Make Ahead Frozen Oatmeal Cups

These make-ahead frozen oatmeal cups are a great way to manage the chaos of weekday mornings. Prepare them on Sunday for a quick and easy hot breakfast every day of the week! Oatmeal is also so filling it will keep you going until lunch.

It's also easy to customize each one to the tastes of your family, so everyone gets what they want! So say goodbye to that short-order cook who keeps showing up at breakfast! 

Looking for another healthy breakfast idea with oatmeal? Try my Oat Flour Pancakes with Blueberries and Bananas! Another recipe you can make a big batch on Sunday to freeze and last throughout the week! 

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Step 1: Make the Oatmeal

For make-ahead oatmeal cups, I find steel-cut oats are the best way to go. I find they re-heat better the next day than the old-fashioned oats.

To prepare the oats, add 8 cups of water to a large dutch oven.

Then as soon as the water begins to boil, add the oats. Simmer for 20-30 minutes until the oats begin to thicken and water starts to evaporate. 

How-To Prevent Dry Oats

 I like to leave a little bit of water in the pot for added moisture since we are freezing them to reheat later. Otherwise, without the water, you'll find the oats will be a bit too dry when reheated. 

When the oatmeal is done, lightly grease a jumbo-sized muffin tin with butter. This will help the oatmeal cups pop out easily once they are frozen.

I think the jumbo-sized muffin tin is a bit better for larger breakfast portions but for smaller toddler portions you could certainly use a standard-sized muffin tin. For even portions, use an ice cream scoop. I add two scoops per muffin well.

Tip For Freezing Oatmeal

Allow the oatmeal to cool completely in the muffin tin before placing it in the freezer. This cuts down on freezer burn and will prevent watery oatmeal when it is defrosted.

Step 2: Add Toppings

You can use a mix of different variations and tailor each oatmeal cup to your family's tastes so everyone is happy!

Topping ideas for Oatmeal Cups:

• apples
• walnuts
• cinnamon
• brown sugar
• pumpkin pie spice
• pear
• raisins
• blueberries
• shredded coconut
• sliced almonds

Step 3: Freeze and Store the Oatmeal Cups

To freeze, cover the muffin tin with foil and place it in the freezer until solid. Once the oatmeal is frozen, it's best to remove them from the muffin tin and store them in a freezer-safe container for easy reheating. 

To remove each "frozen oatmeal cup" from the tin, place the tin in a 9x13 casserole dish filled with warm water just for a few minutes.

This loosens the oatmeal cups from the tin for easy removal. You may need to use a thin knife to pop them out. 

Then, transfer them into a freezer-safe container, lined with wax paper. You can even label the container so the kids can grab their own oatmeal creation! Store your oatmeal cups in the freezer until you are ready to serve.

How Long Does Oatmeal Last in the Freezer?

For the best quality, freeze the oatmeal and eat it within six months. It will still be safe to eat past that time-frame, but may not be as flavorful. 

Step 4: Reheat Oatmeal and Serve

Reheating is a piece of cake, and if you have older kids, they can probably do this by themselves. 

Place one oatmeal cup into a bowl. Add a few tablespoons of water to loosen the oatmeal. You can use less water if you prefer thicker oatmeal. Pop it in the microwave until hot and fluff with a fork.

To serve, simply bring the bowls to the table and set out a few extra toppings to finish off the oatmeal. 

I like to serve butter, brown sugar, warm milk, and honey so everyone can add what they like best. I hope you enjoy this recipe and it brings some sanity to your weekday mornings! 

More Great Breakfast Recipes

• The Best Apple Cinnamon Muffins
• Strawberry Muffins with Lemon Zest
• Banana Muffins with 3 Toppings
• Extra Crispy Blueberry Waffles

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