Once you learn how to make overnight oats, the second half of your life begins. Cold oats may not always seem appealing, but an easy breakfast that is ready to eat when you wake up is. The best part? (you can warm them up).
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While I enjoy a bowl of hot oatmeal now and again, a cold bowl of creamy oatmeal is a lot more delicious than I ever could have realized, especially when it's already 80 degrees F by morning (gotta love Florida summers).
This recipe is super simple and easy to make. It also makes large sized portions. You'll be feeling fuller longer and feel great about eating this oatmeal recipe!
There are so many creative variations to overnight oats like Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats, Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats, and Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats. Once you have the basics down, you can adapt, change, and modify your oats however you like!
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- A superior choice. These overnight oats are genuinely delightful, offering natural flavors, protein, fiber, and more. It's a breakfast that you can enjoy guilt-free. Even recipes like Oreo Overnight Oats feel pretty well-balanced.
- They're flavorful. Overnight oats can be incredibly versatile and made to taste like whatever you want! Add peanut butter, fresh fruits, etc, and create a bowl that's as appealing to look at as it is to eat.
- They're great for meal prepping! Make enough to last the week and wake up to breakfast already made. And because they're cheap, they're great for Meal Planning on a Tight Budget!
🛒 Ingredients
Old fashioned oats- This is the base of the recipe. These oats will soak up liquid overnight to soften without the need to cook them.
Greek yogurt- Adding Greek yogurt will make the oatmeal thicker and creamier.
Toppings of choice- You can add anything from fresh berries to nut butters, actual nuts and seeds, chocolate chips or cinnamon. There's no limit to what you can add as a topping! You can even just use sprinkles and create some Birthday Cake Overnight Oats.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
🔀 Substitutions & Variations
Oats. Old-fashioned oats work best, but steel-cut or quick-cook steel-cut oats can be used for a slightly chewier texture.
Milk: Use whole milk, low-fat milk, almond milk, coconut milk, or any milk of choice. Water or coffee creamer can also be used in a pinch.
Sweetener. Honey, maple syrup, agave, or your preferred sweetener all work well.
Yogurt. Plain or flavored yogurt is fine; Greek yogurt gives the thickest and creamiest texture.
Mix-ins. Add peanut butter, chocolate chips, fresh fruit, cinnamon, or nuts to customize your oats. You can also prep plain oats and stir in flavor add-ins right before serving.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use store brands. Generic oats, yogurt, and milk are just as good but far cheaper.
Buy fruit on sale. Use in-season or frozen fruit for toppings. They're more affordable and just as tasty.
Make in bulk. Prep several jars at once to save time and reduce waste. One batch provides very filling servings that can easily stretch into two meals.
Skip specialty add-ins. Keep toppings simple to stay budget-friendly; nuts, seeds, or fruit can be optional.
🥄 Instructions for How to Make Overnight Oats
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, add the milk, yogurt, vanilla, and maple syrup.
Step 2: Whisk together until smooth.
Step 3: Add the salt and chia seeds (if using).
Step 4: Whisk well to combine.
Step 5: Add in the oats.
Step 6: Stir until combined.
Step 7: Add in any of your desired add-ins.
Step 8: Divide the mixture into 2 8-ounce containers with fitted lids.
Step 9: Let rest for 6 or more hours (overnight is best, but you can do up to 5 days if meal prepping).
Step 10: In the morning, adjust the consistency by adding in more milk until thinned to your liking, or enjoy it thick as-is. Top with any toppings of choice and enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Warm or cold. Enjoy your oats chilled or warm them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes for a cozy version.
- Chia seeds optional. Chia thickens the oats as they sit. For thinner oats, stir in extra milk in the morning.
- Without chia seeds. Simply omit them, rolled oats will still thicken naturally and may not need extra liquid
❄️ Storage and Make Ahead
Storage: Overnight oats keep for up to 5 days in the fridge, making them perfect for weekly meal prep.
Make Ahead: The oats will be chewy if eaten right away. Let them rest 4-6 hours (or overnight) for the best creamy texture.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Enjoy these oats with fresh fruit, a hard-boiled egg for extra protein, or a slice of toast. They also pair well with coffee, smoothies, or a simple fruit salad for a fuller breakfast.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
While rolled oats are the most common choice for overnight oats due to their quick absorption, you can use steel-cut oats if you prefer a heartier texture. However, they may require a longer soaking time and may not become as creamy as rolled oats.
You can consume your oats immediately after mixing, but they will have a chewy texture. For improved consistency and texture, it's best to allow them to rest for a minimum of 4 to 6 hours, although I often find myself waiting as little as 30 minutes. An extended resting time allows the oats to fully absorb the liquid and achieve their desired consistency.
Assuming you have all of the ingredients already, prepping the oats actually only takes about 2-5 minutes. Measure, whisk, pour into containers, and chill. You'll need about 6 hours of patience as you wait for the oats to be ready to eat though.
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🐝 If you tried learned How to Make Overnight Oats, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup milk - ($0.10)
- 1 cup Greek yogurt - ($0.64)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional - ($0.03)
- 2-4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey - ($0.08)
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds, optional - ($0.03)
- ¼ teaspoon salt - ($0.01)
- 1 ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats - ($0.18)
Optional Toppings
- fresh berries
- nut butter
- nuts
- seeds
- chocolate chips
- ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix Base. In a bowl, whisk together the milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract if using, and maple syrup or honey until smooth.
- Season. Whisk in the chia seeds if using and the salt.
- Add Oats. Stir in the oats until fully combined.
- Portion. Divide the mixture evenly between two 8 ounce containers with lids.
- Chill. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Serve. Stir well and add additional milk to adjust consistency if desired. Top with your choice of toppings before serving.
Notes
- Oats. Old fashioned oats work best for texture.
- Milk Options. Any dairy or nondairy milk works, including almond, coconut, or coffee creamer.
- Sweeteners. Honey, maple syrup, agave, or liquid sugar substitutes can be used.
- Yogurt Choice. Plain or flavored yogurt works, including Greek or regular.
- Texture. Chia seeds thicken the oats as they sit. Add more milk to loosen if needed.
- Storage. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Best texture after 4 to 6 hours.
Nutritional Information
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