Making homemade oatmeal cups means you choose the ingredients. You make it as sweet as you want. You add the flavors you want. It's just the way you want it. And it's SO convenient! Just grab a jar off the shelf, add your desired liquid, and cook. Easy Peasy!
The recipe is set up PER serving. It's easier to measure into each container. Just multiply for how many servings you will be making.
- 1/3 - 1/2 cup oatmeal, quick (instant) or old fashioned*
- 2 TB Chia Seeds
- 1 TB Brown Sugar, or sweetener of your choice (I use 1/2 TB Truvia Brown Sugar)
- 1/8 - 1/4 tsp Cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 1 TB Cranberries AND
- 1 TB chopped walnuts, if desired
- 1 TB Coconut AND
- 1 TB Slivered Almonds
- 1 TB chocolate chips, optional, for an Almond Joy type flavor
- 1 TB Raisins
- 1-2 TB dried fruit of choice
- 1 TB chopped or slivered nuts of choice
- 1 tsp peanut butter powder
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- 1 TB cocao nibs
- sweet spices such as nutmeg, cardamon, cloves)
- Or any other ingredients you desire
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Wash and completely dry your containers and lids. I would do this a day ahead.
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Get out all your main ingredients and measuring spoons
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Measure the oatmeal into each jar. Then the Chia seeds. Then the sugar. Then the Cinnamon. And finally the salt.
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Here's where you can be creative. Let the kids each choose their own add-ins. I gave guideline in the instructions for the amounts I believe will be best and a couple blends I like. If the kids are involved just don't let them get crazy and add more than the recommended amounts. They may think 1/2 cup of raisins will be great, but between the swelling during the soaking and cooking, they will overflow your jars and be way too sweet!!
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If you are using pint canning jars for the first time, you will have the lids and rings from the package. You can use those. I use the plastic covers meant for them for dry storage. Cover and store in a cool, dark, dry place - a pantry or the basement.
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The night before, add your liquid to the jar, recover and place in the fridge. I like to use thinned yogurt. You can thin it with water, milk, nut milk, or coconut water (very hydrating).
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The next morning, microwave until hot - about 2-3 minutes. It really doesn't need to cook as you would on the stove, just needs to get hot. It's been soaking all night.
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Enjoy!!
*Quick oatmeal technically doesn't need to be soaked. It will also be more on the gooey side. Old Fashioned Oatmeal should be soaked. It will still have some "chew" to it in the morning, but will cook so much faster.