Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (2024)

Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (1)For me, oatmeal is one of those foods that I just plain forget about. I’ve pretty much always loved oatmeal. It’s warm, easy to customize cereal. Who doesn’t love cereal? And once I learned that oatmeal can actually be quite good for you, I was even more sold on it as a breakfast option.The one draw back is prep time. You can easily make oatmeal on the stove top or in the oven (yay for baked oatmeal!). Neither option takes much time. But when you’re the kind of person who waits until the last possible moment before leaving your house to think about breakfast, well, your options get pretty limited fast. That’s why I was so excited to try out overnight oats.Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (2)I am happy to report overnight oats are awesome! You can quickly put this together the night before and you have a ready to go breakfast in the morning. You could easily pop this in the microwave too, if the weather is super cold where you live right now (we just got more snow yesterday!). So, how do you make overnight oats? Here are a few of my favorite combinations so far.Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (3)Very Berry Oats, serves one.

2/3 cup oats
2/3 cup coconut milk (or almond milk)
1 tablespoon blueberry jam or 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
fresh or frozen berries for the top

The night before combine the first three ingredients in a small jar. Give it a good shake with the lid on. Place in the refrigerator. This variation isn’t very sweet, the only sugar being whatever is in your particular blueberry jam (you could use any fruit jam you prefer).Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (4)Banana Nut Oats, serves one.

2/3 cup oats
2/3 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy milks both work great in these)
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
banana slices and chopped pecans

The night before combine the first four ingredients in a small jar. Give it a good shake with the lid on. Place in the refrigerator. Top with bananas and pecans the next morning just before eating.Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (5)Pumpkin Spice Oats, serves one.

2/3 cup oats
2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
a big pinch of cinnamon
a small pinch of nutmeg
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
granola or chopped nuts for the top

The night before combine the first seven ingredients in a small jar. Give it a good shake with the lid on. Place in the refrigerator. In the morning top with crunchy granola. Oats on oats. Then, go ahead, it’s good I tell you. 🙂Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (6)Tropical Oats, serves one.

2/3 cups oats
2/3 cup coconut milk (or almond milk)
1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
sliced mango
chopped almonds

The night before combine the first three ingredients in a small jar. Give it a good shake with the lid on. Place in the refrigerator. In the morning top with sliced mango and chopped almonds. I also think a little toasted coconut would be wonderful in this one. The morning I made this I found I did not have any coconut left though. Oops.Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (7)Before adding the toppings in the morning be sure to give the oats a taste and add a little more sweetener or even a pinch of sea salt to boost the flavor. Try it! You’re gonna love it. xo. Emma

Note: If you are enjoying these as part of the WeekDay Weekend Challenge be sure to use non-dairy milks and natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey. Yum!

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Ingredients

Very Berry Oats

  • cup oats
  • cup coconut milk (or almond milk)
  • 1 tablespoon blueberry jam (or 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries)
  • fresh or frozen berries (for the top)

Banana Nut Oats

  • cup oats
  • cup milk (dairy or non-dairy milks both work great in these)
  • teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • banana slices
  • pecans (chopped)

Pumpkin Spice Oats

  • cup oats
  • cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
  • teaspoon vanilla extract
  • a big pinch of cinnamon
  • a small pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
  • granola or chopped nuts for the top

Tropical Oats

  • cups oats
  • cup coconut milk (or almond milk)
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
  • mango (sliced)
  • almonds (chopped)

Instructions

  • The night before combine the oats, milk, jams, syrups, and any extract or spices in a small jar. Give it a good shake with the lid on. Place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning add additional toppings. Or warm in the microwave (or oven) before serving.

Keywords overnight oats

Overnight Oatmeal Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is overnight oats actually healthy? ›

Overnight oats offer a range of health benefits, due to their rich fibre and protein content. They also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, some of which include manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. This makes overnight oats healthy for your gut, as well as for overall health and well-being.

