Overnight Oats - the internet's favorite healthy breakfast! (2024)

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Overnight Oats - the internet's favorite healthy breakfast! (1)Lee Funke

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You can’t go wrong with overnight oats for breakfast! Our famous overnight oats recipe is made with just a few ingredients and there is no cooking involved. You need oats, chia seeds, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and milk.

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Here at Fit Foodie Finds, we are known for overnight oats. Heck, we’ve been posting about them since 2010 and have over 30 variations on the site! So many of you love our overnights oats recipes and rightfully so! They’re thick, creamy, and taste like dessert.

This is our guide to overnight oats. In this post, we’ll teach you how to make overnight oats and how to flavor them, too! We have a base recipe that we swear by and have tested 8 simple flavor variations so that you don’t get bored.

My 1-year-old, Gus loved EVERY version of these oats and if he could talk, he’d tell you his favorite flavor is the peanut butter and jelly (he even had seconds!).

What do you need for overnight oats?

To make the most basic (and easy) overnight oats recipe you really only need oats and liquid. However, our famous overnight oats recipe calls for a few more things to give it that dreamy + creamy texture!

  • Oats: we’ve tested this recipe with both rolled oats and quick-cooking oats and they both work great. Rolled oats will give you more of a “bite” and quick-cooking will be creamier.
  • Milk: feel free to use any kind of milk with this recipe. We prefer almond milk, but cow’s, soy, oat, etc. work too!
  • Chia seeds: chia seeds are our secret weapon for thick overnight oats. As chia seeds sit in liquid, they expand and become gelatinous. DO NOT skip the chia!
  • Greek yogurt: Not only does Greek yogurt add protein, but it will make your oats taste like cheesecake. Feel free to use a plant-based yogurt if you’re looking to keep things vegan.
  • Vanilla: you can’t go wrong with vanilla. We almost always add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to all overnight oatmeal recipes!
  • Honey/maple syrup: these are our preferred all-natural sweeteners, but you can also use agave or even brown sugar.
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How to Make Overnight Oats (2 Steps)

  1. Mix: Add all ingredients for your overnight oats in a bowl or jar and stir until combined.
  2. Soak: Cover and let the oatmeal soak in the fridge overnight (or for at least 2 hours).

Do I have to let me oats sit overnight? The longer you let your oats soak in the liquid, the thicker they will be. We recommend at LEAST 2 hours, but overnight is optimal.

Oats too thick or too thin?

  • Too thick: add more milk and mix to thin things out.
  • Too thin: add more oats and let sit for at least 30 minutes.

Make them Blended Overnight Oats!

If you love a smooth and creamy overnight oats recipe, then blended overnight oats are for you.

  1. Add all of the ingredients into a high-speed blender.
  2. Blend on high for about a minute. This will pulverize the oats and make them super creamy.
  3. Transfer the overnight oats into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
  4. In the morning, you can eat as-is, or add a splash of milk to thin things out a bit.
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8 Overnight Oats Flavors

Below we are sharing 8 different overnight oats flavor variations. Simply add the additional ingredients to the base recipe, and you’ve got 8 different ways to eat overnight oats!

Snickers

  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts
  • 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
  • Optional: 1 more tablespoon maple syrup
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PB&J

  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons preserves
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Chocolate Protein

  • ¼ cup chocolate protein powder
  • 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup milk, any kind
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Lemon Blueberry

  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries, mashed
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest
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Vanilla Latte

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Replace 1/2 cup of the almond milk with brewed coffee or bold brew
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Apple Pie

  • 1/2 cup shredded apple
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
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Strawberry Banana

  • 1 medium banana, mashed
  • 4 medium strawberries, diced
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Banana Cream Pie

  • 1 medium banana, cut into slices (or mashed)
  • 2-4 vanilla wafer cookies, crushed
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Overnight Oats FAQ

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats are a thick and creamy way to make oats that taste just like dessert. Making oats overnight is when you soak oatmeal in a liquid such as milk, making it no-cook oatmeal. Instead of having to cook your oats, you can actually eat them raw by soaking them in milk or water for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Do you eat overnight oats Cold?

Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, however, if you prefer warm oats you always have the option to heat them up. Because you soak the oats overnight, they become soft and easy to digest making them delicious eaten cold!

What is the texture of overnight oats?

I like to eat my overnight oats thick and chewy with more of a bite, but you can always add more milk to thin things out.

Can you make overnight oats without milk?

Of course, you can make overnight oats without milk. If you need a dairy-free option, you can use any kind of dairy-free milk or even use water!

How long does it take to make overnight oats?

It takes about 5 minutes to prepare overnight oats and about another 2 hours for the overnight oats to soak and be ready to eat! We recommend preparing your overnight oats before bed so that you can wake up to an already-made breakfast!

