Overnight Oats With Water (Vegan, Gluten Free) (2024)

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Whether you ran out of milk or just want to reduce your caloric intake, overnight oats with water are a simple solution to the problem. This recipe is easy to follow and gives you multiple variations for you to follow.

So, how do you make overnight oat with water? If you want to make overnight oats without milk, then water is a great alternative. Soak the oats in a 1½:1 liquid to oats ratio and mix in fruit, nuts or seeds to make a healthy no cook meal prep.

Overnight oats are a method of preparing oatmeal by mixing an appropriate liquid to oats ratio and leaving the mixture to soak overnight. Soaking raw oats makes them both digestible and palatable.

Overnight Oats with water are both nutritious and healthy. For a simplistic and healthy meal prep, it doesn’t get much easier than soaking oats in water.

For everything there is to know about overnight oats with water, you have landed on the right page. Let’s understand why you would soak oats in water, take a detailed look at process and also tips to improve overall taste.

Overnight Oats With Water (Vegan, Gluten Free) (1)

Can you soak oats in water overnight?

Yes, you can soak oats in water overnight. The raw oats absorb the water and swell in size and shape, resulting in a palatable and digestible dish.

This is almost like cooking them. By soaking oats overnight, it gives a similar effect of cooking but with no heat and the process is slower and takes a longer time.

The reason soaking is more healthy is that it aids in breaking the starches down. Soaking oats overnight reduces the phytic acid that is naturally present in the whole grain, which helps your body make use of nutrients within the oats a lot more efficiently.

Overnight soaking is safe and simpler to digest. It leads to reduced effects of bloating as compared to cooked oats. They are easier on the stomach, and also aid in losing weight by keeping you full from the high fiber content and complex carbs.

Overnight Oats With Water (Vegan, Gluten Free) (2)

Oats and Water Ratio

The suggested ratio of the oats to water is 1:1½, i.e., for 1 cup of rolled oats, you shall use 1½ cup of water to soak. For thicker consistency of oatmeal, you can utilize lesser liquid and for a runny consistency, add a bit more.

The ratio you ought to keep in mind to make rightly blended overnight oats is 1:1½. Soak a part of rolled oats with a part and a half of water.

The ratio can become finicky when you start to add mix-ins and toppings, so this remains a general guideline. If you also soak chia seeds or nuts, the count on the dry goods also absorbing liquid, so the ratio need adjustment.

For porridge consistency, go as high as a ratio of 2:1 water to oats. When you make the oat mix, add a pinch of salt, give it a good stir and seal in a closed jar.

Overnight oats can be left to sit on the countertop for a night. You can refrigerate for about 5 days maximum or freeze overnight oats for up to 6 months.

Can I use water instead of milk?

Yes, you can use water to make overnight oats without milk. Consuming oats after soaking them overnight in liquid is recommended as an ideal preparation method.

Although milk, yogurt and juice tasty and healthy ways to soak oats, they are not the only options available. Water is a great substitute when you don’t have any other choices, or if you want to reduce calories while utilizing the nutrients available in the whole grain oats.

If you started with milk but didn’t want to add any more, water can also be added to reduce the concentration in the mix. Water is great for thinning the mixture so that it is not as heavy, thick or gluey.

Do overnight oats taste good with water?

It depends on individual preferences, but overnight oats soaked only in water have an average or neutral taste. It makes a bland oatmeal, and you miss out on the additional creaminess and add protein from having milk with your breakfast.

Since overnight oats only with water can be a little tasteless, adding dairy-free alternatives or cow’s milk is recommended. This way, you can have creamier and tastier oats.

However, for people who do not want to ingest milk in any form, you can add in chopped nuts, mashed banana, or dairy free yogurt to enhance the flavor. For those who are intolerant to dairy, you can incorporate any other type of milk like soy, almond or coconut milk.

Water can also be used to brew a cup of coffee or tea, and then mixed with the oats for soaking. Starbucks drinks overnight oats offer a few examples of how to use coffee and tea as the soaking liquid.

