix! This recipe is as easy as combining oats with your favorite nuts, fruit, and spices.

Spoonful of make your own homemade instant oatmeal mix.

If you know me, you know I love oatmeal for breakfast such as my ULTIMATE 90 Second Microwave Oatmeal recipe. And while I love the convenience of instant oatmeal, store bought can contain a lot of preservatives, hidden ingredients, and processed sugar that decrease the nutritional value. That’s why I love to keep the convenience without skipping the nutrition by making my own homemade instant oatmeal mix. I’ll be sharing my favorite way to make it, but this method can be an outline you follow and make your own!

Ingredients

  • Oats: We like to use old fashioned oats, but you can use quick oats as well.
  • Chopped nuts: Use your favorite, I typically use a mix of walnuts, pecans, or almonds.
  • Dried fruit: Again, use your favorite mix, I use raisins, dried mango, or dried apricots.
  • Brown sugar: Adds a wonderful richer sweetness to the finished oatmeal.
  • Warm spices: I love the warm, more savory flavor that nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves give to the oatmeal.
  • Flaxseed: Flaxseed meal doesn’t add anything in flavor, but is a packed with nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids.

How to Make your own Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix

Start your homemade instant oatmeal by chopping your mixed nuts. For added flavor, toss them in the oven and toast them at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.

Then prepare your dried fruit and toss it in a large bowl with your oats.

Next add the brown sugar.

Followed by the flaxseed meal.

Then add the cinnamon, nutmeg, and ground cloves, along with a pinch of salt.

Stir everything together until your oatmeal mix is evenly combined.

Make your own homemade instant oatmeal.

To prepare your oatmeal, mix a cup of the dried mix with 1/2 cup of either milk or water, and microwave for about 90 seconds. Then serve, and enjoy your homemade instant oatmeal mix!

Easy Substitutions

  • Switch up the fruit. Apricots, cranberries, cherries, dates, figs… go crazy with your dried-fruit-loving self. You could also add fresh fruit before serving, like blueberries or strawberries.
  • Sweeten it differently. Instead of brown sugar, use honey or maple syrup. Like it sweeter? Try adding in chocolate chips.

Frequently asked questions

Which is the healthiest oatmeal?

All kinds of oats are actually similar in nutritional value, they just take different amounts of time to cook. Steel cut oats usually take the longest, and

Can you eat oatmeal everyday?

Yes you can! It’s high fiber and probiotic content make it a great breakfast choice.

How long does homemade instant oatmeal keep?

Kept in an airtight container at room temperature, the mix will keep for up to 3 weeks.

Other Oatmeal Options

Eat It, Like It, Share It!

Did you try this oatmeal recipe? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials. Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.

Make your own homemade instant oatmeal mix with Liz.

On busy school mornings, with my homemade instant oatmeal mix prepped in advance, I can have breakfast on the table in 90 seconds. My kids have a hearty breakfast that will keep them full until lunch, and your can, too.

Your spoon is waiting.

Make Your Own Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix

4.45 stars average
This recipe is as easy as combining oats with your favorite nuts, fruit and spices.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 2 minutes
Total Time 12 minutes
Serves16
CourseBreakfast
Calories318

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions
 

  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and spread chopped nuts in an even layer on a baking sheet.
    2 cups nuts
  2. Roast nuts for 10 minutes or until lightly toasted; set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients including toasted nuts. Store in an air-tight container for up to 3 weeks.
    8 cups old fashioned oats, 2 cups dried fruit, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/4 cup flax seed meal, 3 tablespoons cinnamon, 1 tablespoon salt, 1/2 tablespoon nutmeg, 1/4 tablespoon ground cloves
  4. To serve: scoop out 1 cup of the oatmeal mixture and place it in a bowl with 1/2 cup water or milk. Microwave for 90 seconds or until liquid is absorbed.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.75cupCalories: 318kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 9gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 444mgPotassium: 326mgFiber: 8gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 8IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 70mgIron: 3mg

Video

Liz’s Notes

1/2 cup of liquid is used to cook oatmeal but feel free to add more or less to reach desired oatmeal consistency. 90 seconds will cook the oatmeal but if you prefer a more mushy oatmeal, feel free to cook longer. I like it a little on the chewy side!
We like using old fashioned oats for added texture but you can also use quick cooking. Just note that it will cook faster and be a bit on the mushier side.

Have you tried this?

Let us know how it was!

4.45 from 40 votes (17 ratings without comment)

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99 responses to “Make Your Own Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix”

  1. Tif Avatar
    Tif

    Wondering 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?

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      Liz DellaCroce

      I’m not sure either to be honest. I use Kosher salt. :)

      1. Sara Avatar
        Sara

        Liz you are strong and resilient (keep it up) as is anyone willing to take “constructive” criticism who can be exposed to such anger about making homemade oatmeal- sheesh (anon’s comment…there is reason they used “anon”. Had to be Tbs vs tsp. And different salts have different saltiness. Flaky Kosher is a lot milder and measures differently than granulated iodized table salt like Morton’s.). Hang in there.

  2. Anon Avatar
    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.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      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!

  3. J Avatar
    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 ????.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      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!

  4. Melissa Avatar
    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.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      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!

  5. Cynthia Avatar
    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.

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      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!!

  6. Sophia Avatar
    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….

    1. Liz DellaCroce Avatar
      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!!

  7. Gin Avatar
    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!

  8. Joy Avatar
    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.

  9. Anna Avatar
    Anna

    My fave on the go breakfast is a green smoothie, packed with veggies, fruits, protein and it delish and packs a healthy punch!

  10. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    My own egg sandwich, it lasts longer on the way out the door than cold cereal.