Homemade Instant Oatmeal Jars with Pecans and Cranberries
In short: Make eight grab-and-go jars of oats with pecans, dried cranberries and cinnamon. Add hot water for a creamy bowl in under five minutes. It takes about 18 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 3 min
- Total
- 18 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 335 kcal
Store-bought instant oatmeal packets are convenient but often expensive and overly sweet. A jar you assemble yourself costs less, tastes better and takes one short session to prepare in bulk. Oats, milk powder, brown sugar and cinnamon form the creamy base, with pecans and dried cranberries for texture. Add boiling water or hot milk, wait a few minutes and breakfast is ready, at home, at the office or on a camping trip.
Instructions
- Pulse 90 g (1 cup) of the oats in a blender for 5 to 10 seconds, until coarsely ground. This helps the oatmeal turn thick and creamy once water is added.
- In a large bowl, stir together the pulsed oats, the remaining whole oats, the milk powder, pecans, cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt until evenly mixed.
- Divide the mixture among 8 clean 500 ml (2 cup) jars, about 3/4 cup (80 g) in each, and seal. Store in a cool, dry cupboard for up to 2 months.
- To make a serving, tip the contents of one jar into a bowl and pour over 180 ml (3/4 cup) boiling water or hot milk. Stir, cover and leave for 3 to 4 minutes, until thick and creamy.
- Alternatively, microwave the contents with the water or milk for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway. Finish with a drizzle of maple syrup if you like.
Tips
- Leave all the oats whole for a chewier bowl, or pulse half of them for a smoother one. Hot milk instead of water makes the oatmeal richer.
- Swap the pecans and cranberries for walnuts and raisins, or chopped dried apricots and almonds. Keep the total add-ins at about 20 g per jar.
Questions and answers
How long do homemade instant oatmeal jars last?
About 2 months in a cool, dry cupboard, or up to 6 months in the freezer. The nuts are the limit, because their oils eventually turn rancid.
Can I make the jars without milk powder?
Yes. Leave it out and use hot milk instead of water when you prepare a serving. The oatmeal will still be creamy.
Can I use quick oats?
Yes. Quick-cooking oats soften in 1 to 2 minutes with hot water. Use them in place of the rolled oats and skip the pulsing step.
How long does it take to make Homemade Instant Oatmeal Jars with Pecans and Cranberries?
About 18 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 3 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Homemade Instant Oatmeal Jars with Pecans and Cranberries?
About 335 kcal per serving, with 9 g of protein, 52 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 335 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 9 g |
| Carbohydrates | 52 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 19 g |
| Sodium | 180 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
