Home > Breakfast > Overnight Oats Overnight Oats June 1, 2020 | 4 Comments SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Jump to Recipe This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy. Everything you need to know about making your own Overnight Oats from home! With four overnight oats recipes and all the best tips and tricks, this is your one-stop Overnight Oats read! Next time, try one of these other healthy breakfast ideas: an acai bowl, healthy breakfast cookies, mango smoothie, or strawberries and cream oatmeal. Nutritious and easy breakfast Overnight oatmeal is one of my favorite nutritious breakfast options. It’s easy to make, fun to customize, and packed with good-for-you ingredients. And one bowl will leave you fueled and satiated for hours. It’s probably no surprise to you how much I love Overnight Oats; I’ve been sharing Overnight Oat recipes for years! Here are some of the recipes I’ve shared: Cheesecake Overnight Oats Almond Joy Overnight Oats Brownie Batter Overnight Oats Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Pumpkin Overnight Oats Brownie Batter Overnight Oats Peanut Butter Cookie Overnight Oats Peach Overnight Oats Chocolate Almond Overnight Oats How to make Overnight Oats Overnight oatmeal is as simple to make as stirring a few ingredients together and refrigerating overnight. The next morning, you can add on your favorite toppings and eat. They’re really that easy! That said, here are a few tips: Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best oats to use; they’ll give you a creamy and smooth texture with just the right amount of chewiness. Avoid quick or steel-cut oats. Click this link for my recipe to make overnight steel cut oatmeal. Give your overnight oats one final stir in the morning after taking them out of the fridge, and before adding any optional toppings. This ensures good textures throughout. Wait to add toppings. In order for the raw oats to soften, they need to be able to absorb the liquid they’re combined with. Toppings will prevent this process and become soggy, so hold off on toppings until morning! How do Overnight Oats work? Rather than the traditional method of boiling or microwaving old fashioned oats (see this how-to-make-oatmeal post), Overnight Oats are mixed with milk, yogurt, and other flavoring ingredients. They are then left overnight in the fridge (hence the name!). While you’re sleeping, the oats absorb the liquid, soften up, and form a pudding-like texture and consistency. The recipes I’m sharing today are loaded with flavor and are mega creamy! Notes Overnight Oats are meant to be eaten cold. As they soak overnight, they become soft, luscious, and creamy. That said, if you prefer them warm, you can certainly warm them up in the microwave or on the stovetop. You can make Overnight Oats in the morning to enjoy. I typically make them first thing when I wake up, go work out, and enjoy them post workout. (So they’ve sat about 30 to 45 minutes). I guess that technically, they’re not really overnight oats, but we’re all friends here! Make them thicker. I’m obsessed with creamy oatmeal — the creamier the better! I’d say Overnight Oats are fairly creamy (even after thickening overnight). If you’d like them thicker, add in a few tablespoons of chia seeds or a few additional tablespoons of oats. Ingredient Tips While most of the ingredients are fairly standard, I wanted to include a few helpful tips. Sweetener. Depending on how sweet you prefer your breakfasts, feel free to scale the sweetener up or down. You may even decide you don’t want or need any sweetener! If you don’t want to use honey or maple syrup, liquid stevia drops are another great alternative; I usually add 1/4 teaspoon. Maple syrup is my personal favorite sweetener to add to Overnight Oats. Greek yogurt. The yogurt can totally overpower the oats, so get a mild-tasting, sweetened yogurt. My personal favorite is Honey Vanilla Greek yogurt (made by Greek Gods®; not sponsored). It’s sweet, mild, and creamy. Whatever yogurt you choose to use, make sure you like it plain or you likely won’t love it in the oats. A plain vanilla yogurt (not Greek yogurt) is also a great option. Dutch-process cocoa powder (for the chocolate overnight oats). This cocoa powder contributes the deep and intense chocolate flavor. I highly recommend using a Dutched cocoa powder as opposed to a plain (natural) cocoa powder. Any Dutch-process cocoa powder will work, but Hershey’s® does sell a Special Dark cocoa powder that is readily available at most grocery stores. And here is my go-to base recipe for Overnight Oats. (And below the recipe you’ll find three other bonus recipes (chocolate, banana-almond, and berry). After the bonus recipes I answer some common questions.) FOLLOW ALONG! Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for the latest updates, recipes and content. Overnight Oats base recipe 5 from 3 votes - Review this recipe Everything you need to know about making your own Overnight Oats at home! With four recipes and all the best tips and tricks, this is your one-stop Overnight Oats read. SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Overnight Oats base recipe 5 from 3 votes - Review this recipe SAVE TO RECIPE BOX Print Recipe Everything you need to know about making your own Overnight Oats at home! With four recipes and all the best tips and tricks, this is your one-stop Overnight Oats read. Course Breakfast Cuisine American Keyword Overnight Oats Prep Time 10 minutes minutes Chilling 45 minutes minutes Total Time 55 minutes minutes Servings 1 serving Calories 376kcal Author Chelsea Lords Cost $1.82 Ingredients▢ 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats▢ 1/3 cup honey vanilla greek yogurt (we love Greek Gods) (Note 1)▢ 2/3 cup unsweetend vanilla almond milk, or milk of choice▢ 1-1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (Note 2)▢ 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract▢ 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional▢ Small pinch fine sea salt▢ Optional toppings: swirl of almond or peanut butter, miniature chocolate chips, fresh berriesUS - Metric USMetric InstructionsPREP THE OATS: In a small bowl, mason jar, or plastic container, stir together the old fashioned oats, honey vanilla Greek yogurt, vanilla almond milk, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon (if desired), and salt.STIR: Stir well and make sure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.CHILL: Cover the container and refrigerate overnight or until sufficiently cooled and thickened. (Sometimes I'll even make them in the morning, get ready, and then go eat them -- they are great even after only 30 minutes in the fridge)ENJOY: When ready to eat, top with any additional toppings if desired. Store Overnight Oats in the fridge for up to 3 days. Recipe NotesNote 1: The yogurt can totally overpower these oats, so get a mild-tasting, sweetened yogurt. My personal favorite is Honey Vanilla Greek yogurt (made by Greek Gods®). It's sweet, mild, and creamy. Whatever yogurt you choose to use, make sure you like it plain or you likely won't love it in these overnight oats. A plain vanilla yogurt (not Greek yogurt) is also a great option. Note 2: We like 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup best, but sweeten to personal preference (1/2 tablespoon up to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or 1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia) Nutrition FactsServing: 1serving | Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 36.8g | Protein: 6.1g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 130.3mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8.8g We do our best to provide accurate nutritional analysis for our recipes. Our nutritional data is calculated using a third-party algorithm and may vary, based on individual cooking styles, measurements, and ingredient sizes. Please use this information for comparison purposes and consult a health professional for nutrition guidance as needed. DID YOU MAKE THIS RECIPE? I love hearing from you when you've made one of my recipes! Tag me on Instagram at @ChelseasMessyApron or leave me a comment below. Overnight Oats Calories: 284 calories for the base (not including toppings) CHOCOLATE OVERNIGHT OATS serves 1 ADD THE FOLLOWING TO A MASON JAR OR PLASTIC CONTAINER AND STIR TO COMBINE: 1/2 cup (55g) old-fashioned oats 1/3 cup (75g) honey vanilla Greek yogurt (we love Greek Gods!) 2/3 cup (156g) chocolate almond milk (or vanilla almond milk) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder Pinch of salt 1 tablespoon maple syrup (add more or less to personal preference) Optional: mini dark chocolate chips Refrigerate overnight (or until softened; even 30-45 minutes softens the oats a lot), stir well and add toppings. TOPPING OPTIONS: (Below are a list of suggestions; add as many or as few of your favorite toppings.) Additional maple syrup (or honey or 1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia) If you don’t add this to the base, I recommend adding it on top. 