This Gluten Free Travel Oatmeal started out as my solution for breakfast while camping, turned into our family’s go-to breakfast while traveling. The last thing I want to worry about on vacation is where I can find a safe gluten free meal first thing in the morning. We love it so much that now we keep a stash of it in our pantry for weekday mornings. It makes getting off to work and school a breeze! And it is completely customizable for picky eaters and special diets too!
This hearty Gluten Free Travel Oatmeal is a creamy concoction with chopped nuts, plump raisins, cinnamon and brown sugar. I use powdered milk in the mix, so just a bit of hot water and breakfast is made! We often use paper cups and plastic spoons from our hotels along with the hot water from their coffee machine. No microwave required! Just cover the cup or bowl to trap in the heat, and let it sit for about 5 minutes. When we are at home or have access to a microwave on our travels, we just pop the bowl in for 2 minutes. Quick & easy! Need I mention, that this also saves us a lot of money on breakfast? Talk about a win-win!
Method to My Mix
As you have probably figured out by now, I like a lot going on in my food. Much like how my Carrot Cake Make Ahead Oatmeal and Make Ahead Banana Bread Oatmeal are packed with texture and flavor, my Gluten Free Travel Oatmeal is no exception. One of the ways I achieve this is by using a blend of Bob’s Red Mill Quick Cooking and Old Fashioned Oats. However, if you prefer a softer, less chewy oatmeal, you can absolutely use the quick cooking variety alone. Adjust the amount of water you add to make it as thick or thin as you like as well.
For crunch, I add chopped nuts or seeds. Although I do add a little brown sugar for flavor and sweetness, I also add raisins. The raisins plump with the hot water and I just love their added texture, sweetness and flavor in my oatmeal. Spice from cinnamon and creaminess from powdered milk adds to the complexity of what some might think of as a mundane breakfast. This combination will remind you of the expensive pre-packaged instant flavored oatmeal, but it is so much better (and cheaper) when you make your own! And completely customizable!
Do I have to use Powdered Milk?
Nope! You can substitute a dairy free milk powder if you’d like or skip it all together. Both of these options can change the overall quantity of the mix and the amount of water needed. Those adjustments are pretty easy to navigate on the fly or do a little experimenting at home before you take it on the go. That way you will know exactly what you are going to get and how wet you like the mixture.
Can I Substitute the Raisins and Nuts?
Absolutely! I use whatever nuts or seeds I have around the house. My family favorites are walnuts and pecans with raisins. I have used all kinds of dried fruit in the mix too. Soft dried & freeze dried apples, dried cherries, cranberries and apricots are all fantastic. However, keep in mind that the moisture level of your ingredients may impact the amount of water needed. So that may take some experimenting with quantities, but you can likely adjust on the fly.
Variations on the Classic
Recently, I tried out two new varieties that we have been enjoying. The first is a riff off of the “golden milk” trend. It is a combination of coconut milk powder, shredded coconut, dried apricots, ground turmeric and ginger. The color is bright yellow and the flavor is addictively unique and a bit exotic.
The second might as well be a dessert! A combination of dried cherries, dark chocolate chips and almonds. The chocolate becomes melty and swirls through the oatmeal when you give it a stir. O-M-G good! In our house, my daughter is the least interested in oatmeal. Knowing this, I asked her to try a bite and she did, then took the whole bowl of oatmeal and finished it off. It’s a keeper.
Flavor Inspiration
- Dried Blueberries (¼ cup), 1 teaspoon cardamom and ¼ cup chopped hazelnuts
- Shredded coconut (¼ cup), ¼ cup dried apricots, 2 teaspoon turmeric and 1 teaspoon ginger
- Dried apples (¼ cup), 2 teaspoon apple pie spice & ¼ cup chopped pecans
- Dried Cherries (¼ cup), ¼ cup dark chocolate chips & ¼ cup sliced almonds
- Dates (¼ cup), 1 teaspoon cardamom, ¼ cup white chocolate chips & ¼ cup chopped pistachios
- Dried cranberries (¼ cup), 2 teaspoon orange peel, 2 teaspoon cinnamon & ¼ cup chopped walnuts
- Dried pineapple (¼ cup), ¼ cup shredded coconut & ¼ chopped macadamia nuts
Gluten Free Travel Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups gluten free quick cooking oats - I use Bob's Red Mill brand
- 1 cup gluten free old fashioned oats - I use Bob's Red Mill brand
- 1 cup powdered milk - sub with non-dairy alternative or omit if needed
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup chopped nuts - almonds, pecans, walnuts or your choice of seeds will work
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Put all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Combine well with a large spoon. Store in a gallon size ziplock bag or portion out into smaller storage bags if you prefer.
- When ready to eat, pour up to ¼ cup boiling water over ½ cup of oatmeal mixture in a heat resistant bowl or cup. Mix to combine well and let sit for about 2 minutes until most of the water is absorbed into the oatmeal. Then enjoy!
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