Easy Overnight Oats – Eating Bird Food
Overnight oats make for an ideal nutritious breakfast to prepare in advance for hectic mornings. Here you’ll discover my foundational overnight oats recipe alongside my preferred variations.
Overnight oats have occupied a cherished spot in my heart since I found them in 2009, and you can easily see I’m an enthusiast based on the numerous variations I’ve shared over the years.
They’re my go-to method for preparing oatmeal for the week, particularly in the warmer seasons when I yearn for cool, light, and simple breakfast choices. They take only about 5 minutes to prepare the night before, allowing you to wake up to a ready-to-eat meal that keeps you satisfied for hours.
What are Overnight Oats?
Overnight oats offer an effortless, no-cook approach to creating oatmeal. Instead of cooking your oats on the stovetop or in a microwave, you combine rolled oats with milk (and occasionally yogurt), mix in your favorite flavors, and allow the concoction to rest in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. The oats gradually absorb the liquid and become tender, yielding a creamy, ready breakfast by morning.
They are quick to prepare, infinitely adaptable, and ideal for busy mornings or hot summer days when you desire something cool and invigorating.
Why are Overnight Oats So Popular?
- No cooking necessary: Just combine and chill. Breakfast practically prepares itself.
- Quick to prepare: It takes around five minutes to blend everything together.
- Highly customizable: Alter the fruits, spices, protein powder, or toppings so it never feels monotonous. Over the years, I’ve shared more than 20 variations of overnight oats!
- Nutrient-rich: The combination of oats, chia seeds, and yogurt provides protein and fiber, helping you stay full longer.
- Ideal for meal prep: Prepare several jars simultaneously, ensuring you’re set for the week. In the mornings, simply grab your jar and head out.
Ingredients Required
This straightforward overnight oats recipe serves as the perfect foundational recipe to begin with! I recommend a 1:1 ratio of rolled oats to milk, plus half as much yogurt. So, for 1/2 cup of oats, I utilize 1/2 cup of milk + 1/4 cup of yogurt (or an extra 1/4 cup of milk). These ratios tend to achieve the ideal consistency for the oats—not too thick, yet not soupy. Here’s what you will need:
- rolled oats – classic rolled oats are essential for overnight oats. They absorb the liquid, providing a delightful creamy texture. Instant, quick-cooking, and steel-cut oats don’t function as well because they don’t take in the liquid the same way rolled oats do.
- milk – you can create this recipe with any milk type you prefer. Personally, I enjoy non-dairy options and generally opt for unsweetened almond milk. While you could use water instead of milk, I don’t advise it; it will be nearly tasteless and lack creaminess, akin to eating cereal with water.
- yogurt – this contributes an extra creamy consistency while adding a bit of protein. I prefer using plain Greek yogurt since it’s the highest in protein and lowest in sugar. To make vegan or dairy-free overnight oats, you can select a non-dairy yogurt (I like Siggi’s plant-based or Culina) or eliminate the yogurt entirely and use extra milk.
- chia seeds – while optional, I enjoy adding chia seeds to my overnight oats as they provide additional fiber and protein. Moreover, they help absorb some of the liquid, resulting in a thicker consistency.
- Add-ins + toppings – this is where you can express your creativity. Similar to traditional stovetop oats, there are classic additions like vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, maple syrup (or honey), and a pinch of sea salt that significantly enhance the flavor and make overnight oats incredibly delicious.
How to Prepare Overnight Oats
Step 1: Combine your oats, yogurt, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla, and sea salt in a jar or bowl.
Step 2: Add in your preferred milk.
Step 3: Stir to mix thoroughly. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. If you’re short on time, you can reduce the soaking duration to 2-4 hours.
Step 4: The following morning (or when you’re ready to enjoy) give the oats a good stir or shake. Top with your preferred toppings and savor.
Step-By-Step Video
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Overnight Oat Variations
As I mentioned, you can incorporate various ingredients or toppings to elevate your overnight oats experience. Here, I’m presenting three delightful variations:
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats – I adore peanut butter, making this likely my favored flavor to prepare. Simply mix a bit of peanut butter into the overnight oats as you create them, and then top with another drizzle of peanut butter. I also enjoy adding some crushed peanuts and blueberries.
- Berry Overnight Oats – For a berry option, I love incorporating fresh berries and a bit of jam. You can use whichever berries you prefer most and any variety of jam you choose.
- have readily available. I enjoy utilizing my strawberry chia preserve.
- Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats – Indulging in a bit of chocolate for breakfast always seems like a delight, and this variant is incredibly simple. Just blend some chocolate chips into the mixture and sprinkle a few on top when you’re set to serve it. I also appreciate adding a swirl of nut butter and some banana rounds.
Overnight Oats In a Peanut Butter Jar Trick
Do you have a nearly empty jar of peanut butter? You can utilize it to create your peanut butter overnight oats. Simply add all your components straight into the jar, mix, let it soak, and then savor directly from the jar. It’s an excellent way to exhaust every last bit of the peanut butter.
