Vintage Instant Quaker Oatmeal: Remember all these different flavors?
The original appeal of Quaker instant oatmeal was, of course, in its convenience. Instead of the slow-simmering version that required tedious pot-stirring and clean-up, this new option could be made right in a bowl with just boiling water. Each packet held just enough oats for a single serving, cutting down waste and time. Parents liked it for the simplicity, and kids liked it once the flavors started to get more interesting.
Flavors like Maple & Brown Sugar and Apples & Cinnamon were added by the late ‘60s, giving oatmeal a much-needed personality boost. By the ‘70s, the company was trying even harder to win over the younger crowd, adding fun commercials and new variations like Chocolate and Raisins & Spice. The late ‘80s and ‘90s pushed the trend even further, with kid-targeted flavors like Radical Raspberry and Cinnamon Graham Cookie. Some of the commercials from those years made it pretty clear they were trying to turn oatmeal into something that sounded as fun as cold cereal.
But the nostalgic factor goes beyond the fun flavors. The boxes themselves tell a story about changing trends in packaging, advertising and how food was marketed to families. From the friendly old-school Quaker man on the box to later tie-ins with things like the Kids’ Choice Awards, instant oatmeal mirrored what was happening in the culture at large — including the push toward fast, easy meals that could fit into hectic weekday mornings.
Below, we’ve pulled together photos of vintage Instant Quaker Oatmeal flavors and packages that stretch from the 1960s through the 1990s. Along with the pictures, you’ll find real ads and commercials that show how this breakfast staple was introduced and promoted through the years.
This is a packet of new Instant Quaker Oatmeal. (1965)
It lets you make good hot oatmeal right in your bowl. And there are 9 more like it in every box. Just add boiling water, it’s ready to eat. Try it the next hurried morning.
Instant oatmeal – instant hit (1966)
Arizona Republic (Phoenix, Arizona) Feb 11, 1966
We have this problem at our house. We are five for breakfast, and only one of us likes oatmeal. With our hectic morning schedule, stirring around and messing up a pot for two tablespoons of oatmeal is frustrating. Yet if I don’t, I feel guilty.
So it was with great delight I hailed Instant Quaker Oatmeal. It cooks right in the bowl. Specially processed rolled oats (in individual envelopes) cook instantly when boiling water is poured over. It is then ready to serve; or add fun-type toppings.
Marvelous, too, for families who breakfast in shifts. Result at our house: now everyone is eating oatmeal!
Apples and Cinnamon flavor introduced (1968)
Oatmeal packet flavors & packages from 1968
Retro TV commercial from 1969
(Apparently boys needed to be convinced to try oatmeal. This became somewhat of a theme throughout the years.)
Vintage box – Maple & Brown Sugar flavor (1969)
ALSO SEE: Remember these? 50+ of your favorite vintage breakfast cereals from the ’60s
Instant Quaker Chocolate oatmeal (1971)
The more they eat, the better you feel (1972)
Flavors: Maple & Brown Sugar, Apples & Cinnamon, Raisins & Spice, Natural Flavor & Flavor Variety
Apples & cinnamon flavor + Sears jeans (around 1976)
Instant Quaker Oatmeal: Bran & Raisins (1978)
Fiber! Now in a delicious Hot Cereal!
New Instant Quaker Oatmeal with Bran & Raisins is the first hot cereal specially formulated with wheat bran — one of nature’s richest sources of fiber.
The fine-milled bran gives the creamy oatmeal a wonderful toasty taste and hearty texture. And the plump sweet raisins make it a truly delicious hot change from cold bran cereals.
Who says kids don’t like hot cereals? (1979)
MORE: Kellogg’s Concentrate cereal was much-loved, but they still discontinued it
TV commercial: We’re gonna make a hot cereal lover out of you (1980)
Flavors mentioned: Apples & Cinnamon, Raisins & Spice, Cinnamon Spice, Maple & Brown Sugar, Honey Graham
Vintage Instant Quaker Oatmeal flavors (1986)
Apples, raisins & walnuts – Raisins, dates & walnuts
Instant Quaker Oatmeal: 5 reasons why warm is better (1986)
Tummies like warm better – Warm is easy to make – Warm is smoother, creamier – Warm means the goodness of real Quaker oats – Cold mornings need warm starts.
There’s a lot of WARM in Instant Quaker Oatmeal.
Wilford Brimley for Instant Quaker Oatmeal (1988)
Quaker: It’s the right thing to do (1990s)
Instant Quaker Oatmeal presents Kids’ Choice (1993)
4 Kids’ Choice flavors: Maple & brown sugar, Radical Raspberry, Strawberries & Stuff, Cinnamon Graham Cookie
DON’T MISS: 70 popular vintage 1970s cereals we loved & we miss
For moms who have a lot of love, but not a lot of time (1990s)
Instant Quaker Oatmeal flavors from 1993
Regular flavor, Honey Nut, Maple & Brown Sugar, Cinnamon Toast flavor
Instant oatmeal you can buy today
- Includes 44 packets of Quaker Lower Sugar Instant Oatmeal: Original, Maple & Brown Sugar, Apples & Cinnamon, and Cinnamon & Spice flavors
- All of your favorite Quaker flavors with 35% less sugar, no artificial preservatives or sweeteners, Good luck picking just one
- Made with 100% Whole Grain Oats
- Includes 12 individual cups
- Made with the sweet flavors of maple and brown sugar
- Your favorite instant oatmeal now in a convenient, portable cup you can enjoy at home, at the office, or on-the-go
- Heart Healthy Whole Grains: Quaker Oats are 100 percent Whole Grains; Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods and low in saturated fat & cholesterol may help reduce the risk of heart...
- Good Source of Fiber: Quaker Oats provide a good source of fiber to support a healthy digestive system; See nutrition facts for total fat per serving
- Made with 100 percent Whole Grains
- Quaker Instant Oatmeal Protein Variety Pack includes 24 Individual Oatmeal Packets: 4 Cranberry Almond, 4 Apples & Cinnamon, 8 Banana Nut, and 8 Maple & Brown Sugar
- Heart healthy whole grains – Quaker oats are 100% whole grains
- Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods and low in saturated fat & cholesterol may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Includes 6 (2.18 oz) packets of Quaker Protein Instant Oatmeal, Cranberry Almond, 12g protein per serving, Whole Grains
- 12g Protein Per Serving: Whole grain oats made with 12g protein per serving to provide energy and help satisfy hunger.
- No Artificial Flavors or Added Colors: Quaker Protein Instant Oatmeal contains no artificial flavors or added colors.
- Includes 8 (1.51oz) packets of Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Maple & Brown Sugar flavor
- Made with heart-healthy* 100% whole grain Quaker Oats *Diets rich in whole grain foods and other plant foods and low in cholesterol and saturated fat may help reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Good source of fiber, no artificial preservatives or sweeteners, no added colors, no artificial flavors
- 22 packets Maple & Brown Sugar, 16 packets Apples & Cinnamon, 14 packets Cinnamon & Spice
- The package length of the product is 6 inches
- The package width of the product is 5 inches
- Includes 6 (2.11 oz) packets of Quaker Protein Instant Oatmeal, Apple Cinnamon, 12g protein per serving, Whole Grains
- 12g Protein Per Serving: Whole grain oats made with 12g protein per serving to provide energy and help satisfy hunger.
- No Artificial Flavors or Added Colors: Quaker Protein Instant Oatmeal contains no artificial flavors or added colors.
One Response
Please tell me where I can buy Capn Crunch cereal in the Chicago suburbs. I have checked soooooi many stores and can not find it. I do not remember where I bought it. We really enjoy it.