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 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 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.

Are oats overnight 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 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.

What's the best milk for overnight oats? ›

Dairy milk and oat milk both work well. Coconut milk adds rich flavor and yields an especially creamy texture. Maple syrup – For sweetness. Honey works too.

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

When combined with milk or yoghurt, overnight oats can be a source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall body function. The fibre and nutrients in oats are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. They can help lower bad LDL cholesterol levels and promote cardiovascular health.

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 not to mix with oatmeal? ›

Some unhealthy toppings for oatmeal include:
  • Sugary syrups like maple syrup or honey.
  • Candied or dried fruit with added sugar.
  • Chocolate chips or other candy.
  • Sweetened whipped cream or heavy cream.
  • Granola or other high-sugar cereals.
  • Sweetened coconut flakes.
  • Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
Feb 13, 2023

Is it okay to eat overnight oats every morning? ›

Overnight oats are perfectly safe to be eaten every day. You may even eat them every morning if you like. However, some say that they feel oats give them digestive issues; overnight oats are not unsafe for those without medical conditions that affect digestion.

Do overnight oats spike blood sugar? ›

Oats are rich in carbohydrates and a fibre called beta-glucan, which helps in the slow release of glucose into the bloodstream. However, consuming oats in isolation and in the morning may lead to a spike in blood sugar levels due to the Dawn effect.

Does soaking oats remove lectins? ›

Lectins are reduced by cooking and further reduced by soaking and then cooking. Soaking is simple to do, place the desired amount of oatmeal into a cooking pot 10-12 hours before you plan on preparing the oatmeal. Cover it with water, and add a little lemon juice or vinegar to reduce phytic acid (another gut irritant).

How do you make Trader Joe's overnight oats? ›

In a resealable jar, add oats, greek yogurt, almond beverage and chia seeds. Stir, then seal the jar with a lid. Place in refrigerator 6 hours or overnight. The oats will soften and the mixture will become very thick.

What makes overnight oats taste good? ›

Just like with regular stove top oats, there are some classic add-ins like vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, maple syrup (or honey) and a pinch of sea salt that really elevate the flavor and make overnight oats super tasty.

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.

What can you not mix with oats? ›

Some unhealthy toppings for oatmeal include:
  • Sugary syrups like maple syrup or honey.
  • Candied or dried fruit with added sugar.
  • Chocolate chips or other candy.
  • Sweetened whipped cream or heavy cream.
  • Granola or other high-sugar cereals.
  • Sweetened coconut flakes.
  • Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
Feb 13, 2023

Can you make overnight oats wrong? ›

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.

Why do my overnight oats taste bad? ›

Not adding a pinch of salt.

As much as oats love maple syrup and brown sugar, they also love (and need) salt. Just like any other food, overnight oats needs to be seasoned properly and will frankly taste like cardboard without that pinch of salt, regardless of how much syrup you drizzle on.

What can I put my overnight oats in? ›

I also love making my overnight oats in an almost empty jar of peanut butter. You just add all your ingredients right to the jar, combine, let soak and then enjoy straight from the jar. It's the perfect way to use up every last bit of the peanut butter in your jar.

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