Easy Overnight Oats Recipe

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Short on time in the morning? Whip up this easy overnight oats recipe the night before and breakfast will be waiting for you when you wake up!

This Overnight Oats recipe was originally posted in September 2016. It has been updated with new photos and detailed preparation instructions.

I always seem to be in a rush to make breakfast in the morning. I’m lucky if I run out the door with a cup of coffee in hand. I stumbled upon the novel idea of making this easy overnight oats recipe (with fruit and nuts too!) to up my breakfast game.

Not only have my mornings become more relaxing, but I can power through until lunch without any hunger pains. Overnight oatmeal is a lifesaver! I’d love to eat one of these banana muffins or a few mini chocolate puff pastry rolls every day. But I try to stick to a healthier breakfast most days. I love this recipe so much that is now one of my menu suggestions for my personal chef clients.

the ingredients for overnight oatmeal

• rolled oats
• cinnamon
• the milk of your choice ~ cow’s milk, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk
• the fruit of your choice ~ apples, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, bananas
• the nuts of your choice ~ pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, almonds
• the sweetener of you choice ~ honey, maple syrup, agave syrup

When short on time in the morning or just looking to get a jump start on the day, my Overnight Oats recipe provides a healthy and filling start to the day. Even a blurry eyed and tired non morning person can grab a spoon and stir their way to a delicious breakfast. Mornings will be infinitely better knowing that breakfast is waiting in the refrigerator.

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how to make overnight oatmeal

Like so many lunches and dinners, breakfast can be prepped in advance too. For this Overnight Oats recipe, combine rolled oats, cinnamon, and any type of milk in single serve containers in the evening. Pop the dishes into the refrigerator for an overnight stay.

The oats soak up the liquid, whether it is cow’s milk, almond milk or soy milk, to make the dish ready to be served in the morning. The resulting oats have a toothsome chewiness and a hardier bite. Top with your favorite fruits like chopped apples, peaches, bananas, and blackberries. Sprinkle with almonds, walnuts or pecans. A drizzle of maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup adds just a touch of sweetness.

Breakfast was never so easy to make and so delicious!

different flavor combinations for overnight oatmeal

The possibilities are endless for the versatile breakfast recipe. No combination of fruits, either fresh or dried, nuts, and spices is off limits. I like to tailor my oatmeal to the seasons.

• Add mangoes or pineapple along with almonds in the spring time.
• Blueberries and strawberries are at their peak of flavor in the summer. Pair them with walnuts.
• Add apples and figs with pecans in the fall months.
• In the winter months add cranberries or pomegranate along with pine nuts.

chef tips for making overnight oats

• Single serve containers are the easiest way to make grab and go breakfasts.
• Milk, whether it’s cow, oat, or almond, is my first choice for making Overnight Oats. But water can be substituted for the milk. The oats will not be as flavorful, but it’s still an option.
• Skip instant oats for this recipe. They will end up almost dissolving in the milk. Rolled oats result in a chewy and hardy breakfast.
• Add a bit of vanilla extract and/or nutmeg to change up the flavor of the oats.
• Serve cold straight from the refrigerator or slightly warmed in the microwave. About 1 minute on HIGH will warm this make ahead breakfast just enough.

If you make this easy overnight oats recipe, I’d love hearing from you all. Be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating ~ I do my best to reply to all your comments. And snap a photo to post to Instagram. I’ll add the photos to my Insta stories as I love seeing all your creations.

Also check out my Facebook and Pinterest pages for lots of fabulous foodie stories, videos, cooking tips, and recipes.

more make ahead breakfast recipes to try

• Spiced Breakfast Pumpkin Quinoa Bowls – a fall favorite!
• Freezer Fruit and Yogurt Smoothies – just whip up in the blender
• Crustless Quiche – make with your favorite vegetables and cheese

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