Overnight Oats - 15 NEW Recipes! (2024)

Oatmeal Recipes

by Chocolate Covered Katie

4.97 from 400 votes

How to make overnight oats, for a super healthy and filling breakfast you can take on-the-go!

Overnight Oats - 15 NEW Recipes! (2)

Breakfast Overnight Oats

1 recipe + 15 flavors = endless healthy breakfast possibilities

Be sure to bookmark this post, so you can try a new flavor every day of the week!

All of the prep work is done the night before, giving you an instant healthy breakfast the next morning whenever you’re ready. With fifteen different flavors to choose, breakfast will never be boring again!

You may also like these homemade Protein Bars

Overnight Oats - 15 NEW Recipes! (4)

Overnight oats in a jar

Any small container works here. I bought these adorable Le Parfait Overnight Jars specifically for this recipe – and now I’m obsessed and use the jars all the time for everything!

To make the recipe, simply add 1/2 cup oats and a pinch of salt to a mason jar or tupperware container. Stir in everything else, put the lid on the jar and shake well, then refrigerate overnight. The next day, just stir and enjoy.

Do you eat them hot or cold?

They are delicious either way! Just make sure to prepare the oats in a heat-safe container if you plan to microwave or warm them in the oven the next morning.

You could also transfer the prepared oats to a small saucepan and heat them up that way. If using yogurt, it’s best to not cook them; and especially in the warmer months, I like to eat them cold.

If you prefer to bake your oatmeal in the oven instead of eating it cold or cooking on the stovetop or microwave, try this recipe for Baked Oats.

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Are they good for meal prep?

Stored covered in an airtight container in the fridge, the overnight oatmeal will last about five days, so it’s great to meal prep in advance for the week. You can also portion out extra servings of the dry ingredients into ziploc bags for your own homemade instant oatmeal packets like Quaker.

The original version has 6 Weight Watchers SmartPoints.Overnight oats are the perfect healthy solution if you’re one of those people who like to have breakfast as soon as they get up in the morning.

Can you make overnight steel cut oats?

You can! The results will have a chewy texture that some might even prefer to a version made with quick or rolled oats. They’re less chewy if you make them more than a day in advance.

Can you make vegan overnight oats?

Yes, they make a great vegan breakfast. Feel free to try out different plant-based milks in the recipe – almond milk, coconut milk, ricemilk, cashewmilk, soy milk, or even oat milk – to find your favorites.

Technically, you could use water instead of milk, but the results will be much less creamy. Most regular grocery stores will sell at least one brand of nondairy yogurt, and some even have vegan Greek yogurt.

Or you can skip the yogurt and just add more milk in its place. The recipe is suitable for many gluten free diets as well and is super versatile!

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Overnight oatmeal flavors

  • Peanut Butter Overnight Oats: Add 2 tbsp peanut butter to the recipe. Throw in a handful of mini chocolate chips if desired.
  • Chocolate Chip Cookie: Use vanilla yogurt or add 1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract. Stir in 3-4 tsp chocolate chips, optional crushed walnuts, and a dash of cinnamon.
  • Nutella: Use your favorite brand of chocolate hazelnut spread or my Homemade Nutella recipe as the nut butter. Add 1 tbsp regular and 1/2 tbsp dutch or additional regular cocoa powder. Top with toasted hazelnuts if you want.
  • Blueberry Overnight Oats: Use fresh or frozen blueberries as the fruit. You can also use blueberry yogurt if you wish.
  • Monkey Oats: Substitute mashed banana for the yogurt. Add 1-2 tbsp peanut butter and a handful of mini chocolate chips. Or top your oatmeal with Banana Ice Cream.
  • Banana Bread: Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1-2 tbsp crushed walnuts or pecans with the dry ingredients. Use sliced banana as your fruit of choice.
  • Cinnamon Apple: Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon or apple pie spice. Use diced apple as your fruit of choice, and add 1-2 tbsp raisins and some crushed walnuts if desired.
  • Mint Chocolate Chip: Add 1/8 to 1/4 tsp pure peppermint extract, depending on desired strength. Stir in 2-4 tsp mini chocolate chips. If you wish, you can also add a little spirulina powder for color and added nutrition.

Of course there’s also a chocolate version – just use this recipe for Chocolate Overnight Oats.

  • High Protein Overnight Oats: Stir 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder into the base recipe. Add extra milk if needed.
  • Pumpkin Pie: Substitute canned pumpkin for the yogurt. Add 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon and a few drops of pure vanilla extract.
  • Carrot Cake: Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 2-3 tbsp shredded carrot, and optional 1 tbsp almond or coconut butter. You can also stir in a handful of raisins, shredded coconut, or chopped walnuts.
  • Piña Colada: Use coconut yogurt and coconut milk. Add a few drops pure vanilla extract, and use diced pineapple as your fruit of choice (or skip the pineapple for plain coconut oatmeal).
  • Creamy Coffee: Add 1 tsp instant coffee to the recipe. For an even creamier result, substitute nondairy creamer for half the milk of choice. You can also add 1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract if desired. (Use up leftover instant coffee in this Frappuccino Recipe.)
  • Strawberry Shortcake: Use strawberry yogurt, and replace the milk of choice with either canned coconut milk or nondairy creamer. Use strawberries as your fruit of choice, and stir in some strawberry jam at the end if desired. The same idea can be applied to raspberries, blackberries, peaches, or cherries.

Above, watch the overnight oats recipe video

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Overnight Oats

How to make overnight oats at home for a healthy breakfast you can take on-the-go!

