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
Filed Under
Hi Natasha, Love your recipes. Can you tell me what size mason jars you use for this recipe. I clicked on mason jars in your recipe but it said page could not be found. Thank you and can’t wait to try this.
Hi Beverly, this is the mason jar that I used and I tested the link and it works.
Thank you Natasha . I can’t wait to try this. This link works now that you gave me.I am going to order some now.
Sounds great! 🙂
im a little confused natasha, am i supposed to cook the rolled oats first? also you stated i can use any yogurt i want so if i use yoplait strawberry then i can skip maple syrup because the yogurt has flavor already? rather can i use honey instead of maple syrup?
Hi Daria! No, you do not need to cook the rolled oats first, they will get soft as they sit overnight from the moisture in the dish. Just be sure to use “rolled oats” and not steel-cut oats. You could use whichever yogurt you prefer and honey instead of maple syrup will work great too! I hope you enjoy them.
I have been eating overnight oats 3 times a week since last year when I first saw your post! I love to add frozen cherries overnight. It’s yummy! TY for great recipe ideas & the entertaining way you present it.
You’re welcome, Sharon! I’m glad you love the recipe. Thank you for the feedback.
Hi Natasha. Thank you for all your marvellous recipes. I refer to them quite often.
My question is can I use frozen mixed fruit with overnight oats and if so when do I add them and do I need to defrost them. They have a very strong taste to eat on their own. Thanks
Hi Eunice, you’re welcome. Yes, you could use frozen fruit if you prefer.
I haven’t tried this yet but if you wait to put your fruit in the morning, is this something you can heat up for hot oatmeal?
Hi Katerina! You absolutely can serve it warm, just heat it up and stir it together. Heat just until warmed through. It would probably be best to keep the fruit off if you heat it and add it on afterward.
What if I don’t have yogurt? How much more milk should I add?
You can add just about any milk, any yogurt, and any sweetener. Just add a little more almond milk instead of the yogurt, although the overall product wouldn’t be quite as creamy.
Natasha, HELP!!! I cannot eat yogurt. It gives me a migraine and…I don’t like the sour taste. What can I substitute for it in the yummy recipe? Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It sounds and looks delicious!
Hi Maria, you could either use flavored yogurt or leave it out. Yogurt adds protein and also adds a nice creaminess to the overnight oats, but you could add something like a smashed banana or just add a little more almond milk instead of the yogurt, although the overall product wouldn’t be quite as creamy.
Natasha, Thanks for replying so quickly!!! I will try it with a smashed banana and see what happens. I’ll let you know how it works out.
I cannot eat Chia seeds ,can you please give me some ideas as to what else I can use .thank you
Hi Marina, we love it with chia seeds, but it should work without them! I hope you love this recipe!
Just found out I am prediabetic.Could I makeenough for a week?
Hi Judith. I’ve enjoyed these for up to 5 days in the refrigerator (depending on the toppings). To make them last longer, I would wait to add the fruit when you eat them.
Hi Natasha
I just want to say to thank you so much for the amazing recipes. I love love the things you make and oh the creativity!! I am baking and enjoying it so much and you make it such fun. Got to love you.
Yolandi
Thank you for your good comments and feedback, Yolanda. I’m glad you are enjoying my recipes!
This is my new go-to healthy breakfast. I mistakenly bought Vanilla Greek yogurt instead of plain and, Oh my goodness, it was so good. Now I’m going to experiment with other flavored yogurts.
Yum! Sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing, Stacie!
Hi Natasha,
I love your recipes!
I made the over night oats for breakfast this morning, it was great!! Instead of using maple syrup I used a little strawberry rhubarb jam. And added diced strawberries before eating!!
Yum! That sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing, Dolores!
Love the overnight oats. Where has this been all my life? I used coconut yogurt instead of Greek so I didn’t need the syrup. Great for hot summer days! Love your videos and I use so many of your recipes.
That’s wonderful! Coconut yogurt sounds delicious! Thanks for sharing.
Made this last night and added 1T melted coconut oil for a healthy fat plus toasted sliced almonds with fresh berries in the morning. Also used collagen protein powder in place of chia seeds until I found chia seeds nearby. Love your recipes!
I’m so happy you’re enjoying my recipes, Dianne! Thank you for sharing your feedback with us!
No yogurt on hand. Could I use sour cream instead? I always have sour cream!
Hi Karen, Yogurt adds protein and also adds a nice creaminess to the overnight oats, but you could add something like a smashed banana or just add a little more almond milk instead of the yogurt, although the overall product wouldn’t be quite as creamy.
Hi Natasha,
Could you use frozen fruit…like blueberries and or strawberries
Hi Shirley! Yes, you could use frozen fruit if you prefer.
Love all of your recipes. Can’t wait to try this oatmeal tomorrow morning. You have an awesome family.
P.S. Love your kitchen
Thank you, Noelle! I hope you love this recipe as well. 🙂
I generally make a big batch of overnight oats from a different recipe but this is great for a one-time serving. I did just make it in a deep bowl as I had no jar handy. Covered with plastic wrap overnight. And I think these amounts could be two servings especially with added fruit. Quite filling for me!
Great idea! Thank you so much for sharing that with me, Carol!
What size mason jar is used for this recipe? 8 oz or 16 oz? I feel like 16 would be too much but I can’t really tell what size you’re using.
Hi Paula, the jars I used were Ball Wide Mouth Mason Jars 16 oz [6 Pack] With mason jar lids and Bands.
I love your energy.
I also love your recipes 😋
Thank you for sharing.
You’re welcome! I’m so happy you enjoyed it, Pinnie!
This was delicious! Kept me full until lunch! Another good recipe from Natasha.
I’m so happy you enjoyed that. Thank you for sharing that with us, Liana!