Here are the best vegan overnight oats recipes for you to broaden your horizons. This way, you make more healthy oats that stick to the dietary preferences you maintain.

Can you make Quaker overnight oats with water?

Yes, you can add water to Quaker oats and leave it to soak overnight. Overnight oats will be ready by the morning, and can be eaten by mixing your favorite fixings or toppings to make a delicious meal prep using Quaker oats.

Quick/instant/pre-packaged oats are not the best type of Quaker oats to make overnight oats. No matter which brand you select, rolled oats are the best type of oats for overnight oats.

They are thin, fine flakes that are pleasant tasting, convenient to digest, and turn into thick porridge when soaked overnight. This is because they are processed, rolled, steamed, toasted, and dehydrated. It needs little prep time.

Check out this Oatmeal Water too!

Expert Tips & Tricks

Oat can be soaked with any number of beverage options, however, water is a clear-cut winner for many reasons. It minimizes calories and provides a neutral base to layer flavors on top of.

  • Add some protein powder as a dietary supplement to your overnight oats. Add in before refrigeration and a little additional water to absorb the dry powder.
  • Fruits, peanut butter, yogurt, nuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds are great options for extra flavor.
  • Rolled oats are the best options for preparing overnight oats. They provide a silky and smooth texture to oats by soaking up the water evenly and remaining slightly chewy. They are nutritious and keep you feeling full for longer.
  • Load up your mason jar or overnight oats container with water and oats for an overnight soak.
  • Top the overnight oats post refrigerating it as the toppings can affect the oat-water ratio. Top with crunchy items after soaking for the added texture.
  • When adding chia seeds, add in more water.
  • Add some spice to increase the flavor when preparing overnight oats with water. Try honey, lemon juice, ginger, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
  • Add non-fat yogurt in your overnight oats to boost metabolism, add protein, and enhance satiety. Stir in the yogurt before refrigerating the soaked oats.
  • For adding sweetness to oats, do not dump in maple syrup. Instead, use naturally pure maple syrup or honey in little quantities.
  • Keep your overnight oats simple. Do not add all of the oatmeal toppings at once to each recipe.
  • Oats are also nutrition-dense, so they are a healthy base to layer tasty toppings. An ideal overnight oat with water includes 1 or 2 fruits, a protein, a seasoning, Greek yogurt for creaminess, a pure natural sweetener, and a crunchy topping like chopped nuts or toasted coconut.

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  • Overnight Oats Without Yogurt

If you enjoy this recipe for overnight oats with water, please leave a comment!

Overnight Oats With Water (Vegan, Gluten Free) (3)

Yield: 1 serving

How To Make Overnight Oats With Water

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Overnight oats with water is an easy and healthy meal prep to eat at any time of day. The no cook meal is a lifesaver when it comes to efficiency.

Have it for breakfast as a ready to eat meal just after waking up. Garnish with a sprinkle of nuts, fruits, nut butter, yogurt, and cocoa powder to enhance the flavor of the neutral preparation. This serving of oats soaked in water is a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Ingredients

Overnight Oats With Water Base Recipe

  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon sweetener
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

Applesauce

  • ½ cup applesauce
  • ¼ teaspoon apple pie spice

Blueberry Lemon

  • ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest

Brown Sugar Banana

  • ½ banana, mashed
  • 1 teaspoon brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Raspberry Almond

  • ½ cup raspberries
  • 2 tablespoons almond butter
  • 2 tablespoons sliced almonds

Strawberry Jam

  • 2 tablespoons strawberry chia jam

Instructions

  1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small cup, bowl or mason jar.
  2. Stir well so that the mixture is fully combined.
  3. Transfer to an airtight container.
  4. Place the container to soak in the fridge for a minimum of 12 hours.
  5. To serve, give the no cook mixture a stir and enjoy hot or cold. Overnight oats can be heated in the microwave for a minute or warmed on the stovetop for 3 minutes.
  6. Add a splash of liquid to thin the consistency if needed, and garnish with oatmeal toppings that you enjoy.

