Deliciously Easy Instant Oatmeal Scones: Your Ultimate Versatile Baking Hack!
These sweet and tender instant oatmeal scones are a true kitchen marvel, offering a delightful combination of soft interiors and a irresistibly crunchy cinnamon sugar topping. What makes them truly special – and a fantastic baking hack – is their reliance on instant oatmeal packets, which introduces incredible versatility and simplifies the baking process. If you’re looking for a homemade treat that’s both effortless and infinitely adaptable, these instant oatmeal scones are about to become your new favorite recipe.
Who doesn’t love a good baking hack? The joy of taking everyday ingredients you already have in your pantry and elevating them into something truly special is incredibly satisfying. My readers consistently show their appreciation for clever shortcuts, as evidenced by the enduring popularity of my guide on how to make Jiffy cornbread mix better. Today, I’m thrilled to share another ingenious baking trick that promises to revolutionize your scone-making experience and bring warm, homemade goodness to your table with minimal fuss.
Unleash Your Creativity with Endless Flavor Combinations
These instant oatmeal scones are not only simple to prepare with ingredients you likely already stock, but their secret weapon lies in the single-serve packets of instant oatmeal. This ingenious ingredient transforms the recipe, allowing you to create a completely different scone flavor profile with each batch. Imagine the possibilities! My personal go-to for these scones is Apple Cinnamon, which yields a comforting and familiar taste perfect for any morning. However, the world of instant oatmeal is vast and full of delicious options. Consider Raisin for a classic touch, Date and Walnut for a sophisticated twist, or Cranberry and Flaxseed for added texture and nutrition. Maple and Brown Sugar brings a cozy sweetness, while Apple and Cranberry offers a delightful tart-sweet balance. For a burst of summery goodness, Blueberry Cinnamon is an excellent choice. The beauty is that you can adapt these easy scones to any season, mood, or occasion simply by swapping out the oatmeal flavor. This versatility makes them an ideal choice for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon tea treat.
From Blog Origin to Enduring Favorite
If I had to select one definitive recipe from Accidental Happy Baker, these Instant Oatmeal Scones would undoubtedly be it. This particular recipe holds a special place in my heart, as it was the very first one I ever posted when I launched this blog back in 2015. Over the years, countless recipes have graced these pages, but these easy and versatile scones have remained my absolute favorite. Their consistent deliciousness and simple preparation truly stand the test of time, proving that sometimes the simplest ideas are the most brilliant.
Looking back to 2015, I’m struck by how much I’ve grown and learned about the world of food blogging. When I revisit those initial posts, it’s clear I had very little understanding of the intricate dance of food photography, styling, or even the fact that blogging could be a profession! I was truly “green” and learning everything from scratch. This journey of discovery has been incredibly rewarding, pushing me to constantly improve and refine my craft.
Given the significant evolution of the blog and my skills, it only made sense to revisit and provide some much-needed updates and improvements to this cherished recipe. While I’ve revamped the photos and refined the instructions for clarity and ease, I’ve purposefully left one of the older photos within this post. It serves as a nostalgic reminder of where this journey began and offers a fun comparison to see how far we’ve come!
Expert Tips for Baking the Best Instant Oatmeal Scones
Achieving perfect, light, and tender scones is an art, but with a few key techniques, you can master these instant oatmeal scones every time. Here are some essential tips to ensure your scones come out beautifully golden, tender, and incredibly flavorful:
- Choose Your Oatmeal Wisely: Only use naturally flavored instant oatmeal that includes real fruit and nuts. Avoid “fruit and cream” varieties or novelty oatmeals (like those with “dinosaur eggs”). These often contain artificial flavors, excessive sugar, and lack the robust texture and taste needed for exceptional scones. The goal is to leverage the natural flavors and the finer texture of instant oatmeal for a tender crumb without unwanted ingredients.
- Cold Butter is Key: When cutting in the butter for the scones, it is absolutely crucial that your butter is very cold, preferably straight from the refrigerator and cut into small cubes. The mixture should resemble coarse crumbs with pea-sized pieces of butter throughout. These small butter pieces create pockets of steam during baking, which is what gives scones their signature flaky and tender texture. Sometimes, the dried fruit and nuts from the oatmeal packets can make this step a little more challenging, but persist! Use a pastry blender, two knives, or even your fingertips (working quickly to avoid warming the butter) to achieve the desired crumbly consistency.
- Opt for Whole Milk: For the richest, most tender, and flavorful scones, I highly recommend using whole milk. The higher fat content in whole milk contributes significantly to a moister dough and a more luxurious texture. If whole milk isn’t available, you can use 2% milk, but be aware that the scones might be slightly less rich. Avoid skim milk, as it lacks the fat necessary for optimal tenderness.
