Instant oatmeal packets are a godsend for busy mornings, but have you considered crafting your own instant oatmeal jars? By purchasing oatmeal, dried fruit and nuts in bulk, you can make your own version of instant oatmeal, and save money at the same time. Use adorable mason jars to portion out your meal, or some light zip-lock bags will also do the trick.
Make-Ahead Instant Oatmeal Jars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup (40 grams) uncooked quick oats
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon spice
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries (or dried fruit of your choice)
- 1 tablespoon almond slivers (or nuts of your choice)
- 1 cup water
Directions
- To make your oatmeal jar, layer the ingredients in the following order: oatmeal, salt, cinnamon, cranberries and almond slivers. Make as many jars as you’d like and store in a dry area. If you don’t have mason jars, feel free to make oatmeal packets using zip-lock bags. Remember to label with the date so you can keep track of freshness.
- To cook the oatmeal with boiling water, bring 1 cup water to a rolling boil. Pour water into oatmeal jar and stir. Let the oatmeal stand for 4-5 minutes to soften. Then, stir and enjoy!
- To cook the oatmeal by microwaving, pour oatmeal into a microwave-safe container large enough for it to bubble without spilling, then add 1 cup water. Microwave (at power level 7) for 2 minutes.
Serves: 1 | Serving Size: 1 oatmeal jar
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 229; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 152mg; Carbohydrate: 38g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 7g; Protein: 6g
Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 170mg; Iron: 12%; Vitamin A: 0%; Vitamin C: 1%; Calcium: 4%
Energizing Tips (optional)
- Swap water for 1 cup of reduced fat (2%) milk to bump up calories and protein. (Per serving: Calories: 351; Total Fat: 11g; Carbohydrate: 49g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 19g; Protein: 14g)
- Mix in 1 tablespoon of peanut butter before serving to bump up calories and healthy fats. (Per serving: Calories: 334; Total Fat: 14g; Carbohydrate: 41g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 10g)
Originally published June 2015
Discover hundreds of healthy recipes — from high-protein to low-carb — via “Recipe Discovery” in the MyFitnessPal app.
