Instant oatmeal packets are expensive. Mornings are busy. And meal prepping is often a great plan until you run out of time. My instant oatmeal recipe can be used for instant overnight oats or a warm bowl of oatmeal on a cold morning. It just requires water and is infinitely customizable!
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Looking to make overnight oats quick? I have you covered.
Try stirring in a scoop of real pumpkin syrup. Add your favorite berry jam or leftover blueberry pancake syrup for a delicious fast breakfast recipe.
📖Why My Recipe Works
Our instant overnight oats recipe can be made in a large batch- at least 8 servings- and the recipe uses coconut milk powder instead of milk. I did this to make the recipe shelf-stable for meal preppers while ensuring the final product is still creamy and delicious.
Can I use instant oatmeal for overnight oats?
Instant oat packets can be used for overnight oats, except you can't actually let them sit overnight. They will disintegrate.
You can add cold water to the oat packets and let them sit for 5 minutes they will be okay to eat. This is called cold soaking and it is what I ate for breakfast on hot mornings when I hiked the Appalachian Trail!
🧾Ingredient Notes
- Oats-You must use QUICK cook oats for this recipe.
- Chia Seeds- Chia is optional but I leave it in when planning on making oatmeal or the oats the night before. If I am making cold oats the morning of, I leave it out.l
- Sugar- The level of sugar is the minimum, increase if you like things a little sweeter.
- Milk Powder- You can use coconut milk powder for vegan. Nonfat milk powder is fine but they won't be as creamy. Full-fat milk powder is harder to find but my favorite.
- Kosher Salt- A little salt is needed to help bring out the nutty flavor in the oats and help your flavor mix-ins shine.
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tip
Reduce the water when not using chia seeds.
Instant Oats Flavor Ideas
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup: Add cocoa powder, a dollop of peanut butter, and top with mini chocolate chips or crushed peanuts.
- Berry Bliss: Mix in fresh or defrosted frozen berries and a touch of vanilla extract.
- Cinnamon Roll: Stir in cinnamon, a splash of maple syrup, and top with a drizzle of cream cheese glaze.
- Tropical Paradise: Add coconut flakes, diced pineapple, and a sprinkle of toasted macadamia nuts.
- Apple Pie: Mix in grated apple, cinnamon, a touch of brown sugar, and top with honey granola.
Note: quantities are for one serving of oats.
More Easy Breakfast Recipes
How to Make Single-Serving Instant Oats
We get it, not everyone is into meal prepping. If you just want to make one single serving of oats combine the below ingredients and store in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- ½ cup quick-cooking oats
- 2 Tablespoons chia (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon milk powder
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¾ cup water
If you don't have dry milk powder substitute the powder and water for ¾ c milk, regular or non-dairy.
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📖 Recipe Card
Instant Oats (Oatmeal or Overnight Oats)
Ingredients
- 4 cups quick cooking oats certified gluten-free if needed
- 1 cup chia seeds optional
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup dry milk powder regular or coconut
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- mix-ins see post for ideas!
Instructions
Prepare Dry Mix
- Mix together all dry ingredients. Store in an airtight container until use.4 cups quick cooking oats, ½ cup sugar, ½ cup dry milk powder, 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Instant Overnight Oats
- Combine ½ cup of the instant overnight oats mix with ¾ cup cold water in a bowl or jar. Cover and store in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes.mix-ins
Instant Oatmeal
- Combine ½ cup of the instant overnight oats mix with ¾ cup cold water in a bowl or jar. Cover and let sit for 2 to 3 minutes.mix-ins
E says
Hi! Thank you for sharing your recipes. How many ounces or cups is each serving?
Jen Wooster says
Depending on what you add the serving size is 3/4 cup to 1 1/4 cups.
Lee Lu says
Hi, I am making this in a large batch/ small baggies for my daughter to use in her dorm room. My hope was to use the powdered (dairy) milk and she would just add water at night and stick it in the fridge. I e read elsewhere that the milk will clump if not blended with the water first. Have you seen that happen? Thank you!
Jen Wooster says
It helps to use warm water. Coconut milk powder clumps more than dairy milk powder.
HL says
Hi! Do you not find that you need to use hot water with the powdered coconut milk? For some reason, my coconut milk powder only really dissolves if the water is hot 🙁
Jen says
I haven't had that issue as long as I stir it well. I use coconut milk when backpacking, I only mix with cold water because I don't take a stove. What brand do you use? I noticed some brands are not dairy-free. The brand I typically use is Anthony's Organic.