Overnight oatmeal is a great healthy breakfast option that can be easily prepared the day before. It’s even good in just a few hours if you can’t wait. Today, I’ll show you how to make overnight oats, and share 4 our favorite overnight oats recipes!
Overnight oats keep well in the refrigerator for up to five days. So, prepare your oats on Sunday night, and you’ll have breakfast covered for the workweek.
It’s not too often that I prepare something for a post then make it again the very next day. These jars of goodness are a hit in my house. My gang has a clear favorite. Banana Chocolate Chip, what’s not to like? This time I made a few extra. Not only are they good for breakfast but it also makes a great afternoon snack.
This no cook, mix it up and your done, recipe couldn’t be easier. One bowl add your oats (if gluten is an issue use gluten free oats), milk, Greek yogurt, chai seeds for added goodness and a creamy texture, honey, vanilla, bananas and mini chocolate chip. It’s like a delicious pudding for breakfast. Desert for breakfast, great concept!!
There are literally thousands of ways to enjoy overnight oats. Mix and top it any way you like. Fruits, nuts, nut butters, jam, even shredded carrots cream cheese and cinnamon for a carrot cake flavored oats.
The basic recipe includes a few ingredients that you might not want to skip.
- Chia seeds: Chia seeds are not only a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3’s, but they help thicken your overnight oats and make them extremely creamy and satisfying.
- Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is such an amazing, tangy add-in for overnight oats that really enhances the flavor and makes them extra creamy. Bonus, it’s a great boost of extra protein.
- Vanilla extract: You can’t go wrong with vanilla. We almost always add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to all overnight oatmeal recipes!
- Honey or maple syrup: All natural sweeteners are key when it comes to overnight oats. Ditch the table sugar or brown sugar for something more natural like honey or maple syrup.
Basic Overnight Oats
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
- 2/3 cup unsweetened milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flaxmeal
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 0-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
METHOD
- Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into a jar
with a tight-fitting lid. - Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.
Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
- 2/3 cup unsweetened milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flax meal
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 0-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 ripe banana, chopped or mashed
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
METHOD
- Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into a jar
with a tight-fitting lid. - Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.
Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
- 2/3 cup unsweetened milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flax meal
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 0-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh strawberries
- 3 tablespoons softened cream cheese
- Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon
METHOD
- Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into a jar
with a tight-fitting lid. - Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.
Chocolate Coconut Overnight Oats
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
- 2/3 cup full-fat coconut milk (in the can)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flax meal
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 0-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut
METHOD
- Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into a jar
with a tight-fitting lid. - Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.
Make it vegan: Use plant-based milk, plant-based yogurt, and maple syrup for
sweetener.
Make it sugar-free: Drop the sweetener and add 1/2 mashed ripe banana.
Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free oats.
Make it vegan: Use plant-based milk, plant-based yogurt, plant-based cream cheese, and maple syrup for sweetener.
About the Author
Photographer Sally Roeckell specializes in contemporary lifestyle portraiture with an emphasis on food photography. Her Blog, Table and Dish is a website devoted to celebrating and curating the many ways that food binds us. Sally hopes that her recipes and images will inspire you to gather your friends and family in the kitchen to make memories, use the time to connect with busy kids, chat over mixing bowls, get messy, laugh, sing, set the table, clear the table, pass the salt, debate the days topics and pray. You can follow her here as a weekly contributor to 365Barrington and Heinen’s as well as via Table and Dish on Instagram and on her website at TableAndDish.com.
Have you heard about Heinen’s Tasteful Rewards™ program? Sign up for free to receive exclusive weekly specials via email and earn Heinen’s rewards. As a Tasteful Rewards™ membership benefit, Heinen’s will donate up to 1% of your qualified purchases made between September and April to a local school of your choice through their Teaming Up for Education Program. CLICK HERE to sign up for Heinen’s Tasteful Rewards™ and, trust me, this is one email that will always please your palate!
Heinen’s Grocery is located at 500 N. Hough Street, between E. Main Street and Route 14 (next to Meatheads) in Barrington, Illinois. They’re open 7 days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. For more information, visit Heinens.com.