Add-Ins & Topping Suggestions
I cherish the flavors I shared above, yet the options for flavor are virtually limitless, so go ahead and incorporate your favorite toppings. Here are some more suggestions to spark your creativity:
- Fruit – you can’t go wrong with bananas and berries, though nearly any fresh or dried fruit will suffice. I even have a tropical overnight oats recipe featuring pineapple, mango, and coconut.
- Nut butter – I frequently use peanut butter and almond butter, yet any assorted nut or seed butters will taste fantastic drizzled over your oats.
- Nuts and seeds – this complements the nut butter perfectly. You can also add nuts! Almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, sunflower seeds, coconut, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds… the possibilities here are vast.
- Granola – I’m a granola enthusiast and adore adding crunchy granola on top for added texture. I highly encourage you to try my homemade granola recipe.
- Protein – feel free to incorporate additional Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or protein powder to enhance the protein content of your oats. Also, check out my protein overnight oats, cottage cheese overnight oats, or overnight oats with yogurt if you desire a specific recipe.
- Chocolate – I’m all about sneakily incorporating a little chocolate into my breakfast. Feel free to use chocolate chips or even a chopped chocolate bar. If you love chocolate, check out my brownie overnight oats.
Brittany’s Suggestions For The Optimal Overnight Oats!
- Ensure to use the appropriate type of oats. Old-fashioned rolled oats will offer you the best results. Instant, quick-cooking, and steel-cut oats don’t absorb liquid quite the same, resulting in a different texture.
- Don’t forget a pinch of sea salt. It genuinely elevates the flavor of the oats, making overnight oats taste exceptionally delightful.
- Alter the liquid. I enjoy using milk and yogurt to create extra creaminess in my oats, yet you can experiment with other liquids like apple juice, orange juice, kefir, or even iced coffee to modify the flavor. For recipes, see my kefir overnight oats and coffee overnight oats.
- Modify the thickness according to your preference. If your oats appear too thick in the morning, stir in a splash of milk. If they’re too runny, add a bit more chia or a spoonful of oats and allow them to rest for a few minutes.
- Sweeten as desired. Everyone’s level of sweetness varies. Begin with a small measure of maple syrup or honey and adjust while serving.
- Prepare several jars simultaneously. Overnight oats store well for multiple days, so doubling or tripling the recipe simplifies mornings significantly.
How to Preserve
Keep your oats in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They will soften more as time passes, so I find they’re best on days 1-3, but they’re still safe to consume on days 4 and 5. With that said, overnight oats are fantastic for meal prep, and you can make them on Sunday for the entire work week.
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The following morning (or when prepared to eat), remove the lid and give the oats a good stir. If they seem overly thick, you may add a bit more milk to loosen the mixture. Top with your chosen toppings and savor. You can consume the oats directly from the jar or pour into a bowl for serving.
Storage: Keep your overnight oats in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They will become softer over time; I find they are best on days 1-3, but they are still safe to enjoy on days 4 and 5.
Serving: 1serving w/o toppings | Calories:
272kcal | Carbohydrates: 38g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 257mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g
Nutritional details are automatically computed, hence should be regarded as an estimate.
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Mason Jar (the wide-mouth jars are convenient)
Inquiries I Frequently Receive Regarding Overnight Oats
Most individuals enjoy overnight oats chilled directly from the refrigerator, which is particularly revitalizing during the summer. However, if you wish to enjoy them warm, you can heat them in the microwave for 30–60 seconds.
Indeed, overnight oats are a wholesome breakfast choice. They consist of basic, nourishing ingredients, provide fiber from the oats, and often contain a protein source like yogurt or protein powder, making them satisfying and filling.
Short answer, absolutely! You can certainly reheat overnight oats, but the ideal essence of overnight oats is to consume them cold, akin to muesli. Even if the concept of cold oats seems unusual, I recommend trying it before dismissing it. Naturally, if you genuinely cannot handle the cold oats, feel free to warm them up. Just place the soaked oats in your microwave, cooking in 30-second intervals until the oats are heated throughout.
Overnight
Oats generally remain fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. The consistency will continue to become softer as they rest, yet they remain delightful throughout the week.
You probably didn’t adhere to the correct ratio or possibly added an extra ingredient (such as protein powder) which absorbs a significant amount of the liquid. If this occurs, you can always incorporate a dash of milk to thin out the oats.
Absolutely! You can create overnight oats using water if you desire a lighter choice. Just be aware that they will be less creamy, so including yogurt, mashed banana, or a splash of milk in the morning can enhance the texture.
Yes, you can, but the consistency will be considerably softer since instant oats disintegrate quickly. Rolled oats provide the ideal thick and creamy texture, whereas quick oats might become more like pudding.
Which Jars to Utilize
Regarding the type of container to keep your overnight oats in, there are numerous choices. Personally, I prefer wide-mouth 16 oz Mason jars as they are relatively affordable and offer ample space for mixing everything together and adding toppings.
I’ve also discovered that these Le Parfait Jam Pots (shown here) and 9.8 oz Weck jars are ideal for a single serving. They are sturdy glass and suitable for other purposes in the kitchen as well.
Of course, standard meal prep containers work wonderfully, or you can obtain jars designed specifically for overnight oats like these adorable jars with colorful tops.
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