Easy and creamy Overnight Oats are the best make-ahead breakfast. There is no cooking required, just stir the ingredients together and refrigerate overnight to get a creamy and enjoyable bowl of oatmeal.
It’s easy to make several servings at once for weekly meal prep. You can add your preferred toppings ahead or when you’re ready to enjoy them.
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Overnight oats have become crazy popular over the past couple of years. I first discovered this from Chungah’s Meal Prep Cookbook and from Lisa of Downshiftology, who were both inspirations for this version that we make on our regular breakfast rotation.
We love make-ahead breakfasts from Overnight Cinnamon Rolls to French Toast Casserole and of course Freezer Breakfast Sandwiches. If you are a fan of breakfast meal prep, this Overnight Oats Recipe is a must-try!
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What are Overnight Oats?
Oats overnight is a method of preparing oatmeal with no cooking required. Rolled oats are combined with your milk of choice which softens the oats as they rest in the refrigerator overnight. Overnight oats are typically served cold but can be heated if desired. Here’s why we love it:
- Easy Meal Prep – they can be assembled several days ahead to enjoy throughout the week or to take with you wherever you go.
- Scalable – this recipe takes under 5 minutes to make and you can make 1 or 10 jars at once. It’s so easy when you set it up like an assembly line.
- Easy to digest – soaking oats rather than cooking them helps break down starches so your body can get the most nutritional benefit from the oats.
- Versatile – you can add just about any milk, any yogurt, and any sweetener. There are also dozens of toppings and add-ins you can try. See our favorites below.
- Save money – a single serving will probably cost about 50 cents to make, plus any toppings you want to add.
Ingredients for Overnight Oats
- Rolled Oats – also called old fashioned oats
- Almond milk – or you can use your milk of choice
- Greek yogurt – we use non-fat but whole yogurt would work
- Maple syrup – our go-to sweetener because it incorporates easilly (see substitutiosn below)
- Chia seeds – helps to thicken up the creamy base of the overnight oats
If using sweetened yogurt – you can skip the additional maple syrup since a flavored yogurt usually adds enough sweetness Flavored yogurt is also a great way to change up the taste of your overnight oats. Try blueberry, strawberry, or vanilla yogurt.
How to Make Overnight Oats
- Add ingredients to a mason jar. Stir to combine, cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Add toppings – when ready to serve, add your favorite fruit, nut or seed toppings and enjoy.
Common Questions
Rolled oats are sometimes called Old Fashioned Oats. Rolled oats are essentially steel-cut oats that have been processed and rolled or flattened into oval disks for faster cooking.
Yes, you can absolutely use your favorite milk such as coconut milk, oat milk, hemp milk, or even dairy milk.
Oats are generally gluten-free, but be sure to buy rolled oats that are labeled “gluten-free” to ensure that your oats are not cross-contaminated.
Try liquid honey, agave, stevia, or your favorite sweetener.
Toppings for Overnight Oats
We love to use a variety of fruit toppings for overnight oats, depending on what is in season. Here are some of our favorite flavor combinations:
- Blueberry lemon: 1/4 cup blueberries + lemon zest
- Strawberry chocolate: 1/3 cup strawberries + mini chocolate chips
- Raspberry peach: 1/3 cup peaches or nectarine + raspberries
- Banana nut: 1/2 banana + chopped pecans
Have you discovered this amazing breakfast idea yet? I would love to hear about your favorite toppings for overnight oats in the comments below.
