Hi everyone! I’m this close to going broke buying instant oatmeal packets for my kids. So, I decided to whip up my own DIY Instant Chocolate Oatmeal Mix: Easy, Affordable, and Kid-Approved! It’s the one convenience food we rely on daily. My kids love it for breakfast, and I love that it’s quick and not a total mess—perfect for my sleep-deprived self to manage in the mornings. If you’re looking for more make-ahead breakfast ideas, check out my Brazilian Cheese Waffles recipe—they’re another hit with the kids and can be prepped ahead for busy mornings!
But here’s the problem: each box costs about $6.00, and my kids are tearing through a whole box every single day. They each eat two packets, so I’m looking at at least $42 a week just on oatmeal for three little kids!
So, I decided to do a little research. Was there a way to make this at home? And, am I the only one who didn’t know how easy it is to DIY instant oatmeal? Why have I been buying this stuff all along?
Turns out, making it at home is super simple—and honestly, even better than store-bought because you can customize it exactly how you like. Want more sugar? No sugar? Extra chocolate? A hint of cinnamon? You do you, boo!
Ingredients/Substitutions:
- Rolled Oats: The foundation of this DIY instant oatmeal! I like to use rolled oats because they hold their texture well and aren’t as mushy as quick oats. If you prefer quick oats, feel free to swap them in—they’ll cook even faster, but might give a slightly different texture.
- Powdered Milk: I typically use Nido powdered milk at home. You can usually find it on Amazon, but be cautious because the prices can get wild (seriously, $57 for a can?!). If Nido isn’t available or too pricey, any powdered milk brand will work just fine. Haven’t tried it yet, but I think protein powder could be an interesting substitute—let me know if you give that a shot! Another option is to skip powdered milk altogether and just add your preferred milk at the end instead of boiling water. The great thing about this is you can choose whatever type of milk you like—almond, oat, dairy, you name it.
- Sugar of Choice: This is where homemade oatmeal shines—complete control! If you want to go sugar-free, no problem. If you prefer it sweeter or somewhere in between, just adjust to your taste. You can also experiment with alternatives like honey, maple syrup, or even stevia if you want to skip regular sugar.
- Cocoa Powder: For that rich chocolate flavor, I use cocoa powder, but you have options! If you want a milder chocolate taste, swap it out for chocolate chips. You could even use Nesquik if you want something a bit sweeter (it works!). And hey, I haven’t tried it yet, but Nutella could be a fun addition too!
- Chocolate Chips: These are a great extra that my kids love, but totally optional. If you leave them out, you might want to adjust the sweetness by adding a little more sugar or another sweetener. But honestly, a handful of chocolate chips never hurt anyone, right?
- Milk or Boiling Water: We usually just add boiling water since we’re already using powdered milk—that’s kind of the point, right? The water turns it into milk. But if you skipped the powdered milk or just prefer a creamier texture, you can use regular milk of your choice instead of water. This is perfect if you like to mix up the type of milk you use, whether it’s cow’s milk, almond milk, or something else.
How to make Instant Chocolate Oatmeal Mix
1. Start by placing the whole rolled oats into a large mixing bowl.
In a separate bowl, measure out 3 cups (200 grams) of the rolled oats.
2. Using a blender or food processor, grind them until they become a fine flour-like texture.
Once processed, add the ground oats to the bowl of whole oats.
3. Sprinkle in the salt and mix everything together until well combined.
4. Next, incorporate your chosen flavorings. Once everything is mixed, transfer the instant oatmeal blend into an airtight container or portion it into ½ cup (50-gram) servings for convenience.
5. When you’re ready to enjoy, just pour in boiling water or milk. Stir well, and let it sit for about 3 minutes
How to Serve:
When you’re ready to enjoy your homemade instant chocolate oatmeal, scoop about ½ cup (50 grams) of the mix into a bowl. Add about ¾ cup of boiling water or your choice of hot milk. Stir it well to ensure everything combines smoothly, then let it sit for about 3 minutes to thicken.
For added fun, top it off with some extra chocolate chips, a drizzle of honey or maple syrup, a sprinkle of cinnamon, or even fresh fruit. You can adjust the thickness by adding a bit more liquid if you prefer a thinner consistency before digging in.
How to Store:
Store your instant oatmeal mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place like your pantry. It will stay fresh for up to 1 month. If you prefer pre-portioned servings, divide the mix into individual ½-cup portions and store them in ziplock bags or small containers, making breakfast even faster and easier.
DIY Instant Chocolate Oatmeal Mix
Equipment
- 12 ziplock bags or one large airtight container
Ingredients
- 6 cups 400g rolled oats, divided
- 12 tbsp powdered milk or protein powder of choice
- 12 tbsp sugar adjust to taste
- 12 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 12 tbsp chocolate chips
- Pinch of salt optional
For a Single Serving:
- ½ cup oat mix
- 1 tbsp powdered milk
- 1 tbsp sugar or to taste
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp chocolate chips
- ¾ cup boiling water or milk adjust to desired consistency
Instructions
Prepare the Base Mix:
- Place 3 cups (200g) of rolled oats into a blender or food processor and blend until they become a fine powder.
- Pour the blended oats into a large mixing bowl with the remaining 3 cups of whole oats. Add a pinch of salt and stir until evenly mixed.
Customize the Mix:
- Add the powdered milk, sugar, cocoa powder, and chocolate chips to the oat mixture. Stir until everything is well combined.
Store the Oatmeal Mix:
- For bulk storage: Transfer the entire mixture into an airtight container.
- For individual servings: Portion out ½ cup of the mix into 12 ziplock bags or small containers to create single-serving pouches.
To Serve:
- When you’re ready to enjoy, add ½ cup of the oatmeal mix to a bowl.
- Pour in ¾ cup of boiling water or hot milk, stir, and let sit for 3 minutes to thicken.
- Adjust sweetness or thickness as needed, and top with additional chocolate chips or any toppings you like!
Notes
Nutrition
Recipe Inspiration:
This recipe was inspired by one I found on the Tasty website, which has lots of fun flavor ideas to explore—just none with chocolate! Since chocolate is my kids’ absolute favorite, I had to create my own version to satisfy their cravings.
FAQ
1. Can I make this recipe sugar-free?
Absolutely! You can skip the sugar altogether or use a sugar substitute like stevia, monk fruit sweetener, or your preferred alternative to keep it sweet without the added sugar.
2. What’s the best type of milk to use?
This recipe works with any milk! You can use dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, or any other plant-based alternative. If you skip powdered milk, just use your preferred milk instead of boiling water for a creamier texture.
3. Can I customize the flavor?
Yes! That’s the beauty of making it at home. Add a pinch of cinnamon, swap chocolate chips for dried fruit, or even add peanut butter powder for a different twist.
4. How long will this oatmeal mix stay fresh?
If stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, the mix will last up to 2 months. For individual servings, seal them in ziplock bags for the same freshness.
5. Can I meal prep this for the week?
Definitely! Prepare single servings in advance and store them in Ziplock bags or containers. When you need a quick breakfast, just add water or milk and you’re set.
6. Can I skip the powdered milk?
Yes, if you prefer to add fresh milk when preparing your oatmeal, just leave out the powdered milk from the mix. Simply add hot milk instead of boiling water when serving.
7. Is this recipe gluten-free?
As long as you use certified gluten-free oats, this recipe can easily be made gluten-free. Just double-check any additional flavorings for gluten as well.
8. What if I don’t have a food processor for grinding oats?
You could also try using a blender or mortar and pestle if you prefer a finer texture.
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Until next time,
Claudia
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