Easy Overnight Oats
623 Comments
Jul 09, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.
Learn how to make the perfect batch of overnight oats! It’s one of the easiest, no-cook breakfast options that will leave you with healthy grab-and-go breakfasts to enjoy throughout the week. Bonus – it’s endlessly customizable!
Why You’ll have These Overnight On REpeat
If you love healthy breakfast ideas but don’t want to do a whole lot of work in the morning, overnight oats were made for you. Honestly, it’s as easy as stirring together a couple of ingredients in a jar, placing it in the fridge, and enjoying the next morning. That’s it! There’s no cooking, baking, and you don’t even get any extra dishes dirty. It’s a total winner all around. Here’s a few more reasons why I love them:
- There are endless options: you can make them as simple or creative as you’d like! The base recipe is delicious and filling all on its own. But if you’d like to spruce it up, you can add a variety of toppings and mix-ins, including fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, spices, and jams.
- They’re great cold or warm: In the summer I enjoy this chilled breakfast straight from the fridge (perfect on a hot summer day). And in the winter I can warm the glass jar in the microwave for 30 seconds for a cozy breakfast.
- They’re a meal prep winner: Sure, you can prep one jar of overnight oats. But you can just as easily prep jars for the entire week. In less than 5 minutes! And who doesn’t love a ready-made breakfast?
Overnight Oats Ingredients
While technically you only need rolled oats and milk to make overnight oats, I always add chia seeds, yogurt, and a smidge of maple syrup in my base recipe. That’s what makes them ultra creamy and tasty!
- Rolled oats: Make sure to use old fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. And remember to look for certified gluten-free oats if you’re gluten-sensitive or celiac.
- Milk: You can use dairy or dairy-free milk (like almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk), and yes, even water works. It just depends how creamy you’d like it.
- Yogurt: A simple Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt provides extra creaminess, protein, and that perfect touch of tangy flavor.
- Chia Seeds: These magical little seeds will gel up in the oats to make it creamy and thick. Plus, they’re loaded with health benefits and give a nutrient boost.
- Maple Syrup: Natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey blend in beautifully. You can always add as little or as much as you’d like.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
Oatmeal versus Overnight Oats
A warm bowl of oatmeal is pretty high up on the list when it comes to healthy breakfast options. But if you have a sensitive gut (as I do), you may prefer overnight oats.
Soaking your oats overnight helps to break down the starches and reduce phytic acid. That means it’s easier to digest the oats and absorb their nutrients more efficiently.
How To Make Overnight Oats (Single Serving)
- Stir it all together. In a small jar, stir together the oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup.
- Let it soak. Place the jar in the fridge to let the oats soak for at least two hours, though overnight is best.
- Add toppings and serve. The next morning, add your favorite toppings and enjoy! Alternatively, you can scoop the oats out into a bowl and add toppings from there.
How To Make Overnight Oats (Large BAtch)
- Make as much as you want. Just double, triple or quadruple the recipe listed below. It’s as easy as that!
- Stir everything together. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup.
- Cover and soak. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it soak overnight in the fridge.
- Serve individually. Scoop out a portion (about 1 cup) from the bowl into a serving glass or bowl. Then add your favorite toppings!
Ways To Make Overnight Oats Exciting
Now here comes the fun part – toppings and mix-ins! Creativity is the name of the game here. So whatever your heart desires, go for it. But if you need some inspiration, here’s some of my favorite flavor combinations!
- Fresh fruit: Make the most of seasonal fruits, including blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, bananas, peaches, pears, and apples. You can also blend them into a puree or make a chia seed jam and stir it in.
- Dried fruit: Raisins, cranberries, goji berries, and chopped dates lend a chewy texture and fruity flavors.
- Nuts and Seeds: Sliced almonds, chopped pecans or walnuts, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, and toasted sesame seeds add a subtle crunchy texture.
- Extra Flavor: Sprinkle on coconut flakes or cacao nibs. They’ll taste amazing with banana, strawberry, or tropical flavors.
- Spices: Stir in cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, or ginger to spice things up a bit!
- Yogurt: Mix in any type of yogurt for extra creaminess. Plus, it’ll add extra protein and a probiotic boost.
- Nut Butter: Choose your favorite nut butter (I always love almond butter), and stir it in or drizzle it on top. It too will provide a protein boost.
- Protein Powder: Still want an even bigger protein boost? Feel free to add protein powder or collagen powder.
Jar Recommendations
While many photos show overnight oats filled to the brim with toppings overflowing, that’s just not realistic in terms of mixing. You want a jar that’s large enough to stir everything together without making a mess. So with that in mind, I recommend a 16-ounce jar if you plan to add toppings. And a 12-ounce jar works for the base recipe with a small amount of mix-ins.
- Mason Jars: Traditional mason jars are perfect for overnights oats. The pint-sized jars are 16-ounces, and the screw top lid is secure and super easy. You can also get 16-ounce wide mouth jars if you prefer.
