My family and I have always enjoyed oatmeal for breakfast, but I wanted to try something that I could make ahead of time for the week so we’d have ‘grab-and-go’ breakfasts. Overnight oats to the rescue!
Overnight oats make a very healthy, flavorful breakfast. I love that you can make a batch one day and have breakfast ready for each day of the week. And… one of the best things is, once you start with the basic overnight oats recipe (see below), you can add whatever flavor combinations you want – something different for every day of the week, if you want!
Overnight oats are made using old fashioned rolled oats, milk, and yogurt. What could be easier?! You put the mixture in your refrigerator overnight to allow the oats to soak up all the liquid. Oooo, so good!
I’ve been using the recipe below as the base for our overnight oats. Then when you’re ready to enjoy, you simply eat the oats as is, or you add whatever flavors you want.
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Overnight Oats
This recipe makes one serving. Adjust as needed for as many servings as you want in a week.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats (make sure not to use Quick Oats)
- 1/2 cup Milk (your choice – we especially love Vanilla Almond Milk)
TIP: Any type of milk will work for this recipe – try using whole milk, almond milk, soy milk, or even oat milk. Whatever you’d like to try. - 1/3 cup Yogurt (your choice – we especially love Honey Vanilla Greek Yogurt)
- 2 teaspoons Chia Seeds (optional, but they help thicken the oats and add a lot of nutrients)
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract (click link for my homemade recipe)
- Pinch of Sea Salt
- Jars or containers to hold your mixture (we love these Overnight Oats Jars with Spoons)
DIRECTIONS:
- Add all ingredients to a small or medium bowl.
- Stir to mix well.
- Add mixture to a sealed container and refrigerate for a minimum of 4-hours (best if refrigerated overnight).
- Serve cold and eat as is, or add your favorite add-in ingredients before eating.
Additional Flavors to Add
There are SO many ways you can customize the basic overnight oats recipe above! Be creative!
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Fruit – Fresh fruit adds natural sweetness, color, and nutrients. Try strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and sliced bananas. Dried fruits also add sweetness and texture. Try raisins, dried cranberries, or dried apricots.
TIP: I keep unsweetened whole blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, peaches, and bananas in our freezer for yogurt snacks and overnight oats. Just sprinkle a few pieces of frozen fruit into your overnight oats and enjoy! - Chia Seeds – Chia seeds add an interesting texture to overnight oats. They are also nutritious, and they help thicken the oats.
- Nuts and Seeds – If you like a little crunch, add nuts such as sliced toasted almonds, toasted walnuts, or crushed pistachios. Sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds also add healthy fats and a delightful crunch.
- Flavorings – Here’s where your creativity comes in! There are almost unlimited choices for adding flavor to your overnight oats. Things like cinnamon, cocoa powder, vanilla bean paste, mini chocolate or caramel chips, peanut butter, jams (we love fig preserves), shredded coconut, and more!
- Sweeteners – If you want an extra bit of sweetness, use things like honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup – a teaspoon is probably all you’ll need.
There you have it! A quick way to make a healthy and delicious breakfast for you and your family for an entire week! If you have tips for making overnight oats, share in a comment below!
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