Homemade Instant Brown Sugar Oatmeal: 3 Ways
The secret to making incredibly delicious homemade oatmeal is using oat milk and water to not wash out the flavour. That, and using just the right moist, rich brown sugar for the flavour profile of your recipe. We’ve got 3 versions of this comforting, convenient meal – one for each of our classic brown sugars. Try them all and fall in love with oatmeal again.
OR 15 minutes hydration time

Cinnamon Apple Nut Oatmeal:
- 2 cups (176 g) large flaked oats 2 cups (176 g) large flaked oats
- ½ cup (60 g) dried apple pieces ½ cup (60 g) dried apple pieces
- ½ cup (53 g) pecans, toasted, roughly chopped ½ cup (53 g) pecans, toasted, roughly chopped
- ⅓ cup (72 g) Redpath® Demerara Style Sugar, packed ⅓ cup (72 g) Redpath® Demerara Style Sugar, packed
- 2 tsp (6 g) ground cinnamon 2 tsp (6 g) ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp (2 g) salt ¼ tsp (2 g) salt
Cranberry Ginger Oatmeal:
- 2 cups (176 g) large flaked oats 2 cups (176 g) large flaked oats
- ½ cup (60 g) dried cranberries ½ cup (60 g) dried cranberries
- ½ cup (56 g) crystallized ginger, roughly chopped ½ cup (56 g) crystallized ginger, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup (54 g) Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar, packed ¼ cup (54 g) Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar, packed
- ½ tsp (1 g) ground ginger ½ tsp (1 g) ground ginger
- ½ tsp (2 g) ground cinnamon ½ tsp (2 g) ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp (2 g) salt ¼ tsp (2 g) salt
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal:
- 2 cups (176 g) large flaked oats 2 cups (176 g) large flaked oats
- ½ cup (47 g) banana chips, broken into pieces ½ cup (47 g) banana chips, broken into pieces
- ¼ cup (54 g) Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, packed ¼ cup (54 g) Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (43 g) dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate, chopped ¼ cup (43 g) dark chocolate chips or dark chocolate, chopped
- ¼ cup (39 g) roasted peanuts, roughly chopped ¼ cup (39 g) roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
- ¼ cup (25 g) powdered peanut butter ¼ cup (25 g) powdered peanut butter
- 2 tbsp + 2 tsp (17 g) cocoa powder 2 tbsp + 2 tsp (17 g) cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp (2 g) salt (see Chef’s Tip) ¼ tsp (2 g) salt (see Chef’s Tip)
For the liquid:
- 2 cups (500 ml) oat milk (or our Vanilla Oat Beverage recipe) 2 cups (500 ml) oat milk (or our Vanilla Oat Beverage recipe)
- 1¾ to 2 cups (438 to 500 ml) water 1¾ to 2 cups (438 to 500 ml) water
Equipment:
- Scale or dry measuring cups Scale or dry measuring cups
- Measuring spoons Measuring spoons
- Liquid measuring cup Liquid measuring cup
- 3 large bowls 3 large bowls
- Rubber spatula or wooden spoon Rubber spatula or wooden spoon
- 3 airtight containers (1 quart / 4 cup capacity) OR 12 mason jars or heat-proof/microwave safe airtight containers (1 pint / 500 ml) 3 airtight containers (1 quart / 4 cup capacity) OR 12 mason jars or heat-proof/microwave safe airtight containers (1 pint / 500 ml)
- Serving bowls x 4 (per oatmeal mixture) Serving bowls x 4 (per oatmeal mixture)
- Plastic wrap Plastic wrap
Instructions
Bulk Preparation:
In a large bowl, combine large flaked oats, apple pieces, toasted pecans, the Redpath® Demerara Style Sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Mix to thoroughly combine. Transfer to an airtight container.
In a large bowl, combine large flaked oats, dried cranberries, crystallized ginger, the Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar, ground ginger, cinnamon, and salt. Mix to thoroughly combine. Transfer to an airtight container.
In a large bowl, combine large flaked oats, banana chips, the Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, powdered peanut butter, cocoa powder, and salt, if using. Mix to thoroughly combine. Transfer to an airtight container.
Meal Preparation or Individual Servings:
Fill and layer 4 jars or heat-proof/microwave-safe containers with ½ cup (44 grams) large flaked oats, 2 tablespoons (15 grams) dried apple pieces, 2 tablespoons (13 grams) toasted pecans, 1 tablespoon (14 grams) Redpath® Demerara Style Sugar, ½ teaspoon (2 g) cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Seal containers with a lid.
