Overnight oatmeal: it’s a creamy, delicious no cook breakfast that’s super versatile. If you haven’t tried it yet, here’s some inspiration to do so! And if you’re already a fan, here are some easy overnight oats recipes to mix up your current routine.
This is is such an easy and yummy breakfast, especially as the weather gets warmer. Just pop it in the fridge the night before and wake up to cool, refreshing breakfast ready and waiting!
(Also, our microwave just broke yesterday, so I’m glad I have a no-microwave needed variation of my favorite microwave banana oatmeal at the ready!)
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I think the best thing about overnight oats are that they’re so fast and easy to make.
A couple minutes of prep in the evening will mean breakfast is ready in the morning. Being too busy to make breakfast is no longer an excuse! The less thinking and cooking first thing in the morning, the better, right?!
Easy Overnight Oats Recipes
Step One: Make the basic overnight oats recipe.
All you have to do is combine rolled oats (gluten free certified if necessary), ground flax and milk (dairy or nondairy) in a jar and shake. (Or, stir together in a bowl or snapware container.)
For one serving, I’d suggest is 1/2 cup old fashioned oats + 3/4 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy) of choice + 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed. Feel free to multiply this for extra servings.
Boom, that’s it for the oats base!
As for the milk, you can really use any kind you like! A couple great non-dairy milk alternatives for overnight oats include coconut milk (so creamy and adds a light coconut flavor) or almond milk (like in these almond milk oats with berries).
Step Two: Add flavor/sweeteners.
There are lots of ways to switch up the flavor of your oats (in addition to adding toppings).
I love stirring in cocoa powder (chocolate for breakfast = fun), honey, maple syrup, vanilla, and/or cinnamon in my overnight oatmeal. But feel free to get creative with other spices or extracts!
For example, my coconut carrot cake overnight oats uses a combination of cinnamon and ginger to add spice and flavor, but it would also be delicious with a shake of nutmeg, too.
Step Three: Add healthy fats (and crunch!).
A handful of nuts or seeds and/or a spoonful of any nut butter adds flavor, crunch, and satisfying healthy fats to overnight oatmeal.
Use your favorites! Some of my favorite nuts include almonds, pecans, and walnuts. As for seeds, I love flaxseed, chia seeds, hemp seeds, or sunflower seeds. Pumpkin seeds would be fun in the fall!
The same goes for nut butter: they’re all tasty in their own way! Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter – whatever you have on hand.
A spoonful or two of Greek yogurt is another fabulous addition to overnight oats! It makes them extra creamy and filling, with added protein.
Step Four: Top your overnight oatmeal with fruit.
Fruit adds sweetness and volume, not to mention fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to overnight oatmeal.
Any fresh or frozen fruit works great. Sliced banana, berries, mango, etc. You can even add shredded veggies, like carrots or zucchini, for a carrot cake or zucchini bread-inspired oats flavor.
I love how frozen fruit defrosts overnight and creates a juicy sauce for your oatmeal in the morning! Fresh fruit is best added in the morning just before you dig in to your oats, so the fruit doesn’t get soggy.
Storage Tips
How you store your overnight oats depends on how you plan to eat them.
If you’re making oatmeal for your entire family and you plan to eat it at home, you can make your overnight oats in a large mixing bowl, then cover with saran wrap or a re-usable bowl cover and place it in the fridge. Just multiply the recipe for the correct amount of servings!
If you’re planning to eat your oatmeal on the go, it’s best to store the oats in individual containers like a mason jar (Amazon affiliate link) or re-purposed jam jar.
Glass or plastic snapware containers work just fine, too.
Overnight oats should last for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, so they’re great for meal prep! They will soften over time, so oats that have been in the fridge longer may be slightly mushier. I prefer to eat mine within 2-3 days for that reason, but you do you!
What are the best type of oats to use?
I recommend using old-fashioned oats (also known as rolled oats), as they soak up just the right amount of liquid and have the perfect texture for overnight oats. Quick oats and steel-cut oats won’t have the same texture.
How to Make Overnight Oats Dairy Free
To make these oats dairy free, you have to do is swap out the milk for a non-dairy milk variety, such as almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk. Coconut milk would be absolutely delicious, too, adding a bit of extra thickness and a hint of coconut flavor. Yum!
I highly recommend trying these carrot cake overnight oats with coconut milk. So tasty!
How to Make Overnight Oats Vegan
Just swap out the milk for a plant-based milk (mentioned above) and be sure to use maple syrup as a sweetener instead of honey.
Next, there are lots of ways to spruce up basic overnight oats. They’re fun because you can get really creative with the toppings. The combinations are endless, but here are six of my favorite easy overnight oatmeal recipes!
Recipe Variations
Let me know which of these flavor combinations you enjoy most – or which different winning combinations you come up with yourself! I’d love to try them. 🙂
Almond Milk Overnight Oats with Berries
Replace dairy milk with almond milk (if desired). Add 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon honey to the base. Top with fresh or frozen mixed berries and sliced almonds.
Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Overnight Oats:
Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, and 1 teaspoon honey to base.
Top with peanuts, banana, and chocolate chips. 🙂
Tropical Mango Overnight Oats:
Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon maple syrup to base.
Top with banana, mango, kiwi, and toasted coconut.
Cherry Chocolate Almond Overnight Oats:
Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon maple syrup to base.
Top with frozen dark cherries, sliced almonds, and chocolate chips.
Chocolate Strawberry Overnight Oats:
Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon maple syrup to base.
Top with fresh or frozen strawberries and chocolate chips.
Banana Bread Overnight Oats:
Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon maple syrup to base.
Top with bananas and pecans.
I hope you enjoyed these easy overnight oatmeal recipes!
Have you ever tried overnight oatmeal? What are your favorite flavorings and toppings?
If you liked this, check out more of my easy make-ahead breakfast recipes:
- Gluten Free Hard Boiled Egg and Cheddar Muffins
- Simple Baked Oatmeal
- Vegan & Gluten Free Granola Bars
- Scrambled Egg Muffins
Easy Overnight Oats (+ Flavor Ideas!)
A basic overnight oats recipe, plus 6 flavor variations with toppings and mix-in ideas to add to this base!
Ingredients:
Basic Overnight Oats
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (certified GF if needed)
- 1 tablespoon ground flax
- 3/4 cup milk (dairy or nondairy)
Banana Bread Overnight Oats
- Base overnight oats ingredients AND:
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1/2 banana, sliced
- 2-3 Tbsp chopped pecans
- **see Notes for more flavor ideas
Instructions:
- Combine oats, flax, and milk (plus any desired spices or sweeteners) in a one-pint jar (or bowl). Add desired base flavorings, screw on the lid, and shake.
- Top with desired healthy fat additions and fruit toppings (if frozen). Put the lid back on or cover, and refrigerate overnight (or at least 3-4 hours).
- When ready to serve, add additional toppings and/or fresh fruit. Enjoy!
