I wanted to share a tip with all those busy moms who love instant oatmeal, but can't stand those awful prices. I take regular oatmeal and put it in my blender and just give it a few zaps, to break up the oats. You can add different ingredients to make it taste better.
Here are a few of mine.
Cinnamon Apple
1/4 cup of blended oats
A few chopped dehydrated apples
1/4 tsp cinnamon
A bit of brown sugar
Peaches and Cream:
1/4 cup of blended oats
1/2 peach from can or fresh if you have it, cut up
1-2 tbsp of vanilla instant pudding powder
All you have to do is bag up the mix. Be sure to only store dry ingredients. I like using dehydrated fruits and instant puddings. they store well and you can put them in single serve bags or bowls and all you need to do is add hot water.
To save time and money I set out my crock pot before bed and make long cook oatmeal. I add chopped apples and cinnamon and leave it on low all night. I end up with a very velvety oatmeal in the morning. I put most of it into containers in the fridge so anyone in my family can microwave a bowl during the week for breakfast. I work so this saves time and the family can still get a hot healthy breakfast.
Another tip: I hold onto small canisters, including larger used spice jars, to carry my oats. I keep them lined up on the kitchen counter to grab on the go! I am not a parent, but I am a busy young adult working in a competitive career field -- having a healthy instant breakfast I can stick in my purse then mix in a bowl with hot water at my office is a huge boon for me.
I am so grateful for the ideas on add-ins! None of this had occurred to me before. I just mix my oats with powdered honey, purchased in large quantities at BulkFoods.com. Tastes like regular honey when mixed with water, but more convenient and slightly cheaper.
I read this article and I have to say I was baffled as to why the oats would be put into a blender. Anyway, my contribution to this post is my own creation, something I have done for years and I love. I, too, use the Quaker quick oats, add a handful (or so) of orange flavored dried cranberries and some hot water. I used to use orange extract and Craisins, but found the orange flavored dried cranberries to be even faster. :) I used to make "apple" flavored oatmeal for my daughter when she was a toddler, using the quick oats and apple juice. I also used to use maple syrup and brown sugar to get that maple and brown sugar taste, but found that it took a lot of both to create a good flavor, and stopped because of all the sugar I was putting in her body. Cinnamon and apple juice is so much better :)
The Quick Oats can be prepared in the microwave exactly as they come out of the box. There is no need to process them more. Time is same as for "instant". I emailed Quaker about this over a year ago and this was info they gave me. TC JAN
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Tip: Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal
Archived on 10/12/2007
As a busy single mom, I can certainly appreciate convenience foods. It is not necessary, however, to pay a high price for convenience with a little advance planning. For example, you can make your own flavored instant oatmeal packets by simply combining the ingredients (quick oats and the flavoring of your choice - brown sugar, cinnamon, etc) in a ziplock baggie ahead of time. If something requires both wet and dry ingredients, you can use two baggies (wet ingredients in one, dry in the other) and combine when preparing. To use the oatmeal example again, oats and sugar would go in one baggie, a mashed banana and vanilla in another.
By Leann D
Feedback:
RE: Convenience Foods - Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal
This is a great idea. I usually just follow the microwave directions on the oatmeal box (round), but my son is always wishing for the packets. I could make up packages for him, and for myself that would take both of us less time.
I have also started making my oatmeal with milk instead of water. This gives you more nutrition for the same preparation time.
(12/26/2004)
RE: Convenience Foods - Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal
Try also raisins, chocolate chips, or dried apples. This is a great tip. No need to buy the already made packets of oatmeal when you can save A LOT of money packaging up your own. (12/26/2004)
RE: Convenience Foods - Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal
I have been making these for about 4 years and I love them! I have saved a lot of money as well. Even the store brand oatmeal packets are expensive now. Check them out and see for yourself.
Creamy Homemade Fruit Oatmeal Packets
1 cup quick cooking oatmeal
3 tabs, powered coffee creamer.
2 tabs dried fruit or (2 tabs. fruit preserves) of your choice,
2-3 tsp. sugar. More or less to taste
Directions for Each Oatmeal Packet:
Place 1/2 cup of the oats in a blender and grind until powdery. Then place in zip-lock bag along with all of the other ingredients. I make up a weeks worth at a time. When ready to use. Open one bag and pour in a bowl. Add 1/2 cup boiling water and stir. If you like thick oatmeal use less water and if you like thinner oatmeal use more water. Enjoy.
Sandy-TN (01/13/2005)
RE: Convenience Foods - Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal
Thanks for the tips, guys. I have been wondering this for a few months and I finally did a Google search on the topic. Glad I found this thread and this website. I love being thrifty!
Lori - Kansas City, MO (11/02/2005)
By Lori
RE: Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal
My kids were mad when I stopped buying it. I asked them what they liked about it that mine didn't have and they said the dinosaur eggs. So, I bought a pkg of inexpensive dinosaur, creature, and floral sprinkles (I let each child choose their own) to put on my homemade prepackaged oatmeal after it's cooked. They're in heaven and haven't complained a bit since!
Sometimes it's the little things that make all the difference. (04/16/2007)
