Instant oatmeal packets are a godsend for busy mornings, but have you considered crafting your own instant oatmeal jars? By purchasing oatmeal, dried fruit and nuts in bulk, you can make your own version of instant oatmeal, and save money at the same time. Use small mason jars to portion out your meal, or some bags will also do the trick.

Active time: 5 minutes | Total time: 5 minutes

Cranberry Almond Oatmeal Jars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (40 grams) uncooked quick oats
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp cinnamon 
• 1 tbsp dried cranberries (or dried fruit of your choice)
• 1 tbsp slivered almonds (or nuts of your choice)
• 1 cup water

Directions

To make the oatmeal jar, layer the ingredients in the following order: oats, salt, cinnamon, cranberries, and almond slivers. Make as many jars as desired and store in a dry area. If you do not have mason jars, oatmeal packets can also be made using zip-lock bags. Label with the date to help track freshness.

To cook the oatmeal with boiling water, bring 1 cup water to a rolling boil. Pour the water into the oatmeal jar and stir. Let the oatmeal stand for 4–5 minutes to soften, then stir and enjoy.

To cook the oatmeal in the microwave, pour the oatmeal into a microwave-safe container large enough to allow bubbling without spilling, then add 1 cup water. Microwave on power level 7 for 2 minutes.

Serves: 1 | Serving Size: 1 oatmeal jar

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 226; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 4g; Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 296mg; Carbohydrate: 37g; Dietary Fiber: 6g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 7g

Nutrition Bonus: Potassium: 213mg; Iron: 11%; Vitamin A: 0%; Vitamin C: 3%; Calcium: 4%

Originally published June 2015; Updated May 2026

The post Cranberry Almond Oatmeal Jars appeared first on MyFitnessPal Blog.