Easy Overnight Oats Recipe » Recipefairy.com (2024)

You’ve never made breakfast this easy! A few simple ingredients turn into a creamy, lovely breakfast while you sleep. Mix oats, milk, and toppings before bed, and wake up to a super nutritious, customizable feast that’s ready to eat. This easy overnight oats recipe is perfect for a busy morning, or when you have a craving for a healthy start with as little fuss as possible.

How To Make Healthy Overnight Oats

Let old-fashioned rolled oats and chia seeds soak in milk (dairy or alternates) and yogurt (Greek for a creamy finish) in a jar overnight and the next morning they’ll have produced a silky cereal missing that raw taste.

Ingredients

• Rolled Oats: The base of your overnight oats, providing a creamy texture and a high fiber content that keeps you full longer.
• Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds add a nutritional punch, thickening the oats while offering omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and protein.
• Milk (of choice): Acts as the soaking liquid that softens the oats and chia seeds, making them deliciously creamy. You can use dairy or any plant-based milk like almond, soy, or oat milk.
• Greek Yogurt: Adds creaminess and a boost of protein, making your oats even more satisfying.
• Honey or Maple Syrup: A natural sweetener to add a touch of sweetness to your oats without the need for refined sugars.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the sweetness of the oats and toppings.
• Strawberries: Offer a fresh, juicy burst of flavor and a dose of antioxidants, vitamins, and color to your breakfast bowl.

Directions

1. Mix Ingredients: In a jar or bowl, combine rolled oats, chia seeds, your choice of milk, and Greek yogurt. Stir well to ensure everything is evenly mixed.
2. Sweeten and Flavor: Add honey or maple syrup for sweetness and a splash of vanilla extract for flavor. Mix again.
3. Add Strawberries: Chop some fresh strawberries and add them to the mix or save some to top off your oats in the morning.
4. Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the jar or bowl and place it in the refrigerator overnight, allowing the oats to soak up the liquid and flavors to meld.
5. Serve and Enjoy: The next morning, give your oats a good stir. Top with additional strawberries or your favorite nuts and seeds for extra texture and nutrition before serving.

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by Laura Ritterman Course: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

2

servings

Prep time

10

minutes

Cooking time

minutes

Total time

10

minutes

Overnight oats is a breakfast that will bring a smile to anyone’s face in the morning. This is the perfect recipe to kick start your day.

Ingredients

• 1 cup 1 rolled oats

• 2 tablespoons 2 chia seeds

• 1.5 cups 1.5 almond milk (or milk of choice)

• 1/2 cup 1/2 Greek yogurt

• 2 tablespoons 2 honey or maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon 1 vanilla extract

• 1 cup 1 fresh strawberries, sliced

Directions

• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of rolled oats with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds. Stir these dry ingredients together to ensure they’re well mixed.
• Pour 1.5 cups of almond milk (or your preferred milk) into the bowl with the oats and chia seeds. Add 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt to the mix for creaminess.
• Sweeten your mixture by adding 2 tablespoons of honey or maple syrup. Then, enhance the flavor with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir all the ingredients until everything is fully combined.
• Gently fold in 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries, ensuring they’re evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
• Once everything is mixed well, divide the mixture into serving jars or bowls. If you’re using jars, you can layer the oats and strawberries for a more appealing presentation.
• Seal the jars or cover the bowls with a lid or plastic wrap. Place them in the refrigerator to soak overnight, or for at least 6 hours, allowing the oats to soften and the flavors to meld together.
• Before serving, give the oats a good stir. If the mixture seems too thick, you can adjust the consistency by adding a little more milk until you reach your desired thickness.
• Serve the overnight oats chilled, straight from the fridge. Feel free to top with additional fresh strawberries, a sprinkle of chia seeds, or a drizzle of honey for extra sweetness and texture. Enjoy your nutritious and delicious breakfast!

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Tips & Tricks

Making overnight oats has been a game-changer for my mornings, and I’m thrilled to share some personal tips and tricks that I’ve learned through experience:

Finding the Perfect Oats-to-Liquid Ratio: I started with the recommended 1:1 ratio of oats to liquid, but quickly realized I like mine a bit creamier. Adding just a splash more milk made all the difference. Don’t be afraid to adjust the ratios after your first try to find what suits your taste best.

The Magic of Chia Seeds: Initially, I underestimated these tiny seeds, but they’re now a must-have in my oats for their thickening power and health benefits. Plus, they add a delightful little pop of texture.

Choosing the Right Container: I’ve experimented with various jars and bowls, but mason jars win hands down. Not only do they make the oats easy to grab and go, but there’s also something satisfying about peeling back the lid to a beautifully layered breakfast.

Layering for Instagram-Worthy Oats: Speaking of layers, I love layering my oats with fruits, nuts, and a drizzle of honey or peanut butter. Starting with a layer of fruit at the bottom, oats in the middle, and more fruit and nuts on top makes for a visually appealing and deliciously textured meal.

Experimenting with Flavors: Don’t shy away from trying different mix-ins and toppings. My personal favorite discovery was adding a dollop of pumpkin puree and a sprinkle of pumpkin spice in the fall for a cozy breakfast treat.

The Strawberry Twist: Strawberries, both in and on my oats, have been a revelation. I dice them the night before and mix some into the oats, saving a few for topping in the morning. Their sweetness intensifies overnight, infusing the oats with a fresh, fruity flavor that’s unbeatable.

Warm It Up: Even though overnight oats are typically eaten cold, I’ve found that gently warming them up on a chilly morning brings out a whole new dimension of comfort. Just a minute in the microwave and it’s like eating a hug.

Making It in Bulk: I’ve started preparing my oats in bulk at the start of the week, mixing all the dry ingredients in jars. Then, all I have to do each night is add the milk and yogurt. It’s a small step that saves a lot of time during busy weeks.

The Sweet Spot with Sweeteners: I’ve learned to be conservative with sweeteners at first, especially when using ripe fruits. You can always add more in the morning if it’s not sweet enough, but starting with less helps to keep it healthy and balanced.

Nut Butter Core: For an indulgent twist, I sometimes add a spoonful of nut butter to the middle of the jar before adding the second layer of oats. It’s like finding a treasure as you eat your way through.

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Wrapping Up

The ability of overnight oats to simplify your morning routine without sacrificing taste or nutrition is truly a game-changer. Not only do you have complete control over which ingredients to use so you can switch things up every day, but the preparation is really no-fuss either.

It’s a breakfast that never insults and suits absolutely every palate or schedule. Whether you prefer starting your day with something on the fruity or sweet side or with something rich and nutty, this is a perfectly nutritious and delicious option that you can make all your own.

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