Can you make overnight oats with quick-cooking oats?

You can make overnight oats with quick-cooking oats. You can sub quick-cooking oats for rolled oatmeal 1:1.

Can you make overnight oats with steel-cut oats?

You can make overnight oats with seel cut overnight oats but they require a bit more liquid and leg work. We have an easy steel cut overnight oats recipe for you to try.

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Storage

The best way to store overnight oats is in a glass container in the refrigerator. You can either store your overnight oats in one batch in a large meal-prep container, or you can store them individually (our favorite jars are the W&P jars) for an easy grab-and-go breakfast option.

How long do overnight oats last?

Overnight oats will last around 3-5 days in the fridge. If you’re using fruit, we recommend days and if you’re not using fruit, they will last 5 days.

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W&P

Jars

The W&P Porter Seal Tight Jar holds 16 oz. and is perfect for oats, soups, salad, etc.

Buy now!

More of our Favorite…

Overnight Oats Recipes

  • Vegan Overnight Oats
  • Protein Overnight Oats
  • Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
  • Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
  • PB Banana Overnight Oats

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4.91 from 53 votes

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe (+ 8 flavor varations)

This is truly the best overnight oats recipe! It's ready to go with just 5 ingredients and comes out so thick and creamy. Make our base recipe, or make one of our 8 flavor variations.

Prep:2 hours hours

Cook:0 minutes minutes

Total:2 hours hours

Fat 6

Carbs 33

Protein 10

Yield: 2

Print Rate

Ingredients

Base Recipe

  • 1 cup quick cooking oats rolled oats work too
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup milk, any kind we used unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

Snickers

  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts
  • 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon maple syrup

Banana Cream pie

  • 1 medium banana cut into slices,
  • 2-4 vanilla wafer cookies crushed
  • Strawberry Banana
  • 1 medium banana cut into slices (or mashed)
  • 4 medium strawberries cut into slices

Chocolate Protein

Apple Pie

  • 1/2 cup shredded apple
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons slivered almonds

Lemon Blueberry

  • 1/2 cup fresh blueberries mashed
  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest

Vanilla Latte

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Replace 1/2 cup of the almond milk with brewed coffee or bold brew

PB&J

  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons preserves

Instructions

  • Place all of the ingredients for the base recipe into a large container and mix until combined.

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  • Add in any variation ingredients and mix again.

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  • Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight (preferred).

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  • When you’re ready to eat, stir your overnight oats. Add more milk, as desired. Some people like it super thick, and others do not.

  • Top your overnight oats with more flavor toppings and enjoy cold.

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Tips & Notes

  • This recipe was updated on December 27, 2023. The base recipe is the same, but we added 8 different flavor variations. We’re linking to the original round-up recipes below the recipe card.
  • Batch cooking/meal-prep: This overnight oats recipe can easily be doubled or tripled and is great for meal prepping.
  • Protein powder: feel free to add 1/4 cup of protein powder to this recipe. You will likely need to add 1/4 cup – 1/3 cup more milk.
  • Vegan: To make this recipe vegan – use plant-based yogurt and non-dairy milk.
  • Nutrition: The nutrition information is for JUST the base recipe and not the flavor variations.
  • Storage: overnight oats will last in the fridge for up to 3-5 days.
  • Some people like to heat up their overnight oats (it’s not my preference, but I know there are some of you out there!). If that is you, feel free to microwave for 30-60 seconds before eating.

Watch It

Nutrition facts

Calories: 229kcal Carbohydrates: 33g Protein: 10g Fat: 6g Fiber: 4g Sugar: 15g

Author: Lee Funke

Similar recipes:

  • Vanilla Strawberry Overnight Oats

  • Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

  • Chocolate Covered Strawberry Overnight Oats

  • Vanilla Strawberry Overnight Oats

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8 MORE Healthy Overnight Oats Recipes

Since we’ve got so many overnight oatmeal recipes on Fit Foodie Finds, we thought we’d share 8 more flavors. These 8 flavors are some of our very first overnight oats recipes on the site and were originally photographed and linked in this post!

  1. Maple French Toast Overnight Oats
  2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
  3. Moose Tracks Overnight Oats
  4. Neapolitan Overnight Oats
  5. Coconut Latte Overnight Oats
  6. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Overnight Oats
  7. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
  8. Vanilla Strawberry Overnight Oats
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About Lee Funke

Lee is the founder of Fit Foodie Finds and based in Minneapolis, MN. She started this website in 2010 as a way to share her love for real food and wellness. The internet has changed so much since then and so has Fit Foodie Finds. Today we're a female-run recipe website publishing hundreds of tried and true recipes developed and tested by our team.

