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I'm not talking about those little packages of instant oatmeal. (They're a waste of money since you can make your own instant oatmeal packets for much less... see recipe below.) Neither am I referring to those one or two-pound cylinders of Quaker oatmeal (though that costs less per serving than a box or bag of dry cereal).*
Through Co-ops or country stores, you can purchase larger quantities of oats at greatly reduced prices. I buy 25 pounds of oats at a time for about $10. (You can buy 50 pound quantities for greater savings if you really like oatmeal.) If you buy a large quantity, you will need to divide the oats into containers (preferably air tight). Keep in a cool place (basement, refrigerator, or freezer) for later use.
Our family eats hot cereal (oatmeal and oat bran) about four mornings a week (sometimes more in the winter) and I also use the oatmeal in pancakes, homemade granola cereal, granola bars, as well as cookies, other desserts, and bread. (You can even use oatmeal in meatloaf and ham loaf.) We have a family of six, but both the oats and oat bran lasts us several months.
For health reasons, our family has learned to eat hot cereal without sugar. We add chunky peanut butter, raisins, and a variety of fruit to our cereal, though we have eaten it plain as well. If you are like most people who prefer sweetened oatmeal, try adding flavored honey or raw sugar.
If you cook oatmeal in milk rather than water, the oatmeal will taste creamier. Apple juice, peach syrup, or mixed fruit juice, or even a combination of juices and milk make wonderful new flavors without having to add much extra (if any) sweetener. Cinnamon and nutmeg with chopped apples make a delicious combination. Use your imagination to add whatever you like. (Once, I added hot chocolate mix. That was good!)
If you're too busy to cook a hot cereal for breakfast, try making oatmeal in the crockpot (recipe at the end of this article). By using the crockpot, everyone can have a hot breakfast even if you don't eat breakfast together. You can also prepare oatmeal the night before and just quickly heat in the morning. Baked oatmeal is another option.
My family still enjoys cold cereal, and I occasionally buy our favorite unsweetened whole grain cereals, but only if on sale. You can easily make your own granola cereal. (See recipe at the end of this article.) Homemade granola is less expensive and much healthier and lower in calories than what you buy in the store. Just by experimenting with different recipes and ingredients, you can make several varieties of tasty granola. Raisins, dried fruit, sunflower nuts, flaxseed, wheat germ, almonds, and peanut butter are some wonderful additions.
One last tip for saving money at breakfast: use powdered milk either in part or whole to save money. When powdered milk is cold, you hardly notice a difference, especially on cereal or in recipes. If you think your family will be skeptical about drinking powdered milk, mix it with regular milk. I've served powdered milk with cereal to extended family, and when asked about it later, they never noticed the difference.
Even if your family doesn't want to drink powdered milk, keep some on hand for using in recipes. An added benefit to using powdered milk is convenience. I don't have to run to the store each week for fresh milk since I buy powdered milk in large quantities and make as needed.
Following are various oatmeal recipes. This is only a sampling. If you look in cookbooks or on the Internet, you can find so many granola bar and granola cereal recipes. I have not included any oatmeal cookie recipes, you can visit the Cookie Club or All Homemade Cookies for those.
Overnight Oatmeal
This is a creamy, delicious easy oatmeal!
In a saucepan or microwaveable bowl mix
1 cup oatmeal
1 ½ cups milk
½ cup apple juice
apple pieces (optional)
raisins, nuts or wheat germ (optional)
Let sit overnight in the refrigerate. The next morning, warm the oatmeal on the stove or in the microwave.
Crockpot Oatmeal
2 cups milk
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 T. butter, melted
1/4 t. salt
½ t. cinnamon
1 cup oats
1 cup finely chopped apple
½ cup raisins and/or dates
½ cup chopped walnuts or almonds
Grease or spray the inside of the crockpot. Put ingredients inside and mix well. Cover and turn on low heat. Cook overnight or 8-9 hours. Stir before serving. Makes 4 cups.
Instant Oatmeal Packets
3 cups oats (quick cooking works best)
salt
8 small zip-like baggies
Process ½ cup oats in a blender (or 1 cup oats in a food processor) on high until powdery. Set aside. Repeat with additional ½ cup oats if using blender. Put the following into each baggie: 1/4 cup regular oats, 2 tablespoons powdered oats, and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Store in an airtight container.
To serve, empty packet into a bowl. Add 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for 2 minutes. Adjust water amount for thicker or thinner oatmeal.
Try some of the following variations:
Sweetened Oatmeal: Add 1 T. sugar
Brown Sugar/Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 T. brown sugar and 1/4 t. cinnamon
Raisins and Brown Sugar: Add 1 T. packed brown sugar and 1 T. raisins.
Apple-Cinnamon Oatmeal: Add 1 T. sugar, 1/4 t. cinnamon, & 2 T. Chopped dried apples
Fruit and Cream Oatmeal: Add 1 T. non-dairy coffee creamer and 2 T. dried fruit
Health Nut Oatmeal: Add 2 T. any kind of wheat germ
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