Best Overnight Oats Recipe - Yummy Whole Food Recipes (2024)

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Breakfast · Flexitarian · Gina Livy Diet · Vegan · Vegetarian

Overnight oats are so easy to make, and the resulting breakfast is nutritious, tasty, quick and completely customizable!Let me show you how to make overnight oats using my favourite recipe and a couple of variations.

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Best Overnight Oats Recipe - Yummy Whole Food Recipes (1)

When the weather warms up, overnight oats is a favourite healthy make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings. You can eat overnight oats cold or heat them up in the microwave. I like to eat this delicious breakfast cold with my favourite fruit, yogurt and nuts on top. There are so many delicious toppings you can try!

This is one of my favourite quick breakfasts to make, and you can find all of my other easy breakfast ideas right here. Whole grain breakfasts like this are a great way to get more fiber into your diet.

Best Overnight Oats Recipe - Yummy Whole Food Recipes (2)

Ingredients

  • large flake old fashioned oats
  • almond milk
  • chia seeds
  • favorite toppings like: Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, berries, chia seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes, almond butter, sliced banana,hemp hearts

See recipe card below for quantities.

Basic Overnight Oats Recipe

This is the base recipe for yummy overnight oats. You can try the substitutions and variations below to create a unique and delicious spin on it!

  • In a mason jar or plastic container, mix together the oats, chia seeds and milk of choice.
  • Place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours or until the next morning.
  • Remove from the refrigerator, heat in microwave if desired and top with your favourite toppings.

Substitutions

  • Almond milk– instead of almond milk, you can use dairy milk, coconut milk, soy milk, cashew milk or oat milk
  • Old Fashioned Oats – you can substitute old-fashioned oats for quick oats or steel-cut oats. You may have to use more or less milk. Quick oats will create more of a creamy texture, while steel-cut will be a little heartier.

Variations

  • Nuts & Berries – My favourite way to enjoy this overnight oats recipe is with the addition ofberries, Greek yogurt, agave syrup and nuts
  • Tropical – Enjoya tropical versionwith mango, kiwi, unsweetened coconut, Greek yogurt and I mix a bit of mashed banana in for sweetener
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter – For a rich & sweet version, add 1 tsp of cocoa powder to the oat mixture before placing it in the container. Sprinkle the oats with some chocolate chips and add a dollup of natural peanut butter
  • Strawberry Vanilla – Mix 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract into the oat mixture before placing it in the container. Top it with chopped strawberries and Greek yogurt.
  • Apple Pie – Mix 1/4 cup chopped apple with 1 tsp of ground cinnamon and use this as a topping for your oats.
  • Overnight oats not sweet enough? Use a drizzle of honey or maple syrup on top for a little bit of sweetness.

Equipment

I use either airtight plastic containers or mason jars to make my overnight oats. Simply ensure you’re using an airtight container when storing your overnight oats.

Storage

You can store overnight oats in the fridge for up to 5 days. Store individual servings in lidded mason jars (I like the little 4 oz. mason jars for this), and store the toppings separately for best results. Overnight oats are a fabulous addition to your meal prep roster because they store well for most of the week in the fridge and you can change up the toppings day-to-day.

Best Overnight Oats Recipe - Yummy Whole Food Recipes (3)

Best Overnight Oats Recipe - Yummy Whole Food Recipes (4)

The Best Overnight Oats

Best Overnight Oats Recipe - Yummy Whole Food Recipes (5)Christina

Make delicious & easy overnight oats using my favourite recipe and a couple of variations.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Refrigeration Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Servings 1 serving

Calories 293 kcal

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup large flake old fashioned oats
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 2 tbsp chia seeds

Optional Toppings

  • Greek yogurt
  • berries
  • chia seeds
  • unsweetened shredded coconut
  • banana
  • agave syrup
  • kiwi

Instructions

  • In a mason jar or plastic container, mix together the oats, chia seeds and almond milk.

  • Place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours for the oats to soften.

  • Remove from the refrigerator, heat in microwave if desired and top with your favourite toppings.