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Overnight Oats - the internet's favorite healthy breakfast! (27)

Lauren

Posted on 4/30/2024

Overnight Oats - the internet's favorite healthy breakfast! (28)
I love these overnight oats! Even the plain ones are delicious but the variants are so fun. What size mason jar do you use? Haven’t made them in awhile and food prepping for a friend who just had a baby.

Reply

Emily Richter

Posted on 5/6/2024

Reply to Lauren

Aw what a perfect thing to bring to someone who just had a baby! We like to use 16 oz. jars for overnight oats to leave enough space for toppings 😀

Reply

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Overnight Oats - the internet's favorite healthy breakfast! (2024)

FAQs

Is overnight oats a healthy breakfast? ›

Overnight oats offer a range of health benefits, due to their rich fibre and protein content. They also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, some of which include manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. This makes overnight oats healthy for your gut, as well as for overall health and well-being.

Is it okay to eat overnight oats every day? ›

It is recommended eating around 50 grams of healthy oats every day as they can lower the risk of a lot of diseases. Protein packed: Oats are one of the best plant-based sources of protein, they contain around 14 grams of protein per 100 grams. You can still build muscles if you're into muscle building.

Are overnight oats good for your gut? ›

Oats improve gut health

The Beta-Glucan in oats promotes bile-acid excretion which transports toxins out of your gut. The resistant starches found in oats also provide a rich food source for the friendly bacteria that live in your gut, which helps keep your microbiome in good balance.

Are overnight oats high in sugar? ›

Oatmeal is high in fiber and nutrients but low in saturated and trans fats and sugar and can help you maintain a healthy blood sugar level. You can enjoy oats served warm as oatmeal or cold as overnight oats.

Are overnight oats healthier than eggs? ›

Eating oatmeal for breakfast has been linked to weight loss, better nutrient intake, and lower risk for conditions such as diabetes. Oatmeal has soluble fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Oatmeal may have some advantages over eggs for breakfast, but research studies have conflicting results.

Is there a downside to eating oatmeal? ›

Oats can cause gas and bloating. To minimize side effects, start with a low dose and increase slowly to the desired amount. Your body will get used to oat bran and the side effects will likely go away.

Should overnight oats be refrigerated? ›

Basic Overnight Oats Recipe

The container should be thoroughly cleaned before adding the ingredients. Store in the refrigerator overnight or for at least six hours and up to two days. When ready to eat, add milk to thin oats to desired consistency and top with fruit, nuts, or other mix-ins.

Why do people put chia seeds in overnight oats? ›

Why do you put chia seeds in overnight oats? Chia seeds up the nutrition content in overnight oats. They're loaded with good-for-your-gut fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which help calm inflammation in your body and may protect you from chronic disease. They also add a nice protein boost to this recipe.

Do you eat overnight oats cold? ›

Though typically served cold, overnight oats can be eaten warm if you wish. But it is usually eaten cold; that's why it's a grab-and-go breakfast. If you prefer warm oats in the morning, just place them in the microwave for a minute.

What kind of oatmeal is best for overnight oats? ›

The Best Oats for Overnight Oats: Old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, become tender and creamy when soaked. Quick-cooking oats, which are smaller, can end up pasty and steel-cut oats, which are sturdier, stay quite firm even after soaking.

What are the disadvantages of overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats usually contain more calories than traditional oats, which is not ideal for individuals following a low-calorie diet or looking to cut back on calorie-rich foods. Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Which is healthier oatmeal or overnight oats? ›

When you soak the oats overnight, it's almost like you're cooking them, but the process is much longer and slower, and it's done without heat. Hence, it is more nutrient rich than cooked version.

What overnight oats won't spike blood sugar? ›

Pair overnight oats with nuts, fruit, flax, chia seed, and preferred milk or Greek yogurt to balance the slowly digested carbs with healthy fats and fiber. Mixing carbohydrates with fiber, protein, and healthy fats helps stabilize blood sugar levels.

Is oats overnight healthy for weight loss? ›

Not only is it lower in calories compared to many other breakfast foods, but it also has a number of other health benefits. These include: Weight management: Oats have high fiber content, which can make you feel fuller for longer. This helps to control your appetite, naturally reducing your calorie intake.

Is it OK to eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast? ›

Yes, it is good to eat oatmeal every day considering its nutritional profile and health benefits, including weight control and heart-healthy effect. As a breakfast food and mid-meal snack, oatmeal is potentially a better option than the majority of foods available in the market.

Is eating oats at night good for weight loss? ›

There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly. It contains fiber, magnesium, complex carbohydrates, etc, which help in keeping your tummy full for a longer time, thus, reducing overeating.

Are overnight oats high in carbs? ›

Are Overnight Oats Keto-Friendly? No, the classic overnight oats recipe is made of oats, a wholesome natural grain but very high in carbs. In fact, oats contain about 56 grams of net carbs per 100 grams. As a result, they spike blood sugar levels and are not approved on a keto diet.

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