Learn how to make a perfect batch of simple overnight oats! Creamy and soft oats packed with chia seeds and yogurt, a great make-ahead breakfast.
If you love breakfast then you need to try some of my other classic breakfast recipes, like my classic pancake recipe.
OVERNIGHT OATS RECIPE
Overnight oats are creamy, hearty, and so easy to make! This classic overnight oats recipe gives you a simple oats recipe that you can enjoy plain or customize to your liking for the perfect start to the day. With just a few simple ingredients and a couple minutes, you can prepare breakfast the night before. A great breakfast for busy weekdays, on the go or anytime!
| OVERNIGHT OATS VS OATMEAL– While both use oats, the preparation makes them different! Overnight oats are made the night before, by cold soaking. Whereas oatmeal can be cooked and eaten right away. Oatmeal is hot cooked and typically served warm. While both options are rich in fiber, cold soaking oats enhances digestibility and makes it easier to absorb nutrients! |
WHAT YOU NEED-
- Oats– For the best overnight oats you want to use old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats. You do not want to use any other oats like instant oats, or you will get mushy oats.
- Milk– The key to overnight oats is the cold soaking, and for that you need a liquid! You can use either whole milk, 2% milk, or any other dairy free option. I love using unsweetened vanilla almond milk for my oats.
- Yogurt– Adding yogurt gives the oats protein, creaminess and overall extra flavor! You want to use plain Greek yogurt.
- Chia Seeds– Fresh chia seeds give the oats thickness, and they are packed with extra nutrients! You can totally leave out the chia seeds if preferred.
- Sweetener– To sweeten these oats, you can use honey, maple syrup, agave syrup, brown sugar, or any other sweetener you prefer.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
HOW TO MAKE OVERNIGHT OATS
Although you need to prepare these the night before, all it takes is a quick mixing and it’s ready to go!
- In a container or jar, combine all the ingredients for the overnight oats. (Add any other add-ins that you want to add.)
- Mix until well combined. Close with a lid and transfer to the fridge and allow it to soak overnight.
- In the morning, top with your favorite toppings and enjoy.
| LARGE BATCH– If you want to make a large batch, below in my detailed recipe card I list out the ingredients for 4 servings! You can prepare it in a large bowl and then divide among jars or just scoop in the bowl when ready to serve |
OAT TOPPINGS-
Although you can totally leave it simple and just enjoy the oats as it is, you can elevate your breakfast by topping the oats right before serving!
- Nuts– For a crunch add chop chopped nuts to your oats! Sliced almonds, chopped pecans, walnuts, pistachios, or even cashews work great!
- Fruit– Of course you must add fresh fruit to your overnight oats! Berries, bananas, mangoes, apples, pears or any other fruit will work great.
- Seeds– Overnight oats also go great with seeds, such as flax seeds, hemp seeds, or just chia seeds.
- Spices– Add some ground cinnamon, apple pie spice or for the fall season add pumpkin spice seasonings!
- Sauces– Top your overnight oats with some almond butter, peanut butter, Nutella, jam, or any other sauce to bring some extra flavors.
- Protein– If you are trying to hit your protein goals, add some protein powder or swap the milk for protein milk!
OVERNIGHT OAT FLAVOR VARIATIONS-
The overnight oat variations are endless! You can have fun and experiment to find your favorite variation! Here are some popular variations:
- Chocolate– If you are a chocolate lover, then make chocolate overnight oats! Add about 1-2 Tbsp cocoa powder and some mini chocolate chip morsels to your oats when preparing it.
- Peanut Butter Banana– When preparing your overnight oats, add some mashed bananas
- Strawberry– A popular overnight oats recipe is strawberry overnight oats! Add chopped strawberries on top for flavor.
- Apple Pie– Add some apple sauce and cinnamon to your base and right before serving add chopped apples! The ultimate combination of flavors.
- PP&J– Swap your classic peanut butter and jelly for oats but keep the flavors! When ready to serve, add 1 Tbsp of peanut butter and a couple spoons of jam or fruit puree for a delicious combination.
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE:
Overnight can for sure be gluten free, just be sure that you use certified gluten free oats!
For the best results, you want to wait 6-12 hours before enjoying your oats, the soaking time is key.
Once you mix them, you can keep them in the fridge for 3-5 days! This is great for meal prep!
Overnight oats are great both ways! They typically eaten cold with your favorite toppings. But you can warm them in the microwave for a couple seconds to warm them!
You can add some but be mindful that it can tend to be soggy, depending on the toppings.
This could be for several reasons. You could not have soaked them long enough, you didn’t add enough liquid, or you used the wrong type of oats.
OTHER BREAKFAST RECIPES-
Start the day with some of these other delicious breakfast recipes:
Simple Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients
Classic Oats-
- 3/4 cup old fashioned oats rolled oats
- 1/4 cup Greek Yogurt
- 1 tsp chia seeds
- ½ Tbsp honey or sweetener
- 1/2 cup almond milk or whole milk
Chocolate Overnight Oats-
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- Mini chocolate chip morsels optional
- pinch of salt
Peanut Butter Banana-
- 1/2 banana mashed
- 1 Tbsp peanut butter or almond butter
- chopped banana for topping
Apple Pie-
- 3 tsp apple sauce sweetened or unsweetened
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- chopped fresh apples for topping
- chopped nuts for topping
Large Batch- 4 servings
- 3 cups old fashioned oats rolled oats
- 1 cup Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 2 Tbsp honey or sweetener
- 2 cups almond milk or whole milk
- desired toppings
Instructions
Basic Overnight Oats-
- In a container or jar add oats, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, honey, and milk. Mix until fully combined.
- Close with the lid and store in the fridge overnight to soak.
- In the morning, top with your desired toppings and enjoy.
Chocolate Overnight Oats-
- In a container or jar add oats, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, honey, cocoa powder and milk. Mix until fully combined. Top with chocolate chip morsels or melted chocolate for a hard crunch.
- Close with the lid and store in the fridge overnight to soak.
- In the morning, top with extra desired toppings and enjoy.
Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats-
- In a container or jar add oats, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, honey, mashed bananas, peanut butter and milk. Mix until fully combined.
- Close with the lid and store in the fridge overnight to soak.
- In the morning, top with sliced or chopped bananas and any other toppings and enjoy.
Apple Pie Overnight Oats-
- In a container or jar add oats, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, honey, apple sauce, cinnamon and milk. Mix until fully combined.
- Close with the lid and store in the fridge overnight to soak.
- In the morning, top with freshly chopped apples, caramel sauce, and nuts and enjoy.
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