Overnight oats 101

healthy breakfast overnight oats

Overnight oats are by far one of my favorite breakfasts ever. These overnight oats are easily customizable, quick to prep the night before and are perfect to have as an on the go breakfast.

chocolate Overnight oats

Overnight oats formula

The basic formula I use for my overnight oats is a 1:1:1 ratio of oats, milk and thickener.

I find that this ratio works the best because I always end up with perfect oats the next morning. Some recipes for overnight oats only call for a base of oats and milk. But, I like to add the “thickener” in there because I find that I end up with creamier oats.

Typically I’d use Greek yogurt as the thickening agent because it gives me a nice bit of protein to go along with my breakfast. Plus, it makes the oats even more filling than they already are. Other days I’d use a ripe mashed banana because it also adds a nice hint of natural sweetness to them.

Then after that, I would scoop in a teaspoon of chia seeds and matcha powder for an added superfood kick. Sometimes I’d swap the matcha powder out for peanut butter because chocolate peanut butter oats are amazing!

Dessert for breakfast? YES PLEASE!

Overnight oats with berries

Overnight oats are seriously a life-saver for me especially since I rather sleep in for an extra 15 minutes in the morning than make breakfast!

Although I must admit, I don’t always feel like having overnight oats in the morning because there are days where I feel like having a hot breakfast instead.

blueberry Overnight oats

So on those days, I would simply pour the jar of oats in a large bowl and microwave them for a good 2.5 minutes before popping them back in the jar and heading out the door.

You don’t necessarily have to transfer the jar of oats in the a separate bowl to warm them up but I typically end up filling my jars up to the brim with goodness and since oats expand when heated…

I almost always end up with a huge bubbly cauldron of a jar of oats in my microwave after…so I rather take precautions and avoid the whole diabolical by using a bowl instead.

vegan overnight oats

Overnight oats recipe

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup oats
  • 1/2 cup milk of choice
  • 1 small banana mashed (optional for sweetness)
  • 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (optional for added protein)
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds (optional for added superfood fix)
  • 1 teaspoon matcha powder or cocoa powder (optional for flavor)
  • 1/3 cup of fruit (optional for added deliciousness)

Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients in the order that they are listed above into a jar making sure that you stir the mixture in between each addition.
  2. Let the mixture sit in the fridge overnight or for at least 3 hours.

Notes: If you have troubles with digestion, one way to make the oats more easily digestible is to microwave the oats and milk in the microwave for 1 minute and then letting it cool for 5 minutes before adding in the rest of the ingredients.

8 Replies to “Overnight oats 101”

  1. superfitbabe says: Reply

    I hate raw overnight oats! I usually cook mine the night before and leave them in the fridge to eat!

    1. eatmunchlove says: Reply

      Sometimes I end up doing that too! Or at least partially cook them so they end up being softer!

  2. I didn’t realize you’ve gone self-hosted, Cynthia! Congratulations! it looks great! And who wouldn’t love easy breakfast like overnight oats. Thanks for sharing with Fiesta Friday! XOXO

    1. eatmunchlove says: Reply

      Thank you Angie!

  3. Claudia @Breakfast Drama Queen says: Reply

    I can totally relate to what you said about heating up the oats! I distinctly remember having carrot cake overnight oats erupt all over my microwave several times last year 😛

  4. I’ve always wanted to try overnight oats, so thank you for this easy and delicious recipe Cynthia! Do you use rolled oats? THank you for sharing at FF!

    1. eatmunchlove says: Reply

      I use rolled or quick cooking oats but I find that rolled oats tend to be chewier the next day! Thanks for stopping by Naina!

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