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. 

2 jars of overnight oats with fruit topping

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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.
overnight oats varieties with fruit

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.

Ingredients for making oats overnight with rolled oats, almond milk, yogurt, chia and maple syrup

How to Make Overnight Oats

  1. Add ingredients to a mason jar. Stir to combine, cover and refrigerate overnight.
  2. Add toppings – when ready to serve, add your favorite fruit, nut or seed toppings and enjoy.
Step by step how to make overnight oats

Common Questions

What are rolled oats?

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.

Can I Substitute Almond Milk?

Yes, you can absolutely use your favorite milk such as coconut milk, oat milk, hemp milk, or even dairy milk.

Are overnight oats gluten-free?

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.

Can I substitute the maple syrup?

Try liquid honey, agave, stevia, or your favorite sweetener.

Up close jar of overnight oats with raspberries and nectarines

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 
blueberry lemon and strawberry chocolate chip overnight oats varieties

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

Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe

4.99 from 159 votes
Author: Natasha Kravchuk
Overnight oats topped with fruit
Easy and creamy overnight oats is our favorite make-ahead breakfast. There is no cooking required, just stir and refrigerate overnight for a creamy and enjoyable bowl of oatmeal. It's perfect for weekly meal prep, just add your preferred toppings ahead or when you’re ready to enjoy them.
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chilling Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 1 person

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

*If using a Sweetened, flavored yogurt, you can omit the maple syrup or add it to taste since the yogurt will add sweetness to the mixture.
Note on the nutrition label: since toppings vary, the nutrition label is for the overnight oats only before any toppings are added. 

Nutrition Per Serving

315kcal Calories48g Carbs13g Protein8g Fat1g Saturated Fat5g Polyunsaturated Fat2g Monounsaturated Fat1g Trans Fat3mg Cholesterol208mg Sodium311mg Potassium9g Fiber14g Sugar8IU Vitamin A1mg Vitamin C344mg Calcium3mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Easy Overnight Oats Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
315
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
8
g
12
%
Saturated Fat
 
1
g
6
%
Trans Fat
 
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Cholesterol
 
3
mg
1
%
Sodium
 
208
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
311
mg
9
%
Carbohydrates
 
48
g
16
%
Fiber
 
9
g
38
%
Sugar
 
14
g
16
%
Protein
 
13
g
26
%
Vitamin A
 
8
IU
0
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
344
mg
34
%
Iron
 
3
mg
17
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: overnight oats
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 315

Natasha Kravchuk

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Natasha, the blogger behind Natasha's Kitchen (since 2009). My husband and I run this blog together and share only our best, family approved and tested recipes with YOU. Thanks for stopping by! We are so happy you're here.

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Michelle
    February 1, 2024

    I’ve made this recipe several times and it’s great every time! So versatile with many topping options. Easy and delicious!

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 1, 2024

      Hi Michelle, great to hear that you always love this recipe! Thanks so much for your comments.

      Reply

  • sarah
    January 3, 2024

    Hey Natasha,

    could I make these using steel cut oats?

    thanks!

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      January 3, 2024

      Hi Sarah! They are not the same and will not soften up overnight.

      Reply

  • Jana Pappas
    July 16, 2023

    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.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      July 16, 2023

      That’s so inspiring for us, Jana. Thanks so much for your awesome feedback, we appreciate it!

      Reply

  • Candy Croy
    May 17, 2023

    Was wondering if you can use a protein shake instead of milk for this recipe ?

    Thank you for all your great recipes.

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      May 17, 2023

      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!

      Reply

  • Karisha Cheg
    April 25, 2023

    Great Recipe. I leave it out the Chia seeds because I can’t digest seeds.
    I add cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix with bananas. Yum

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      April 25, 2023

      Sounds good, I’m sure those were great too!

      Reply

  • Elisa Long
    March 30, 2023

    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! ❤️

    Reply

    • NatashasKitchen.com
      March 30, 2023

      Hi Elisa! Thank you for sharing. I’m so glad you loved them.

      Reply

  • Chaitali pashuwala
    February 20, 2023

    Can be used quaker’s regular oats ? Instead of old fashioned rolled oats?

    Reply

    • Natasha's Kitchen
      February 20, 2023

      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.

      Reply

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