21 Day Fix Freezer Steel Cut Oats make meal prep *that* much easier. Portion controlled, filled with fiber, and perfect for a busy morning, or to break up the monotony of breakfast.
Confession #78 – Food prep is awesome, but I do get bored kinda quick.
I actually envy those who can eat the same breakfasts and lunches all the time. It sounds so efficient and easy…and I could use more efficient and easy in my life.
But the foodie side of me gets in the way. It’s a blessing and a curse, right?
Anyway, I have been making large batches of steel cut oats for a couple of years now, because who has time to wait 30 minutes for breakfast in the morning? Stored in the fridge, oats can last several days and they definitely reheat well.
But then we have the boredom issue. What if you don’t want to eat oatmeal everyday?
Turns out, you can FREEZE steel cut oats. And when you portion them into muffin tins, you can even customize your toppings! Total boredom buster!
These little numbers are awesome reheated and I love combining different toppings – like strawberry banana and apple cinnamon blueberry.
The possibilities are endless, but also efficient AND easy. A dream for the busy foodies of the world!
Freezer Friendly Steel Cut Oats
Ingredients
- Coconut oil spray or avocado oil spray
- 1 cup Steel cut oats
- Fruit toppings of your choice
- Cinnamon to taste
- Cocoa powder to taste
Instructions
- Make a large batch of steel cut oats either on the stove top according to the package directions, or in your Instant Pot.
Instant Pot
- Spray inner pot with cooking oil spray, then add in oats and water and salt, if using.
- Lock Instant Pot and set to 10 minutes on manual.
- After cooktime, do a full natural release and allow oats to cool completely before moving onto next step.
Making the "muffins"
- Spray muffin tin well with coconut or avocado oil spray.
- Using 1/4 cup measuring cup, portion out oats into muffin tins.
- Top each muffin with 2 Tbsp of diced fruit plus cinnamon, cocoa powder, or toppings of your choice.
- Wrap your tin in plastic wrap (again, be sure your oats have cooled) and place tin in the freezer for 4-5 hours.
- Once frozen, use a butter knife to pop out the oats. I had no problem doing this! Store in freezer safe plastic or silicone bags in the freezer. Microwave 2-3 minutes to reheat.
Notes
Nutrition
Rochelle says
I love this idea. I am always making Baked oatmeal and over night oats, and it is a nice idea that on those crazy days I don’t have the time or the energy to make a batch up for the next few days, I can have some in the freezer to tide me over.
Nancylynn says
Yes! Exactly!
kelly smith says
wow, it is a nice use of oats. This recipe is more innovation with oats.It is really tasty. It is healthy recipe.
IzziMcD says
How do you reheat these?? Do they stay in a muffin shape, or go back to traditional oatmeal texture?? thank you. I’m making these right now 🙂 #excited
Nancylynn says
Hi! So I just heat mine in the microwave in the mornings and it does go back to an oatmeal texture. I do also have actual Baked Oatmeal Muffins that hold their shape :).
Jaceilia says
Hi! What exactly am I using the plastic wrap for? Am I covering the muffin tin in plastic wrap when I freeze it?
Nancylynn says
Yes – exactly!!
Angela says
I love these oatmeal “muffins” but I’m a bit confused about their container equivalents for 21 Day Fix. If the yellow container is 1/4 cup, how do 2 “muffins” count as 1 yellow? It’s probably simple, but I’m new to 21 Day Fix and want to make sure I’m doing the right thing. Thank you!
Nancylynn says
Hi! The yellow is 1/2 cup! Yay!
Renee says
I would like to try these and I like to make & freeze in bulk. Do you know how long these would last in the freezer if packaged well?
Nancylynn says
Hi! I would say 3-5 months if packaged well!
Chelsea says
I teach for a living so I need quick, easy, relatively cheap, on-the-go breakfast ideas. I must say, this is perfect! I can make a whole week’s breakfasts at once to save time. The different toppings relieve food boredom (kind of like my go to PBJ sandwiches made with different types of nut butters and different jellies/preserves). Bonus points because if I’m running late, I can take them with me and heat them in the microwave when I get to school.
Nancylynn says
This is wonderful – as a former teacher, I am so happy this makes your mornings easier! And I love the PBJ toppings – yum! Thanks for such a great comment.
Mary Jones says
Yay!… I’m glad I found this! Thanks! ..Use a DEMARLE silicone muffin tray and you can eliminate the oil all together (=healthier!)..
Nancylynn says
OH! SO smart!!