This overnight oats recipe, your new morning game-changer! Imagine waking up to a ready-to-eat, creamy bowl of goodness that’s been working its magic while you snooze. Packed with flavors and customizable to your heart’s content, overnight oats are the perfect blend of convenience and nutrition. Let’s dive into how you can transform a few simple ingredients into your morning delight, all with minimal prep and maximum taste!
There are over 20 oatmeal recipes here on the site but overnight are by far the star! Be sure to try my Raspberry and Blueberry overnight oatmeal recipes!
Why You’ll Love These Simple Overnight Oats
- Super Convenient: Mix, set, forget. Overnight oats are the epitome of set-it-and-forget-it. Prep them the night before, and voilà, breakfast is served as soon as you wake up.
- Nutritious and Filling: Packed with fiber and protein, they’re a powerhouse of nutrition that keeps you full and energized throughout the morning. A great way to kick-start your day!
- Versatile: Whether you’re a chocolate lover, a fruit fanatic, or nuts about nuts, you can customize overnight oats to suit your taste buds. The possibilities are endless!
I LOVE oatmeal. Always have. I can remember summers when we would be boating or visiting my aunt, everyone would load up their plates with eggs or pancakes… Meanwhile I was over by the oatmeal filling my bowl. It is just such an easy and filling dish to make. The topping options are endless. When I found out you could prep them overnight in LESS THAN FIVE MINUTES… I was hooked.
This is a base recipe for your oats. I have been using this method for years and it works great for my family and I. Their flavor is a gentle canvas, mildly oaty and subtly sweet, waiting for you to add your personal touch. Whether you swirl in honey for sweetness, sprinkle in cinnamon for warmth, or toss in fresh berries for a fruity zing, overnight oats adapt to your cravings. They can be as simple or as fancy as you like, making them a versatile, delicious start to any day.
Overnight Oats Ingredients
I want to start with a quick run down of the type of oats you should use. There are three varieties you will most likely see in the stores; Rolled (old fashioned), steel cut, and quick oats.
Use rolled oats (old fashioned) for this recipe. Rolled oats soak up just enough of the liquid to be soft, but not mush. Quick oats tend to do the latter. They aren’t dense enough to keep from turning to gooey paste. Steel cut, on the other hand, stay more stiff and have a rougher texture. Here is everything else you will need:
- Milk: Cow’s milk gives that classic and creamy finish but you can also use almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, and coconut milk! Each type of milk can add its own unique flavor so feel free to experiment.
- Fruit: Each fruit brings its own unique flavor and texture. We like to mix and match with berries, bananas, chopped apples, peaches, cherries, mango or even dried fruits like raisins and cranberries.
- Mix Ins: Optional, but you can add nuts and seeds, nut butters, yogurt, spices and extracts, protein powder, coconut or even chocolate.
- Sweetener: Brown sugar or honey are my go-to’s.
What does soaking oats overnight do?
Ok, so I have your interest… But why make these ahead of time?
First of all, this is the ULTIMATE meal prep recipe. It is so simple and an ideal grab-and-go breakfast. You can add so many mix-ins (more on that later) and it tastes so much better than the oatmeal packets.
When you soak the oats overnight you are essentially cooking them, without the use of heat. This process also helps to break down phytic acid which in turn helps to absorb iron, zinc, calcium (along with many other beneficial items) better. It makes oatmeal easier to digest, which is great for everyone, but especially those that are gluten free!What can I add to my overnight oats?
When I first started making this recipe I found myself hungry sooner than I had hoped. Luckily, with a lot of trial and error, I have found a few amazing mix-ins that can easily add protein and goodness to the meal! Here is a list of items we love to add to our oatmeal:
- Chia seeds
- Nut butter
- Yogurt
- Fruit
- Nuts
- Spices
The beauty of this recipe is that it gives you a base to start with. You can be creative with whatever you have on hand and come up with wonderful oatmeal mixes!
Helpful Tools
For whipping up a batch of overnight oats, you don’t need a kitchen full of gadgets. Just a few basics will do the trick:
- Mason Jars or Airtight Containers (affiliate): The MVPs for making and storing your oats. They’re perfect for portion control and on-the-go breakfasts.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: (affiliate) For precise ingredient portions, ensuring the perfect ratio of oats to liquid and mix-ins.
- Mixing Bowl and Spoon: (affiliate) Ideal for combining all your ingredients before transferring them to jars.
- Grater or Zester: Handy if you’re adding fresh ingredients like apple, citrus zest, or ginger for extra zing.
Recipe Notes:
Nope! The beauty of overnight oats is that they soften and ‘cook’ in the liquid overnight. No heat needed.
Absolutely. Quick oats will give a softer texture, while rolled oats offer a chewier bite. Both work great.
Ideally, let them soak for at least 6 hours, but overnight (about 8 hours) is best for the perfect texture.
Typically, yes. But you can warm them up if you prefer a hot breakfast.
They usually last up to 5 days, making them perfect for meal prep.
Yes, you can. It’s a great way to boost the protein content. Just adjust the liquid accordingly to maintain the desired consistency.
More Must Try Breakfast Recipes
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Easy Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1/3 cup milk of choice
- 1/2 cup fruit
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or brown sugar optional
- *See notes for different flavor options
Instructions
- Place your oats into a reusable jar with a secure lid.
- Add any non-fruit mix-in items (nut butter, yogurt, honey, sugar, spices, etc).
- Top with milk of choice followed by a layer of fruit.
- Secure the lid and refrigerate overnight.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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More Oatmeal Recipes:
- The BEST Baked Oatmeal
- Carrot Cake Oatmeal Recipe
- Maple Brown Sugar Oats
- Oatmeal Cream Pies
- Raspberry Overnight Oats
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Comments & Reviews
rich says
as another poster posted, I found the Costco Mush product, and I love the taste and texture
Can I use frozen fruit, will it thaw out during the 8 hour process, or is it better to use fresh fruit
Jesseca says
Hi Rich, You can use frozen fruit. I like frozen mixed berries or blueberries.
Mary says
As a non-cook, totally my type of recipe. Loved trying all the different variations.
Jesseca says
Thank you!
Julius S says
Jessica,
I bought a pack of 8 Mush Overnight Oats with different flavors at Costco.
I as so impressed with this concept that I had to search a way to make it, without having to buy this product everytime.
Thanks to your recipes Overnight Oats Recipe (4 ways!) articlke in this BVlog post, now I can make it from scratch.
5 stars.
– Julius
Jesseca says
I’m so glad you love overnight oats as much as I do, Julius!