Overnight Oats have been a staple in my weekly breakfast rotation for years. They're one of the easiest, tastiest, and most customizable healthy breakfast options for busy mornings whenever I'm strapped for time. These are a game-changer when it comes to breakfast meal prep - I have breakfast ready-to-go in the fridge as soon as I wake up, and it saves me from grabbing a muffin or granola bar whenever I'm in a rush.
There are countless different ways to make overnight oats - here, I'll show you how to make the most basic, easy base recipe that will allow you to customize your own flavour combos with just 5 simple ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time.
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What are Overnight Oats?
In its simplest form, overnight oats are essentially a mixture of rolled oats and some sort of liquid, most commonly milk. The mixture is then refrigerated overnight to soften up into a delicious, luxuriously creamy consistency. Different ingredients and toppings are mixed in to the overnight oats to create different flavours and textures - everything from PB&J, to Chocolate Mocha, to Banana Bread, and more!
What Do I Need to Make Overnight Oats?
All you need are 5 simple ingredients to make this easy base recipe:
- Rolled oats - Old-fashioned rolled oats are key to giving this recipe the soft, thick texture it's known for. I would not recommend using quick oats, steel cut oats, or instant oats as they aren't able to absorb liquid and soften/thicken up as well as rolled oats do.
- Milk - Technically speaking, any liquid will do the job of softening the oats - but milk creates the best creamy consistency and is what I always recommend. I prefer unsweetened almond milk in mine, but any milk (regular or plant-based) will do.
- Yogurt - While not all overnight oats recipes include yogurt, I always recommend adding this for the extra creaminess and thickness it provides. I prefer Greek yogurt, but you can use whatever you like.
- Chia seeds - Chia seeds are key to adding thickness and creaminess to overnight oats. When they soak in liquid, they gelatinize and expand in size into a thick texture - and have the added bonus of also being packed with nutrients!
- Maple syrup (or other sweetener) - I use maple syrup to add some sweetness to overnight oats - but you can also use honey, agave nectar, or any other sweetener of your choice.
- Salt (optional) - This is optional, but a pinch of salt can help bring out the flavours even more, particularly if you add in other ingredients and mix-ins.
How to Make Overnight Oats (3 Steps)
The easy base recipe formula is super simple and can be prepped in under 5 minutes. After experimenting with different quantities, I've found that this ratio of ingredients creates the best texture and flavour that provides the most versatility when combined with other ingredients.
This will make 1 serving of overnight oats, but you can increase the quantities by using this same ratio of ingredients.
STEP 1: In a mason jar (or other sealable container), combine rolled oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup (or other sweetener).
STEP 2: Mix it all together, snap on an air-tight lid, and refrigerate overnight.
STEP 3: The next morning, the oats will have softened into a thick, creamy texture that's ready to eat straight out of the fridge. Enjoy it as-is for a classic overnight oats, or top it off with some berries, nuts, seeds, whatever you like. It's that simple!
If you'd like to take your overnight oats up a notch, you can then use this base recipe to create different unique flavour combinations by experimenting with all sorts of mix-ins. Be as creative as you like!
Add-Ins and Toppings
The options and possibilities for add-ins and toppings are endless. Here are some of my favourites:
- Chopped fruits - a no-brainer add-in. You can mix it up with fresh, frozen, or canned fruits.
- Dried fruits - raisins and dried cranberries are fantastic as toppings.
- Nuts - chopped almonds, pecans, cashews, pistachios - any type you can think of. Nuts are a great way to add some healthy fats.
- Seeds - pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, ground flax, sunflower seeds - nutritious and adds a bit of crunch for a more interesting texture in every bite.
- Nut or seed butters - peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower seed butter - adds delicious thickness, creaminess, and protein.
- Spices - mix in ground cinnamon or cocoa powder for a yummy boost of flavour!
- Protein powder - for a nutritional boost. Make sure to add a bit of extra milk to offset the dryness from the powder.
- Jams and purees - unsweetened apple sauce, fruit jams, pumpkin puree - all super easy to add for a boost of flavour.
