Overnight Oats (Simple Base Recipe)

A bowl of oats, sliced banana, blue berries and walnuts.

5 from 1 vote

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.

Prep Time5

Cook Time0

Resting Time12

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Diet: Gluten Free

Servings:

Calories: 227kcal

Author: Leigh Anderson

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

A Note about Oats: Avoid quick, thick-cut and steel-cut oats here as they won’t retain the right texture. Overnight Oats work best with rolled oats. I love the sprouted (sprouted oats are fine!) rolled oats from One Degree Organic Foods.

Toppings:

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.

Storage and Shelf Life: Overnight Oats will stay fresh for up to three days stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will continue to soften as they sit, which may be ideal if you like your oatmeal very creamy.

Nutrition