These freezer oatmeal cups are easy to prepare & even easier to heat up on busy mornings! Customize them by topping with whatever your tastebuds desire!
Hello and good Monday! This past week was a busy one for my household and I was not on the web very much because of it. My son had his tonsils and adenoids removed last Thursday, so I missed posting for Link Love on Friday…I will make sure to get one up this week, though! Today I’m back, not with a Myth Monday post, but with something I will be doing monthly on the 21st of each month.
I recently joined a healthy recipe challenge group called The Recipe Redux. The Recipe Redux is a monthly recipe challenge founded by registered dietitians, focused on taking delicious dishes, keeping them delicious, but making them better for you. I am so excited to be a part of this wonderful group of bloggers and participate in the monthly challenges.
This month’s theme is Fantastic Freezer Meals. I LOVE freezer meals because they make busy weeknights a breeze in the kitchen. Freezer meals are especially great for new moms! I will be making more freezer meals in the weeks and months to come as I prepare for this next baby to arrive – making those days when I am beyond tired and feel like not cooking anything a little easier with a healthy, ready to heat-and-eat meal!
Instead of a dinner freezer meal, I wanted to think about those crazy busy mornings when you just don’t have time to even think about what to make for breakfast. I went to one of my ultimate favorite breakfasts: oatmeal (remember my post about how I LOVE oats!). So what is better than oatmeal? Freezer Oatmeal Cups, my friends. These are so easy to prepare for the freezer (one reason I LOVE oats) and even easier to heat up on a busy morning.
These freezer oatmeal cups are great because you can customize them however you want. If you love bananas, add bananas. If you are feeling like you might want something a little sweeter, throw in some chocolate chips. One of my favorites is blueberries. Chopped nuts go great with anything in oatmeal, so toss some of those in there, too! The options are endless!
Freezer Oatmeal Cups: Make ahead for an easy heat-up-and-go breakfast option Click To TweetTo start, on the stovetop, cook a big batch of oatmeal. I added in some vanilla and maple syrup to sweeten it a bit. You can add in whichever and how much sweetener you desire (again – so customizable!). I like to start out with less, then I can add more if I want. After you have finished cooking the oatmeal, divide it between 24 pre-sprayed muffin cups. Next is the fun part – toppings! As I mentioned earlier – top with whatever your heart desires.
After you have finished topping the oatmeal, cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least 4-6 hours, or until completely frozen. Once they are frozen you can take them out of the muffin tins and place them in freezer bags for longer term storage in the freezer (if they last long-term…).
On a crazy busy morning, pull out a couple of the mini freezer oatmeal cups and place them in a microwave safe mug or bowl. Heat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until hot. Add in some milk, more toppings or sweeteners as desired. Enjoy this quick and healthy breakfast from the freezer!
Freezer Oatmeal Cups
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings (2 oatmeal cups each) 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Description
These handy freezer oatmeal cups are super easy to prepare and even easier to heat up on a busy morning! Customizable to your likes, you can top them with whatever your tastebuds desire!
Ingredients
- 6 cups water (or milk, if desired)
- 3 1/2 cups old fashioned oats
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 TBS pure maple syrup, or sweetener of choice
Toppings/add-ins:
- Fruit (bananas, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, etc.)
- Chopped nuts
- Chocolate chips
- Shredded Coconut
- Flax seed
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring water to a boil on stovetop on high heat. When the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium and add the oatmeal. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add in the vanilla and maple syrup, stir well.
- Spray two muffin tin pans (24 cups) with non-stick spray. Pour the oatmeal into the 24 cups, dividing equally. Next, top the oatmeal with your favorite toppings, such as blueberries, blackberries, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, etc.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or overnight. When the oatmeal is completely frozen, take the muffin tins out of the freezer and pop the oatmeal cups out of the tins. Place in freezer bags, or other storage container and place back in the freezer.
- On a busy morning, or whenever you are craving some oatmeal, take two (or three…depending on how hungry you are) mini oatmeal cups and place in a microwave safe mug or bowl. Heat in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or until hot. Mix in some milk or more toppings, as desired. Enjoy!
Keywords: freezer oatmeal cups
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Jessica @ Nutritioulicious
what a great idea! Trader Joe’s sells frozen oatmeal, but this is way better! Welcome to The Recipe ReDux!
DietitianBrittany
Thanks! I didn’t know Trader Joe’s sold frozen oatmeal! There isn’t one near my house so I don’t shop there very often.
I am excited to be a part of Recipe Redux, I think it will challenge me to be a better food blogger and am excited to see what other’s come up with each month!
Beverley @ sweaty&fit
These little cups are so cute and such a smart idea! A little opposite of the overnight oatmeal, but same idea and equally as delicious. i ‘m definitely going to make these for those busy mornings
DietitianBrittany
I love overnight oats! These are just a little different and by freezing, can be stored for longer than a batch of overnight oats. Either way, I love me some oatmeal!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
These are so cute!
DietitianBrittany
Thanks! They turned out well and the best thing is – anyone can make them! 🙂
Des @ Life's Ambrosia
What a great way to have a warm breakfast on the fly!
Melanie
I love this! Recipes where you can be flexible depending on what you like or are in the mood for are my favorite! I also love how uncomplicated yet delicious it seems! I’m going to be making these this week! 🙂
DietitianBrittany
Options are wonderful! Because, with making these ahead of time, I never know what I might feel like so choosing a few different toppings will ensure there is something I will want! I hope you like them!
Sara
I love the sound of these oatmeal cups, oatmeal is one of our favorite breakfast items around here!
DietitianBrittany
Thanks, it’s a favorite of mine, too!
Kim Beaulieu
These are perfect for crazy morning with the hooligans. Plus they are so darn cute. Great recipe.
DietitianBrittany
Thanks! Hopefully the hooligans will love them! 😉
Levan @ Crazy Vegan Kitchen
These oatmeal cups look to die for! Thanks for sharing!
★★★★★
Joanie @ Zagleft
What a great breakfast idea – and so good for you too!
Chrissa - Physical Kitchness
So genius! I love how you can personalize these oatmeal cups to put in ANYTHING you like!! My little guy would love these! Making asap.
Ann Dunaway Teh
Great idea and a nice alternative to overnight oats, which sometimes the texture of bothers me. Definitely will put on my breakfast list to try! Thanks!