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Overnight Oats Recipe
One of my favorite healthy breakfast ideas is making overnight oats. It’s a no-cook, easy oatmeal recipe that allows me to whip up a meal prep breakfast without a fuss.
Five minutes tonight = grab and go breakfast all week. This easy overnight oats recipe gives you a fool-proof 1 : 1 : ½ formula, endless flavor riffs, and 15 g protein per jar. No cooking, no morning scramble
Whether you’re vegan, dairy-free, or just want a nutritious grab-and-go meal, this overnight oats recipe is super versatile and always satisfying.
I used to skip breakfast way too often mornings are hectic, and I was struggling to find healthy breakfast ideas that fit my hectic lifestyle. That the time I discovered the joy of overnight oats for breakfast. I started making a simple overnight oats base. It’s a no-cook, make ahead breakfast solution that fits right into my busy schedule. In this post, I am sharing with you:
- The overnight oats ratio for perfect consistency.
- How to make special flavours like cinnamon roll overnight oats, apple cinnamon overnight oats, and chocolate peanut butter overnight oats.
- how to adapt it for different dietary needs (like vegan overnight oats recipe or high-protein overnight oats)
- Storage tips, including how long are overnight oats good for in fridge
Why You’ll Love These Oats
Before sharing recipe, let’s talk about why this recipe of overnight oats is such a game-changer:
- 5 min hands on: stir, chill, done. Quick Breakfast Meal Prep, perfect for Busy Mornings
- Balanced macros: fiber + protein keep you full. And no cooking needed.
- Meal-prep hero: stays fresh 4-5 days. Perfect meal prep breakfast. You can make multiple batches at once.
- Budget-Friendly: Rolled oats are cheap and you need a few more basic ingredients.
- Customizable: vegan, high protein, gluten-free, easy swaps given below.
Explore my full Overnight Oats Guide for more tips & nutrition
Base Recipe: How to Make Overnight Oats
Here’s my simple no-cook Easy overnight oatmeal recipe.
Ingredients (1 Serving)
- ½ cup rolled oats (use gluten-free if needed)
- ½ cup milk (dairy or plant-based)(Optional)
- ¼ cup yogurt: It is optional but add a whole lot of protein and boosts probiotics. Yogurt in oats also adds creaminess but skip it if you want to enjoy overnight oats without yogurt
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional, for the extra thickness, this also doubles as a quick chia pudding recipe base!)
- 1 tablespoon sweetener (honey, maple syrup, or agave)
- Dash of cinnamon (optional)- Good for flavour and controls those blood sugar spikes.
Pro-tip: swap ½ the milk for vanilla protein shake to hit 30 g protein.
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients
In a jar or bowl, stir together oats, milk, chia seeds, sweetener, and salt. - Flavor Boost
For extra flavor, add cinnamon, cocoa powder, or vanilla extract. - Seal and Soak
Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours (overnight is best). - Stir & Enjoy
In the morning, stir well. If it’s too thick, add a splash more milk.
Oats to Milk Ratio
I personally stick to a 1:1 ratio of oats to liquid for a creamy yet thick texture. However, if you add yogurt, you might need to adjust the milk slightly to maintain the same consistency.
Quick Flavor Variations & Toppings
One of the biggest questions I get about how to make overnight oatmeal is: “What can I add for flavor?” Here’s a handy list of mix-ins and toppings to get you started:
Flavors You can add to your oatmeal
- Peanut Butter & Banana: Add 1 tablespoon peanut butter + sliced banana.
- Berry Blast: Stir in fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, strawberries) + a dollop of yogurt for a high-protein overnight oats option.
- Chocolate-Strawberry Delight: Mix in 1 teaspoon cocoa powder + sliced strawberries + a drizzle of honey.
- Tropical Twist: Use coconut milk + diced mango + shredded coconut.
- Apple Pie Spice: Stir in 1 teaspoon apple pie spice + diced apples + chopped walnuts.
Best Toppings for Making Easy Overnight Oats
- Fresh Fruit (bananas, berries, peaches)
- Nuts & Seeds (almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds)
- Nut Butters (peanut, almond, cashew)
- Sweeteners (maple syrup, honey, date syrup)
- Crunchy Add-Ons (granola, coconut flakes, dark chocolate chips)
Variations for Different Needs
Vegan Overnight Oats Recipe
- Swap cow’s milk with plant-based milk (almond, soy, or coconut).
- Use a vegan sweetener like agave or maple syrup.
- Check for gluten-free oats if you avoid gluten, too!
High-Protein Overnight Oats
- Add 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt or 1 scoop of protein powder.
