Ingredients (per packet)

1/2 cup instant oats (minute or quick oats; gluten-free if needed)
1 tsp ground chia seeds
1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch of salt
Optional: 2 tbsp walnut meal (for added fats, protein and thickening power)

Method

1. Place all ingredients into a ziploc baggy or reusable container.
2. When ready to eat, boil water in a kettle and add oats to a bowl.
3. Cover oats in boiling water. More water makes a runnier porridge. Keep in mind that the chia seeds, oats and walnut meal (if included) will thicken the porridge more than oats alone.
4. Allow to sit for 1-2 minutes to thicken.
5. Mix in flavourings and add toppings to create a porridge that suits your taste.

Notes

1. If using a reusable container large enough for the added water, do not transfer the oats to a different bowl and save on dishes to wash!
2. These packets are great to bring when travelling, as they can be made anywhere that has hot water (planes, trains, hotels, etc). When packing these for travelling, don’t forget to bring non-perishable toppings and mix-ins with you. These can be packed in the same baggy or reusable container.
3. Honey Nut Oats: Mix in 1 tbsp of almond cashew butter and 1 tbsp of honey, and top with chopped nuts.
4. Maple Brown Sugar Oats: Add 1 tbsp of brown sugar and 1 tbsp of maple sugar to the oat packet. If you do not have maple sugar, you can add maple syrup as a mix in after water is added.
5. Apple Cinnamon Oats: Add 1 tbsp of brown sugar and 2 tbsp-1/4 cup of chopped freeze-dried apple chips to the oat packet.
6. Pumpkin Spice Oats: Substitute cinnamon for pumpkin spice and add 1 tbsp of brown sugar to oat packet. Mix in 2 tbsp-1/4 cup of pumpkin puree after water is added.
7. Caramel Apple: Add 1/2 sliced apple and 3 chopped up dates before adding boiling water. The hot water softens the sliced apples slightly and turns the dates in to soft, caramelly bites!
8. Nutty Monkey: Top cooked oats with chopped mixed nuts, sliced banana, and a drizzle of honey on top.