CHEAP OATMEAL BREAKFAST RECIPES UNDER $1

Cheap oatmeal breakfast recipes under $1

Cheap oatmeal breakfast recipes under $1 are about to become your morning game-changer, especially when you’re staring at your grocery budget wondering how you’ll make it stretch until payday.

I’ve been there – standing in my kitchen at 7 AM with exactly 47p in my checking account until Friday, desperately needing something that would actually fill me up and keep me going. That’s when I discovered the magic of transforming boring old oats into genuinely satisfying breakfasts that cost less than a candy bar.

TOTAL COST: £0.13-£0.78 per serving

BREAKDOWN PER PORTION:

• Basic water oatmeal: £0.13 (1/2 cup oats + water + salt)
• Berry oatmeal: £0.78 (oats + honey + berries + milk)
• Simple overnight oats: £0.21 (oats + milk base)

PREP TIME: 2-5 minutes

COOK TIME: 2-10 minutes (0 for overnight oats)

TOTAL TIME: 7-10 minutes (overnight oats: 2 minutes active)

SERVINGS: 1 (easily scalable)

DIFFICULTY: Very easy

DIETARY TAGS: Vegetarian, easily vegan, can be gluten-free

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

Essential tools:

• Microwave-safe bowl or small saucepan
• Measuring cups
• Spoon for stirring

Money-saving alternatives:

• Use any mug or bowl you have
• Eyeball measurements once you get the hang of it
• Mason jar or old yogurt container for overnight oats

INGREDIENTS (FOR 1 SERVING)

Base ingredients:

• 1/2 cup (40g) rolled oats [instant oats work too]
• 1 cup (240ml) water OR 1/2 cup each water and milk [any plant milk works]
• Pinch of salt

Optional flavor boosters:

• 1 tbsp honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar
• 1/4-1/2 cup berries or 1 small chopped apple [use whatever’s cheapest]
• 1 tbsp chopped nuts or seeds [peanuts are usually cheapest]
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Splash of vanilla extract

METHOD

Basic Microwave Oatmeal

1. Combine 1/2 cup oats, 1 cup liquid, and salt in a large microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave on high for 2 minutes.
3. Stir and check texture – it should be creamy and thick, not watery.
4. Add 30-60 seconds more cooking time if needed.
5. Stir in sweetener and toppings while still hot.

Simple Stovetop Version

1. Bring your liquid to a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Add oats and salt, then reduce heat to low.
3. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally until thick and creamy.
4. Remove from heat and add your chosen toppings.

Overnight Oats (No Cooking Required)

1. Mix 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup milk, and pinch of salt in a jar.
2. Add any sweetener and fruit now if you want them mixed throughout.
3. Stir well, cover, and refrigerate overnight (minimum 6 hours).
4. Eat cold in the morning or microwave for 1 minute if you prefer it warm.

CRUCIAL TIPS

Money-saving strategies:

• Buy oats in bulk – I get mine from the health food shop’s bulk bins for half the price of packaged
• Use water instead of milk for the absolute cheapest version (still tastes good with cinnamon!)
• Buy frozen berries – they’re often cheaper than fresh and work perfectly
• Make your own “instant” packets by mixing oats with cinnamon and a bit of brown sugar in small containers

Essential success tips:

• Use a large bowl for microwaving – oatmeal loves to bubble over and make a mess
• Add toppings after cooking to prevent them from getting mushy
• Let it sit for 1 minute before eating – it continues thickening as it cools slightly

STORAGE & SCALING

Storage instructions:

• Cooked oatmeal keeps 4 days in the fridge
• Overnight oats last up to 5 days (best texture within 3 days)
• Reheat with a splash of liquid for 1-2 minutes

Scaling for meal prep:

• Double or triple the overnight oats recipe on Sunday
• Make 5 jars at once for the whole work week
• Prep toppings in small containers for variety throughout the week

Common mistakes to avoid:

• Don’t go overboard with expensive toppings – a little goes a long way
• Don’t skip the salt – it makes everything taste better
• Don’t cook overnight oats – they’re meant to be eaten as-is after soaking

BUDGET-FRIENDLY VARIATIONS

• Savory oatmeal (£0.25 per serving): Add a fried egg, sprinkle of cheese, or leftover roasted vegetables instead of sweet toppings.
• Apple cinnamon (£0.35 per serving): Grate half an apple into your oats with extra cinnamon and a tiny bit of brown sugar.
• Chocolate oats (£0.30 per serving): Stir in 1 tsp cocoa powder and sweeten to taste – tastes like dessert for breakfast.
• Protein-packed version (£0.45 per serving): Add a spoonful of peanut butter or a handful of chopped nuts for staying power.

WHY THIS WORKS FOR YOUR WALLET

I started making oatmeal religiously when I was freelancing and my income was unpredictable. What I discovered changed everything about how I think about breakfast.

For the cost of one fancy coffee shop breakfast sandwich, I could make oatmeal for an entire week. The fiber keeps me full until lunch (no expensive mid-morning snacks needed), and I can customize it based on whatever’s on sale that week.

The best part? It actually tastes good when you know these simple tricks.

Price level per portion: Very inexpensive to inexpensive

My verdict: This is hands-down the most cost-effective breakfast that doesn’t taste like cardboard or leave you hungry an hour later.