Instant Oatmeal Packets (5 Ways)

Keep snacking and healthy meals in check while traveling with these homemade Instant Oatmeal Packets. These make-ahead, portable baggies are a great way to fuel up during your next adventure!

If you’ve been around Live Eat Learn long enough you’ll know that I love to travel. But traveling often translates into choosing less-than-ideal food options, because we just don’t have all of the healthy options at our disposal when we’re out!

So I’ve been aiming to come up with on-the-go recipes that work well for taking hiking, skiing, camping, and on day trips or car rides. These on-the-go instant oatmeal packets have quickly become one of my favorite easy, on-the-go meals!

Oatmeal packets are like overnight oats, but they’re more portable. They’re perfect for fueling up between slopes (because let’s face it – skiing wears you out, and food options on the hill are $$$). Plus, it’s healthy and keeps you full for a while!

Your oats pouch can be enjoyed with a spoon right from the bag, or you can rip off the corner and treat it like a squeeze pouch. Hunger, who?

Ingredients in portable oatmeal Packets

Because these oats are enjoyed on the go, the ingredients are all shelf-stable (i.e. nonperishable). You don’t need to refrigerate them while transporting, either! I recommend making a big batch and storing them as needed, and then when nearly ready to enjoy you can add milk and pop them in the fridge.

We’ll be making 5 different variations, all of which use the same foundation.

• Rolled Oats: First, use a base of ½ cup of rolled oats, a nutritious whole grain that will keep you full for a while. You can also use instant oats, though rolled oats result in a better texture after soaking in the milk.
• Dried Fruit: Then, add flavor with ¼ cup of your favorite dried fruit from the combinations below.
• Nuts: Include some heartiness and crunch with 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts.
• Milk: Finally, finish off the mix with ½ cup of your favorite kind of milk.

How to make on-the-go oatmeal pouches

These oatmeal pouches are great for traveling because you can assemble them ahead of time, and you’re good to go! They don’t need to be refrigerated until the milk is added.

I recommend prepping them when needed, packing them in your food bag (no ice needed), and grabbing some milk when your reach your destination!

1. Prep the ingredients: Into a baggie mix the oats, dried fruit, and nuts. Store in a cool, dry place until ready to assemble.
2. Add the milk: Add milk and transfer to the fridge for at least 2 hours (or overnight), until oats are soft.
3. Serve: Enjoy directly from the baggie, either with a spoon or by tearing a bottom corner off and treating it like a squeeze pouch.

oatmeal Packet flavors

Pineapple + Coconut

First up, we have pineapple and coconut. Use the base ingredients listed above (½ cup of rolled oats, 2 tablespoons of nuts, and ½ cup of milk). For the ¼ cup of dried fruit, use dried pineapple! Include shredded coconut for a spot-on pina colada flavor!

To level up the pineapple and coconut combo even further, include coconut milk, dried mango, or even a few pieces of fresh pineapple. The coconut milk adds extra flavor (versus using regular milk), and the extra fruit adds more delicious tastes! (This one is my personal favorite.)

Strawberry + Almond

Next up, we have the strawberry and almond mix! Do the same as directed for the pineapple variation above, but this time use dried strawberries as your ¼ cup of dried fruit. The sliced almonds in this variety add a delicious crunch!

I love the texture of freeze-dried strawberries. For additional mix-ins, this variation is great with shredded coconut, chia seeds, other freeze-dried berries, and (the best part) chocolate chips!

Dried Apple + Chopped Pecans

Dried apple and pecan oatmeal tastes like a dessert! Use ¼ cup of dried apples for the fruit, and layer in those chopped pecans for extra sweetness. This mix is so tasty when optionally prepared with cinnamon, nutmeg, ground cloves, and other nuts!

Raisins + Sliced Almonds

This variation is like a yummy trail mix but in oatmeal form! Raisins act as the ¼ cup of dried fruit (because they’re technically dried fruit – the original dried fruit, if you will). The almonds add some crunch!

Flavor additions for this option include cinnamon, dried apples, and/or a couple of teaspoons of chocolate chips. You can never go wrong with a bit of chocolate!

Dried Mango + Shredded Coconut

Last but not least, we have dried mango and shredded coconut! This flavor combo tastes like how a tropical island feels.

Add in a bit of dried pineapple for an extra tropical taste, or include some dried strawberries for some more fruitiness! Additional flavor options include coconut milk (for the coconut lovers out there), or dried bananas!

More Oatmeal flavor ideas

For some more flavor options, check out this overnight oats guide where we cover flavors including peaches and cream, PB&J, banana bread, and even cookie dough!

And if it’s on-the-go recipes you’re looking for, be sure to check out our Ski Hill Charcuterie Board, these No Bake Energy Bites, these Homemade Fruit Roll Ups, or these Egg Muffin Cups!