You should let your oats soak for at least eight hours (overnight) and you can make them up to five days ahead of when you plan to consume them.
What are overnight oats?
If you’ve never had overnight oatmeal, they’re basically a no-cook method of making oatmeal. So, instead of cooking oatmeal on the stovetop or in the microwave, you soak the raw oats with milk. That soaking process allows the oats to absorb the liquid and soften them enough to eat uncooked. You only need to let the oats soak and rest in the fridge for 2 hours. But, it’s ideal if you soak it overnight…hence the name overnight oats!
The next morning you have a ready-to-eat, delicious, creamy bowl or jar of “oatmeal.” The consistency is like a porridge or pudding. It makes for an easy convenient breakfast that has a more dense and creamy texture than warm oatmeal.
Best of all, you reap all the healthy benefits of oats in a fun grab-and-go breakfast:
- They contain more protein than most grains (5g per serving).
- They’re a rich source of fiber, which helps you feel fuller longer (4g per serving).
- They are a nutrient dense food, which makes your feel more satiated.
How to make a basic overnight oats recipe – the ratio
It’s all about the ratios to get the consistency you like. So try the suggested ratio below and then add more milk or use less milk until you find what works perfectly for you! Once you nail down the ratio of the basic overnight oats recipe, the sky’s the limit with the flavor combinations and toppings.
The ratio you want to use for just oats and a liquid:
Here’s my simple ratio when adding chia seeds:
The above is really my ideal texture, it’s creamy with enough liquid that it doesn’t feel like soup. That being said please adjust the ratios based on your preferred texture. Sometimes it takes a little engineering to get that “just right” bite of oatmeal.
“Really good base for overnight oats. In the morning just combine the add ins. We have tried banana and peanut butter and apple and peanut butter using half a banana or half an apple per person, but staying with 1 TBSP peanut butter. Thankyou!” – Fran
How to Soak Oats for Oatmeal || Soaked Oatmeal Recipe
FAQ
Can I soak oats in milk for 1 hour?
Can I soak oats for 20 minutes?
How long to soak raw oats in milk?
How long must you soak oats for?
How long do you soak rolled oats in milk?
As the name reveals, overnight oats are usually soaked overnight. During these 6 to 10 hours, the oats have time to absorb the milk and soften. The minimum amount of time you should soak rolled oats in milk is 4 hours. Glass jars: the easiest way to prepare overnight oats is to make them in a lidded glass jar.
Is it healthy to eat dry oatmeal, no milk or water?
You can eat oatmeal without milk or water, but it’s probably unpleasant because it sticks in your mouth. If you don’t want to consume it with any liquid, you can consume it with fruits and even vegetables. But don’t forget to consume plenty of water throughout the day as the fibers present in oats will need water for digestion otherwise you may have intestinal problems and discomfort.
How long do you soak oats in almond milk?
Or, try soaking oats in almond milk. Mix the contents of the bowl with a spoon to thoroughly blend the oats and the liquid. Cover the bowl loosely with a paper towel. Place the bowl carefully in the refrigerator and leave it to soak for 12 to 24 hours. The length of time you soak your oats typically affects the consistency of the final product.
How long should you soak oats before eating?
You should soak oats for at least twelve hours before consuming it. The more time you soak oats, the texture will be enhanced and the digestibility will be improved. If you soak it for less time, the texture will be tough and chewy.