10 Best Overnight Oat Recipes You Must Try Today!

Overnight oat recipes are one of the easiest, most delicious, and no-cook breakfast options that will leave you with healthy grab-and-go breakfasts to enjoy throughout the week. There are many overnight oat recipes with unique flavors and healthy ingredients.

These recipes are all about stirring together a couple of ingredients in a jar, placing it in the fridge, and enjoying the next morning. Preparing one of these overnight oat recipes is very easy and convenient as well.

One of the basic overnight oat recipes is delicious and simple at the same time. Although if you would like to spruce it up, you can add a variety of toppings and mix-ins, including fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, spices, jams, and more.

1. What Are Overnight Oat Recipes?

Overnight oats are a fast and straightforward breakfast or snack made by soaking oatmeal overnight. Overnight oat recipes seem to keep the integrity of the oats intact while avoiding the texture that cooked versions take on. 

Overnight oats are a type of no-cook oatmeal that is prepared the night before and left to soak in a liquid (such as milk or yogurt) in the refrigerator. The oats soften and absorb the liquid, making them ready to eat in the morning. They can be made with a variety of ingredients, such as fruits, nuts, and sweeteners, to create different flavor combinations.

2. Best Overnight Oat Recipes

Most people make overnight oats with old-fashioned rolled oats, toasted or regular. Fiber-rich chia seeds for pudding-like texture, and a spoonful of nut butter to make them extra creamy.

Some popular overnight oat recipes include:

2.1. Classic Overnight Oats:

Mix together old-fashioned rolled oats, milk or yogurt, a sweetener (such as honey or maple syrup), and a pinch of salt. Stir in any desired add-ins (such as chopped fruits or nuts) and refrigerate overnight.

2.2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats:

Mix together old-fashioned rolled oats, milk, or yogurt, a spoonful of peanut butter, and a spoonful of jelly or jam. Refrigerate overnight.

2.3. Chocolate and Banana Overnight Oats:

Mix together old-fashioned rolled oats, milk or yogurt, a mashed banana, a spoonful of cocoa powder, and a sweetener (such as honey or maple syrup). Refrigerate overnight.

2.4. Blueberry and Almond Overnight Oats:

Mix together old-fashioned rolled oats, milk or yogurt, fresh or frozen blueberries, chopped almonds, and a sweetener (such as honey or maple syrup). Refrigerate overnight.

You can customize them as per your taste and preference.

Did you know? that one serving of these overnight oats contains nearly half of your daily fiber requirements? Hence, these overnight oats can be a very good breakfast option.

3. Ingredients Required

3.1. Oats

Although overnight oats are generally made with plain old-fashioned oats, Muesli is a better option for these oatmeal recipes. Formed with cooked old-school oats, nuts, and edible fruits, muesli offers additional texture and flavor. Avoid using quick-cooking oats as they can turn soggy.

3.2. Chia Seeds

These seeds are optional, but adding them to the dish helps to absorb moisture and makes the final product more creamy and tasty. They contain healthy omega-3s and lots of fiber content.

3.3. Nut Butter

You can use Almond butter or peanut butter for a creamy texture. The addition of peanut butter can also give your recipe a unique blend of flavors. 

3.4. Milk For Consistency 

You can use your preferred milk option (almond, coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk, or cow’s milk). You can also use water as a substitute, though the creamy texture and flavor can get affected. 

3.5. Fruit

Adding a fruit would bring more flavors and nutrients. You could use a fruit that stores well for a few days (as in, sliced fresh strawberries, avoid sliced bananas or apples). 

You can top the oat mixture with frozen raspberries or blueberries and they will defrost overnight. Do not try this with frozen strawberries or other large chunks of frozen fruit because they release too much water. You can top your overnight oats with fruits before serving them as well. 

3.6. Optional Sweetener

 Overnight oats are generally sweet enough. However, add a drizzle of sweetener if that makes your oats more enticing.

4. How To Store Overnight Oatmeal

Whether you are making a single serving or 5 days’ worth of breakfast, oatmeals made with these overnight oat recipes can be stored very easily.

Overnight oats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. It is important to use a container with a tight-fitting lid to prevent any spills or contamination of the oats. You can also store them in single-serving containers, such as mason jars or plastic containers with lids, for easy portioning and on-the-go eating.

When storing overnight oats, it’s also important to ensure that the oats are fully covered by the liquid (such as milk or yogurt) used to soak them. This will prevent the oats from drying out or becoming hard. You can always add more liquid to the oats if needed before storing them in the refrigerator.

