It’s easy to skip breakfast on busy mornings, not wanting to spend valuable time whipping up a meal from scratch, but microwavable breakfast sandwiches or no breakfast at all doesn’t have to be the solution. Instead, these filling, customizable overnight oats are here to save the day—err, morning. They’re an easy, no-bake breakfast that only takes a few minutes to prepare. Prep them the night before, tuck them into your fridge to soak, and you’ll have a chilled, creamy, on-the-go breakfast waiting for you in the morning. The best part? Because these are so fast, you can easily change them up with different flavors and toppings every time you make them. Read on for my tips to make your overnight oats turn out great every time, then have fun making them your own:
What People Are Saying:
“This is a GREAT recipe. Came together so quickly, and has such a fantastic texture. I was confused by the addition of Greek yogurt, which I haven’t seen before, but it really makes this so creamy and adds a nice depth of flavor. I added a little Splenda instead of honey, and it was truly perfect.” – jsa1599
How To Make Overnight Oats
INGREDIENTS
- Oats: I call for readily available rolled/old-fashioned oats for this recipe. They’re the best choice for optimal texture here. Quick oats are already broken down and will turn out much soggier—not ideal for your breakfast! On the contrary, steel-cut oats take much longer to soften, and even overnight won’t break them down enough to enjoyably eat. Reserve your steel-cut oats for cooking in your Instant Pot instead.
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are mild and nutty and complement lots of dishes, whether they’re savory or sweet. When you soak chia seeds in liquid, they become gelatinous, which helps hold your overnight oats together without ever having to cook them. Additionally, chia seeds add nutrients and protein to your oats. Win-win!
- Cinnamon: Use more than I call for or omit it completely if you don’t have any on hand. But in my opinion, cinnamon’s sweet and smoky notes are perfect for these overnight oats.
- Milk: Use any type of milk you like, from 2% to non-dairy! I use oat milk most often, just to keep on theme. If you do go non-dairy, try to find an option that is made of as few ingredients as possible (for example, just oats and water with no added oil or gums), so it doesn’t interfere with the texture of your overnight oats.
- Yogurt: After testing with and without yogurt, I really preferred how the yogurt thickened the oats. Greek yogurt is my preference (can’t say no to the added protein), but regular yogurt can be used as well. Feel free to sub for non-dairy yogurt or leave it out entirely to keep your oats dairy-free.
- Honey: To balance it all out, a touch of sweetness completes the meal. I highly suggest including this to make breakfast seem like a treat.
- Toppings: This is the fun part! Once you’ve got your base down, you can feel free to add additional toppings and mix-ins. Some of my favorite toppings include peanut butter and raspberry jam for a PB&J vibe, classic banana and walnuts (à la banana bread), or even a little espresso powder stirred in for an extra pick-me-up, but get creative! Here are some guidelines:
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Overnight oats really couldn’t be easier to make, and take a few simple steps. First, combine the dry ingredients: oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt.
Then add the liquids. I call for milk, honey, and yogurt for the perfect combo of creamy and sweet.
Mix it all together, spoon into jars, bowls, containers, whatever’s convenient, then cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to enjoy for breakfast!
And have fun with the toppings!
The full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.
Recipe Tips
- Find the perfect ratio. My ideal overnight oats ratio is 1:1 of oats to milk, then half the amount of yogurt. So in this recipe, I use 1 cup of oats, 1 cup of milk, and then 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt. This gives me the perfect Goldilocks consistency I’m looking for: not too thick, and not too thin. Once you’ve got the ratio down, the possibilities are endless when it comes to getting creative with your milk, mix-ins, and toppings.
- Have fun with the seasonings. Cold foods like overnight oats need a little added oomph, so the honey and pinch of salt go a long way here. You can feel free to swap the sweetener for something else, but don’t skip them!
- Save the mix-ins for the morning. Anything that you want for crunch or texture—like fresh fruit or nuts—should be added to your overnight oats in the morning. Pull your oats from the fridge, give ’em a good stir, then go to town with your toppings.
Overnight Oats Variations
- Blended Overnight Oats: If you love overnight oats but are looking for a slightly different texture, then you need to try this blended version. The result is a thick, almost pudding-like texture, and I’m obsessed.
- PB&J Overnight Oats: The combination of peanut butter and jelly is one of the most nostalgic flavor combos, and it works especially well in these oats.
- Mango Overnight Oats: Not only does mango add a tropical, sweet bite to these oats, but there’s a secret ingredient that makes them oh so creamy.
Storage
Oats—without toppings—will keep in the fridge for around 5 days, making this a perfect make-ahead breakfast you can store in the fridge all week, then grab when you need it! Batch it ahead of time and add your toppings when you’re ready to enjoy.
