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This simple overnight oats recipe will keep you full for the morning, but it will also give you the energy boost you need to start your day.
Overnight Oats Recipe
This Overnight Oats, or overnight oatmeal, recipe is a life saver for busy mornings! I usually do a little bit of meal prep on Sunday night to make my week go a bit smoother, and this recipe has become a staple. You can make up individual servings in a mason jar, or make larger batches in a big bowl with a lid. All the magic happens overnight while the oats soak and you wake up in the morning to a healthy breakfast!
Ingredients in Overnight Oats
- Oats – For this recipe, rolled oats or old-fashioned oats work best. Rolled oats are oats that have been separated from the husk, steamed, and flattened. Rolled oats work well for overnight oats because they soften more and quicker than other types of oats. For example, steel cut oats are not steamed or rolled, they are just cut into thin slices. They don’t work well in baking because they won’t soften. Rolled oats will give you the creamy, smooth texture you want.
- Milk – The most common liquid to use for overnight oats is regular dairy milk. You can also use dairy-free milks like almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, and soy milk. You can also replace part of the milk with greek yogurt to give the oats a creamier texture and a tangy flavor.
- Sweetener – You do not have to add sweeteners, but I like to. You can use dates, maple syrup, honey, agave, brown sugar, vanilla extract, or Stevia. If you want to make chocolate oats, then add a little bit of cocoa powder as well!
- Mason Jars – I like to use the pint sized mason jars because there is plenty of room to stir things together and add toppings. You can use any airtight container.
Additions and Toppings
The best part about Overnight Oats is the toppings! There are so many fun toppings and combinations to try. Let us know your favorite toppings in the comments below!
Toppings
- Fruit – Bananas, blueberries, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, apples, pears, peaches, coconut, pineapple
- Nuts and Seeds – almonds, pecans, walnuts, pepitas, chia seeds, flax seeds, sunflower seeds
- Spreads – nut butter, cookie butter, hazelnut spread, jam
- Spices – cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract, chai spice
- Sweeteners – honey, maple syrup, agave, chocolate chips, brown sugar
- Other – protein powder, greek yogurt
Combinations
- Banana Bread – bananas, walnuts, cinnamon
- PB&J – jam, peanut butter, peanuts, berries
- Blueberry Muffin – vanilla, brown sugar, blueberries
- Pina Colada – pineapple chunks, coconut flakes, use coconut milk
- Banana Berry – bananas, strawberries, raspberries
- Reese’s – peanut butter, chocolate chips
- Chunky Monkey – bananas, peanut butter, chocolate chips
- Pumpkin Pie – pumpkin pie spice, vanilla extract
- Peaches & Cream – peach slices, whipped cream
- Protein – greek yogurt, chia seeds, protein powder
Recipe Tip
In the morning, when you remove the jar from the fridge, make sure to give it a really good stir before adding toppings. This ensures there are no big clumps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically, overnight oats should be gluten free. However, a lot of oats are grown near wheat and get cross contaminated. Make sure the oats you are using are certified gluten-free oats, and then you will be safe!
If you want to change the consistency of overnight oats, then change the ratio of oats to milk. Add more milk for thinner, and less for thicker. You can also add chia seeds, which soak up some of the milk and thicken the consistency.
Typically, overnight oats are eaten cold. However, you can absolutely heat them up. In the morning, throw the jar (lid OFF) in the microwave for a minute or so. Then, add the toppings and enjoy!
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How to Make Overnight Oats
Overnight Oats
Video
Equipment
- pint jars
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Clean and dry the jar. Place oats in the jar.
- Add Greek yogurt, milk, and maple syrup to the jar.
- Stir. Place in the fridge for at least 5 hours, or overnight.
- Remove from fridge. Stir again.
- Top with desired toppings and enjoy. Overnight oats without toppings will stay good in the fridge for about 4 days.
I like my oats thick, so I used a little less milk. In the morning I added some fresh berries and toasted coconut. So easy, and so good!
I love making overnight oats! This recipe is so versatile and works as a great base for fruits and other things. My new go-to breakfast.
Loved these overnight oats! So delicious and perfect for meal prep!