Notes

  • To make it vegan, use dairy-free milk alternative, plant-based yogurt and deter away from honey as a sweetener.
  • To make it gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats.
  • To make it sugar-free, avoid using too much sweeteners. Mash or puree fruit into the base mixture for natural sweetness.
  • To maintain freshness, store it in a sealed container. Overnight oats will keep fresh for up to 5 days in the fridge or for up to 6 months in the freezer.

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Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:Calories: 196Total Fat: 3gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 23mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 4gSugar: 4gProtein: 11g

Please note that the nutrition label provided is a rough estimate based on the basic overnight oats recipe. Overall nutrition will vary based on the specific ingredients and amounts you use. This information should not be considered a valid substitute for any professional nutritionist’s advice. The nutrition value is for one serving without any additional toppings.

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Overnight Oats With Water (Vegan, Gluten Free) (2024)

FAQs

Can I use water instead of milk for overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats can be made with water. It can be a great substitution when you don't have milk on hand or don't want to use it. Milk does make overnight oatmeal more creamy.

Why does Oats Overnight say not to use water? ›

Can I use water? No. Adding enough water to make your oats drinkable will greatly damage the taste. Think of it like eating cereal with water, don't do it!

Are all Oats Overnight gluten-free? ›

Oats Overnight is free from gluten and cross-contamination because we use certified gluten-free oats. Our product is routinely 3rd party tested to ensure the absence of gluten. Plus, all of our oats are delicious, nutritious, and super easy to make.

Can we eat overnight soaked oats in water? ›

Soaking oats overnight makes delicious, easier-to-digest recipes packed with nutrients and so fresh to eat in the morning. While I usually use almond milk or coconut milk for overnight oats, I recently tried using water! It's a great way to save on expensive plant-based milk and serve a healthy breakfast.

What is a good substitute for milk in overnight oats? ›

E.g., almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, soy milk, etc. Alternatively, replace some or all the milk with water or use fruit juice (like apple or orange juice).

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

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.

Are overnight oats good for gut health? ›

Oats improve gut health

The Beta-Glucan in oats promotes bile-acid excretion which transports toxins out of your gut.

Can celiacs react to gluten-free oats? ›

In the past, oats (avenin) were believed to be toxic to individuals with celiac disease and were not allowed in the gluten-free diet. However, recent evidence has shown that oats are safe for consumption by most individuals with celiac disease.

Is Oats Overnight celiac safe? ›

Our answer is yes! That's because Oats Overnight sources certified gluten-free oats that are free from cross-contamination. We even have routine independent third party checks to ensure our oats are guaranteed gluten-free. If you have gluten allergies, you can trust that Oats Overnight products are safe.

Are oats better with milk or water? ›

Milk is rich in fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that complements the nutrients in oats. Thus oats cooked in milk have benefits over oats cooked in water. Milk has fats, calcium, and Vitamin D that is normally absent in processed oats. Apart from adding a flavour, it also helps in keeping your muscles and bones healthy.

Can I eat oats with water for weight loss? ›

"Oats can certainly be part of a healthy weight-loss plan. They promote satiety and help regulate blood sugar, which can contribute to calorie reduction.

What does soaking oats in water do? ›

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.

Can I make oats with water instead of milk? ›

Yes, you can. As a matter of fact, I make my oats with water, let it “steep” (I cover it for like five minutes until all the liquid is gone and it's just soft oats), and then I add a little non-dairy milk to give some more taste/texture. Making with just water should be fine, if you prefer it that way.

Is it better to soak oats in water or milk? ›

Soaking oats in milk overnight can also have benefits. The oats will soften and absorb the milk, making them more easily digestible and increasing their nutritional value. It's also convenient for people who don't have the time or resources to cook oats in the morning.

What liquid should you use 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.

Can you use water instead of milk in oat so simple? ›

A: Yes, can use boiling water no problem... or boiling milk.

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