It’s also a good idea to stir the oats before eating, as the ingredients may separate during storage. Adding fresh fruits or nuts on top before eating can also add more flavor and texture to your oats.

Overnight oatmeal can be frozen and stored for up to 4 days in the fridge. If you have fruit toppings or fruit mix-ins, it is better not to keep them for more than 3 days, as the fruit is likely to go bad first. 

5. Tips for The Best Overnight Oat Recipes

• Make it inside of a jar or a mason jar (with measurement lines on the side) – This way you can prepare and serve the overnight oats all in the same container.
• Use plain old-fashioned oats- Try using old-fashioned rolled oats instead of quick oats because they can turn soggy when soaked with milk. Avoid using steel-cut oats as well because they may not get soft enough.
• Warm oats- Warm up the oats if you prefer them warm in the morning. Although overnight oatmeal is typically served cold, you can eat them warm. Simply place them in the microwave for one minute and make sure that you used a microwave-safe jar.
• Batch suitable for a week- Overnight oats stay good in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, try making a batch on Sunday and have meals prepared for the entire week. Avoid fruits while storing the meal for days.

5.1. Jars Suitable For Mixing 

• Mason Jars: The pint-sized jars are 16 ounces, and the screw-top lid is secure and super easy. You can also get 16-ounce wide-mouth jars.

  Here are some tips for creating the best overnight oat recipes:

  1. Use old-fashioned rolled oats: These oats have a chewy texture and hold up well in the refrigerator overnight. Quick oats or steel-cut oats may not absorb the liquid as well and can become mushy.

  2. Experiment with different liquids: Milk, yogurt, almond milk, soy milk, or even juice can be used to soak the oats. Each liquid will give a different texture and flavor to the oats.

  3. Add a sweetener: Oats can be quite bland on their own, so it’s a good idea to add a sweetener such as honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar to enhance the flavor.

  4. Add a pinch of salt: A pinch of salt helps to balance out the sweetness and bring out the flavors of the other ingredients.

  5. Mix in some protein: Adding a source of protein, such as Greek yogurt, chia seeds, or protein powder, can help keep you full longer and make overnight oats a more balanced meal.

  6. Get creative with add-ins: Mix in some fresh or dried fruits, nuts, seeds, or spices to add flavor and nutrition to your oats. Some popular add-ins include berries, bananas, cinnamon, vanilla, and nut butter.

  7. Experiment with different ratios: The ratio of oats

  ¹

  1. to liquid can vary, so you can play around with the ratio to find the texture that you prefer. Generally, a 1:1 ratio of oats to liquid is a good starting point.

  2. Don’t be afraid to customize: Overnight oats are very versatile, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and flavor combinations to find your favorite recipe.

  3. Weck Jars: Using weck jars would be best but if you plan to “grab and go” with your overnight oats, you might lose the clips. But if you are careful, the 1/4 litre mould jar is the perfect size for the base recipe. 

6. 10 Best Overnight Oat Recipes

6.1. Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Recipe With Almond Milk

This is one of the most simple, delicious, gluten-free overnight oat recipes which you would be able to make only by using 4 ingredients.

Ingredients

• Almond Milk/Coconut milk/Oat milk/Cashew milk – 1/2 cup
• Chia Seeds- 3/4 tbsp
• Rolled Oats – 1/2 Cup
• Peanut butter- 1 tbsp

Procedure

1. Add all these ingredients to a small jar or bowl
2. Give the mixture a few stirs to make sure that the oats have been completely immersed in the milk.
3. Next, cover the jar with a lid and refrigerate overnight to let the oat mixture soften and flavors meld.
4. The peanut butter basic overnight oats recipe is ready. You can make the meal smoother by adding more milk or thicker by adding more seeds or oats.

6.2. Banana Almond Flax Overnight Oats Recipe

Ingredients

• Banana
• Oats- 1/2 cup
• Water- 1/2 cup
• Flax seeds- 2 tsp
• Almond butter- 2 tsp
• Cinnamon- 1/2 tsp

Procedure

1. Add all these ingredients to a small jar or bowl.
2. Give the mixture a few stirs to make sure that the oats have been completely immersed in the milk.
3. Cover the jar with a lid and refrigerate overnight to let the oat mixture soften and flavors meld.
4. The banana almond flax overnight oats recipe is ready. You can sprinkle a few raw almonds for garnishing.

