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Ready to fall in love with breakfast? Let’s make some overnight oats! This easy, make-ahead meal is a lifesaver for busy mornings. I’ve got my base recipe for you, plus a bunch of fun variations to keep things delicious and exciting.
While you’re prepping, my protein oatmeal or acai bowls are also perfect for switching up your breakfast routine!
You might be an avid oatmeal fan, but have you gotten into overnight oats yet? This cold and refreshing breakfast is made of wholesome rolled oats, so it’s perfect for anyone who’s looking for a substitute for wheat and corn-based breakfast cereals. This easy overnight oats recipe only takes about five minutes to mix up the night before, and then all you have to do in the morning is grab a spoon!
The simplicity of this recipe is extra-rewarding since you’ll have a prepared breakfast in the fridge every day. Plus, the result is so tasty, and the recipe is versatile; you can add various delicious toppings and mix-ins to create all kinds of amazing flavors. I especially like adding berries and chopped nuts to mine, and homemade Nutella, too.
What Are Overnight Oats?
Overnight oats are prepared by soaking oats overnight, usually in a creamy milk mixture. They are raw, wholesome, and delicious! You can use any type of oats, including gluten-free oats. I usually use rolled oats (also called old-fashioned oats), and they come out super soft and tasty.
Additionally, soaked oats may be better for you than a traditional hot oatmeal. Hot oatmeal is definitely a healthy food when prepared properly, but the long soaking process may give overnight oats an edge in terms of digestibility by breaking down the phytic acid in the grains.
Recipe Ingredients
The basic recipe for these overnight oats is simple and also very flexible! You can play with the ingredients and amounts to suit your own preferences, dietary restrictions, and available ingredients.
- Oats: Any type of oats will work, including gluten-free. old-fashioned rolled oats, which are flat, soften up faster than steel-cut oats, so that’s what I usually use.
- Milk: You can use any milk that you like! Whole milk tends to give the creamiest flavor, but almond milk and cashew milk also work well.
- Yogurt: I like to add some richness and extra nutrition to my oats with ¼ cup plain yogurt.
- Salt: Just a pinch, to taste.
- Honey: For sweetness, you can add a tablespoon of honey or to taste. Other sweeteners, such as maple syrup, agave, and raw sugar, also work great!
- Chia Seeds: A tablespoon of chia seeds is an easy mix-in for both texture and benefits! Chia seeds contain a powerful mix of fiber, protein, good fats, antioxidants, and more, all in a very small package!
- Vanilla: This sweetens and deepens the flavor of the oatmeal. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Fruit: Diced or sliced fresh fruit makes a lovely garnish over the oats.
- Coconut Shavings: Another attractive and delicious garnish option.
How to Make Overnight Oats
This easy overnight oatmeal can be a fun and soothing part of your evening routine. It’s not necessary to use jars for the oats, but it does make them a little more travel-friendly, and after all, how cute are little glass jars? Still, you can also use any cereal bowl or similar container to mix up this quick breakfast.
- Combine the Main Ingredients. Place the oats, milk, yogurt, salt, and honey in a glass container, jar, or cereal bowl. Stir in the chia seeds and vanilla, as well as any dissolving mix-ins like cocoa powder. Avoid adding berries and other toppings at this point; they will lose their texture in the overnight soaking process.
- Refrigerate Overnight. Cover the oats and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Add Toppings. After the oats have soaked, uncover them and check the texture. If they seem too thick, you can thin them out with a bit more milk. Add your berries, nuts, coconut shavings, and whatever other toppings or mix-ins that you like.
Variations Ideas
To take your oatmeal to the next level, read through these delicious variations to customize your bowl:
- To Make A Berry Oatmeal: Add ½ cup fresh berries right before serving, and top with chopped nuts, if desired.
- For Chocolate Oatmeal: Stir in 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder.
- Peanut Butter Oatmeal: Stir in 1 tablespoon of smooth, natural peanut butter right before serving.
- Nutella Oatmeal: Stir in 1 tablespoon of Nutella right before serving.
- Banana Bread Oatmeal: Stir a pinch of cinnamon into the oatmeal, and top with sliced or chopped bananas and chopped pecans or walnuts.
Recipe Tips
- Liquid to Oats Ratio: Usually, a 1:1 ratio of rolled oats to liquid (like milk or yogurt) works great. Adjust it to your liking if you prefer a thicker or thinner consistency.
- Use Rolled Oats: Go for rolled oats (or old-fashioned oats) because they soak up the liquid well and give a creamy texture. Quick oats can get too mushy, and steel-cut oats might stay too chewy.
- Adding Sweeteners: Natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or agave are perfect, but go easy at first. You can always add more later if needed.
- Mix-ins and Toppings: Fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and spices (like cinnamon or nutmeg) are awesome add-ins. For ingredients that might get too soft, like fresh fruits or granola, add them just before eating.
- Consistency: Give your oats a good stir before eating the next day. If they’re too thick, just add a bit more milk or yogurt to loosen them up.
- Temperature: They’re usually eaten cold, straight from the fridge, but if you like them warm, pop them in the microwave for a minute or so.
