This commercial instant oatmeal contains added sugar, artificial caramel color, and generic 'natural flavor' instead of real maple. DIY version uses organic oats, coconut sugar, real maple powder, and unrefined sea salt for superior nutrition and authentic flavor without artificial additives.
Based on: Quaker Instant Oatmeal Maple & Brown Sugar
· Makes approximately 30 servings
· Serving: 43g (about 1/3 cup dry mix)
Why This Recipe is Seed Oil Free
Commercial Quaker Instant Oatmeal Maple & Brown Sugar from Quaker often contains inflammatory seed oils like canola, soybean, or sunflower oil. This homemade version replaces them with healthier fats like butter, ghee, coconut oil, or avocado oil — giving you the same great taste without the processed oils.
Ingredients
Organic old fashioned rolled oats
900g (about 9 cups) · Bob's Red Mill Organic Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
Base ingredient providing fiber, protein, and hearty texture
Provides authentic maple flavor without artificial natural flavors
Unrefined sea salt
8g (about 1.5 teaspoons) · Redmond Real Salt Ancient Fine Sea Salt
Enhances flavor and provides natural electrolytes and minerals
Instructions
Step 1. Measure 900g (9 cups) of Bob's Red Mill organic oats into a large mixing bowl. Use a kitchen scale for accuracy - volume measurements can vary significantly. The oats should look uniform and free from dust or broken pieces.
Step 2. Add 300g (1.5 cups) of organic coconut sugar to the oats. Coconut sugar crystals are slightly coarser than regular sugar, so mix gently but thoroughly for 2-3 minutes to distribute evenly throughout the oats. This prevents some servings from being overly sweet while others are bland.
Step 3. Measure 60g (1/2 cup) of organic maple syrup powder and 8g (1.5 teaspoons) of Redmond Real Salt. Add these to the oat mixture. The maple powder may clump slightly - break up any large clumps with your fingers before mixing.
Step 4. Using a large whisk or wooden spoon, combine all ingredients thoroughly for 3-4 minutes, ensuring the maple powder and salt are evenly distributed throughout. The mixture should look uniform with no visible streaks of maple powder.
Step 5. Transfer the completed mix to an airtight container - glass mason jars or food-grade plastic containers work well. Label with the date and serving instructions.
Step 6. To prepare individual servings: Measure 43g (about 1/3 cup) of mix into a bowl. Add 180ml (3/4 cup) of boiling water and stir vigorously for 30 seconds. Let stand for 2 minutes to fully hydrate, then stir again. The oatmeal should be creamy and thick. Add more hot water if thinner consistency is desired.
Step 7. Optional enhancements per serving: Add 1 tablespoon of organic butter or coconut oil for richness, fresh berries, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of pure maple syrup for extra sweetness. The base recipe provides the same sweetness level as the commercial version.
Storage
Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 months. The lack of preservatives means shorter shelf life than commercial versions, but ingredients will remain fresh if kept dry. Avoid storing in humid areas like above the stove.
Cost Comparison
Cost per serving (homemade)$0.28
Cost per serving (store-bought)$0.50
Savings44%
Higher upfront ingredient cost but significant long-term savings. Bulk organic ingredients provide 4-8 batches worth, making the per-serving cost very competitive with commercial versions while delivering superior nutrition.