- Handle with Care – Don’t Over-Knead: While this recipe does incorporate a slight kneading step, the mantra for scones is “less is more.” Only knead the dough just until it comes together and forms a cohesive ball. Over-kneading develops the gluten in the flour too much, which will result in tough, dense scones rather than the light and airy texture we crave. Aim for about 5-6 gentle turns on a lightly floured surface. The dough should still feel soft and a little shaggy.
- Slightly Separate Before Baking: After cutting your scone dough into wedges, gently separate the pieces from each other slightly on the baking sheet. Resist the urge to spread them out too much. If you give these scones too much room, they will spread outwards and become flat rather than rising upwards. Keeping them relatively close encourages them to rise taller and maintain their classic scone shape, resulting in a more appealing and satisfying texture.
Instant Oatmeal Scones
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Ingredients
For the Scones
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 single serve packets instant oatmeal
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup milk
For the Topping
- 1 Tablespoon melted butter
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
Instructions
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Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190°C). Lightly grease your baking sheet or line it with parchment paper. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, the contents of your two instant oatmeal packets, packed brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure even distribution. Then, using a pastry blender, two knives, or your fingertips, cut in the cold 1/2 cup of butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, with some pea-sized pieces of butter remaining. Pour in the milk and stir it gently with a spoon or spatula, just until all the dry ingredients are moistened and a shaggy dough begins to form. Be careful not to overmix.
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Lightly dust a clean, smooth surface (like a countertop or large cutting board) with a small amount of flour. Turn the scone dough out onto the floured surface. Gently knead the dough only about 5 or 6 times. The goal is to bring the dough together into a cohesive ball without overworking it, which would lead to tough scones. Once the dough forms a soft ball, transfer it to your prepared baking sheet. Pat the dough into a round shape, approximately 6-8 inches in diameter and about an inch or so thick.
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Using a sharp knife or a pastry cutter, carefully cut your scone dough round into 8 equal wedges, similar to slicing a pizza. Gently separate these pieces from each other slightly on the baking sheet. They should still be fairly close, but not touching significantly, to allow them to rise properly without spreading too much.
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In a small bowl, mix together the melted butter, granulated sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon for the topping. This mixture will create a beautiful, crunchy crust on top of your scones. Using a pastry brush or the back of a spoon, evenly brush or spoon this delicious topping mixture over the entire surface of the scone round.
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Place the baking sheet with the scones into your preheated oven. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the scones are beautifully golden brown on top and cooked through. Baking time can vary slightly depending on your oven. Once baked, remove them from the oven. If the scones have spread slightly and the wedges are no longer clearly defined, you can carefully re-cut them along the original lines while they are still warm. Serve these delightful instant oatmeal scones warm and enjoy!
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions About Instant Oatmeal Scones
Can I use regular rolled oats instead of instant oatmeal?
While you *can* use finely ground rolled oats, instant oatmeal is highly recommended for this recipe. Instant oatmeal is pre-cooked and finely processed, which contributes to the scone’s tender texture and allows the flavors to meld beautifully without additional cooking time. If using rolled oats, you might want to pulse them briefly in a food processor to achieve a finer consistency, but the built-in flavors of instant packets are what make this recipe so uniquely versatile.
How do I store leftover scones?
Once completely cooled, store your instant oatmeal scones in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. For longer storage, you can freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply warm them in a toaster oven or microwave until tender.
Can I make these scones ahead of time?
Yes! You can prepare the dough, cut the wedges, and then place them on a baking sheet to freeze for about an hour until solid. Once frozen, transfer the scone wedges to an airtight freezer bag. When you’re ready to bake, place the frozen scones on a prepared baking sheet and bake them directly from frozen. You may need to add an extra 5-10 minutes to the baking time. This is a fantastic way to have fresh, warm scones ready whenever a craving strikes!
What can I serve with these scones?
These versatile scones are delicious on their own, especially with their crunchy cinnamon sugar topping. However, they pair wonderfully with a variety of accompaniments. Try them with a dollop of clotted cream, a smear of your favorite fruit jam (strawberry, raspberry, or apricot are excellent choices), a drizzle of honey, or simply a knob of softened butter. They are perfect with a hot cup of coffee or a comforting mug of tea. For an extra treat, serve them alongside some fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a dessert-like experience.
Love Scones? Try These Next!
If you’ve fallen in love with the ease and deliciousness of these instant oatmeal scones, you’ll be thrilled to discover more delightful scone recipes to add to your baking repertoire. From classic fruit combinations to savory twists, there’s a scone for every palate and occasion. Explore these other fantastic scone recipes from the blog:
- Strawberry Lemon Scones
- Cranberry Orange Scones
- Lemon Sugar Scones
- Eggnog Scones
- Caramel Apple Scones
- Sweet Potato Sage Scones
- Blackberry Cream Cheese Scones
- Whole Grain Scones with Maple Butter