Your Signature Instant Oatmeal

Discover the Secret to Quick, Healthy Mornings: Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix!

Are you tired of bland, sugary store-bought instant oatmeal? Imagine starting your day with a warm, comforting bowl of nutritious oatmeal that’s ready in just minutes, packed with ingredients you love, and customized to your taste. This incredibly easy, versatile, healthy, and delicious homemade instant oatmeal mix recipe will revolutionize your breakfast routine. Developed by my dear friend Kathryne Taylor, the brilliant mind behind the popular vegetarian recipe blog, Cookie & Kate, this recipe is a true game-changer and a featured highlight from her highly anticipated new cookbook, Love Real Food.

Today marks a truly special occasion – the official release of Kathryne’s long-awaited cookbook! It’s been a journey of immense dedication and passion, and for those of us who have followed her work, this day is incredibly exciting. Kathryne, alongside her adorable canine companion, Cookie, has inspired countless individuals to embrace plant-based eating through their beautifully curated recipes and insightful content on Cookie & Kate. As one of her close friends here in Kansas City, I’ve had the unique privilege of witnessing the meticulous evolution of this cookbook over more than two years.

From the intensive months when Kathryne and I lived in Austin, during which she poured her heart into crafting the book proposal, to the celebratory moment we raised a glass when the book deal was sealed, I’ve seen firsthand the relentless effort she invested. I watched in admiration as she tested, re-tested, and perfected hundreds of recipes, ensuring each one was nothing short of extraordinary. The final year was a whirlwind of edits, revisions, and the anxious wait for this day to arrive. Cookbook writing is undeniably a monumental undertaking, not for the faint of heart. Yet, when Kathryne presented me with an advanced copy as a birthday gift a couple of weeks ago, and I finally held her stunning work in my hands, flipping through the pages, it was immediately clear that every ounce of her hard work was profoundly worth it.

This cookbook, Love Real Food, is an absolute masterpiece. I am confident that you will adore it as much as I do. Staying true to Kathryne’s signature style on her blog, this culinary gem is brimming with fresh, straightforward, visually appealing, wholesome, and incredibly reliable recipes. Her commitment to testing her recipes more rigorously than anyone I know ensures that every dish is foolproof and delicious. Whether you adhere to a fully vegetarian diet or simply seek to incorporate more nourishing, plant-based meals into your life, this book offers something wonderful for everyone.

Beyond the delectable recipes, Love Real Food is a treasure trove of helpful tips, valuable resources, and practical cheat sheets designed to empower home cooks. Each recipe is accompanied by vibrant, eye-catching photographs that make every page a feast for the eyes. And, of course, no Cookie & Kate creation would be complete without plenty of charming cameos from her cute four-legged crumb-catcher, Cookie, adding an extra layer of warmth and personality.

My copy is already filled with dog-eared pages, marking countless recipes I’m eager to try. The list includes tantalizing options like Kathryne’s Spicy Breakfast Fajitas, her Outrageous Herbaceous Chickpea Salad, Fresh Greek Nachos with Herbed Tahini Sauce, Sweet Potato Poblano and Black Bean Enchiladas, Roasted Eggplant Lasagna, Coconut Fried Rice with Edamame, a delightful Pineapple-Tini, and the tempting Lemony-Almond Blueberry Cake. But today, I wanted to share the very first recipe I tried from the book. It took literally five minutes to prepare, is crafted from wholesome, simple ingredients, can be conveniently stored in your pantry for up to three months, and represents a massive leap in flavor and nutrition compared to the overly sweet, store-bought packets of my childhood. I’m talking about Kathryne’s incredible Homemade Instant Oatmeal Mix!

Back in our Austin days, when Kathryne was diligently working on her cookbook proposal, we spent countless hours brainstorming ideas for the perfect title. I absolutely love the name she ultimately chose—Love Real Food—because it perfectly encapsulates her philosophy. Kathryne is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of good food to nourish our bodies and enrich our lives. Her greatest joy lies in creating approachable, quick, and undeniably delicious recipes that make a healthy, daily cooking lifestyle genuinely attainable for everyone.