More EASY Breakfast Ideas
- Breakfast Quesadillas
- Green Smoothie Bowl
- One-Pan Breakfast Sandwich
- Breakfast Egg Muffins
- Fluffy Ricotta Pancakes
- Easy Breakfast Shakshuka
Easy Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients
For Each Serving of Overnight Oats:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats, old fashioned oats
- 5 oz almond milk, (just under 2/3 cup) or your milk of choice
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt, fat free or whole yogurt*
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
Topping Combinations:
- Blueberry Lemon: 1/4 cup blueberries + lemon zest
- Strawberry Chocolate: 1/3 cup strawberries + mini chocolate chips
- Raspberry peach: 1/3 cup peaches or nectarine + raspberries
- Banana nut: 1/2 banana + chopped pecans
Instructions
- In a mason jar, add all of your ingredients: rolled oats, almond milk, yogurt, maple syrup, and chia seeds. Stir until well combined then cover and refrigerate overnight.
- To serve, add your favorite toppings and enjoy it out of the jar, or transfer to a bowl and sprinkle on your favorite fruit or nut toppings.
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Natasha Kravchuk
Hi! I'm Natasha Kravchuk. Here you'll find delicious, trusted recipes with easy step-by-step photos and videos. 
Loved this recipe!! How long do they last in the fridge?
Hi Jennifer! About 5 days depending on the toppings.
I’ve made this so many times, it’s definitely a favorite, it’s the reason I buy oats! It’s so filling for such a quick and easy meal. I like to mix in pecans when I make a batch, but your favorite item would work nicely as well. This recipe is a Winner! Winner! Winner!
I finally tried your recipe and enjoy the results. I made the 1 person recipe and the 8-oz canning jar was too small.
Question: What size canning jars are you using in the video?
Hi Daphne. They are 16 ounce mason jars.
I have two questions. Can you use Flax seed instead of chia seeds? Can I use steal cut oats instead of rolled oats?
I haven’t tested that but I think it could work. If you experiment, let me know how you liked the recipe, Regina!
My husband and I love these Overnite Oats!! I make them every evening. My 1 1/2 year old granddaughter is very picky on what she eats for breakfast, when she visits us, she helps me eat mine and gets upset if I eat more than her! We have started to add things like cinnamon, sunflower seeds & now freeze dried fruits. Love them….thank you for the wonderful recipe!
You’re welcome, I’m glad you love it!
A mason jar filled with greek yogurt and chopped fresh fruits is a bliss. Anyone can prepare this recipe since it contain no cooking efforts. Instant and quick recipe and healthy as well.
I’ve made this recipe several times and it’s great every time! So versatile with many topping options. Easy and delicious!
Hi Michelle, great to hear that you always love this recipe! Thanks so much for your comments.
Hey Natasha,
could I make these using steel cut oats?
thanks!
Hi Sarah! They are not the same and will not soften up overnight.
Oh, how we love these for breakfast! My husband, 17-year-old daughter, and I love this recipe, Natasha! We have tried several overnight oatmeal recipes and one pre-made one from the grocery store. This is the only one we all enjoy and have made a few times. We make it with oat milk (it’s so creamy), my favorite way to top it off is fresh blueberries, lemon zest, and some fresh lemon juice right over the top. WOW! So good.
That’s so inspiring for us, Jana. Thanks so much for your awesome feedback, we appreciate it!
Was wondering if you can use a protein shake instead of milk for this recipe ?
Thank you for all your great recipes.
Hi Candy, that sounds like a good idea but I really haven’t tested that yet to advise. If you do an experiment, we’d love to know how it goes!
Great Recipe. I leave it out the Chia seeds because I can’t digest seeds.
I add cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix with bananas. Yum
Sounds good, I’m sure those were great too!
Made these a few nights ago! Turned out great. It was my first time trying them. I love oatmeal, but realized I am not a big fan of super cold oatmeal (texture). I heated just to get the chill off and topped with fresh blueberries, it was perfect! I am making again this evening for tomorrow, adding a dash of cinnamon! Will continue to try and eat them cold though, it will be a great hot summer brekkie! Thank you for your recipes! ❤️
Hi Elisa! Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad you loved them.
Can be used quaker’s regular oats ? Instead of old fashioned rolled oats?
I haven’t tested that but I suspect it could work well with quick or regular oats. The texture would be a little different though. If you experiment, let me know how it goes.