Make Your Own Instant Oatmeal Recipe

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

05 Feb 2009 08:32 AM

Instant Oatmeal packets can be very convenient. They are a way to make a quick, hot breakfast when you don't have a lot of time. Another benefit to instant oatmeal packets is that you can store them in your desk at work for a breakfast or snack. As nice as the instant oatmeal packets are, there are two things that I don't like about them. They have a lot of sugar and preservatives, and they are expensive.

The way that I solve this problem in my family is to make homemade instant oatmeal packets. This way, we have the convenience of the instant oatmeal (just add hot water) without the negative side. You can also use organic oats and sugar to make your homemade instant oatmeal packets even more nutritious.

If you buy your oats in bulk, as I do, instead of by the canister, you can save even more money. I haven't done the comparison directly, but I guess it costs between five and 10 cents per packet, more if you go organic. That isn't bad for breakfast!

To turn regular oats into instant oats, you'll have to use your food processor, coffee grinder or blender to pulverize some of the oats, and you'll have to add some additional ingredients. You want the pulverized oats to have a powder consistency.

The basic recipe takes 1/4 cup of regular oats (quick cooking oats works best) plus 2 tablespoons of the pulverized oats. Add 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Put everything in a bag or airtight container and there you go.

You might want to experiment a little with the basic recipe to suit your family or to create flavored oatmeal. For example, I use a teaspoon of powdered milk to increase the nutrition, plus a tablespoon of brown or raw sugar and either cinnamon or raisins.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right.

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Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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