As her trusted friend, I can offer you an exclusive glimpse into what makes Kathryne truly exceptional:

She is an incredibly meticulous recipe tester. In the fast-paced world of food blogging, where many are tempted to rush and publish recipes after just one trial, Kathryne is unwavering in her commitment. She adamantly tests and re-tests recipes until they achieve absolute perfection. If a reader ever offers feedback, she’s the kind of blogger who will go back, re-test it again, and make any necessary tweaks to ensure flawless results. Her cookbook exemplifies this dedication. For an entire year, whenever I checked in with her, Kathryne and her assistant, Mara, were invariably deep in the process of fine-tuning the intricate details of over 100 recipes. The towering stacks of dishes at the end of each day were a testament to their relentless hard work. They invested immense effort to make every single recipe delicious, even testing optional variations to ensure gluten-free or vegan suitability. Thankfully, we all get to reap the rewards of their delicious endeavors. Trust me, Kathryne’s Test Kitchen, as evidenced by this book, will never disappoint.
She masterfully makes nutritious food taste unbelievably delicious. And she genuinely gets frustrated when healthy food is boring. Seriously, some of the most animated moments I’ve witnessed from Kathryne are when she’s served a supposedly “healthier” option at a restaurant, only for it to arrive bland, dry, under-seasoned, or utterly uninspired. She simply cannot tolerate it, primarily because she understands that such experiences deter people from embracing vegetables, legumes, whole grains, or other foods that have the potential to be truly amazing. This passion for flavor and nutrition is precisely why she is so dedicated to her craft.
She is a phenomenal teacher in the kitchen and beyond. I had the pleasure of introducing Kathryne to the Enneagram, and we immediately recognized her as a quintessential Type 5, “The Investigator.” This woman knows her way around Google better than anyone I know, and she absolutely thrives on researching anything and everything, generously extending her research prowess to her friends too. Just in the past week, she’s provided recommendations on everything from how to repair a loose strap on my wedding shoes, to optimal vitamin D dosages, to creative salad topping ideas, and even where we should try eyelash extensions for the first time (yes, we’re doing it!). On the culinary front, this means she is constantly delving into the latest nutrition research, food trends, holistic health practices, and more. She loves sharing this wealth of knowledge with her readers, making her cookbook not just a recipe collection but an invaluable healthy-living resource. I particularly appreciate Kathryne’s balanced and down-to-earth approach to a healthy lifestyle. Unlike some health writers who jump on every fad or obsess over obscure ingredients, I know I can count on her to enjoy a refreshing margarita alongside our kale salad during happy hour. Her perspective is both practical and joyful.

Admittedly, I am partial to Kathryne. Over the past few years, as we’ve gotten to know each other and spend time in Kansas City, she has quickly become one of my closest and dearest friends. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to this crazy world wide web for bringing us together. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have her in my life now – not just as a valuable “blog friend” (though her guidance and encouragement as a fellow blogger have been immeasurable over the years), but truly as a “friend-friend.” We are wonderfully different in many ways – and are always ready for a spirited debate about the deliciousness of baby carrots to prove it! But she is as loyal, honest, hilarious, supportive, generous, and encouraging as they come. I am profoundly thankful for her amazing friendship these past few years, and I am continually inspired by the life she lives and the extraordinary dedication she poured into making her lifelong dream of writing and publishing a truly kickass cookbook a reality.

This book has been a genuine labor of love, and I am immensely proud of her accomplishment. Well done, my friend! I am absolutely certain that every one of you will love Love Real Food, so I wholeheartedly encourage you to click over to Amazon and order your fresh copy right now. You won’t want to miss out on recipes as fantastic as this one!

Print Recipe

Make-Your-Own Instant Oatmeal Mix

5 from 2 reviews

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 18 servings

Print Recipe

Description

This healthy homemade instant oatmeal mix is incredibly quick and easy to prepare, highly customizable with your favorite ingredients, and absolutely delicious! It is also naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan, making it suitable for a wide range of dietary needs. Say goodbye to artificial flavors and preservatives, and hello to a wholesome, satisfying breakfast that fuels your day.

