Heather says:
Try making your own oatmeal packets. There’s no need to worry about measuring or digging for sugar and spices first thing in the morning. If you are cooking for one, add as listed to a baggie. Otherwise multiply the amounts by the number of servings you require. Use the cheap fold over baggies* and store in a freezer bag or an airtight container.
In the morning, just boil the water and stir in the contents. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Or, if you are seriously pressed for time, create instant oatmeal packs by whirring the oatmeal in a blender until powdery. To cook just add boiling water and stir.
For each serving use 1/2 cup rolled oats
Apple Cinnamon (per serving)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 TBSP sugar
- 2 TBSP chopped dried apples
Cinnamon and brown sugar-
- 1 TBSP brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Cinnamon Raisin –
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1 TBSP sugar
- 2 TBSP raisins
For creamy versions and added calcium add 1/3 cup nonfat dry milk.
Don’t limit yourself to these variations, take a stroll down the cereal aisle for ideas and experiment to your hearts content. I buy rolled oats in bulk from the grocer or healthfood store for about $0.99lb. Not only is it a lot of bang for the buck, but the reduction in packaging is good for the environment.
*These baggies can be reused many times.
Sounds great!
How is it a reduction in packaging if you’re buying in bulk and repackaging in individual baggies?? I’m not currently on high-speed in the mornings, but when I am, I’m going to go with an idea I saw somewhere: put the oatmeal in the crockpot overnight OR put hot water and the dry cereal in a thermos overnight.
Margo,
By reusing the baggies as noted. Overtime it seriously reduces the amount of packaging. Compared to the boxes with individual servings. Everything is dry, so they can be reused many, many times.
ah, sorry I missed that the first time around. I use my baggies over and over too.
We use the blender version as I am rushed in the mornings 🙂 It is so much healthier and cheaper than the regular processed packets!
Couldn’t you just make a bunch of one kind and put it in a canister and then scoop it out every morning? Would it go stale more quickly? I’ve never eaten oatmeal before, and after a life of granola and fruit in the morning, I think it’s time for a change…
I like the idea of having it in a container then keep a scoop for the kids… They can add their own goodies (ie. brown sugar) at the table.
Thank you Heather for sharing this wonderful idea of homemade instant oatmeal. My kids do like to eat it and is rather pricey at almost $4/box (is it 8 servings per box? cannot remember)… but I can buy a LOT of regular oatmeal and make many many packages on my own..
Oh, excellent!
I’ve been raving about oatmeal as a money saver for a while now… as long as people stay away from the poison packet instant flavored stuff.
Ooh, this sounds great! I found this blog last week and it was love at first sight, I was thinking of doing my own pancake/waffle dry mix and thought I’d come here to look for some recipes. My dd loves the instant packets, and this sounds cheaper and way healthier! I’ll get on this asap tomorrow!! Thanks!