6.3. Apple Pie Overnight Oats Recipe

Ingredients

• Oats- 1/2 cup
• Apple- 1 
• Milk- 1/2 cup
• Maple syrup- 2 tsp
• Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp
• Cinnamon- 1/2 tsp
•  Chia seeds- 3/4 tsp

Procedure

The combination of the two that is apples and oats was inevitable. This simple recipe is perfect for busy mornings. This recipe is more complicated than other overnight oats recipes.

1. Add sliced apples with cinnamon in a saucepan, and add maple syrup for sweetness and salt as per your taste. After a quick 10 minutes, they become tender, soft, and thickened like apple pie filling.
2. Now, mix up the liquid ingredients until they become creamy in structure.
3. Stir and add rolled oats.
4. Layer the oat and apple mixtures into jars and refrigerate overnight. 

Unsweetened almond milk softens the oats and the seeds give them thickness. Maple syrup adds sweetness, nut butter adds a creamy protein boost, and vanilla and cinnamon give a strong flavor to the meal.

6.4. Almond Joy Overnight Oats Recipe

Ingredients

• Oats- 1/2 cup
• Milk- 1/2 cup
• Yogurt/Greek yogurt- 2 tsp
• Maple syrup- 2 tsp
• Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp 
• Cinnamon- 1/2 tsp
• Chia seeds- 3/4 tsp

Procedure

1. Combine old-fashioned oats and seeds. You can use a bowl, a mason jar, or just cups. 
2. Add the greek yogurt and vanilla extract. hen add the sweetener of your choice and the milk. 
3. Mix the overnight oats until you see no clumps. Next, seal the container with a lid.
4. Store in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.  

6.5. Strawberry Protein Overnight Oats Recipe

Ingredients

• Fresh strawberries- 1/4 cup ( diced)
• Almond milk- 1/2 cup
• Rolled oats- 1/2 cup
• Raisins- 6-7
• Yogurt- 2 tsp
• Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp
• Chia seeds- 3/4 tsp
• Cinnamon- 1/2 tsp
• Protein powder- 1 scoop

Procedure 

1. Add all these ingredients to a small jar or bowl.
2. Give the mixture a few stirs to make sure that the oats have been completely immersed in the milk.
3. Cover the jar with a lid and refrigerate overnight to let the oat mixture soften and flavors meld. This is one of the best ways to make overnight oats recipes.

6.6. Pumpkin Overnight Oat Recipes

Ingredients

• Pumpkin puree- 1/4 cup
• Almond milk- 1/2 cup 
• Oats- 1/2 cup
• Yogurt- 2 tsp
• Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp
• Chia seeds- 3/4 tsp
• Cinnamon- 1/2 tsp

Procedure

1. Start with mixing the milk with pumpkin puree, and vanilla for flavors.
2. Divide the mixture between jars and set them in the refrigerator to let the oats soak up the flavors and milk.

6.7. Berry Chia Pudding Overnight Oats Recipe

Ingredients

• Almond milk- 1/2 cup 
• Oats- 1/2 cup
• Raisins- 6-7
• Yogurt- 2 tsp
• Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp
• Cinnamon- 1/2 tsp
• Fresh berries- 1/2 cup
• Chia seeds- 1/2 tsp

Procedure

1. Add all these ingredients to a small jar or bowl.
2. Give the mixture a few stirs to make sure that the oats have been completely immersed in the milk.
3. Cover the jar with a lid and refrigerate overnight to let the oat mixture soften and flavors meld. The carrot cake overnight oats recipe is ready. 

6.8. Basic Overnight Oat Recipe

Ingredients

• Almond milk- 1/2 cup 
• Oats- 1/2 cup
• Yogurt- 2 tsp
• Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp
• Chia seeds- 3/4 tsp 
• Cinnamon- 1/2 tsp

Procedure 

1. Simply add all these ingredients to a small jar or bowl 
2. Stir to make sure that the oats have been completely immersed in the milk.
3. Cover the jar with a lid and refrigerate overnight to let the oat mixture soften and flavors meld. This is one of the most simple overnight oat recipes.

6.9. Chocolate Overnight Oat Recipe

Ingredients

• Milk- 1/2 cup 
• Oats- 1/2 cup
• Yogurt- 2 tsp
• Chia seeds- 3/4 tsp
• Cinnamon- 1/2 tsp
• Cocoa powder- 2 tsp
• Peanut butter- 1 tbsp 
• Banana- 1/2 (mashed)
• Chocolate chips (garnish)- 1/2 tbsp

Procedure

1. To make overnight oats with chocolate,  add all these ingredients to a small jar or bowl. 
2. Stir to make sure that the oats have been completely immersed in the milk.
3. Cover the jar with a lid and refrigerate overnight to let the oat mixture soften and flavors meld. This is one of the most delicious overnight oat recipes.

