Overnight Oats
Creamy, hearty, and crammed with nutrients, overnight oats are your answer to a delicious, nutritious breakfast on-the-go. Simply mix two basic ingredients and let time do the rest. Once your oats are ready, embellish them with your favorite toppings (from fresh fruit to peanut butter and jelly) and dig in. Endlessly versatile overnight oats are an excellent option for family members of all ages. Make a few or assemble a dozen and you and your clan will be well-nourished all week long.
This recipe was written for the Arizona Republic.
What are overnight oats? Simply put, overnight oats are a no-cook way to make oatmeal. Instead of using the stovetop or the microwave to heat your liquid (water or milk), the oats are steeped in cold milk in until soft. As the oats soak (in the refrigerator), they absorb the milk (and any other flavors/sweeteners you add) and evolve into a creamy, pudding-like oatmeal. While oats are soft enough to enjoy after just 4 hours, they’re much creamier after 8 to 12 hours.
Health benefits of overnight oats. Overnight oats aren’t just an excellent option for busy mornings, they send you on your way with a bounty of nutrients. Oats contain more protein than most grains, they’re crammed with heart-healthy fiber (which also makes you feel fuller longer), and they’re rich in vitamins and minerals. Having overnight oats at your fingertips will ensure that you and your loved ones start the day nourished and satisfied.
The basics
You need just two ingredients as the base of your overnight oats. What you add after that (if anything) is up to you.
- Oats. Use old-fashioned rolled oats, not instant, quick-cooking, or steel-cut oats. Quick-cooking and instant oats will become mushy and steel-cut oats will never soften.
- Milk. While water works for overnight oats, milk creates a much creamier texture. You can use cow’s milk (whole, 2%, or skim), goat’s milk, or dairy-free milks, such as almond, coconut, cashew, soy, and oat.
What’s the ratio of oats to liquid? 1:1, so 1 part oats to 1 part milk. For example, in this recipe, we use 1/2 cup oats and 1/2 cup milk. Start with that and see how you like it. You can always adjust the ratio in the next batch.
Add-ins. You can add ingredients to the oat-milk mixture in the beginning, which allows flavors to meld overnight. Hold off on toppings though. My suggestions for add-ins before soaking:
- Chia seeds. Chia seeds are crammed with protein, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and antioxidants. When added to overnight oats, they create a thick, pudding-like consistency (think chia pudding). If you’ve never tried chia seeds in your overnight oats, I highly encourage you to do so; they completely change the game. I added 1 tablespoon of chia seeds per serving in my overnight oats, but you can add more or use less.
- Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt can be added to the oat-milk mixture pre-soak, or it can be added as a topping before serving. In both cases, Greek yogurt (plain or flavored) adds a nice tangy nuance while boosting the overall protein content.
- Vanilla or almond extract. Vanilla and almond extracts both add great flavor and sweetness to the oats as they soak (which means you might not need sweetener). I suggest using 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per serving.
- Sweetener. If you like your oats on the sweeter side, I suggest adding a teaspoon or so to the oat-milk mixture before it heads to the fridge to soak. Great sweeteners include honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, coconut sugar, and brown sugar.
- Salt. Entirely optional, but a pinch of salt will elevate the oats without being detected.
Toppings
To maintain the texture and freshness of your toppings, add them just before serving. Get creative with your toppings and you can enjoy a different breakfast every day of the week! These are my favorite toppings for overnight oats (the list is far from complete so feel free to add your favorite foods):
- Fresh fruit: apples, peaches, berries, bananas
- Dried fruit: raisins, cranberries, dried cherries
- Thawed frozen fruit: I adore wild blueberries
- Fruit preserves: strawberry, blackberry, raspberry, boysenberry, apricot, orange marmalade
- Greek yogurt: plain or flavored
- Nut butter: peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter
- Nuts: walnuts, cashews, almonds, peanuts, hazelnuts
- Seeds: pumpkin, pepita, flax
- Chocolate chips: semisweet, milk, white
- Spices: cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, pumpkin pie spice
What container should you use for your overnight oats? I prefer to use glass mason jars with lids so I can measure, mix, chill, and then grab-and-go using one container. I used 8-ounce mason jars because they’re the perfect size for single servings. You can use larger mason jars, or any container with a lid for single-serve overnight oats. If you decide to make “one big batch” instead, simply follow the 1:1 ratio of oats to milk and use any container you want.
Can you serve your overnight oats warm? Overnight oats are typically served cold, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them warm! Make sure your container/glass jar is microwave-safe and then warm the overnight oats in the microwave for 60 to 90 seconds. Note that the container will be hot. Also remember to remove the metal lid if you’re using a mason jar. Alternatively, you can warm your glass jars of overnight oats in a hot water bath until warmed through
Can you freeze overnight oats? Yes! Which means you can make a massive batch and always have overnight oats on deck! Freezing is also a great option for times when you realize you’ve made more servings than you can get through in 5 days. Store your overnight oats in airtight containers or freezer-safe jars (such as wide mouth mason jars) and leave at least 1 inch of headspace to allow for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, not instant, quick-cooking, or steel-cut
- 1/2 cup milk, such as cow milk, goat milk, or dairy-free milk
- 1/2-1 tablespoon chia seeds, optional (I used 1 tablespoon)
Optional Toppings and Add-Ins
- Vanilla extract or almond extract, about 1/4 teaspoon
- Sweetener, such as honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, brown sugar, or coconut sugar, about 1 teaspoon
- Fresh fruit, dried fruit, thawed frozen fruit, fruit preserves
- Greek yogurt, plain or flavored
- Nut butter
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Chocolate chips
- Spices, such as cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and pumpkin pie spice
Instructions
- Place the rolled oats in a mason jar or other small container. Add the chia seeds (if using). Add any optional additions (such as extracts or sweeteners, not toppings). Add the milk and stir to combine. Cover with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
- Top with desired toppings and serve.
- Store un-topped overnight oats in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.