These easy overnight oats are really meal prep friendly and make for the perfect grab-and-go breakfast option.
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While breakfast is arguably the most important meal of the day, the brisk pace of the morning can sometimes make enjoying a balanced breakfast incredibly difficult. These overnight oats are a great solution to the morning time hustle and a great option for starting your day off right!
Overnight oats are oats that have soaked overnight (or over several nights) and are ready to eat the following morning without having to heat or boil any liquid to cook the oats.
Recipe Ingredients
- ½ cup of old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup of your milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon of maple syrup
Ingredient Modifications
- Add spices – stir in a pinch of seasonings – cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, and/or cardamom add warmth and earthiness.
- Add protein powder – stir in a scoop of protein powder, plus a little extra milk, for an extra boost of protein. Get the scoop on our very favorite protein powders here.
- Add toppings – top with fruit (strawberries, blueberries, banana, etc.), shredded coconut, granola, nut butter, hemp hearts, cacao nibs, jam, chopped nuts…let your imagination run wild!
How to Prepare Overnight Oats
- Prep your oats – the night before you’re ready to enjoy your oats, add the oats, chia seeds, milk, and maple syrup to a mason jar or resealable container and stir to combine. Seal and transfer to the fridge to set overnight.
- Stir, top, and enjoy – when you’re ready to enjoy, stir the oats and garnish with desired toppings!
Overnight Oats Add-Ins + Variations
There are so many great ways to enhance your overnight oats. Here are some ideas:
- Add protein – stir in a scoop of protein powder, a spoonful or two of your favorite nut butter, flax seeds, or Greek yogurt.
- Add texture – stir in some chopped nuts (pecans, almonds, walnuts, and peanuts are all great options), granola, dark chocolate chips, or cacao nibs.
- Add citrus – add some lime or lemon juice, plus the zest of either, to your mix for a delicious tartness.
- Carrot cake inspired – stir in some shredded carrots, cinnamon, and raisins for a carrot cake take on your overnight oats.
- Tropical inspired – use coconut milk, crushed pineapple, and shredded coconut flakes for a tropical twist on breakfast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rolled oats are made through a process of dehusking an oat grout, steaming it, and rolling it into a flake. This is how they get their flat shape.
Yes! This recipe is really versatile and works well with all dairy-free milks.
They can be! Oats themselves are inherently gluten-free, but can sometimes become contaminated if they are processed in a facility that is not dedicated gluten-free, so if you need to avoid gluten for dietary reasons, make sure you purchase oats that are certified gluten-free.
Stored in an airtight container, overnight oats are good for up to 5 days in the fridge.
More Favorite Overnight Oat Recipes
Creamiest Overnight Oats Recipes
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- The night before you're ready to enjoy your oats, add the oats, chia seeds, milk, and maple syrup to a mason jar or resealable container and stir to combine. Seal and transfer to the fridge to set overnight.
- When you're ready to eat your overnight oats, stir them, garnish with desired toppings, and enjoy!
Recipe Notes
- Add spices – stir in a pinch of seasonings – cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, and/or cardamom add warmth and earthiness.
- Add protein powder – stir in a scoop of protein powder, plus a little extra milk, for an extra boost of protein.
- Add toppings – top with fruit (strawberries, blueberries, banana, etc.), shredded coconut, granola, nut butter, hemp hearts, cacao nibs, jam, chopped nuts…let your imagination run wild!