Prep-Ahead Oatmeal Mix

This easy Prep-Ahead Oatmeal Mix combines old-fashioned oats, walnuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, raisins, cinnamon, and vanilla in one ready-to-use mix. Keep it on the counter for a quick whole-food breakfast—just scoop, add plant milk or water, and microwave. I like to serve mine with thawed mixed berries and a little flaked coconut.

Some breakfasts are worth making easier simply because you eat them often. Oatmeal is one of those breakfasts for me.

I could pull out and measure everything each time I make a bowl, but there’s really no reason to. Instead, I combine everything in one large batch and keep it in a container on my counter. In the morning, I scoop out what I need, add my homemade walnut-hemp milk, and breakfast is ready in just a few minutes.

Packaged oatmeal can certainly be convenient too, but many flavored instant oatmeal packets contain added sugar and other ingredients I don’t really need. Making my own mix gives me that same convenience while letting me choose exactly what goes into it.

And convenience isn’t the only reason I like it. With oats, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and berries, this breakfast brings together a variety of whole-food ingredients and plenty of fiber in one simple bowl.

See How I Make My Prep-Ahead Oatmeal Mix

Here’s a quick look at how I make a full batch of the mix, store it for easy breakfasts, and turn it into a warm bowl of oatmeal with berries and coconut.

Why Make Oatmeal Mix Ahead?

The full recipe makes about 18 servings, so one batch takes care of a lot of breakfasts. If that sounds like more than you need, simply make half the recipe. You can also make the full batch and keep part of it in the refrigerator so it stays fresh longer.

Once the mix is ready, breakfast is simple: stir or shake the container, scoop out what you need, add plant milk or water, and microwave. Add your favorite toppings if desired, and breakfast is done.

Prep-Ahead Oatmeal Mix

Makes about 18 servings

Ingredients

• 6 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

• 1½ cups raw walnuts, chopped

• 1½ cups raisins

• ½ cup ground flaxseed

• ½ cup whole chia seeds

• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

• ½ tablespoon vanilla bean powder

To Make the Mix

1. Add the oats, walnuts, raisins, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, cinnamon, and vanilla bean powder to a large mixing bowl.

2. Stir thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed throughout the oats.

3. Transfer the mixture to a large airtight container.

4. Store on the counter in a cool, dry place, or refrigerate all or part of the batch for longer storage.

5. Before each use, stir or shake the mix well so the smaller ingredients and spices are evenly distributed before scooping.

To Make One Bowl

Ingredients

• ½ cup Prep-Ahead Oatmeal Mix

• ⅔ cup plant milk (or water), plus more for serving, if desired

• ½ cup mixed berries, or more as desired (optional)

• Flaked coconut, for topping (optional)

Instructions

1. Stir or shake the oatmeal mix well, then measure ½ cup into a microwave-safe bowl.

2. Add ⅔ cup plant milk or water.

3. Microwave on high for 2–2¼ minutes, depending on your preferred consistency and microwave.

4. Stir and let the oatmeal sit briefly after cooking. Add additional plant milk for serving if you prefer a thinner consistency.

5. If desired, top with about ½ cup mixed berries, or more to taste, and a sprinkle of flaked coconut.

I usually cook mine for the full 2¼ minutes and make it with my homemade walnut-hemp milk. I also tend to be generous with the berries—I often use closer to a cup—but ½ cup is a good place to start.

Ingredient Notes

Vanilla Bean Powder

Vanilla bean powder may be an ingredient you haven’t used before, but I think it’s worth adding. It adds another dimension of vanilla flavor that makes a simple bowl of oatmeal even more enjoyable.

You can purchase vanilla bean powder in fairly small quantities on Amazon, and because you only need a little at a time, it lasts quite a while. If you don’t have it, simply leave it out of the dry mix and add a little vanilla extract to your prepared oatmeal if desired.

Chia Seeds

I use whole chia seeds in my mix, but you can grind them first if you prefer a smoother texture. Either way, they blend easily into the oatmeal along with the ground flaxseed.

Frozen Berries

I usually use frozen mixed berries and thaw them before adding them to my oatmeal. They cost me much less than buying fresh berries regularly, and I can keep a bag in the freezer so they’re always available.

There’s another little bonus: as the berries thaw, they release some of their juices. I add the berries and that berry liquid to my oatmeal, which adds even more berry flavor to the finished bowl.

Plant Milk or Water Both Work

I prefer cooking my oatmeal in homemade walnut-hemp milk because I like the flavor and creaminess it adds, but you can also make it with water.

That makes the mix especially convenient to take to work. Portion the dry mix into a container, add water when you’re ready to eat, and microwave.

A Few Easy Variations

There are plenty of ways to adjust the mix or the finished bowl to suit your tastes.

If walnuts aren’t your favorite, try chopped almonds or pecans instead. You can also use different berries or other fresh fruit, add a little extra cinnamon, or change the toppings depending on what you have on hand.

Occasionally, I also stir a spoonful of natural peanut butter into the warm oatmeal before adding the berries for a PB&J-inspired bowl.

A Note About This Recipe

My Prep-Ahead Oatmeal Mix was inspired by an oatmeal recipe I originally found on Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s member website. Over time, I’ve adapted both the mix and the way I prepare it to suit my tastes and morning routine. This is the version I now make in a large batch and keep on hand for breakfast.

Make Breakfast Easier Before the Morning Starts

This is the kind of simple prep that works well for me—a few minutes spent making one batch makes breakfast easier for many mornings to come.

Having nourishing foods already prepared and ready to use makes it much easier to eat well on an ordinary day. This oatmeal mix is one more way I make that happen in my own kitchen.

If you’re looking for more simple ways to make nutrient-dense meals easier, download my free Tower-to-Table Recipe Guide. It includes recipes and ideas for turning fresh, whole-food ingredients into meals you can actually make part of everyday life.

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Karen

Here’s to simple, nourishing food — one recipe at a time. 🌱