Overnight Oats (Simple Base Recipe)
Overnight Oats checks all the boxes of a perfect weekday breakfast. You can make it in advance; it’s packed with whole grains, fiber and protein, and it’s extremely customizable, both in how you make it and how you eat it.
Ever heard of overnight oats? Kidding – I know I’m extremely late to the party here. In the year 2024, long after it took the internet by storm, I have become an overnight oats convert.
Part of the reason it took me so long to get here is because I really misunderstood the concept. If you run a search through Google or Pinterest for “Overnight Oats” the images are overwhelmingly of mason jars packed with – I’m sorry to say – thick, gloopy looking oatmeal topped with all kinds of different sweet, syrupy toppings. For example, some of the top results on Pinterest are; overnight oats designed to taste like cookie dough, pumpkin pie or strawberries and cream.
It wasn’t until recently, when a friend who was staying with me made a batch of overnight oats for breakfast, that I really understood. It’s wasn’t some thick, gluey porridge pretending to be a cinnamon roll or cookie dough. It’s more like a really lovely bowl of homemade cereal or muesli with ice-cold milk and tender steeped oats dotted with seeds, nuts and dried fruit.
The oat mixture is just a blank slate for all of your favorite add-ins and toppings, mine are: flax and hemp seeds, golden raisins or dates, walnuts, blueberries and sliced banana. It’s simple, filling and totally customizable.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
To make overnight oats you really only need two ingredients; rolled oats (avoid quick and steel-cut oats here as they won’t retain the right texture) and your milk of choice – could be cow’s milk, almond, oat etc. Thats the base recipe. See more on toppings and add-ins below.
*See recipe card for additional notes and ingredient substitutions.*
Toppings for Overnight Oats:
Add a combination of your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and other mix-ins to make your oats your own.
- Nuts: Toasted nuts add a (necessary) crunch to these otherwise tender, soft oats. Try toasted walnuts, almonds or pecans.
- Seeds: Seeds like hemp, chia or flax can be added into the mix early on, for the overnight process, or as a topping just before serving.
- Dried Fruit: Try golden raisins, dates, dried blueberries or cherries – you really can’t go wrong here.
- Fresh Fruit: For me, sliced banana is a must. Blueberries, raspberries, stone fruit and diced apple or pear are also welcome additions.
- Spices and Sweeteners: Warming spices like cinnamon, cardamon, and clove will bring a real autumnal vibe to your oats. A drizzle of honey or maple syrup can add the perfect touch of sweetness.
- Wildcard Additions: Try a drizzle of almond butter, dollop of jam, cacao nibs or toasted coconut flakes – the world is your oyster.
A Note about Oats: Overnight Oats work best with rolled oats. I love the sprouted (sprouted oats are fine!) rolled oats from One Degree Organic Foods. Avoid quick, thick-cut and steel-cut oats here as they won’t retain the right texture.
How to Make Overnight Oats:
Step 1. Steep the Oats
Combine equal parts rolled oats and milk (any milk will work) in a jar or container with a tight fitting lid. Steep the oats in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4 hours.
Step 2. Serve
To serve, divide the steeped oats between bowls and top with your desired toppings.
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Overnight Oats (Simple Base Recipe)
Ingredients
Base Recipe:
- 1 cup rolled oats see note
- 1 cup milk can be cow's milk or any alternative milk
Optional Add Ins:
- 1 teaspoons chia, flax or hemp seeds
- 1/4 cup raisins, dates or other dried fruits
- 1 whole banana sliced
- 1/2 cup1 blueberries
Instructions
- In a glass jar or food storage container, combine equal parts oats and milk, place in the refrigerator for at least four hours or up to 24.
- To serve, divide the overnight oats between bowls, top with your desired toppings. Serve cold.
Notes
- Nuts: Toasted nuts add a (necessary) crunch to these otherwise tender, soft oats. Try toasted walnuts, almonds or pecans.
- Seeds: Seeds like hemp, chia or flax can be added into the mix early on, for the overnight process, or as a topping just before serving.
- Dried Fruit: Try golden raisins, dates, dried blueberries or cherries – you really can’t go wrong here.
- Fresh Fruit: For me, sliced banana is a must. Blueberries, raspberries, stone fruit and apple are also known to make an appearance in my morning oats.
- Spices and Sweeteners: Warming spices like cinnamon, cardamon, and clove will bring a real autumnal vibe to your oats. A drizzle of honey or maple syrup can add the perfect touch of sweetness.
- Wildcard Additions: a drizzle of almond butter, dollop of jam, almond butter, cacao nibs or toasted coconut flakes – the world is your oyster.