- Vanilla extract - a classic add-in (to anything, really) for a pop of vanilla.
- Instant coffee - you can use powdered instant coffee or a shot of espresso.
- Chocolate chips - just a few. Okay, maybe more than a few.
- Coconut flakes - goes great with pineapple for a Pina Colada!
- Granola - an easy mix-in for a crunchy texture.
How to Store
Overnight oats can typically be stored in the fridge for up to 5 days, making them perfect for meal prep on a Sunday night to have breakfast ready for the work week. Some ingredients (such as certain fruits) may not last as long, so use your judgement. Make sure to use an air-tight container, such as a mason jar.
What Jars Should I Use?
My go-to jar for making these overnight oats is a 16-ounce (473 ml) wide-mouth mason jar. They have a wide mouth opening that makes it easy to clean and stir ingredients in, are the perfect height for mess-free stirring while leaving room for additional toppings, and provide an air-tight seal for freshness.
Meal Prep
While this recipe makes 1 serving at a time, I like to batch-prep multiple servings in advance of my work week. Typically, if I'm preparing 4 servings, I'll use a large mixing bowl and combine 2 cups of oats, 2 cups of milk, 1 cup of yogurt, ¼ cup of chia seeds, and ¼ cup of maple syrup. Give it all a mix, and then portion them out into separate mason jars to refrigerate. Each morning, I can then simply add-in whatever toppings I'm in the mood for.
Toasty's Tips
- Make sure you are using the right kind of oats - old-fashioned rolled oats.
- Although overnight oats will be ready after 2-3 hours in the fridge, for best results, I recommend leaving them in the fridge overnight to let them really soften up.
- If you find the overnight oats to be too thick after refrigerating, add a splash of milk and mix again until you reach your desired consistency.
- Feel free to add nutritional supplements (such as protein powder) for a boost - but make sure to also add more milk to offset the dryness from the powder.
FAQ
Can I use steel cut oats or quick oats?
I do not recommend using steel cut, quick, or instant oats as they do not absorb liquid, or soften and thicken up like old-fashioned rolled oats do.
Can I eat overnight oats warmed up?
Yes! I get this question asked a lot - you can absolutely heat up overnight oats if you prefer. During the colder winter months, I throw mine into the microwave for a quick 30-40 seconds. Just make sure you are using a microwave-safe container when doing so!
Do I have to refrigerate overnight?
If you're in a rush and can't wait until the next day, I suggest refrigerating for at least 2-3 hours at a minimum to give the oats time to soften - but the longer it soaks, the better the texture.
📖 Recipe
Easy Overnight Oats
Suggested Equipment
Ingredients
Oats Base
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Toppings
- your choice of toppings (nuts, berries, fruits, nuts, seeds, etc.)
Instructions
- In a mason jar (or other sealable container), combine rolled oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup (or other sweetener).
- Mix it all together, snap on an air-tight lid, and refrigerate overnight.
- The next morning, the oats will have softened into a thick, creamy texture that's ready to eat straight out of the fridge. Enjoy it as-is for a classic overnight oats, or top it off with some berries, nuts, seeds, whatever you like. It's that simple!
Notes
- Video: Watch the step-by-step video tutorial here.
- Storage: Store them in an air-tight container for up to 5 days in the fridge. I like to use Mason jars (16-oz), with a wide mouth opening that makes it easier to clean and stir ingredients in.
- Make sure you are using the right kind of oats - old-fashioned rolled oats.
- Although overnight oats will be ready after 2-3 hours in the fridge, for best results, I recommend leaving them in the fridge overnight to let them really soften up.
- If you find the overnight oats to be too thick after refrigerating, add a splash of milk and mix again until you reach your desired consistency.
- Feel free to add nutritional supplements (such as protein powder) for a boost - but make sure to also add more milk to offset the dryness from the powder.
STEP-BY-STEP VIDEO
You can find step-by-step video tutorials for all of my recipes on my YouTube Channel. There you'll find many more tips and tricks to help you along!
Nutrition
Note: Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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