Overnight Oats - 15 NEW Recipes! (9)

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Print Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Yield 1 serving

5 from 400 votes

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats or quick oats
  • 1/2 cup milk of choice
  • 1/2 cup yogurt or additional milk of choice
  • sweetener of choice, as desired
  • 1/8 tsp salt
  • optional 1/2 cup fruit of choice
  • optional 1-2 tbsp nut butter
  • optional 1 tbsp chia seeds, or add-ins of choice

Instructions

  • *This recipe is easily vegan if you choose nondairy yogurt and milk. Options include almond, cashew, soy, rice, oat, or coconut.

    Combine all ingredients in a lidded container or mason jar. Shake well, then refrigerate overnight. The next morning, simply stir and enjoy! If you make the recipe, don’t forget to rate it at the bottom of the post or leave a review. And if you come up with any other flavors, please do share!

    View Nutrition Facts

Notes

Readers also love these Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies.

Have you made this recipe?

Tag @chocolatecoveredkatie on Instagram

Overnight Oats - 15 NEW Recipes! (10)

More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

Applesauce Muffins

Brownie Baked Oatmeal

Vegan Lemon Bread

Easy Cinnamon Rolls

Keto Muffins

Chia Pudding Recipes

Healthy Banana Bread – with an oil free option

Flourless Pancakes

Or these Keto Pancakes

More About The Cookbook

Overnight Oats - 15 NEW Recipes! (2024)

FAQs

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Are overnight oats actually healthy? ›

Overnight oats offer a range of health benefits, due to their rich fibre and protein content. They also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, some of which include manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. This makes overnight oats healthy for your gut, as well as for overall health and well-being.

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

Why are overnight oats trending? ›

Overnight oats is a true power breakfast that provides plenty of strength and energy. This is because of its high natural protein and fiber content that stimulate metabolism. They're complex carbohydrates break down slowly and keep you full for longer.

What makes overnight oats unhealthy? ›

You see, all grains contain something called “phytic acid”—or phytates—in the outer layer or bran, and oats contain more phytates than almost any other grain. So, if this phytic acid is untreated, it will combine with important minerals in our body and block their absorption.

Why shouldn't you put overnight oats in the fridge? ›

If you soak your oats overnight at room temperature (do not put them in the fridge!) between 7-15hrs it allows the natural enzymes and other helpful organisms to begin fermenting the grain and this will neutralise a large portion of the phytic acid.

Can I eat overnight oats every night? ›

Eating overnight oats regularly can be a healthy and convenient choice. Oats are a good source of fiber, which can aid digestion and help maintain stable blood sugar levels. They also provide essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Is overnight oats better with milk or yogurt? ›

Milk: You can make overnight oats with any kind of milk — dairy or non-dairy. If using non-dairy milk, it's best to stick with unsweetened. Greek yogurt: Not only does Greek yogurt make overnight oats more filling, but it also gives the oats a super-creamy texture.

Do overnight oats spike blood sugar? ›

Oats have a low glycemic index, meaning they cause a slower and more gradual rise in blood sugar levels compared to refined carbohydrates. This slow release of glucose into the bloodstream helps prevent spikes in blood sugar, promoting stable glycemic control.

What happens to your body when you eat overnight oats everyday? ›

The Bottom Line

Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer. If you're ready to start your morning with a bowl of oats, try our Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats.

What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

Whatever you do, steer clear of the worst offenders: dried fruit with added sugars, like Craisins or dried pineapple. "These are almost always made with added sugar, if not also an artificial sweetener, says Pennsylvania-based RD Gina Consalvo. "Always choose a fresh fruit instead." Need hard proof?

Is yogurt necessary for overnight oats? ›

No, yogurt adds a creamy texture but it isn't mandatory. You can use nut butter, banana, applesauce, or coconut milk instead. Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds? Chia seeds add a nice thick and creamy texture.

Are old fashioned oats better for overnight oats? ›

Tips for making the best overnight oats

Use plain old fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats. Quick oats will get too soggy when soaked with milk. And do not use steel cut oats because they won't soften enough to eat just with milk unfortunately.

Do you eat overnight oats cold? ›

It's not complicated at all! Typically, overnight oats are eaten cold, which is perfect for the hotter months. Overnight oatmeal is no-cook and doesn't need to be heated, but you may find yourself wanting a warm breakfast instead.

Why are my overnight oats bitter? ›

Prior research with oats has shown that bitterness and associated off-flavours are linked to the accumulation of free fatty acids, their volatile oxidation products, and possibly amino acids and certain phenols.

What not to mix with oats? ›

Some unhealthy toppings for oatmeal include:
  • Sugary syrups like maple syrup or honey.
  • Candied or dried fruit with added sugar.
  • Chocolate chips or other candy.
  • Sweetened whipped cream or heavy cream.
  • Granola or other high-sugar cereals.
  • Sweetened coconut flakes.
  • Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
Feb 13, 2023

Can you mess up overnight oats? ›

Using the wrong oat-to-milk ratio: If you don't add enough milk, some of the oats will soak up all of the liquid before the rest of the oats can absorb any, creating an uneven texture. Some oats will be very soft while others might still be chewy.

What to avoid with oats? ›

Sugar and syrup and honey, oh my! While sugar (in any form) may make your mouth water and oatmeal taste delicious, it can also be dangerous for your health. Eating too much added sugar can contribute to obesity and diabetes, along with affecting your cardiovascular system (per Harvard Health Publishing).

Can overnight oats be bad? ›

Overnight oats are not fattening, but if the ingredients you mix into them are high in fat, yes, they may cause you to gain weight. So, it is important to choose the things you put into your overnight oats. There are tips already mentioned in this blog about what to put into your overnight oats.

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