This DIY 6-ingredient Healthy Instant Oatmeal Recipe is made with rolled oats, chia seeds, toasted flax seeds, brown sugar, freeze-dried berries, and dried blueberries. Inspired by my favorite flax and chia instant oatmeal, this delicious Instant Oatmeal Recipe takes just minutes to prepare (in bulk!) and needs only hot water and two minutes to mix together.
Instant Oatmeal
Sometime between high school and college, I discovered oatmeal. Still sticking to my sugary roots, I loved to eat oatmeal burning hot with ice cold milk, sprinkled with scoops (yes scoops) of sugar, and raisins. It was, and still is the best thing ever. Unfortunately, the scoops had to go.
Fortunately, my husband discovered the Berry Chia Instant Oatmeal from Trader Joe’s. Still, more sugar than he wanted, but a vast improvement when compared to my scooping habit. And, the best part? My child actually loved the stuff. Unfortunately, in true Trader Joe’s fashion, it gets discontinued.
MY CHILD WAS GOING TO STARVE! Just kidding. He’s not that picky. However, my meat-loving little carnivore was going to have significantly bigger potty issues if I didn’t get him his all-time fav instant oatmeal. Now what?
Duh. I would make it myself! I mean, how hard could it be?
Actually, I had no idea how hard it would be. However, after making this instant oatmeal recipe I can say honestly that I will (probably) never purchase pre-mixed instant oatmeal again. I mean, I assumed it would be easy, but this easy?
Ingredients in this Healthy Berry Instant Oatmeal Recipe
- Rolled oats- gluten-free, optional
- Chia seeds
- Flax seeds
- Brown sugar
- Freeze dried berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries)
- Dried blueberries
Why This is the Best Instant Oatmeal Recipe
- The sugar per serving (1/2 cup) is dramatically reduced. The grams of sugar added to this recipe (from the brown sugar) per serving is just 5 grams or 1.2 teaspoons. Of course, you can absolutely leave out all added sugar, too.
- So much fiber! I don’t know about you guys, but I need fiber to keep things moving. Fortunately, the rolled oats, chia seeds, and flax seeds are all awesome sources of fiber.
- This Instant Oatmeal literally takes less than 10 minutes to make.
- My kid loves it (so I’m going to guess yours will, too). Of course, I can’t make any promises and I do have the advantage that Octavian loves berries.
- Prepare and store in bulk for the easiest breakfast meal prep of your life.
- Or, give it away as a gift. Because, seriously, what mom (or expecting mom) wouldn’t love 20 servings of milk-producing oatmeal?
- Add hot water and it’s ready in 2 minutes.
- It tastes good.
- Customize with your favorite fruits and flavors!
As I mentioned, just because this version is filled with mixed berries, that doesn’t mean that YOU have to add mixed berries. I tend to go with the berries because those are my child’s favorite and I am always trying to appease him. Lucky for me, this time it actually worked. Now, if your family doesn’t care for berries in their instant oatmeal, that’s ok. There are literally tons of fun instant oatmeal combinations you can try out.
First, you’ll need the base: Oats + Chia seeds + Flax Seeds + Brown Sugar
To the base combination, mix and match all your favorites. Here are some examples:
- dried pineapple + coconut flakes + fresh banana
- dried apples + cinnamon
- peanut butter powder + chocolate chips
- cocoa powder + espresso powder + scoop of peanut butter at serving
- hazelnuts + cocoa powder + fresh banana
- dried cranberries + dried orange peel
In other words, make your Instant Oatmeal exactly how you want it. More sweet, less sweet, that is totally up to you.
Do you have to add the chia and flax seeds?
You don’t have to add anything you don’t want to add. However, there are reasons for having those two additions in there.
- First, chia seeds. Chia seeds, known for a multitude of health benefits, are also great at making oatmeal deliciously thick and creamy without adding any flavor. Chia seeds swell with the liquid of their surroundings, so whatever your oatmeal tastes like, is the flavor the chia seeds will take on.
- Second, the flax seeds. Flax seeds, also known for several health benefits (like their fiber!), add a toasty, earthy flavor to the oats which give it a slightly more complex flavor. You can purchase untoasted, toasted, whole, or ground flax seeds for use in this recipe. I typically use toasted whole flax seeds as I prefer the flavor to untoasted.
Don’t worry, the kiddos won’t even notice they’re there.
If you try making this Instant Oatmeal Recipe, please leave me a comment and let me know! I always love to hear your thoughts.
For more breakfast recipes check out,
- Strawberry Banana Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter
- Muffin Egg Cups Recipe (Breakfast Meal Prep)
- Sweet Pepper and Sausage Breakfast Hash
- Papaya Breakfast Bowls
- Blueberry Breakfast Quinoa
- Sweet Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal Stuffed Acorn Squash with Almond Butter
- Strawberry Yogurt Overnight Oats
- Creamy Baked Eggs with Spinach and Prosciutto
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DIY 6-ingredient Healthy Instant Oatmeal Recipe
Ingredients
- 10 cups rolled oats - gluten-free, optional
- ½ cup chia seeds
- ½ cup flax seeds
- ½ cup brown sugar - packed
- 2 oz freeze dried strawberries
- 1.5 oz freeze dried raspberries
- 1.5 oz freeze dried blueberries
- 2 cups dried blueberries
- Nuts, seeds, toasted coconut - optional
Instructions
- Place half of the oats (5 cups) in the bowl of a large food processor and pulse until finely chopped into small bits. Transfer the oats to a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining 5 cups of oats to the food processor and pulse 5-10 times until roughly chopped (approximately half their original size). Transfer to the mixing bowl.
- In the same mixing bowl combine the oats with the chia seeds, flax seeds, and brown sugar. Mix well.
- Add the freeze-dried berries to the same food processor and pulse 5-6 times, or just until broken into smaller bits and pieces and fully combined. Transfer to the mixing bowl with the oats.
- Finally, add the dried blueberries to the food processor and pulse just until chopped into smaller pieces. Transfer to the mixing bowl.
- Mix well to combine.
- To store as individual servings: Place one heaping half-cup serving of the instant oats in a small mason jar or small ziplock bag. When ready to eat, combine with approximately one-half to three-fourths a cup of boiling water and allow oats to rest 2 minutes before serving. Top with your favorite fresh fruit, a splash of cream, or honey, if desired.
- To store in bulk: Transfer prepared instant oats to a large ziplock bag or jar and seal tightly. When ready to serve, add a heaping half cup of instant oats to a bowl and mix with approximately one-half to three-fourths a cup of boiling water and allow oats to rest 2 minutes before serving. Top with your favorite fresh fruit, a splash of cream, or honey, if desired.
Video
Jessica's Notes
- To make this recipe gluten-free use gluten-free rolled oats.
- To make a creamier oatmeal, process the oats in your food processor until they break down into smaller bits and resemble oat flour. Or, you can mix-and-match. I like to add finely processed rolled oats in addition to whole rolled oats.
Nutritional Information
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and specific brands of ingredients used.)
Thank you for this recipe. My favourite pack of superfoods instant oatmeal was recently discontinued and I too find other commercially available brands too sweet. I’ll be making up a batch of this tomorrow 🙂