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I think most people would agree a healthy breakfast is a great way to start the day! Although we have not had to rush out the door most of the entire last year, we have still had to eat breakfast every morning. And lunch. And dinner. Oh, wait, they need snacks too? So many snacks. OK so this is a lot of feeding people. I will admit at the beginning of the stay home orders I was buying a lot of fun and sugary cereals for the kids. I think because I felt bad for them, even though they were/are happy! Also, because we taught our kids how to self serve cereal since we have early risers. So, cereal is the obvious choice for breakfast if they can help themselves while we get a little extra sleep!
Healthy Breakfast
I was wanting a healthy breakfast option that didn’t require paying a ton for a fancy cereal, or… a lot of work! Also, it needed to please six people. Not an easy task. I know overnight oats are all the rage, or rather have been all the rage. I think they are still going strong? We did actually hop on the bandwagon a long time ago, and I still like them. I just don’t really want them. And the children were kind of finicky with them. Not to mention, it is winter! A HOT healthy breakfast is much more enticing. Even better it takes maybe two minutes to make? The night before! It’s like magic.
This is how we make ours.
Hot Oatmeal
Ingredients
- Old Fashion Rolled Oats
- Water
- Cinnamon (optional)
- Salt (optional)
- Instant Pot (mine is Pioneer Woman’s)
Directions:
- Measure 2 cups of oats and dump in pan
- Measure 4 cups water and dump in pan
- Sprinkle with cinnamon
- Sprinkle with salt
- Seal instant pot lid
- Set it to Manual for 3 minutes
- Press Delay and enter desired time for breakfast (ours is usually somewhere around 12 hours because I make it while cleaning up dinner)
That’s it! It really is so simple and takes maybe two minutes. In the morning you just wake up and open the lid!
Healthy Breakfast Meal Prep
Make whatever size batch works for your family! This makes enough for our family of 6. The important thing is to keep the ratio of oats to water 1: 2. I like to err on the side of extra water if my measuring isn’t perfect. It keeps well in the fridge for a few mornings of healthy breakfasts. So, if meal prep is your kind of thing is does stay creamy.
Extra Toppings
We like cinnamon, but you could add whatever you like. I add salt because my mom always did when she made oatmeal so it’s just what I do. Plus, I like things even baked goods, salty! What do you like to eat on or with your oatmeal? We are brown sugar and cream people! I also love it with buttered toast if I am extra hungry. Some of my kids are very sensitive to warm foods, so adding a little cream or milk helps to cool it down for them too. If we have bananas, I love a sliced banana in place of sugar.
Healthy Breakfast Perks
Another exciting thing about this little discovery is it is a very affordable way to feed an entire family. One whole container of oats is just a couple dollars and can feed our family breakfast for an entire week. We’ve actually done it every morning for a few weeks, but do usually break things up for variety. Plus, we have Cinnamon Roll Saturday, mmmm!
If you have people in your house starting their day at different times this will be great for you as well. Just make sure you put the sealing lid back on or it will dry out. Then it will be ready and still warm for the next person.
We have always loved oatmeal on the stove top because it is so creamy, but this makes it even creamier. They really don’t even compare. Give it a try and let me know if you do!
Last but not least!
Make sure you eat your oatmeal out of a pretty bowl! Makes it just a little more special. I have colorful latte bowls like these that I usually reach for, but I think these are a happy start to your day, too!
Do have a favorite easy healthy breakfast? What about something that makes your mornings run a little bit smoother?
In case you missed it, check out what has been going on around here lately!