Ingredients

Scale
1x

4 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup sliced almonds (or other favorite nuts like walnuts or pecans)
1 cup chopped dried tart cherries, dried blueberries, or chopped dried apricots (or a mix!)
1/2 cup flaxseeds or raw pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
1/3 cup lightly-packed coconut sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference, or use maple sugar)
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for warmth and flavor)
3/4 teaspoon fine sea salt (enhances all the flavors)

Instructions

In a large, airtight storage container or a heavy-duty freezer bag, combine the quick-cooking oats, sliced almonds, dried fruit, flaxseeds (or pepitas), coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, and fine sea salt. Stir all ingredients thoroughly to ensure they are well-blended and evenly distributed. This step is crucial for consistent flavor in every serving.
To prepare a single serving of oatmeal on the stove: Pour 2/3 cup of water into a small saucepan and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. While the water heats, stir your prepared oatmeal mix again to ensure all components are evenly blended. Then, carefully pour 1/3 cup of the instant oatmeal mixture into the boiling water. Stir immediately to combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the oats have absorbed most of the water and achieved a creamy, tender texture, which typically takes about 5 to 7 minutes.
To prepare a single serving of oatmeal in the microwave: Begin by stirring the dry oatmeal mix again to guarantee even distribution of ingredients. In a microwave-safe bowl (choose one slightly larger than you think you’ll need to prevent overflow), combine 1/3 cup of the dry mix with 2/3 cup of water. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes. You may need to pause and stir once or twice during cooking to prevent the oatmeal from bubbling over. Continue microwaving until the oats have absorbed most of the water and are creamy and soft.
Remember that the oatmeal will continue to thicken slightly as it cools. Allow your freshly cooked oatmeal to rest for a few minutes until it reaches a comfortable, palatable temperature. Give it one final stir, then add any desired garnishes and serve immediately.
Store any leftover dry oatmeal mix at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 months. For extended freshness, you can also store it in the freezer for up to 6 months. This mix also makes a thoughtful and practical gift for friends and family!

Notes

Tip for larger batches: In the single-serving directions, Kathryne suggests using 1/3 cup of the dry oatmeal mix, which is roughly equivalent to a standard packet of instant oatmeal. If you wish to cook a larger quantity of oatmeal at once, simply follow the cooking directions using twice as much water as oatmeal mix (e.g., 2/3 cup mix with 1 1/3 cups water for two servings).

Gluten-Free Considerations: If you are making this recipe for a gluten-free diet, please ensure that you use certified gluten-free oats and verify that all other ingredients are also certified gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination.

This recipe is used with gracious permission from Love Real Food: More Than 100 Feel-Good Vegetarian Favorites To Delight The Senses And Nourish The Body by Kathryne Taylor (from the celebrated blog Cookie & Kate).

Making your own instant oatmeal mix is more than just a quick breakfast solution; it’s an investment in your health and well-being. Unlike many commercial varieties laden with excessive sugar, artificial flavors, and unpronounceable ingredients, this homemade version empowers you with complete control over what goes into your bowl. You can easily adjust the sweetness, experiment with different nuts and dried fruits, and even add extra superfoods like chia seeds, hemp seeds, or protein powder to boost its nutritional profile. The convenience of having a ready-to-go mix in your pantry means no more last-minute scrambles for breakfast, allowing you to enjoy a nourishing meal even on your busiest mornings.

Oats themselves are nutritional powerhouses, rich in soluble fiber, which is known to help lower cholesterol and promote digestive health. They provide sustained energy, keeping you full and focused throughout the morning, preventing those mid-morning energy crashes. By preparing this mix in advance, you’re setting yourself up for success, ensuring that a healthy, satisfying breakfast is always within reach. Feel free to top your warm bowl with whatever your heart desires! In the past, I’ve loved adding fresh berries, a sprinkle of chia seeds, and hemp seeds for extra omega-3s and protein. Another favorite combination is sliced bananas, a drizzle of creamy almond butter, and a few delicate chocolate shavings for a touch of indulgence. The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility; almost any topping you can imagine will pair wonderfully, allowing you to create a new flavor experience every day.

This instant oatmeal mix is perfect for a quick breakfast that you can truly feel good about, and it’s guaranteed to get your day off to a delicious, energetic start. Thank you, Kathryne, for sharing this fantastic recipe and for your incredible dedication to real food. And congratulations again on your magnificent cookbook – you truly outdid yourself!

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