Learn how to make your own homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets in various flavors for a quick and easy breakfast. Great for meal prep, camping, traveling, and more! Gluten-free and vegan.
There is comfort in a warm bowl of oatmeal. Having healthy foods at the ready is great for busy mornings. These DIY instant oatmeal packets make oatmeal on the go super easy. Whether at home or work, these little packets provide a hearty breakfast the whole family will love.
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Perfect for quick breakfasts
- Use your favorite toppings
- Budget-friendly
Ingredients and substitutions
Here are a few quick notes about the main ingredients in this recipe. You can see a complete list of ingredients and instructions in the instant oatmeal recipe card below.
Quick oats - Also known as instant oats, quick-cooking oats cook up and soften into a creamy oatmeal in much less time than old-fashioned oats. For gluten-free diets, choose oats that are certified gluten-free.
Almond milk - This non-dairy milk adds to the richness and creaminess of homemade oatmeal. You can substitute almond milk with the milk you prefer. Hot water can also be used but it will result in a less creamy oatmeal.
Coconut sugar - Similar in flavor to brown sugar, this is an unrefined sweetener option. Maple sugar and date sugar are great options too. You can also naturally sweeten your oatmeal with date paste! Just swirl in with your chosen milk.
Ground flaxseed (optional) - Flaxseed is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber. It adds a nice nutty flavor to the instant oat mix. Chia seeds are a great substitute for ground flax seeds as they also add creaminess and nutrition.
Mix-in options
The great thing about making DIY packets of instant oatmeal is having your choice of mix-ins!
Dried fruit, nuts, chia seeds, coconut flakes, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, or mini chocolate chips are a great option for dry mix-ins.
Fresh fruit, maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, peanut butter, almond butter, vegan Nutella, and sunflower seed butter are great fresh mix-ins for stirring or topping this quick breakfast.
Ingredient tip: You can make instant oats by placing old-fashioned oats (rolled oats) into a food processor or blender. Pulse the oats until you have smaller pieces. If you pulse too much, you'll have oat flour!
Brands with Instant Oats
It is pretty easy now to find gluten-free rolled oats in most grocery stores or online stores. But for this recipe, quick-cooking instant oats is best. Here are some brands that carry gluten-free quick-cooking oats:
- Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free Quick Cooking Rolled Oats
- Quaker Gluten-Free Quick Oats
- GF Harvest Quick Oats
If you love oats, you must check out this recipe for clumpy granola!
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Add oats, coconut sugar, ground flaxseeds, a pinch of salt, and optional dry ingredients in a mason jar or snack-size baggie.
Step 2: When ready to cook, pour packets into a microwave-safe bowl or remain in a mason jar. Add milk of choice and stir. Heat in the microwave for two 30-second intervals.
Helpful tips
- Instead of using the microwave, you can also add already warmed hot milk or boiling water from a tea kettle to your bowl of quick-cooking oats mix.
FAQs
Mason jars are the perfect vessels for prepping and storing your instant oat mix. Snack-size Ziplock bags work well too. Just transfer the contents of the bag to a small microwave-safe bowl before cooking.
More vegan oatmeal recipes
Love this recipe? Please consider leaving a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟rating on the recipe card below and let me know what you think in the comments!
📖 Recipe
Homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets
Ingredients
Oatmeal Packet Base
- ⅓ cup (27g) gluten-free quick cooking oats
- 1 ½ teaspoons coconut sugar
- pinch salt
- 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed optional
- ½ cup (125ml) unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice or water
Optional Mix-ins
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup freeze-dried fruit
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped or sliced nuts or seeds
Instructions
- Add oats, coconut sugar, ground flaxseeds, a pinch of salt, and optional dry ingredients in a mason jar or snack size baggie.
- When ready to cook, pour packet into a microwave-safe bowl or remain in a mason jar. Add milk of choice and stir. Heat in the microwave for two 30-second intervals.
- Alternatively, add already warmed hot milk or boiling water from a tea kettle to your bowl of quick cooking oats mix and stir.
- Add additional milk or garnishes if desired.
Sarah
Thank you for sharing! I love oatmeal but rarely make it because I feel rushed and don’t take the time to make myself a nutritious breakfast. Now I have no excuse to skip breakfast!
Tessa
No excuses! :)