Overnight oats

This overnight oats recipe will show you how to construct a base that can be topped with whatever toppings or add-ins you like. It’s really simple to memorize and the ideal overnight oats recipe for novices. Overnight oats are my morning savior. They are a tasty and nutritious grab-and-go breakfast that requires no cooking! I like how customizable oats are with the toppings; you can have a different breakfast every day of the week.

This overnight oats dish makes a delicious, nutritious breakfast that can be prepared ahead of time and kept correctly for up to a week. As a result, it’s an excellent Sunday night meal prep plan for the upcoming work week. I’ve been preparing this dish for over ten years, many times a week, and I’ve yet to tire of it. The variety of tastes, toppings, and add-ins makes this recipe really exceptional!

Whether you love Peanut Butter and Jelly or Almond Joy, there’s a taste for you. And, while eating one of the six flavor combinations below may feel like a treat, you’re still meeting all of your nutritional goals. Greek yogurt boosts the protein, chia seeds provide fiber, and your choice of milk keeps everything smooth.

WHAT ARE OVERNIGHT OATS?

Overnight oatmeal is a no-cook method that involves soaking raw oats with milk overnight in the refrigerator. This process softens the oats, making them ready to eat uncooked. The oats are ideal for this method, absorbing the liquid and softening enough to be eaten uncooked. The next morning, a creamy bowl or jar of oatmeal is ready to be eaten, with a dense texture resembling porridge or pudding. This breakfast dish is popular for busy mornings, as it can be made the night before and topped with fruits, nuts, seeds, or sweeteners for a nutritious breakfast without cooking. Overnight oatmeal is adaptable, with limitless flavor combinations to suit various tastes and nutritional needs.

Best of all, you get all of the beneficial advantages of oatmeal in a fun grab-and-go breakfast:

They provide higher protein than other cereals (5 grams per serving).

They are high in fiber, which keeps you feeling fuller for longer (4g per serving).

They are a nutrient-dense meal that makes you feel more full.

BASE INGREDIENTS FOR OVERNIGHT OATS

You just need two ingredients to create overnight oats: milk and oats. However, it is unlikely to taste delicious, and by adding Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and a drizzle of your preferred sweetener, you are essentially producing a well-rounded meal.

Oats: Oatmeal is the single non-negotiable ingredient. Make sure to use ordinary, old-fashioned oats rather than quick oats, since rolled oats have the nicest consistency. You may also substitute gluten-free oats. Do not use steel-cut oats.

Milk: For the liquid component, you may use water! However, it is more typical to use milk. You can use whole, 2%, or low-fat milk. You may also use plant-based milks such as almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, and oat milk.

Chia seeds (optional): Chia seeds are high in nutrients and contribute to the oats’ pudding-like texture. So I always like to incorporate them into my foundation recipe.

Greek or vegan yogurt (optional) adds a tangy taste, creamy texture, and protein boost to the oatmeal.

Vanilla essence (optional): This improves all of the flavors in the overnight oatmeal while also adding sweetness without using any sugar.

Sweetener (optional): To sweeten the mixture, add honey or maple syrup, as oats can be tasteless on their own.

Toppings: Have some fun with fresh fruit, dried fruit, nut butter, nuts, seeds, and spices (such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom). There are so many topping options and combinations, which I believe makes this such a flexible dish!

HOW TO MAKE A BASIC OVERNIGHT OATS RECIPE: THE RATIO

To get the ideal similarity, it all comes down to ratios. So test the suggested ratio below, then add more or less milk until you find what works best for you! Once you’ve nailed down the fundamental overnight oat ratio, the flavor choices and toppings are endless.

The ratio you want to use for just oats and a liquid is:

1 PART OATS + 1 PART MILK

ratio when adding chia seeds:

1 PART OATS + 1 PART MILK + ⅛ PART SEEDS

The above is my ideal ratio; it’s creamy and has enough liquid to not feel like soup. That being stated, please modify the ratios according to your chosen texture. It sometimes takes a little innovation to obtain that “just right” mouthful of oats.

HOW TO MAKE 2 INGREDIENT OVERNIGHT OATS

HOW TO MAKE MY OVERNIGHT OAT BASE

To begin, mix together old-fashioned oats, chia seeds, Greek or vegan yogurt, and vanilla essence. If you’re using a sweetener, add it now.

Top it with your preferred milk.

Mix the overnight oats until there are no clumps.

Next, seal or cover with a lid and refrigerate in the fridge for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.

The next morning, grab a spoon, add your favorite toppings, and dig in!

FAV ADD-INS & FLAVOR COMBOS

Pistachio Raspberry: For a colorful, textural variation, combine a handful of crushed pistachios and fresh raspberries, as well as a drizzle of honey.

Mexican Hot Chocolate: For a fiery twist on a classic, mix chocolate oats with a splash of cinnamon and a touch of cayenne pepper.

Pumpkin Pie: With canned pumpkin, pumpkin spice, and a dollop of whipped cream on top, this has become a fall favorite among readers.

Maple Sweet Potato: Combine cooked, mashed sweet potato with maple syrup, cinnamon, nutmeg, and chopped pecans.

TIPS FOR MAKING THE BEST OVERNIGHT OATS

Make it inside a jar or mason jar (with measuring lines on the sides). This allows you to measure, mix, chill, transport, and enjoy the overnight oats in one compact container.

Use regular, old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick oats. Quick oats get overly mushy when soaked in milk. Do not use steel-cut oats since they will not soften sufficiently to be consumed with milk alone.

Warm it up if you prefer warm oats in the morning. Although overnight oatmeal is usually served cold, it can be eaten warm. Simply microwave them for one minute, using a microwave-safe container.

Make a handful to last the week. Because overnight oats may be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, consider making a batch on Sunday and keeping it for the entire week. If you add fruit ahead of time, keep in mind that it will usually only stay fresh for a few days.

Be aware of the milk-to-oats ratio. Too much liquid will result in a runny mess, while too little will result in a thick consistency. The best ratio is generally 1:1, although you can vary it based on your textural preferences.

Layer, don’t mix, and add ins. When utilizing fruits, nuts, or syrups, stack them instead of combining. This helps preserve the texture of the ingredients until you’re ready to eat.

POPULAR ADD-INS & TOPPINGS

Fruits for Freshness:

• Sliced bananas for natural sweetness
• Diced apples for a bit of crunch
• Fresh berries for a burst of flavor

Nuts for Crunch:

• Almonds to elevate texture
• Walnuts for earthy richness
• Pecans for a buttery bite

Seeds for Nutrition:

• Chia seeds for added fiber and omega-3s
• Pumpkin seeds for a touch of zinc and magnesium
• Flaxseeds for an extra dose of fiber and protein

Sweeteners for Flavor:

• Maple syrup for a natural sweetness
• Honey for a floral note
• Agave syrup for a smooth finish

Spices for Depth:

• Cinnamon for warmth
• Nutmeg for a touch of spice
• Vanilla extract for aroma and sweetness

Creamy Elements:

• Peanut butter for a savory twist
• Nutella for a luxurious treat
• Coconut cream for a tropical vibe

Unexpected Twists:

• Matcha powder for an antioxidant boost
• Cocoa powder for a chocolaty touch
• Lemon zest for a burst of citrus