Avoid the grocery store and make your own oatmeal instant oatmeal! This recipe is as easy as combining oats with your favorite nuts, 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:
Frequently asked questions:
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.
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.
Sneak in Nutrition: Flaxseed meal and toasted wheat germ do 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.
Use sage, golden raisins, less sugar, and perhaps buttery toasted pinon nuts. Look at Middle Eastern and Moroccan style spices mixtures for savory-sweet oatmeal.
Mix in a fruit like frozen blueberries to cool it down.
📖 Recipe
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 I use kosher 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, combine 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 it in a bowl with 1/2 cup water or milk. Microwave for 90 seconds or until liquid is absorbed.
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?
Liz DellaCroce
I’m not sure either to be honest. I use Kosher salt. :)
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!
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
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.
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