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snack baggies with instant oatmeal in them.

Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets

Carolyn
Homemade instant oatmeal packets are quick and easy to make, giving you a hot, satisfying breakfast in minutes with wholesome ingredients. They’re more affordable than store-bought options and can be customized with your favorite flavors and mix-ins.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 minute
Total Time 11 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Servings 8 packets
Calories 198 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Bowl
  • snack bags
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

To meal prep 8 bags of instant oatmeal:

  • 4 cups quick cooking oats see note for gluten-free
  • 8 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 4 teaspoons cinnamon

For one bowl of oatmeal:

  • ½ cup quick cooking oats
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • ⅙ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ to ⅔ cup hot water

Instructions
 

To meal prep the instant oatmeal packets:

  • In a large bowl, combine the quick cooking oats, brown sugar, kosher salt, and cinnamon. Stir well until throughly combined.
  • Use a ½ cup measuring spoon to evenly divide the mixture into 8 snack baggies.
  • Zip the bags and set aside until ready to use.

To make one bowl of instant oatmeal:

  • Heat the water in the microwave or in a small saucepan on the stovetop until it’s very hot! 
  • In a medium bowl. Combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt. Stir to combine. Or if you meal prepped bags ahead of time, dump one bag into a medium bowl.
  • Pour the hot water over the oatmeal and stir until combined. The oatmeal will thicken as it sits. If you prefer thicker oatmeal, use less water. 

Video

Notes

Liquid to oat ratio: The more water you add, the looser the oatmeal will be. If you add less water, it will be thicker. Keep in mind that the oatmeal may seem a little bit liquidy at first, but it thickens as it cools. I typically heat ⅔ cup of water per bowl of oatmeal, then I add ½ cup of it to the oatmeal. If it's too thick, I add a little bit more. 
Note: I do not recommend adding the water to the oats before you heat it up. In my experience, adding water to the oatmeal mixture then heating it in the microwave ended with gloopy, mushy oatmeal. 
Gluten-free: If you're gluten-intolerant or celiac, be sure to purchase oats that are labeled gluten-free!

Nutrition

Calories: 198kcalCarbohydrates: 40gProtein: 6gFat: 3gSaturated Fat: 0.5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 295mgPotassium: 165mgFiber: 4gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 0.04mgCalcium: 39mgIron: 2mg
Keyword homemade instant oatmeal
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