- Weck Jars: While I normally love Weck Jars for so many things (like chia pudding), if you plan to “grab and go” with your overnight oats, you might lose the clips. But if you’re careful, the 1/4 liter mold jar is the perfect size for the base recipe at 12.5-ounces.
How To Store and Meal Prep
- To Store: Overnight oats will stay good for up to four days in the fridge. If you have fruit toppings or fruit mix-ins, I recommend no more than three days, as the fruit is likely to go bad first.
- For Freezing: Yes, you can freeze overnight oats! Similar to my meal prep chia pudding, overnight oats will stay good for up to three months in the freezer.
Common Questions
Yes, you can. But just be aware that the texture will end up more mushy, like porridge.
No, you don’t have to. But I find that yogurt gives a wonderfully rich and creamy texture. If you’re dairy-free, you can always use dairy-free milk and dairy-free yogurt.
Absolutely! Overnight oats don’t have to be eaten cold. Just warm them up on the stovetop in a small pot or in the microwave for a minute or two the next morning.
Of course! As I always say… any food can be eaten any time of any day. So feel free to enjoy overnights oats for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
More Easy, Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas
- Breakfast Casserole: Just slice and freeze for easy reheating.
- Chia Seed Pudding: Did you know you can also freeze chia pudding?
- Breakfast Egg Muffins: These breakfast bites are customizable and can be stored in the fridge or freezer.
- Sweet Potato Toast: Prep slices for the week for a veggie-heavy breakfast! It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Paleo Pancakes: When you’re craving good ol’ pancakes, these ones store well in the fridge and freezer.
If you make these overnight oats, I’d love to know how they turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration (and exclusive content), join my free newsletter.
Easy Overnight Oats (6 Amazing Flavors)
Description
Video
Ingredients
Basic Overnight Oats
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ½ cup milk (dairy or dairy-free)
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt (dairy or dairy-free)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Banana Bread Overnight Oats
- ½ banana, mashed
- 2 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of ground flaxseed
Spiced Pear Overnight Oats
- ½ pear, diced
- 1 tablespoon chopped pecans
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch of nutmeg
PB&J Overnight Oats
- 2 tablespoon raspberry jam or puree
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter (or almond butter)
- 1 teaspoon chopped pistachios
Pina Colada Overnight Oats
- ¼ cup small diced pineapple
- 1 tablespoon shredded coconut
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- *note: use coconut milk in the base recipe
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- ¼ cup shredded carrot
- 1 tablespoon shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon raisins
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
Strawberry Protein Overnight Oats
- ¼ cup small diced strawberry
- 1 scoop protein powder or collagen powder
- 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients into a sealable jar or bowl and give it a stir until combined.
- Let it soak in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but it's best to soak overnight for 8 hours. This will yield a creamier consistency.
- Top your overnight oats with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Lisa’s Tips
- If you make a large batch in a bowl, once it’s set and thickened overnight scoop out about 1 cup for a single serving.
Nutrition
©Downshiftology. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.
Recipe originally posted January 2021, but updated to include new information and photos for your benefit!
Love the PB&J Overnight Oats. Love having it for lunch when I am working (easy to put together and tastes great)
Happy to hear you love the PB&J flavor, Monica!
Hey Lisa,
I have made a lot of your recipes and have enjoyed them. I’m trying the overnight oats next. That banana bread.
Thank you so much.
I hope you love these overnight oats, Kristin!
That’s a good tip about making overnight oats in a big bowl you are not committed to the toppings till the morning. Thank you. Sandra 🇮🇪
I LOVE your overnight oats recipes. I have tried the basic and the carrot cake (yummy) and will try the others soon. Thank you, Lisa, for these and your other great recipes.
You’re more than welcome, Elizabeth! So happy you love all the different flavors of overnight oats. :)
I eat a version of Lisa’s overnight oats nearly everyday! I put together stevia, cinnamon, chia seeds, and oats in glass jars for the week then add almond milk and yogurt to one jar for overnight. The next morning I add banana, the nuts and berries I have in the fridge. It’s simple, filling, and super healthy.
Happy to hear you’re loving overnight oats!
This base works really well and all of the variations are great! My son’s favourite is the Pina Colada as he loves pineapple! I did find though that it is best to add the pineapple in the morning. If added the night before, it develops a bitter taste. Otherwise, great! Thanks for the recipes.
I had never made overnight oats before so this recipe was perfect my major tweak was using oat milk and maple flavored yogurt. Then I put some trail mix and some chopped Peaches on top! I will never be with out a few jars of this in my fridge for a go to breakfast!
Hi Susan – Happy to hear you’re loving overnight oats now!
