Oatmeal has been a big staple for breakfasts ever since we gave up our daily (and nightly) cereal with milk routine. Recently we decided to create a budget (or whatever…..grumble grumble grumble) so I’ve been trying to look into areas where I could slash my grocery bill. Steve took the time to soak oats overnight using real oats with almond milk, and I always just used those convenient little low-sugar packets for the kids and me and called it a wash. Weeellllll those little babies add up, and again, anything processed is just that: processed. I can guarantee you there are things in there that we can do just fine without.

To create that creaminess you get with those little packets, I ground up some oats and almonds. Added in the rest of the whole oats, whole nuts, all-natural craisins from the bulk bins at Sprouts (those plump up perfectly into half-cranberries when microwaved with your oatmeal!), dried blueberries and cherries, some brown sugar, cinnamon, salt, and flaxseed, and created a delicious mix! Each morning we scoop some of the mix into a bowl, add water or almond milk, microwave a minute, and you have a piping hot bowl of all-natural, anti-oxidant-rich, fiber-full, omega-three-containing, flavorful oatmeal. Check out my yummy pumpkin fall oatmeal here. 

I put the mix in this huge canister with a lid and keep it in our pantry for mornings.

And just like a lot of recipes, this one can totally be altered to fit your individual palate. Do freeze-dried strawberries instead of craisins. Replace the walnuts with cashews. Sometimes we like to add applesauce after it’s cooked. One cup of brown sugar may seem like a lot, but when it’s in ratio with 10 cups of oats, 2 c of nuts, 1 c of craisins, it’s not that much. You can of course decrease the brown sugar if you’d like (or increase it if you have a sweet tooth), but I found this was the optimal amount for us that we liked to still be tasty, but not overwhelmingly sweet or unhealthy.

So. Much. Goodness.

5 from 1 vote

Print

Cranberry, Almond, and Walnut Oatmeal Mix

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

1 min

 

An easy way to prepare a healthy breakfast oatmeal mix that will last for weeks!

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Homemade Oatmeal

Servings: 20 servings

Calories: 355 kcal

Author: Stephanie

Ingredients

• 10 c old-fashioned oats not quick oats, separated
• 1 c almonds
• 1 c brown sugar
• 1 1/2 T cinnamon
• 1/2 T salt
• 1 c craisins dried blueberries, and/or dried cherries
• 1 c walnuts
• 1 c ground flaxseed

Instructions

1. Blend 2 c oats, almonds, brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt in blender until ground medium-fine.
2. Add remaining 8 c oats, craisins, walnuts, and flaxseed into large container. Stir in ground oats mixture. Store covered with lid.
3. To serve, mix 1/2 c mix with 3/4 c liquid (water, almond milk, milk, etc.). Microwave in glass bowl 1 minute.

Nutrition Facts

Cranberry, Almond, and Walnut Oatmeal Mix

Amount Per Serving

Calories 355 Calories from Fat 117

% Daily Value*

Fat 13g20%

Saturated Fat 1g6%

Sodium 182mg8%

Potassium 309mg9%

Carbohydrates 53g18%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 19g21%

Protein 9g18%

Vitamin C 0.1mg0%

Calcium 82mg8%

Iron 2.8mg16%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.