Make Ahead Hot Cereal
Submitted by polishbrat
Batch-cook and freeze individual hot cereal portions for instant microwave breakfasts. Endless topping options from maple syrup to sautéed apples.
YIELD
1 large batchPREP
20 minCOOK
20 minREADY
45 minMeal prep meets breakfast heaven with this genius freezer strategy.
Cook a massive pot of your favorite hot cereal (oatmeal, cream of wheat, whatever), scoop it into individual frozen portions, and suddenly you’ve got weeks of grab-and-go breakfasts that beat any drive-thru.
The real fun starts with the toppings: go simple with maple syrup and granola, tropical with pineapple and coconut, or full dessert mode with peanut butter and chocolate chips.
Kitchen Tips
- Ice cream scoop trick: Use a large scoop to create uniform portions that freeze and reheat evenly.
- Freeze flat first: Harden scoops on a cookie sheet before bagging so they don’t stick together.
- Microwave from frozen: No thawing needed. Just zap on high, stirring every 30 seconds until steaming hot.
- Topping prep: Keep dried fruits, nuts, and sauces ready so mornings stay quick and easy.
Ingredients
Directions
Simple Hot Cereal Toppers:
- Maple syrup 2. Crunchy low fat granola 3. Apple butter 4. Dried mixed tropical fruit 5. Drained pineapple chunks 6. Sliced bananas & flaked coconut 7. Fruit preserves 8. Warmed cinnamon applesauce 9. Peanut butter and semisweet chocolate -- chips Special Toppers 1. Sauté sliced apples in butter and -- cinnamon 2. Toasted pecan pieces and caramel topping 3. Dried cranberries heated in cranberry juice until soft Cook a large batch of hot cereal and let it cool in the pot (it will becomequite stiff). Using an ice cream scoop, drop serving size mounds on a foil-lined cookied sheet. Freeze until hard; pop portions into a plastic freezer bag, seal and return to freezer. To serve, place cereal in a microwave safe bowl and microwave on high until hot, stirring occasionally. Top with your choice of suggested toppings.
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