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.

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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 makes overnight oats taste better? ›

Add a pinch of salt, then sweeten or spice your overnight oats. For a little kick of spice, try adding cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cocoa powder or matcha powder. Or if sweet is your thing, stir in C&H Sugar, C&H® Light Brown, C&H® Dark Brown Sugar. Mix everything together, taste and adjust flavoring until perfect.

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."

Are overnight oats actually healthy? ›

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.

Are whole oats good for overnight oats? ›

Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best choice for overnight oats. They soak up the liquid overnight, leaving you with a creamy (but not mushy) texture. Save steel-cut and quick-cooking oats for another time. Milk: You can make overnight oats with any kind of milk — dairy or non-dairy.

Why do my overnight oats have no flavor? ›

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 is the ratio of milk to oats in overnight oats? ›

So if you use 1/2 cup of oats and 2 tablespoons of seeds, pour 1 cup of milk into your jar. One caveat to the ratio: If you are not adding any chia seeds or significant extras, reduce the amount of liquid a little (say, 3/4 cup milk for 1/2 cup oats).

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 add chia seeds to overnight oats? ›

But after a little experimentation, I realized that adding chia seeds to overnight oats takes them to a whole new level. They give the oats a delicious thick and creamy texture, sort of like that of chia pudding. They also add protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Can I eat overnight oats every night? ›

Is it ok to eat overnight oats every day? 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? ›

Specific research on overnight oats from 2019 reveals that oats maintain their lower blood sugar impact and insulin response when soaked in skim milk overnight. Now that you know some of the benefits of oats, you may be looking for some tasty recipes for overnight oats.

Are overnight oats healthier than eggs? ›

Eating oatmeal for breakfast has been linked to weight loss, better nutrient intake, and lower risk for conditions such as diabetes. Oatmeal has soluble fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Oatmeal may have some advantages over eggs for breakfast, but research studies have conflicting results.

How long do overnight oats need to soak? ›

Add oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla and sea salt into a jar or storage container with a lid. Stir ingredients together. Place in the fridge overnight. If you're in a rush you can shorten the soak time to 2-4 hours.

What kind of milk is best for overnight oats? ›

Overnight Oats are great with all kinds of milk, dairy (pasteurized) or non-dairy. Feel free to use your favorite! We do not recommend making Overnight Oats with water because it will result in an overly liquid texture.

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.

What makes overnight oats better? ›

Resistant starch is high in oats. When soaked overnight, the starch in the oats is naturally broken down, allowing more nutrients to be absorbed by the oats. This causes the oatmeal to swell up and absorb the liquid through every pore, making it a healthy and filling breakfast meal on its own.

Why do my overnight oats taste bitter? ›

Prior research with oats has shown that bitterness and associated off-flavours are linked to the accumulation of free fatty acids, their volatile oxidation products, and possibly amino acids and certain phenols.

What is the best way to eat overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, however, if you prefer warm oats you always have the option to heat them up. Because you soak the oats overnight, they become soft and easy to digest making them delicious eaten cold!

Are overnight oats better with milk or water? ›

Can I use water instead of milk in overnight oats? Yes, but the results may be pretty bland in flavor. Milk adds a creaminess as well. But water will work if you prefer to use it in place of a milk option.

What is best to soak oats in overnight? ›

To prepare overnight oats, simply put porridge oats in a container, fill them with water, your choice of milk or yoghurt, and place them in the fridge. Remember to always soak the oats for at least 12 hours, but 24 hours is better. Adding toppings of your choice and there you have your overnight oats!

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