I’m experimenting with Overnight Oatmeal recipes this summer. Having just discovered your website, I thought I’d try some of your recipes. After trying nearly 10 recipes from lots of different websites, your Banana Bread Overnight Oats is our family’s absolute favorite! We’ll be trying the other variations for sure. Thanks for a true winner recipe.
Hi Deb – Thrilled to hear your family is loving the banana bread version!
I have long been intrigued by the idea of overnight oats. I prepared the Basic Overnight Oats last night with full-fat Greek yogurt and unsweetened almond milk. I enjoyed them for breakfast with an ounce of mixed nuts, roasted and unsalted. Wow! The thick consistency, texture, and taste were excellent! This dish will be a new breakfast staple in my kitchen. Thank you!
Hi Judy – Wonderful! I’m glad you’re loving overnight oats now for breakfast.
While I appreciate the ideas for add-ins, the base for this recipe was way too soupy for me. I used the 2x recipe so I could have a full jar in the morning, which called for 1 cup of both oats and milk, and it was too much liquid even overnight. I enjoy a thicker creamy oatmeal but this was watery. I’d be willing to try it again but I’d probably only use 1/2 up to 3/4 cup of milk. Also while I enjoy Greek yogurt by itself (plain or flavored), I didn’t like the tang it added to the oatmeal but that’s just me.
If I add a scoop of protein, would k need to adjust the liquid?
Hi Heidi – No, it should be fine :)
Hi Lisa,
Your Strawberry Overnight Oats was a delicious, quick and easy recipe. Thank you Lisa for recycling how to enjoy this delicious seasonal fruit. Your email came right after I asked myself, “Now how can I enjoy all of these delicious strawberries? “ There you were, like magic ! Thank you!. So glad I signed up for your emails….
Hi Marie – Happy to hear you enjoyed the strawberry overnight oats!
I’ve made this several times and it’s the best! My kids eat it (4 & 8) as well as my husband which says a lot because they’re all picky eaters! I’ll mix it up, one day I’ll add chia jam, also your recipe, and bananas and another day we’ll do peanut butter and honey and then mix it up some more by adding frozen pineapple and mango. The possibilities are endless! It’s quick and as a mom I’m happy to send them off with an amazing, grab-n-go nutritious breakfast! The whole house loves it! Winning!!
Hi Viviana – Thanks for leaving a review and happy to hear the whole family enjoys these overnight oats!
Finally, perfect ratio of ingredients! Thank you for these great ideas. Very tasty
Hi Milena – Happy to hear you found a winning overnight oats recipe!
Freezer hack is extremely helpful since i am working. However, i am bit afraid that does it really stay good for several months. Then, after preparation i have kept it in fridge just for one day but thank you for letting me know that we can keep it even longer.
Hi there – This is best the week you make it, but freezing is fine as well.
So delicious! I live in southern Italy in a small fishing village where food is incredibly fresh and store bought items don’t have scary ingredients. I used honey from Crete and cinnamon and it came out amazing! I too have Hasimotos, and ITP and major gut issues.But living here and eating their great food my stomach and thyroid are much happier.Lol, just wish they didn’t drive so crazy!
Hi Jennifer – That’s so great to hear! Having access to fresh ingredients is the best thing.
Love this recipe I have stopped purchasing HOLOS since using your recipe, I actually like yours better plus way less expensive.
Question: Can I substitute the yogurt for Kefir?
Hi Joanne – I haven’t tried this with kefir, but I’m thinking it could work!
Quick, easy and satisfying. Note I am not a huge fan of Greek yogurt however this recipe, yum!
Hi Tonyia – I’m glad you’re loving this overnight oats recipe!
I am wondering if I could use 1/2 yogurt and 1/2 cream cheese to make it taste like carrot cake with cream cheese frosting?
Hi Jil – You could try that if you’d like!
I make this all the time, favourite overnight oat recipe!
I’m confused, for the other recipes, like the strawberry protein, is it the basic oats recipe plus the additional ingredients listed, or only the ingredients under that topic?
Hi Delilah – You will make the base recipe and then add any other ingredients listed under each flavor. Hope that helps!
I don’t have any mason jars, will this recipe work using plastic containers? Can’t wait to try this!!
Hi Suzanne – Yes! You can use any container you’d like, it doesn’t have to be mason jars.
What kind of rolled oats do you use. I can’t find any at our local grocery store
Hi Kilye – You can find the one I’m using linked in the recipe card in the ingredients section!
I made it with honey. Oh honey, it was exquisite! Thank you Lisa for all the great, delicious y healthy recipes! I have your book too. I’m a happy Downshiftology admirer.
You are very thin Lisa 👏👏 I would like to shed about 6 pounds, how would I go about it?
Hi Vera – Happy to hear you’re loving these overnight oats, as well as the cookbook!
Im confused the over night oats and the toppings should be separated by specifying which is which and macros are not including different toppings
Hi Ray – The base ingredients are listed separately from the add-ins. Also, the nutritional information is just for the base recipe.