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 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? ›

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 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.

Is oats overnight 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.

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

Are overnight oats healthy for weight loss? ›

There are countless health benefits of overnight oats, especially when it comes to your weight loss goals. It can keep you fuller for longer. For starters, oats can help keep you full, and in turn, can help reduce mindless snacking and excess calorie intake between meals.

Do you stir overnight oats before putting in the fridge? ›

Stir equal parts old-fashioned rolled oats and a liquid such as milk in a jar or container with a lid. If you're adding any sweeteners or fruit like berries, stir those in now as well. Step two: Cover and chill. Cover the container or seal the jar's lid and store in the refrigerator overnight.

Do overnight oats spike blood sugar? ›

Oats have a low glycemic index, meaning they cause a slower and more gradual rise in blood sugar levels compared to refined carbohydrates. This slow release of glucose into the bloodstream helps prevent spikes in blood sugar, promoting stable glycemic control.

What is the ratio of oats to liquid 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.)

Is it okay 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.

What kind of oatmeal is best 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.

Which is healthier oatmeal or overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats are the more nutritious option, but that doesn't mean that this meal is for everyone.

How to make overnight oats less bland? ›

However, a little bit of honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar can go a long way in making your oats more enjoyable.

Are overnight oats better with milk or water? ›

Overnight oats are typically made with milk but you can still have a creamy bowl of overnight oats that won't lack in flavor or creaminess by using water! Old-Fashioned Oats: I highly recommend using Old-Fashioned Oats (Rolled Oats) instead of quick-cooking oats.

What is the best way to eat overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats are designed to be eaten cold for an easy grab-and-go breakfast. However, if you have a little bit of extra time or prefer them hot, you can totally warm them up in the microwave or on the stove-top, too.

What to do if you don't like overnight oats? ›

Here are a few simple tips that I use:
  1. Add a little salt to the water you cook the oats in. ...
  2. Don't use quick or instant oats. ...
  3. Mix a spoonful of the nut butter of your choice into the hot porridge. ...
  4. Try cooking the oats in milk instead of water if you.
Jan 11, 2023

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