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Is overnight oats better with milk or yogurt? ›

Milk: You can make overnight oats with any kind of milk — dairy or non-dairy. If using non-dairy milk, it's best to stick with unsweetened. Greek yogurt: Not only does Greek yogurt make overnight oats more filling, but it also gives the oats a super-creamy texture.

Can I eat overnight oats for weight loss? ›

For those looking for a fiber-rich, protein-filled breakfast that requires little to no effort at all to help with their weight loss goals, overnight oats are the ideal solution. Unlike regular oatmeal, which is cooked in boiling water on the stove or zapped in the microwave, overnight oats are not cooked at all.

Why are overnight oats so high in calories? ›

The calorie content of your overnight oats depends largely on how you prepare them. The calorie count of overnight oats can vary significantly depending on the type of milk, yogurt, fruits, sweeteners, and various toppings.

What happens to your body when you eat overnight oats everyday? ›

They provide sustained energy and can help keep you full throughout the morning. Oats are particularly rich in soluble fibre, specifically beta-glucans, which can help lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar levels. Fibre also supports digestive health.

What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

Whatever you do, steer clear of the worst offenders: dried fruit with added sugars, like Craisins or dried pineapple. "These are almost always made with added sugar, if not also an artificial sweetener, says Pennsylvania-based RD Gina Consalvo. "Always choose a fresh fruit instead." Need hard proof?

Do you stir overnight oats before putting in fridge? ›

In a large glass jar, combine the oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup or honey, chia seeds, vanilla cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir well to make sure all the ingredients are combined. Cover with a lid and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, remove from the refrigerator and stir.

What can I use instead of yogurt in overnight oats? ›

No, yogurt adds a creamy texture but it isn't mandatory. You can use nut butter, banana, applesauce, or coconut milk instead. Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds? Chia seeds add a nice thick and creamy texture.

What milk is best for overnight oats? ›

But, anything from whole to skim milk works, or a non-dairy option like soy milk, almond milk, or another option that you prefer. Here you can see (on the right) the more soupy-liquid version is the overnight oats before they have soaked overnight.

How long do overnight oats last in the fridge? ›

We recommend storing overnight oats in the refrigerator in airtight containers for up to five days. That means if you're meal-prepping on Sunday, you can make a work week's worth of overnight oats and not have to think about breakfast again until Saturday.

Why add chia seeds to overnight oats? ›

Why Do You Put Chia Seeds in Overnight Oats? Chia seeds up the nutrition content in overnight oats. They're loaded with good-for-your-gut fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which help calm inflammation in your body and may protect you from chronic disease. They also add a nice protein boost to this recipe.

Why did my overnight oats not work? ›

Another mistake people make is not adding enough liquid to their overnight oats. If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

How many hours do overnight oats need? ›

Or do I have to wait overnight? Waiting overnight allows the oats and chia seeds to fully hydrate and soften the oatmeal. We recommend waiting four to five hours for the best experience, but some customers do enjoy eating it immediately for a more textured, chewy oatmeal.

Are overnight oats as healthy as oatmeal? ›

Overnight oats usually contain more calories than traditional oats, which is not ideal for individuals following a low-calorie diet or looking to cut back on calorie-rich foods. Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Are overnight oats high in sugar? ›

Oatmeal is high in fiber and nutrients but low in saturated and trans fats and sugar and can help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level. You can enjoy oats served warm as oatmeal or cold as overnight oats.

Are overnight oats better than normal? ›

Overnight oats are healthier for your gut. Rolled oats contain 8.5 grams of resistant starch, by soaking rather than cooking, the oats retain more of the resistant starch. Resistant starch is a type of prebiotic fibre that your body cannot digest.

Are overnight oats healthier than quick oats? ›

Another thing is the fact that as opposed to the cooked oatmeals since overnight oatmeals are not boiled they retain more nutrients. Overnight oatmeals also incorporate raw oats unlike cooked oatmeals, which use instant oats and therefore making it relatively more nutritious.

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