How to Make Overnight Oats

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Overnight oats are a quick and easy healthy breakfast to meal prep for the morning. Learn how to make the perfect overnight oats, and try out a few of these delicious, customizable recipes.

Is there a more perfect food than oats? Oats are one of the healthiest grains you can eat; they are high in fiber, protein, magnesium, potassium, and are even a good source of of selenium, which is hard to find in plant-foods. Since they are so high in fiber, oats are a great choice for breakfast because they will keep you full and satiated all morning. It is easy to eat oats day and never get bored because there are so many different ways to enjoy them!

Today I’m going to teach you how to make overnight oats, which is a quick and easy way to prep oats for the morning, as well as 5 different recipe ideas to make your oats interesting!

What’s the difference between oatmeal and overnight oats?

Most of us have had a bowl of regular oatmeal, which consists of oats that have been cooked in milk. Oatmeal can be made with old-fashioned oats, quick oats, steel cut oats, or oat bran. It is commonly served for breakfast with fruits, nuts, seeds, or sweetener – though typically served sweet, savory oatmeal is also super yummy (exhibit 1, 2, 3).

If you’re an avid oatmeal eater and are looking for new ways to enjoy your oats, I have the solution! Overnight oats are raw old-fashioned rolled oats that have been soaked overnight in milk. They can be served in similar ways as regular oatmeal, with fruit, nuts, seeds, etc. The difference is that oatmeal requires cooking, while overnight oats absorb liquid overnight to soften so we can eat them.

Both dishes are great, but overnight oats can be better than regular oatmeal for people with digestive issues. Soaking the oats reduces the natural phytic acid, which increases digestibility. If you have had problems digesting oats in the past, soaking them overnight may be a good solution.

What type of oats to use

I recommend old-fashioned rolled oats. Do not use quick oats – you want a sturdy oat that soaks up liquid overnight and give you creamy, luscious oat heaven. Quick oats will give you soggy, sad oat hell.

Ingredients for basic overnight oats

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 3/4 cup non-dairy milk
• 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flax seeds (optional)

To make perfect overnight oats, you just need to get the ratio of oats to milk right. I recommend 1/2 cup oats to 3/4 cup milk for a very average (and in my opinion – perfect) thickness and consistency. If you like your oats a bit on the liquidy side, add more milk. If you like them thicker, add less milk.

I also recommend adding in 1/2 tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flax seeds for healthy fat and a nice variation of texture! These seeds make the oats thicker and really take them to a whole new level.

Optional add-ins: fruits, nuts, spices, yogurt, and more

Once you got the perfect ratio of oats-to-milk, then you can start having fun with flavors and toppings!

Fruits

Fresh, frozen, or dried fruits all work wonderfully. Know that frozen fruit tends to release some liquid when thawing, and adjust your oat-to-milk ratio accordingly if needed.

Nuts, Seeds, and Butters

Almost any type of nut or seed will work! Almonds, cashews, pecan, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, coconut flakes, and hemp hearts would all taste great. Or add in a big tablespoon of peanut butter, almond butter, or tahini for some healthy fat.

Sweeteners & Spices

If you like your oats on the sweeter side, add in maple syrup, agave nectar, or honey (if you’re not vegan). Another amazing option is jelly, jam, or preserves. You could also use a sweetened non-dairy milk! And, of course, there is always the option of adding straight up sugar to the oats 🍬

There are many delicious spices you can add to your oats, common ones being cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, pumpkin spice, and vanilla.

Yogurt

Non-dairy yogurt can be a great way to get a super creamy consistency in your oats. You can stir in a couple of tablespoons when you’re prepping the oats, or alternatively, you can top the oats with yogurt the day you eat it.

How to make overnight oats

1. Into a jar, add your oats, milk, and seeds. Stir.
2. Add in any optional toppings.
3. Pop a lid on the jar and place in the fridge for at least 5-6 hours or overnight.

I wish this was a joke, but it’s not. Really – it’s that simple.

Meal prepping overnight oats

These oats are the king of meal prep – you literally have to meal prep them in order to make them!

Basic overnight oats will keep in the fridge for about a week (oats, milk, seeds). Be cautious of what toppings you add, as these may expire quicker than the oats themselves.

When in doubt, you can make a batch of basic overnight oats and add toppings the day you plan to eat them. I sometimes make one large container of oats and scoop them out as needed throughout the week, topping them with whatever fruit and nuts I have on hand that day.

Do you eat overnight oats cold or warm?

It’s totally up to you! Grab the jar out of the fridge and go to town, or pop it in the microwave for a minute or two to warm it up. If do you plan on eating the oats warm, be mindful of what toppings you choose when prepping the oats. When microwaved, bananas could get mushy, nut butters may dry out, etc.

I personally enjoy my overnight oats cold, but you do you ☺️

Looking for other make-ahead breakfast recipes?

Try out my vegan banana bread muffins, mini vegan frittatas, or peanut butter chocolate oat cookies.

If you make this recipe, leave it a rating and a comment! You can also tag me @Daughter_of_Seitan on Instagram so I can see your lovely food creations. XOXO

Overnight Oats Recipes

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