Homemade Instant Oatmeal

It goes without saying that I am not a morning person. Like, if there’s a way for me to spend 5 extra minutes in bed, I’ll do it. As such, I’m always on the lookout for new portable breakfast options since I have a difficult time getting out of bed early enough to eat a breakfast at home before leaving for work. Anything that I can grab-and-go to enjoy once I’m sitting at my desk is a very good thing.

Instant oatmeal is easily found at most grocery stores, but once I looked at the ingredient list, I haven’t eaten any. (I know, I know, the muffins I eat in copius amounts probably aren’t healthier in the strictest of senses, but at least they’re homemade and I can pronounce all the ingredients I’ve added. And, well, they taste good.) I always thought that there was some sort of shnazzy processing step that couldn’t be done at home, so when I saw the how-to tutorial, I was surprized that I could make it myself with whatever mix-ins I want.

Infact, now that I know how easy it is to make, I’m telling everyone about it. Just call it my gospel.

The original tutorial lists a lot of mix-in ideas that sound like they’d be good, but I pretty much eat my oatmeal at home one-way-and-one-way-only: no sugar and with dried fruit, usually raisins, so that’s what I went with here. Try the other suggestions and let me know how they go!

It’s worth mentioning that this oatmeal is not sweet at all (I didn’t add any sugar) and if you’re expecting it to taste more like the stuff you buy premade, it would be a good idea to add a little. If you’re aiming to eat less sugar, I found that after a day of eating this version, I didn’t miss it at all. Your choice

Oh! and the flax seeds? We’ve had some sitting in our pantry for way too long and I figured this would be an excellent way to start to use them up. Extra fiber is never a bad thing, right? Again, after the first day, I didn’t really notice them.

The Recipe

Original how-to from The Kitchn
Makes aprox. 12 servings

6 cups / 1.5L quick oats
1/2 tsp. / 2mL salt (or to taste)

1/4 cup / 60mL flax seed (optional)
1 cup / 250mL (120g) or more, dried mixed berries or mix-in of choice

How-To

In a blender or food processor, grind 2 cups / 500mL of the quick oats into a fine powder.

In a large bowl, mix the remaining quick oats, powdered quick oats, salt, flax seeds (if using), and whatever mix-ins you’re using (in this example, the dried mixed berries and flax seeds). Combine well — the powder should coat all the oats and mix-ins.

Divide into heaping 1/2 cup / 125mL portions into zip-lock bags or containers and seal well. Alternatively, keep in one large container and portion as-you-go.

To Cook

Place one heaping 1/2 cup / 125mL serving in a bowl or mug, and combine with approximately 3/4 cup / 175mL boiling water (more or less to achieve your desired consistency). Stir and let stand for 3 minutes (during which it will thicken). Say yum and enjoy!