Want a delicious, healthy breakfast without all the fuss? Overnight oats are the answer to your problems! And with more than 20 easy overnight oatmeal recipes, you'll never be bored with breakfast again.
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I don't know about you, but I'm not a morning person. With kids, though, you absolutely have to get up early in the mornings to start your day. And when it comes to breakfast, I'll be honest and say that a lot of mornings are cereal, toast, or muffins. I just can't pull it together to cook a nutritious breakfast except on weekends. The good news is that I don't have to.
Rhubarb Overnight Oats with vanilla almond milk, chia seeds, and vanilla extract are totally delicious!
These creamy overnight oats are perfect for summertime when fresh rhubarb and strawberries are in season.
What is Overnight Oatmeal?
With overnight oats, you put everything together the night before, set it, and forget it. It is really that easy.
Most overnight oats recipes start with rolled oats mixed with soy, almond, or cow's milk.
After that, you can add fruit, nuts, yogurt, seeds, or other ingredients. The mixture goes into a mason jar and sits in the refrigerator overnight.
Some of the overnight oats recipes require no cooking at all, while some just sit in the slow cooker overnight. Either way, that's way easier than trying to play chef before I've had my first cup of coffee.
A delicious breakfast that essentially makes itself overnight? Yes, please. Sign me up!!
Basic Overnight Oats Recipe
The basic recipe for overnight oats is so very simple. Here's all you need to do:
- Put ½ cup rolled oats into the bottom of a mason jar.
- Pour 1 cup milk (soy, almond, etc) over the oats.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
- Mix in 1-2 teaspoons of honey, agave, or another sweetener.
- Tightly seal the jar and place it into the refrigerator overnight.
- In the morning, you can add other toppings such as fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut, or yogurt.
Apple walnut overnight oats with quick oats, milk (or other milk of choice), cinnamon or apple pie spice, chopped walnuts, and fresh apples tastes just like Fall!
These make-ahead oats are a great way to make busy mornings easier!
Can You Make Overnight Oats Without Milk?
You can definitely make overnight oats recipes without milk, but you have to soak the oats. Simply use an equal amount of any liquid, just make sure the other flavors you're adding are complimentary. Here are some suggestions:
- Water
- Coconut Milk
- Orange Juice
- Soy Milk
- Almond Milk
- Orange Juice
- Oat Milk
- Cashew Milk
Blueberry Overnight Oats are a delicious variation of my base recipe. My kids love it!
These can be made with Greek yogurt or blueberry yogurt. I like to add chia seeds to mine for additional protein.
Sweeteners for Overnight Oats
- Honey
- Brown Sugar
- Agave Nectar
- Maple Syrup
You can also use jam or jelly to add flavor and sweetness.
Tips for the Best Overnight Oats
- Old-fashioned rolled oats work best in overnight oats recipes.
- Let the oats soak for at least 4 hours to become creamy and delicious.
- Lastly, add the toppings in the morning just before eating.
Toppings for Overnight Oats
- Fresh Fruit: kiwi, bananas, strawberries, apples, raspberries, peaches, blueberries, plums, figs, mango
- Nuts: walnuts, pecans, almonds, pistachios
- Seeds: chia, pumpkin, hemp, flax
- Butters: peanut, cashew, almond, chocolate hazelnut, pumpkin
- Other Stuff: mini chocolate chips, cocoa powder, yogurt, peanut butter, coconut
Overnight Oats FAQ
While some might feeling eating uncooked oats can cause digestive issues, overnight oats are absolutely safe to eat!
Overnight oats can be a very healthy breakfast, however, that all depends on how you make your oats. Eating oats for breakfast can make you feel full longer, so you may be less inclined to snack.
It is up to you! There are loads of overnight oats recipes out there and you can enjoy them hot or cold.
Personally, I prefer quick-cooking oats, but you can also use rolled oats, muesli, old-fashioned oats, or steel-cut oats.
Yes! If you prefer your oatmeal to be warm, just remove it from the fridge and pop it into the microwave for 1-2 minutes before adding your toppings.
Easy Overnight Oats Recipes
Here are some of our favorite overnight oats recipes that I think you'll love too!
Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats | The Roasted Root
You'll love these delicious gluten-free and dairy-free overnight oats with fresh peaches, pecans, chia seeds, and coconut milk. You can even add a scoop or two of collagen peptides if you like.
Overnight Triple Berry Oatmeal | A Cedar Spoon
Loaded with calcium and protein, these healthy overnight oats are one of the best make-ahead breakfast recipes out there!
Caramel Apple Overnight Oats | Live Laugh Rowe
If you love caramel coffee creamer, this easy overnight oats recipe is for you! Cinnamon, apples, and regular milk or non-dairy milk make this is perfect for Fall.
Raspberry Almond Overnight Oats | Tastes of Lizzy T's
With raspberries, almonds, chia seeds, and plain Greek yogurt, these overnight oats are packed with 20 grams of protein in each serving!
Vegan Overnight Oats | Living it Vegan
With almond butter and dairy-free milk, this vegan overnight oats recipe is loaded with protein. Add your favorite toppings the next morning for a healthy and hearty breakfast.
Mango Overnight Oats | The Clean Eating Couple
For a taste of the tropics, make these easy overnight oats with unsweetened coconut flakes and fresh mango.
Related: Check out our tropical smoothie bowl recipe.
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Overnight Oats | We're Parents
Cream cheese, peanut butter, and crushed graham crackers make these overnight oats taste like dessert!
You can also use almond butter if you prefer.
Overnight Steel Cut Oats | Well Plated by Erin
This overnight steel cut oats recipe is another healthy breakfast option that's easy to customize with your favorite flavor combinations.
Nutella Overnight Oats | What the Fork
Calling all chocolate and hazelnut lovers! this recipe only has four simple ingredients, including gluten-free oats.
Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit | Chenee Today
You don't have to have fresh fruit in the house to make delicious overnight oats.
Grab your favorite frozen fruits and whip up this easy breakfast in no time.
More Creamy Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Pistachio Overnight Oats | The Foodie and the Fix
- Overnight Oats Recipe with Yogurt | Confessions of an Over-worked Mom
- Chocolate Overnight Oats with Berries | Healthy Nibbles & Bits
- PB&J Overnight Oatmeal | Pink When
- Piña Colada Overnight Oats | Flavor the Moments
- Apple Peanut Butter Overnight Oats | The Lemon Bowl
- Blueberry & Almond Overnight Oats | Living Sweet Moments
- Peach Streusel Overnight Oats | Chelsea's Messy Apron
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats | Fit Foodie Finds
Kat | curlsnchard.com says
Hey, thank you so much for including my superfood overnight oats in your roundup! Going to share it around, already pinned it 🙂
Ang Paris says
It looks so amazing, Kat! Thanks for sharing 🙂