- Opt for milk with higher protein content (soy or pea-based).
- Go heavy on chia seeds or add ground flaxseeds.
Easy Overnight Oats Recipe for Weight Loss
- Use a lower-calorie milk or water and reduce sweeteners.
- Load up on fiber-rich fruits (berries, apples).
- Add a sprinkle of cinnamon for flavor without extra calories.
FAQs
Can I Use Instant Oats or Rolled Oats?
Instant Oats: They can get mushy, but if you like a very soft texture, go for it.
Rolled Oats: These need more soaking time (at least 12 hours) and may still be quite chewy.
Can I heat overnight oats?
Yes! Just microwave them for 30–60 seconds if you prefer them warm.
Why Are My Oats Slimy?
That “slimy” texture often comes from chia seeds or certain oat types. Stirring well in the morning (and adding less chia) usually helps fix this issue.
How Can I make High Protein overnight Oats?
Mix in Greek yogurt, protein powder, or more chia seeds (similar to a chia pudding recipe). You can also add a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter.
Tips for Making Easy Oats Without Yogurt?
Absolutely! skip yogurt and just add milk (dairy or plant-based). If you want extra creaminess, try mashed banana or applesauce.
How long can I store overnight oats in the fridge?
Overnight oats stay fresh for 4-5 days in the refrigerator when stored in an airtight container.
Can I use steel-cut oats for overnight oats?
Steel-cut oats are not ideal for overnight oats as they require a longer soaking time and stay chewy. Rolled oats or old-fashioned oats are best.
What’s the best liquid for overnight oats?
You can use any milk of choice, almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, dairy milk, or even coconut milk for a creamier texture.
Can I make this overnight oats recipe without chia?
You can make overnight oats without chia but adding cheese seeds adds a lot of fiber and omega 3
Pro Tips & Storing Overnight Oats
- Prep Multiple Servings: On Sunday, I often make 3–4 jars of overnight oats so I have a quick breakfast meal prep ready.
- Store Smartly: Use airtight containers or mason jars. Label them with the date to keep track of freshness.
Bonus Tips
- Add Fresh Toppings in the Morning
Fruits like bananas or berries taste best when added right before serving. - Experiment with Sweeteners
Maple syrup, honey, agave, or even mashed fruit can sweeten things up. - Portion Control
If you’re monitoring calories or macros, use small mason jars for consistent serving sizes.
If you’re looking for a healthy oats recipe that aligns with your taste and dietary needs, give this easy overnight oats recipe a try.
More Such Recipes
- High Protein Overnight Oats
- High Protein Chocolate Pudding
- Beetroot Oats Dosa
- Homemade Vegetable Masala Oats
- Overnight Oats Guide
- Coffee Oatmeal Smoothie
- Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats
- Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
- Shaken Espresso Overnight Oats
- Brown Sugar Overnight Oats
More Meal Prep Breakfast Recipes
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Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats use gluten-free oats if needed
- ½ cup milk dairy or plant-based; adjust if adding yogurt
- ¼ cup greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds doubles as a chia pudding recipe base
- 1 tablespoon sweetener honey, maple syrup, or agave
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Mix Ingredients:
- In a jar or container, combine the rolled oats, milk, sweetener, and salt. If you prefer overnight oats with yogurt, stir in the yogurt now.½ cup rolled oats, ¼ cup greek yogurt, ½ cup milk
Add Chia Seeds:
- Sprinkle in the chia seeds and mix well to ensure even distribution.1 tablespoon sweetener, 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Seal & Refrigerate:
- Cover your container and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. This is the foundation for your simple overnight oats.
Stir & Adjust:
- In the morning, give your oats a good stir. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash more milk.
Serve:
Video
Notes
Variations & Tips
- Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats: Add a teaspoon of cinnamon, a dash of vanilla extract, and (if desired) a swirl of cream cheese frosting or sweetened Greek yogurt in the morning.
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats: Mix in 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and a pinch of cinnamon. For an extra treat, try a chocolate peanut butter overnight oats twist by adding cocoa powder and topping with banana slices.
- Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats: Stir in ½ cup grated apple and extra cinnamon, then top with chopped walnuts or pecans.
- Overnight Oats Without Yogurt: Simply omit the yogurt and rely on milk. Adjust the liquid if needed for your preferred texture.
- Storage Tip: How long are overnight oats good for in fridge? They stay fresh for 3–5 days, making them ideal for meal prep.
- Overnight Oats Ratio: Stick to the 1:1 ratio of oats to liquid for a balanced texture. Modify slightly if adding thicker ingredients.
Nutrition
