Overnight Oats Recipe with Variations
Overnight oats might be my favorite morning hack. As a family, we don’t have rushed mornings too often, but when we do I make sure to make overnight oats the day or two beforehand. This recipe is not anything new and you can look on Pinterest for even more variations.
What are overnight oats?
If you’ve never heard of overnight oats before, let me change your life here. Instead of cooking your oats on the stove, you let it do it’s magic in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you have a concoction that is perfect breakfasts. They are customizable, so you can make these with whatever floats your boat. Minimal effort, infinite flavor combinations, and nutritious breakfast.
How do you make them?
Seriously one of the most simple foods to meal prep. I make so much at one time that I make mine in a big bowl and then separate into mason jars. However, you could totally make one mason jar or even leave it all in the big bowl. All you do is grab your ingredients and mix together. Wallah!
Here are the base ingredients:
- Oats: Made with old-fashioned rolled oats. Steel cut and instant oats work, but give different texture.
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds give overnight oats some extra thickness and some extra vitamins. However, if you don’t like chia seeds, use ground up flax seeds or leave them out completely.
- Milk: Use your favorite milk. I prefer to use almond milk, but normal cow’s milk or even another vegan milk will work too.
- Sweetener: Use any sweetener you like – honey, maple syrup, a ripe banana, or dates. Or, if you are against extra sugars, leave out completely.
- Extras: Yogurt, fruit, nut butters – they all add an extra pazazz.
Variations
Seriously, the amount of ways you can change this up is probably uncountable. Here are some ideas to try when you make your overnight oats:
- cocoa powder
- shredded coconut
- chopped apple
- shredded carrots
- raisins
- pumpkin
- pumpkin seeds
- strawberries, blueberries, blackberries
- yogurt
- peanut butter and jelly
- chocolate chips
- protein powder
- sliced almonds
Those are just random things I can think of on the fly. I don’t recommend trying them all together at once, but pick one or two and have fun! I really like microwave mine to warm them up, although you can totally eat them cold! Then I top with my favorite homemade granola!
Banana Pie Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned oats
- 2 cups milk
- 1/3 maple syrup
- 2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 small bananas, chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in large bowl. Separate in individual mason jars if preferred.
- Place in fridge overnight or up to 5 days.
- Eat it up! Warm up or eat cold.
Notes
I like to add frozen blueberries or mixed fruit to this variation of overnight oats. If I'm feeling really spunky, I sprinkle granola on top right before serving. Don't be afraid to change ingredients around.
I also really enjoy adding brown sugar for a maple and brown sugar overnight oats. It's like dessert in a cup!
