Our homemade Instant Oatmeal packs recipe is easy, quick, and healthier than store-bought, with options to customize packets with endless flavor combinations.

Want more breakfast recipes? Try Chocolate Chip Muffins, Sheet Pan Pancakes, Breakfast Quesadillas, or Pitaya Bowl!

An Instant Oatmeal Packets recipe in single serve bags, each a different flavor.

My favorite breakfast hack in the form of DIY Instant Oatmeal packets.

This homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets recipe is my current obsession! Store-bought instant oatmeal flavors are usually full of sugar and additives, but my kids love them. Our homemade version solves the problem; they take 10 minutes to make (and we sneak in some nutrient-dense chia and flax) and I love how you can customize them with everyone’s favorite flavors. Did we mention they’re less inexpensive, too? Virtual high-five, please!

Ingredients Needed:

Oatmeal packets ingredients all laid out and measured: quick oats, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, brown sugar, salt, and single serve bags.

How to make Instant Oatmeal Flavors:

Make Packets: Mix dry oatmeal ingredients together then divide heaping ⅓ cup portions between 12 snack bags or small containers. Add desired mix-ins (See notes below).

Two images showing how to make oatmeal packets by combining all the dry ingredients, then scooping it in small baggies.

Cook Oatmeal:

Hot Water Method: Add oatmeal packet contents to a bowl and stir in 2/3 cup boiling water. Rest for a few minutes, until most of the water has absorbed, before eating.
Microwave Method: Add oatmeal packet contents to a bowl and stir in ¾ cup water (or use milk for a creamier option). Cook for 1 or 1.5 minutes, until most of the liquid has absorbed.

Serve topped with additional sweetener if desired and a splash of milk.

Two images showing homemade instant oatmeal in a bowl before and after it's cooked.

Instant Oatmeal Flavor Mix-ins:

Protein Powder (any flavor): 2 teaspoons per individual packet
Dried Fruit: Raisins, craisins, cherries – 1 Tablespoon per individual packet
Chopped Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, pecans – 1 Tablespoon per individual packet
Chocolate Peanut Butter: 2 teaspoons powdered peanut butter + 1 teaspoon cocoa powder or chocolate chips
Apple Cinnamon – 2 Tablespoons chopped dehydrated apples + ⅛ teaspoon additional cinnamon
Pina Colada: 2 Tablespoons chopped dehydrated pineapple + 1 Tablespoon coconut flakes
Strawberries and Cream: 2 Tablespoons chopped dehydrated strawberries + ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder (or vanilla extract stirred in after cooking.
Blueberries and Cream: 2 Tablespoons chopped dehydrated blueberries + ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder (or vanilla extract stirred in after cooking.

Cold Overnight Oats: Add oatmeal packet to a jar or container with a lid. Stir in 2/3 cup milk or dairy free milk, and 2 Tablespoons yogurt (any flavor). Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.

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Instant Oatmeal Recipe

Our DIY Instant Oatmeal Packets are so easy, quick, and healthier than store-bought! Customize each packet with endless flavor combinations, making breakfast a breeze!

Print Pin Review

Author Lauren Allen

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 12 Single Serve Packets

Calories 148

Save Recipe

Equipment

12 snack size bags or small 8oz containers , (I used these bags, and wrote with sharpy on them, to label the different flavors)https://amzn.to/4aMn1yc

Ingredients

▢ 4 cups quick oats
▢ 1/4 cup chia seeds
▢ 1/4 cup ground flaxseed
▢ 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
▢ 1 teaspoon kosher salt
▢ 1/4 cup brown sugar , (or omit sweetener and mix in sugar, honey, or maple syrup after cooking)

Instructions

Assemble Packets:

Mix dry oatmeal ingredients together. Divide heaping ⅓ cup portions between 12 snack bags or small containers. Add desired mix-ins (see ideas in Notes). Label bags. Store in a cool dry place for up to several months.

To Prepare Instant Oatmeal:

Hot Water Method: Add oatmeal packet contents to a bowl and stir in 2/3 cup boiling water. Rest for a few minutes, until most of the water has absorbed, before eating.
Microwave Method: Add oatmeal packet contents to a bowl and stir in ¾ cup water (or use milk for a creamier option). Cook for 1 or 1.5 minutes, until most of the liquid has absorbed.
Serve topped with additional sweetener, if needed, and a splash of milk.

Notes

Variations:

- Cold Overnight Oats: Add oatmeal packet to a jar or container with a lid. Stir in 2/3 cup milk or dairy free milk, and 2 Tablespoons yogurt (any flavor). Refrigerate overnight.

- Flavor Add In Ideas:
  - - Protein Powder (any flavor): 2 teaspoons per individual packet
  - - Dried Fruit: Raisins, craisins, cherries – 1 Tablespoon per individual packet
  - - Chopped Nuts: Walnuts, almonds, pecans – 1 Tablespoon per individual packet
  - - Chocolate Peanut Butter: 2 teaspoons powdered peanut butter + 1 teaspoon cocoa powder or chocolate chips
  - - Apple Cinnamon – 2 Tablespoons chopped dehydrated apples + ⅛ teaspoon additional cinnamon
  - - Pina Colada: 2 Tablespoons chopped dehydrated pineapple + 1 Tablespoon coconut flakes
  - - Strawberries and Cream: 2 Tablespoons chopped dehydrated strawberries + ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder (or vanilla extract stirred in after cooking.
  - - Blueberries and Cream: 2 Tablespoons chopped dehydrated blueberries + ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder (or vanilla extract stirred in after cooking.

For 1 Single Packet of Instant Oatmeal:
⅓ cup quick cook oats
1 teaspoon chia seeds
1 teaspoon ground flax seed
⅛ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Pinch kosher salt
1 teaspoon brown sugar (optional)
water: 2/3 for boiling water method or ¾ cup for microwave method

Nutrition

Calories: 148kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gSodium: 197mgPotassium: 138mgFiber: 5gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

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