Nutrition

Calories: 293kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 10gFat: 12gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.03gSodium: 223mgPotassium: 244mgFiber: 13gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 13IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 373mgIron: 4mg

These nutrition values are estimates only. Read my full nutrition disclaimer here.

Tried this recipe?Mention @yummywholefoodrecipes or tag #yummywholefoodrecipes on Instagram!

More healthy breakfast ideas:

Best Overnight Oats Recipe - Yummy Whole Food Recipes (2024)

FAQs

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 makes overnight oats taste better? ›

You only need two ingredients to make overnight oats, which are, of course, milk and oats. But it probably won't taste very good, and by adding in Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and a drizzle of your favorite sweetener, you're really creating a well-rounded breakfast.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

Here's what not to do when making overnight oats.
  1. Using water instead of milk. ...
  2. Forgetting to add salt. ...
  3. Using instant or steel cut oats. ...
  4. Adding berries to your oats at night. ...
  5. Not stirring your overnight oats. ...
  6. Forgetting to add spices and seasonings. ...
  7. Omitting nuts and seeds. ...
  8. Assuming you have to eat it cold.
Oct 21, 2023

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

According to a 2021 review published in Foods, oat beta-glucan has positive effects on hyperglycemia, lowering blood lipid levels and reducing weight. "The fiber content of oatmeal is filling and satiating, which in turn can help with eating fewer calories throughout the day and managing your weight," says Michalczyk.

What liquid to use for overnight oats? ›

The only ratio you need to remember when making overnight oats is 1:1. You'll soak one part rolled oats with one part liquid overnight. Use less liquid if you want thicker oatmeal, more if you like it runny. You can use water or any type of milk (like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.)

What is the best container for overnight oats? ›

Ball Mason Jars are a classic choice for preparing overnight oats, and as an added bonus, they're generally inexpensive to buy. These 8-ounce versions come in a pack of two for just $10, but you can also buy sets of 12 jars if you want to stock up.

Do you stir overnight oats before putting in the 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 is the best oats for overnight oats? ›

The Best Oats for Overnight Oats: Old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, become tender and creamy when soaked. Quick-cooking oats, which are smaller, can end up pasty and steel-cut oats, which are sturdier, stay quite firm even after soaking.

How many hours is best for overnight oats? ›

Add the desired amounts of milk, oats, yogurt, chia seeds and banana to a jar or container and give them a good stir. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 5 hours. In the morning, add additional liquid if you'd like.

How long do you soak overnight oats for? ›

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.

What is the point of overnight oats? ›

When you soak oats, it's almost like you're cooking them without heat. Soaking helps the starches break down and reduces the natural phytic acid, which may help your body utilize the oats' nutrients much more efficiently. Overnight oats are healthier for your gut.

What are the disadvantages of overnight oats? ›

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.

Why you shouldn't eat overnight oats in the morning? ›

according to Chinese nutrition, why, because the food is cold. now, logically our bodies operated about 90.5 degrees. if you put something in your body. that's from the refrigerator, about fifty four, fifty five degrees, like overnight oats, then that actually will slow your digestion down.

Why do my overnight oats taste so bad? ›

While overnight oats are a healthy breakfast option, they can taste bland if you don't add any sweetener. Some people skip the sweetener altogether, thinking that the fruit they add will be enough. However, a little bit of honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar can go a long way in making your oats more enjoyable.

What's so special about overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats contain increased resistant starch. Resistant starch is a natural carb which is resistant to digestion and acts as soluble fiber.

Why did my overnight oats not work? ›

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.

What is best to soak oats in overnight? ›

Soak in milk

Go with regular or choose an alternative milk if you prefer the flavour, or if you're vegan. Soak the oats overnight until soft and creamy.

Is it better to use water or milk for overnight oats? ›

The addition of milk to overnight oats creates a creamy texture whereas water won't add any creaminess but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We can compensate for the lack of creaminess and flavor with other nutritious ingredients like mashed banana, plant-based yogurt, or nut butter.

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