This Overnight Oats are excellent for preparing meals. This healthy breakfast takes minutes to make, is so customizable and so easy to enjoy on the go.
Easy overnight oats recipe
I know as well as anyone that finding time to eat a nutritious breakfast in the morning can sometimes be really difficult. You don’t have to with these overnight oats either!
Overnight Oatmeal is one of the easiest meal prep breakfasts ever. Simply mix oatmeal with milk, chia seeds, and optional sweetener, then pop in the fridge to chill. When you get up in the morning, breakfast is ready to go!
This overnight oats recipe really is that easy and so good for you, plus it’s so customizable.
What are overnight oats?
Overnight oats are a way to prepare oatmeal without cooking it. This is done by mixing oatmeal and milk along with other ingredients and letting it sit in the fridge overnight so it’s ready in the morning!
Perfect for meal prep, overnight oatmeal can be customized in so many different ways! I’ll gather the basic ingredients needed, then give ideas for add-ins and variations so you can make it exactly how you want it!
ingredients needed
This really is the best overnight oats recipe. Just a few ingredients for the easiest breakfast ever! Scroll down for proportions and full details.
- Oats: I use organic, glyphosate-free, gluten-free oatmeal (see why below), but feel free to use whatever oatmeal you want.
- Milk: I personally use almond milk, but you can use any milk you prefer. And if you’re feeling adventurous, check out my vegan and dairy-free milk guide to making your own nut milk!
- Chia seeds: Chia seeds add a little extra texture/thickness and a boost of fiber and nutrients.
- Maple Syrup (optional): Sweetener is optional but delicious!
Looking for a little extra taste? Top off the oatmeal with a sprinkling of cinnamon!
How to make them!
Overnight oatmeal is the perfect meal prep option. Simply mix the ingredients, pop in the fridge and you’ll have a nutritious breakfast ready in the morning!
- Combine: In an airtight container, combine oatmeal, milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup.
- Cool: Cover and chill in the fridge for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
What is the oat to liquid ratio for? Overnight Oats?
The only ratio you need to know when preparing your overnight oats is: 1:1! That means equal parts liquid and oats!
You soak oatmeal in the same amount of liquid (with some seeds if desired) and your oatmeal will come out perfect.
topping ideas
There are so many several ways you can adapt this recipe. Get creative, mix and match, you really can’t go wrong. Here are just a few of my favorite add-ins:
- Fresh fruit: Add blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, sliced bananas, raspberries, you name it.
- Dried fruits: Try raisins, craisins or dried cherries for some extra sweetness and texture.
- Granola: Stir in your favorite store-bought granola or try PB+J granola, cherry, coconut & chocolate granola, birthday cake granola or the best gluten free granola.
- Chocolate: Throw in a handful of your favorite chocolate chips.
- nut butter: Stir in a scoop of peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or another nut butter of your choice.
- Nuts: Sprinkle in some chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
- seed mix: I love hemp hearts, chia seeds, and ground flaxseeds!
- Yogurt: Give your oats an extra protein boost with a scoop of your favorite Greek yogurt.
Top: While you can add the mix-ins the night before, I like to portion them separately as shown, but wait to add until just before serving. This way my oatmeal is extra fresh and not soggy!
What kind of oats to use for overnight oats
While you can really use any type of old-fashioned oatmeal, I prefer to look for:
- Organic
- Certified gluten-free (if required)
- Non GMO
- Glyphosate-free (probably the most important label to me since oats are sprayed heavily here in the US)
My favorite brand is One Degree Organic Foods!
At the very least, I recommend looking for oats that are glyphosate-free. Glyphosate is a toxic pesticide that can be harmful if ingested. Whether your oats are gluten-free or not is entirely up to you.
TOP: Never use quick-cooking oats or steel-cut oats. They get way too mushy when left in the fridge!
What is the best liquid?
Milk of your choice! Soaking the oats in milk overnight produces the best flavor and a delicious creamy texture that water can’t quite match.
You can use regular milk or any non-dairy variety!
Can you make overnight oats with steel cut oats?
Unfortunately, not. They must be made from oatmeal. Steel oatmeal is processed differently so it does not turn into oatmeal without heating.
Can you make this without chia seeds?
Naturally. I love the texture and extra boost of nutrition that chia seeds add to the oatmeal, but they’re completely optional.
How long does overnight oats last?
As the name suggests, it’s definitely best to let the oatmeal sit overnight, but it really is ready in a few hours. Due to the longer cooling time, the oats can really soak in the milk and become super tasty and creamy.
If you’re short on time you might be able to reduce the chilling time a bit, but the longer the better! I usually plan at least 6 hours.
Do you eat overnight oats hot or cold?
what is your Preference? Overnight Oats are designed to be eaten cold and are an easy, on-the-go breakfast.
However, if you have a little more time or prefer them hot, you can also fully reheat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.
How long can you keep overnight oats in the fridge?
One of the best parts of this recipe is that you can make and eat it right in the container you want to store it in! You can store Basic Overnight Oats in the fridge for up to 3 days.
If you put fresh fruit directly into the oatmeal, it should be served the next day.
More overnight oat favorites
Watch the video:
Overnight Oats
This Overnight Oats are excellent for preparing meals. This healthy breakfast takes minutes to make, is so customizable and so easy to enjoy on the go.
- Preparation time: 00:05
- Cooking time: 00:00
- Total time: 00:10
- Yield: 2 1x
- Category: breakfast
- Method: No baking
- 1 cup gluten free oatmeal
- 1 cup Milk of your choice: almond, coconut, oat etc.
- 2 teaspoons Chia seeds
- Optional: 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Place all ingredients in your mason jar or container of choice and mix well to combine.
- Cover and place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours or overnight. Serve cold with your choice of topping (see note).
Remarks
Topping Ideas: There are so many several ways you can adapt this recipe. Get creative, mix and match, you really can’t go wrong. Here are just a few of my favorite add-ins:
- Fresh fruit: Add blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, sliced bananas, raspberries, you name it.
- Dried fruits: Try raisins, craisins or dried cherries for some extra sweetness and texture.
- Granola: Stir in your favorite store-bought granola or try PB+J granola, cherry, coconut & chocolate granola, birthday cake granola or the best gluten free granola.
- Chocolate: Throw in a handful of your favorite chocolate chips.
- nut butter: Stir in a scoop of peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or another nut butter of your choice.
- Nuts: Sprinkle in some chopped almonds, walnuts, or pecans.
- seed mix: I love hemp hearts, chia seeds, and ground flaxseeds!
- Yogurt: Give your oats an extra protein boost with a scoop of your favorite Greek yogurt.
Top: While you can add the mix-ins the night before, I like to portion them separately as shown, but wait to add until just before serving. This way my oatmeal is extra fresh and not soggy!
Keywords: Overnight oats, overnight oats recipe, overnight oatmeal, how to make overnight oats