Last week I shared about the Freezer Baking Afternoon that I spent with my friend Elizabeth. In addition to the Chewy, No-Bake Granola Bars we made, we also tried a new recipe for Instant Oatmeal.
While this probably shouldn’t be included in a freezer baking post since there is neither freezing nor baking involved, it lines up with the goal of our session – which is to simplify healthier breakfasts and snacks for our kids.
I had been trying to come up with a simple alternative for instant oatmeal packets that might be a bit cheaper and healthier. My kids really love the packets and I really want to do all that I can to encourage their love for oatmeal!
So when I discovered this post about the “secret” to making instant oatmeal packets that taste like the real thing, I knew I needed to give it a try. (Spoiler alert: It has to do with blending the oatmeal and mixing in non-dairy creamer.)
I have to tell you – this recipe is a WIN in my book for a couple reasons:
1) It takes about 5 minutes to mix it up. Couldn’t be much simpler!
2) My son LOVES it. The first time I served it to him, I decided not to tell him that I had made it so as not to taint his view. He begged for seconds and raved about it. Score!
Instant Oatmeal Packets Recipe
(adapted from One Good Thing by Jillee)
- 10 cups of quick oats
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1-2 cups brown sugar
- 1 cup non-dairy creamer
- maple syrup to mix in when serving (optional)
Directions:
- In a large bowl, measure out 7 cups of oats.
- Measure out the remaining 3 cups of oats in a blender and blend until powdery, then add to the 7 cups of oats.
- Add salt, brown sugar, and creamer to the oats. Stir until well mixed.
- Store in an airtight container.
- When serving, measure 1/2 cup of the oatmeal mixture and 3/4 cup milk or water to a bowl. Microwave 1 – 2 minutes.
- Makes approximately 24 servings.
My son really loves a bit of maple syrup mixed in when I serve it. I’ve also heard of others adding almonds or even dried apples. I think the sky’s the limit when it comes to mix-ins, so let me know what you try!
Thank you for posting this. I was just thinking of doing this very same thing and was looking for a good and trusted recipe to use.
Have you thought about the nonfat dry milk powder instead of the creamer? I use that in my oatmeal and I prefer the creamier texture (as opposed to using just water). I’m guessing it is healthier also.
While I like this as a frugal idea, this isn’t any “non-processed” than the oatmeal packets when you non-dairy creamer. This is copy and pasted from the nutrition information for Coffee Mate Non-Dairy Creamer Powder (and is correct as of August 2015, per their website):
INGREDIENTS: CORN SYRUP SOLIDS, HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE OIL (COCONUT AND/OR PALM KERNEL AND/OR SOYBEAN), SODIUM CASEINATE (A MILK DERIVATIVE)**, LESS THAN 2% OF DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, SODIUM ALUMINOSILICATE, ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, ANNATTO COLOR. CONTAINS: A MILK DERIVATIVE.
In comparison, here’s what in the Quaker Instant Oatmeal Original Flavor:
WHOLE GRAIN ROLLED OATS, CALCIUM CARBONATE, SALT, GUAR GUM, CARAMEL COLOR, REDUCED IRON, VITAMIN A PALMITATE.
I do appreciate the cheaper version! I’ve got a kid who LOVES instant oatmeal and I’m definitely saving the recipe so I don’t have to keep paying outrageous prices for a box of 8 little packets.
Thanks for pointing that out, Jacqui. I hadn’t thought about that! I wonder if there is an organic alternative to the powdered coffee creamer?
I’ve been making these packets for years!I found this recipe (or at least very similar) online (WAAAAAAAY before Pinterest) and made them up for my husband and oldest son who liked to eat something before they left the house for work at o’dark-thirty in the morning. I would measure it out into the smaller snack sized baggies and they would save them for me to refill. I stored it all in the same oatmeal container the oats came in =)
add a spoonful of peanut butter! So good and protein!
I mix 1/2 c of steel cut oatmeal with dash of salt. Cover with 1 cup water. Add 1 tiny snack box of raisins, and frozen blueberries(handful). Microwave for 5 minutes. Take out and add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 packet of splenda or maple syrup and handful of chopped walnuts. Great taste and good for you with cinnamon and walnuts and blueberries