Fill and layer 4 jars or heat-proof/microwave-safe containers with ½ cup (44 grams) large flaked oats, 2 tablespoons (15 grams) dried cranberries, 2 tablespoons (14 grams) chopped crystallized ginger, 1 tablespoon (14 grams) Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar, ¼ teaspoon (1 g) ginger, ⅛ teaspoon (1 g) cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Seal containers with a lid.
Fill and layer 4 jars or heat-proof/microwave-safe containers with ½ cup (44 grams) large flaked oats, 2 tablespoons (12 grams) banana chips, 1 tablespoon (14 grams) Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar, 1 tablespoon (11 grams) chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon (10 grams) chopped peanuts, 1 tablespoon (6 grams) peanut butter powder, 2 teaspoons (4 grams) cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt, if using. Seal containers with a lid.
To serve:
Method 1 (Bulk preparation):
Stir or shake containers of each oatmeal mixture to redistribute ingredients; pour contents into a large, heat-proof bowl.
Pour 2 cups (500 ml) hot oat milk and 1¾ to 2 cups (438 to 500 ml) boiling water over the oatmeal. Stir until combined. Cover with plastic wrap or a lid and let sit for 15 minutes.
Stir to combine and portion into 4 bowls.
Method 2 (Individual Servings; from the bulk preparation or meal preparation):
Stir or shake containers of each oatmeal mixture before scooping to redistribute ingredients.
Divide each oatmeal variation into 1 to 4 separate bowls (approximately ¾ cup of oatmeal mixture per bowl).
Into each serving of oatmeal, stir in ½ cup (125 ml) hot oat milk and between ⅓ to ½ cup (83 ml to 125 ml) boiling water.
Cover and let sit; 15 minutes.
Method 3 (Microwave):
Use either method 1 or 2. Add the specified amounts of water and oat milk into a large microwave-safe bowl or individual containers.
Place into the microwave and heat on high for 3 minutes (individual servings) to 7 minutes (bulk preparation/4 servings), stirring once every minute during the cooking time; see Chef’s Tips.
Chef's Tips
*If desired, quick oats can be substituted for the large flaked oats for faster preparation time (camping trips, breakfast-on-the-go, or quick snacks). Hydration time will be approximately 5 minutes. Microwave time will be approximately 1 to 3 minutes.
*If using dried apple rings, roughly cut into ¼-inch pieces.
*To ensure recipe is gluten-free, choose oats manufactured in a gluten-free facility.
*Powdered peanut butter can be found at most bulk foods, health food stores, and the organic aisle in grocery stores. If unavailable, drizzle each serving with 1 tablespoon of natural peanut butter after heating.
*If using salted roasted peanuts, omit salt in the Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal recipe.
*Recipes can be made with all water, all oat milk, or any non-dairy-based milk. Alternatively, milk can be used in place of oat milk if dairy is not an issue.
*If thinner oatmeal is desired, additional oat milk or water can be added after or during the cooking process.
*Microwaves differ in heating capabilities. Oatmeal is done when the oatmeal just begins to boil, and oats have swelled in size and are tender. For individual servings, check at the 2-minute mark and heat at 30-second intervals until the desired consistency is reached. For full servings (4 servings), check at the 5-minute mark and heat at 30-second intervals until the desired consistency is reached. Note the heating times for future meals.
*If desired, garnish with fresh fruit (e.g. apples, cranberries, or sliced banana), sprinkle with cinnamon, toasted pecans, chocolate chips, or peanuts, and/or drizzle with chocolate or peanut butter.
*The Redpath® Demerara Style Sugar is used in the Cinnamon Apple Nut Oatmeal to emphasize the brown sugar flavour in the oatmeal and complement the earthiness of the toasted pecans. The intense caramel flavour also complements the sweetness of the dried apple pieces.
*The Redpath® Golden Yellow Sugar is used in the Cranberry Ginger Oatmeal as the subtle caramel undertones complement the flavours of cranberry and ginger. Using this sugar gives the oatmeal a more complex flavour, enhancing the warm spiciness of the ginger and bringing out the sweetness of the cranberries.
*The Redpath® Dark Brown Sugar is used in the Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal recipe because the deep caramel flavour of this brown sugar pairs well with the sweet bitterness of the chocolate and cocoa powder and the nutty flavour of the peanuts and powdered peanut butter.