6.10. Apple Autumn Spice Overnight Oat Recipe

This is one of the most perfect overnight oat recipes with apple and an exciting new flavor.

Ingredients

• Milk- 1/2 cup 
• Oats- 1/2 cup
• Yoghurt- 1/4 cup
• Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp
• Chia seeds- 1 tsp
• Cinnamon- 1/8 tsp
• Apple (diced)- 1/2 cup
• Honey- 1 tsp

Procedure

1. Start by preparing a layer of oats, and add another layer of milk and greek yogurt.
2. Add the small diced apples and garnish with cinnamon and honey 
3. Place it in the fridge and enjoy this oatmeal within the next 24 hours.

7. Health Benefits of Overnight Oat Recipes

A bowl of oatmeal is one of the healthy breakfast options. Here are a few key reasons why you should go with overnight oat recipes.

• It is a nutritional powerhouse – Aside from being rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants, oats contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals that promote a happy and healthy gut.
• Digestible – Soaking oats overnight helps in breaking the starches down and reducing phytic acid.² That means it’s easier to digest and absorb the oats’ nutrients more efficiently. 
• Contains a higher amount of resistant starch – Resistant starch is a natural carbohydrate that helps with things like digestion, weight loss, and increasing feelings of fullness. Frozen overnight oats have high resistant starch than cooked oatmeals.
• Simple ingredients and recipes – Overnight oats require the most simple ingredients available at any home or grocery store. The recipes are very simple and take no time to prepare a hearty snack.

Overnight oats are a healthy and convenient breakfast option that offers a variety of health benefits. Some of the other key benefits include:

1. High in fiber: Oats are a good source of dietary fiber, which can help with digestion and keep you feeling full longer.

2. Low in calories: Overnight oats are generally low in calories, making them a great option for those trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.

3. Good source of vitamins and minerals: Oats are a good source of vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, iron, and B vitamins, which are essential for maintaining good health.

4. May lower cholesterol: The soluble fiber in oats can help lower cholesterol levels, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.

5. May reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes: The high fiber content in oats can help slow down the absorption of carbohydrates

   ³

   and improve blood sugar control.

6. Can be gluten-free: If you choose gluten-free oats, overnight oats can be a good option for those with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.

7. Easy to make in advance: Overnight oats can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days, making them a convenient option for busy mornings.

8. Customizable: Overnight oats are a versatile option that can be customized with different ingredients and flavors to suit your taste.

It’s important to note that overnight oats can also be high in sugar if you add too much sweetener. It’s recommended to use natural sweeteners such as honey, maple syrup, or fruits.

Overnight oats are a great option for morning breakfast, not only are they healthy but can also save time. To make it even healthier you can use certified gluten⁴-free oats, fresh fruit, fresh raspberries, and shredded coconut. These ingredients are very healthy and you can easily find these at any grocery store.

Ingredients like maple syrup, chocolate peanut butter, almond butter, fresh raspberries, and fresh berries can constitute towards best overnight oats. You can use any extra ingredient (like hemp seeds, mini chocolate chips, ground cinnamon, or sunflower seeds) as per your choice for garnishing. Even basic overnight oats recipes can be a great option for a simple meal. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. How Do I Create Baked/overnight Oats or Oatmeal Recipes?

2. What Is Your Favorite Rolled Oats Overnight Recipe?

1. Paudel, Devendra, et al. “A review of health-beneficial properties of oats.” Foods 10.11 (2021): 2591. ↩︎
2. Kumar, Awadhesh, et al. “Phytic acid: Blessing in disguise, a prime compound required for both plant and human nutrition.” Food Research International 142 (2021): 110193. ↩︎
3. Yki-Järvinen, Hannele, et al. “Dietary carbohydrates and fats in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.” Nature reviews Gastroenterology & hepatology 18.11 (2021): 770-786. ↩︎
4. Lundin, Knut EA, Margit Brottveit, and Gry Skodje. “Noncoeliac gluten sensitivity.” Coeliac Disease and Gluten-Related Disorders (2022): 177-195. ↩︎

Last Updated on March 21, 2024 by Suchi