Overnight oats have held a special place in my heart since I discovered them in 2009 and you can tell I’m obsessed just by looking at how many different overnight oat recipes I have posted over the years.
They’re such an easy and tasty breakfast that you can meal prep for the week. And the prep is so fast as it only takes about 5 minutes to mix your oats together! I’ve experimented with so many flavors, but in this post I’m sharing my basic overnight oats recipe (plus a few fun variations) and answering all your overnight oats questions.
Can I mix and drink them immediately? Or do I have to wait overnight? Waiting overnight allows the oats and chia seeds to fully hydrate and soften the oatmeal. We recommend waiting four to five hours for the best experience, but some customers do enjoy eating it immediately for a more textured, chewy oatmeal.
How to Make Overnight Oats
Add oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla and sea salt into a jar, storage container with a lid or a bowl. Stir ingredients together. Place in the fridge overnight. If you’re in a rush you can shorten the soak time to 2-4 hours.
The next morning (or when ready to eat), remove lid and give oats a big stir. Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy. You can eat the oats straight from the jar or pour into a bowl for serving.
Like I said, you can mix in different ingredients or add toppings to really take your overnight oats to the next level. Here I’m sharing three fun variations:
I love peanut butter so this is probably my favorite flavor to make. Just mix a little peanut butter into the overnight oats as you make them and then top with another drizzle of peanut butter. I also like adding some chopped peanuts and blueberries.
For a berry version, I love adding fresh berries and a little jam. You can do whatever berries you enjoy most and whatever flavor of jam you have on hand. I love using my strawberry chia jam.
Having a little chocolate with breakfast always feels like a treat and this version is super easy. Just mix a few chocolate chips into the mixture and add a few on top when you’re ready to serve it up. I also like adding a drizzle of nut butter and some banana slices.
Base Recipe (The Perfect Ratio)
The base “recipe” for overnight oats is so simple! I recommend a 1:1 ratio of rolled oats to milk, plus half as much yogurt. So for 1/2 cup of oats, I use 1/2 cup of milk + 1/4 cup of yogurt (or an additional 1/4 cup of milk). These proportions seem to give the oats the perfect consistency, not too thick, but not soupy.
The Health Benefits to Overnight Oats
FAQ
Can overnight oats be made instantly?
Why do you have to wait for overnight oats?
Are overnight oats eaten cold or warmed up?
Do you eat overnight oats from the jar?
Can you eat overnight oats?
Yes, overnight oats can be served and eaten immediately if you have soaked oats for a minimum of 12 hours. Afterwards, you can immediately serve the meal prep at anytime of day.
Can eating oatmeal everyday be harmful?
No. If consumption is carried out without excesses and is within a context of eating and healthy lifestyle habits, with good water intake, there is no risk of eating oats daily. Only specific cases such as people with sensitivity or other situations should consult about the daily intake.
Are overnight oats digestible?
As you already know, oats are a popular whole-grain food because they are easy to cook and also offer impeccable health benefits. Raw oats are not digestible, however overnight oats alleviates the problem by soaking the oatmeal in liquid. So, how long do you soak overnight oats?
How long do overnight oats last?
Overnight oats will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days without any mix-ins or toppings. If you stir in fruit or toppings and then put them in the fridge, they will only last up to 3 days. That is why I recommend waiting to add toppings. You don’t want the fruit to get brown or funky or the toppings to get soggy or mushy.