- Dairy-Free: For a vegan or lactose-free option, use almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or any plant-based milk to make these easy overnight oats.
Serving Suggestions
For a complete breakfast experience, consider pairing oatmeal with my egg muffin cups for a super tasty morning bite! If you’re in the mood for something low-carb, these chaffles (waffles made with cream cheese, egg, and almond flour) bake up light and fluffy in your waffle maker. For a simple and classic option, you can’t go wrong with hard boiled eggs, or switch it up with super easy sheet pan eggs.
How to Store Leftovers
- To refrigerate, first, assemble the overnight oats – without the berries, toppings, nuts, etc. – in airtight containers. Store the oats in the refrigerator for three to five days. Keep in mind that they will expire on the same day as the milk and/or yogurt in them expires.
- You can also freeze overnight oats, but the texture will degrade over time. In general, frozen overnight oats are good for around 6 months, and can be thawed overnight in the refrigerator before using.
More Healthy Breakfast Ideas
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Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients
BASE RECIPE
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats, you can also use gluten free oats
- ½ cup milk, any milk, including skim, soy, almond, etc.
- ¼ cup plain yogurt
- pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon honey, or to taste (you can also use maple syrup, or any other sweetener of choice)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- diced or sliced fresh Fruit, for garnish, optional
- chopped nuts, for garnish, optional
- coconut shavings, for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Add rolled oats, milk, yogurt, salt, and honey to a glass container, glass jar, or a cereal bowl.
- Stir in the chia seeds, vanilla (and dissolving mix-ins such as cocoa powder if using). You can also stir in Nutella or peanut butter or wait to add those right before serving. However, If using berries, nuts, and other toppings that will get soggy, don’t add them until the next day, right before serving.
- Cover the oats and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- To eat, remove the cover or lid, stir, and if the oatmeal is too thick, thin it out with more milk.
- Top with fruits, nuts, coconut shavings, etc., and serve.
Berry Oatmeal Variation
- Add ½ cup fresh berries right before serving, and top with chopped nuts, if desired.
Chocolate Oatmeal Variation
- Stir in 2 teaspoons cocoa powder.
Peanut Butter Oatmeal Variation
- Stir in 1 tablespoon smooth natural peanut butter right before serving.
Nutella Oatmeal Variation
- Stir in 1 tablespoon Nutella right before serving.
Banana Bread Oatmeal Variation
- Just before serving, stir a pinch of cinnamon into the oats, and top with sliced or chopped banana and chopped pecans or walnuts.
Notes
- Liquid to Oats Ratio: Typically, the ratio is 1:1 of rolled oats to liquid (like milk or yogurt). However, you can adjust this based on your preference for a thicker or thinner consistency.
- Use Rolled Oats: Rolled oats (or old-fashioned oats) absorb the liquid well and provide a creamy texture. Avoid quick oats, which can become too mushy, and steel-cut oats may remain too chewy.
- Adding Sweeteners: Natural sweeteners like maple syrup, honey, or agave can be used, but add them sparingly. You can always add more later to taste.
- Mix-ins and Toppings: Fresh fruits, dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and spices (like cinnamon or nutmeg) are great additions. However, if using ingredients that might get too soft (like certain fresh fruits or granola), consider adding them just before eating.
- Consistency: Before you dig in the following day, give your oats a good stir. If they’re too thick, you can add more milk or yogurt to loosen them up.
- Temperature: While they’re meant to be eaten cold and straight out of the fridge, if you prefer them warm, you can heat them up in the microwave for a minute or so.
- Dairy-Free: If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or any other plant-based milk works great in this recipe.
- Containers: Mason jars or any airtight containers work best.
- Storage: Overnight oats last up to 5 days in the fridge.
Nutrition
Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.
This is such an amazing day starter! My kids loved it!
I’m very glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much! 🙂
These are one of our favorite weekday breakfasts!
That’s great! I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
We love the peanut butter version! The perfect weekday breakfast.
Thank YOU! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Yummy! This looks so easy and yummy! Perfect for quick breakfast! So excited!
Thank YOU! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Overnight Oats are my favorite breakfast! Easy, delicious and healthy! The best!
I hope you enjoy them! Thank YOU! 🙂
What size jars did you use?
Hi!
I use 8-ounce jars, but I’ve used 12-ounce jars, too, and they work just as well.
This Overnight Oats looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
Thank YOU! I hope you enjoy them! 🙂
Delicious! Love having this easy and filling ready to go in the morning! Strawberries & mini chocolate chips for me!!
Thank YOU! I’m very glad you enjoy it! 🙂
I make these often! They are perfect in so many things! I am excited to try it with nutella! My kids love the oats with berries!
I hope you enjoy it! Thank YOU! 🙂
I prepare oats differently. I always have frozen berries on hand. I put them in jar overnight with oats and they are perfect the next day. In winter I heat in microwave the next morning for 1 minute because I don’t like them cold.
Comes out perfect.
Hi!
Thanks for sharing your tips! Something new for me to try next time. 😊