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter 2 teaspoons chia seeds 1 tablespoon chopped dark chocolate, cacao nibs, or miniature chocolate chips 1-2 tablespoons toasted flaked coconut 1 tablespoon roasted and lightly salted almonds BANANA-ALMOND OVERNIGHT OATS serves 1 ADD THE FOLLOWING TO A MASON JAR OR PLASTIC CONTAINER: 1/2 cup (54g) old-fashioned oats 1/3 cup (82g) honey vanilla Greek yogurt (we love Greek Gods!) 2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice) 1 and 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon Pinch of salt 1/2 cup (130g) ripe banana, finely diced 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips Refrigerate overnight (or until softened; even 30-45 minutes softens the oats a lot), stir well and add toppings. OVERNIGHT OAT TOPPING OPTIONS: (Below are my recommendations; add your favorite toppings and add to your desired quantity.) 1/2 thinly sliced banana Any additional maple syrup If you don’t add this to the base, I recommend adding it on top. 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter Extra sprinkle of ground cinnamon Chia seeds 1-2 tablespoons toasted chopped pecans or walnuts 2 teaspoons miniature chocolate chips BERRY OVERNIGHT OATS serves 1 ADD THE FOLLOWING TO A MASON JAR OR PLASTIC CONTAINER: 1/2 cup (54g) old-fashioned oats 1/3 cup (82g) honey vanilla Greek yogurt (we love Greek Gods!) 2/3 cup (156g) unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice) 1 and 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (add more or less to personal preference) 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional Pinch of salt 1/2 cup assorted fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, etc. (I like to chop up fruit first) Refrigerate overnight (or until softened; even 30-45 minutes softens the oats a lot), stir well, and add toppings. OVERNIGHT OAT TOPPING OPTIONS: Below are my suggestions; add as much of your favorite toppings as you prefer. 1/3 cup assorted fresh berries Any additional maple syrup If you don’t add this to the base, I recommend adding it on top. Handful of granola 1-2 tablespoons toasted and chopped nuts Chia seeds Other topping ideas Vanilla-almond granola, or your favorite homemade/store bought granola Fresh fruit such as: strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, mango, banana, peaches, pineapple, kiwi, apple, etc. Flaked coconut Chia seeds Dried fruit, such as dried cranberries, dried tart cherries, dried blueberries, dried apricot, dried mango, raisins Freeze-dried fruit, like dried bananas, dried strawberries, dried blueberries Cacao Nibs, or chopped dark chocolate or miniature chocolate chips Hemp seeds Flax seeds Frequently Asked Questions Are Overnight Oats healthy? The best part about Overnight Oats? You get delicious, dessert like flavor for breakfast while still eating healthy! Oats are high in fiber, contain more protein and fat than other grains, and are loaded with vitamins, minerals and antioxidant plant compounds. (Source.) Plus, Overnight Oats are also more digestible after being soaked overnight. Soaking helps break down the starches and reduces the natural phytic acid which helps our body to utilize the nutrients more efficiently (we’ll absorb more of the nutrition from the food into our body). Are Overnight Oats good for weight loss? Eaten in moderation and within your daily calorie allotment or macronutrient goals, these overnight oats can promote weight loss and be part of a healthful diet. To reduce overall calories in these oat recipes, use liquid stevia in place of the maple syrup, replace the Greek yogurt with a low-fat or fat-free yogurt, and use a 30-calorie-per-serving unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Do you eat Overnight Oats cold? Overnight oats are typically eaten cold. However, if you’d prefer them hot, you can warm the oats in the microwave or on the stovetop the next morning. Microwaving the oats will give them more of an oatmeal consistency as opposed to the soft, almost pudding-like consistency. And that’s it for today! If you have any questions, comments, or tips, please leave a comment below. Happy Overnight Oat-ing! *While I have my background in Exercise and Wellness (B.S.), all the content in this post is for informational purposes only. Please consult a doctor or dietician for any specific dietary needs/questions.
We love all the overnight oat recipes but this has to be one of our favorites!! It makes our mornings so stress free and yummy!! Thanks chelsea! Reply
