This is the hearty breakfast I prep when I know I'll be short on time in the morning. Learn how to make my Easy Overnight Oats recipe with a simple oats-to-milk ratio. They're the perfect make ahead, no-cook breakfast with 10 flavor ideas for breakfast all week long. My personal chef clients requested this healthy breakfast every week. Try the breakfast oat bowls straight from the refrigerator or warm in the microwave.
Recipe review
A Quick Look at the Breakfast Oats Recipe
- Recipe name: Easy Overnight Oats
- Ready in: 10 minutes prep, refrigerate overnight
- Serves: 4
- Calories: 258 per serving
- Main ingredients: Rolled oats, milk
- Difficulty: Easy
When researching healthy breakfast options for my personal chef clients, I developed this easy overnight oats recipe.
They're a make ahead breakfast favorite. I'd prep the overnight oats in advance for my personal chef clients and put them in the refrigerator. In the morning, they'd enjoy the oats plain, with fruit and nuts or with a scoop of yogurt or cottage cheese for a boost of protein.
I love knowing I have breakfast waiting for me. 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. And having overnight oats on hand is an easy way to start the day with a nutritious meal.
Jump to:
- Recipe review
- A Quick Look at the Breakfast Oats Recipe
- What's to Love About this Overnight Oats Recipe
- What are Overnight Oats?
- What's the BEST Formula for Overnight Oats?
- Easy Overnight Oats Ingredients
- Substitutions
- How to Make Overnight Oats (Step by Step)
- 10 Variations for Overnight Oats Recipes
- Tips for Best Healthy Overnight Oats
- How to Store Overnight Oats
- Frequently Asked Questions about Overnight Oats
- More Make Ahead Breakfast Recipes
- One more thing
- Recipe
What's to Love About this Overnight Oats Recipe
- No cook breakfast recipe: Just stir the ingredients together and the refrigerator does all the work. It's an easy breakfast idea.
- Perfect for busy mornings: A grab-and-go breakfast is ready when you wake up.
- Easy to customize: Swap in your favorite milk, fruit, nuts, sweetener, yogurt or cottage cheese.
- Great for meal prep: Make once and enjoy for a few days.
- Simple ingredients: No special equipment or hard to find ingredients.
- Eat cold or warm: Enjoy overnight oats straight from the refrigerator or heat in the microwave for 30 second intervals.
- Filling and nutritious breakfast: Made with whole grains and simple wholesome ingredients keep you going all morning long.
What are Overnight Oats?
Overnight oats is a no-cook breakfast recipe. Raw rolled oats that are soaked overnight in milk (or water) in the refrigerator. It's an easy way to meal prep breakfast. The oats soak up the liquid making them ready to eat in the morning.
What's the BEST Formula for Overnight Oats?
The basic formula for overnight oats is simple. The oats to milk ratio is 1:1. As an example, for a single serving use ½ cup rolled oats add ½ cup milk. Try whole milk, coconut milk, almond milk or soy milk.
I add in a dash of cinnamon and then store the oats in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, add sweeteners, fruit, nuts, chocolate chips etc. The possibilities are endless!
Easy Overnight Oats Ingredients
When short on time in the morning or 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.
- Rolled oats
- Cinnamon
- Milk of your choice
- Add-ins
Substitutions
- Rolled oats: Skip instant oats for this recipe. They become mushy when soaked overnight. And steel cut oats remain to hard. I use these protein oats for some extra grams of protein.
- Milk of your choice: Cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk
- Add-ins: The recipe is the base I make and store in the refrigerator in individual servings. Scroll down to my favorite 10 variations for overnight oats.
How to Make Overnight Oats (Step by Step)
Like so many lunches and dinners, breakfast can also be prepped in advance. This overnight recipe is one of the easiest breakfast to make.
- Combine rolled oats, cinnamon, and any type of milk in single serve containers in the evening. I love these pretty vintage mugs with lids too. 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.
- The next morning is the fun and delicious part! You can flavor the oats in a number of ways. 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. Stir in plain or fruit flavored yogurt or cottage cheese for a protein punch.
10 Variations for Overnight Oats Recipes
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. Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities of each ingredient.
Protein Packed
Add yogurt or cottage cheese. Either plain or flavored can be used.
Tropical
Add diced mangoes and or pineapple, shredded coconut and chopped macadamia nuts.
Berry
Add diced blueberries and strawberries. Stir in chopped toasted walnuts.
Figgy Apple
Add chopped apples, figs and pecans.
Ruby Red
Add cranberries or pomegranate along with toasted pine nuts.
PB Banana
Add mashed banana, peanut butter and chopped peanuts.
Pumpkin Pie
Add canned pumpkin puree and maple syrup.
Date Nut
Add chopped dates and pecans.
Almond Joy
Add chopped almonds, shredded coconut, and mini semi sweet chocolate chips.
Peanut Butter Cup
Add peanut butter and milk chocolate chips.
Tips for Best Healthy 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 recipes. 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 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.
How to Store Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are an ideal way to meal prep breakfast. Store them in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for a couple months.
Refrigerator
Store overnight oats in the refrigerator in airtight containers for 3 to 4 days. It's best eaten in 1 to 2 days as it has a hearty texture. When the oats are stored longer, they can get mushy. Add any toppings just before serving.
Freezer
After assembling the oats and milk in single serve containers, freeze for up to 2 months. Place in the refrigerator overnight to serve the oats in the morning. To serve, add your favorite toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions about Overnight Oats
Store the oats in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.
Yes! After prepping the oats, store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight to enjoy in the morning.
You can use water in place of milk, but the oats won't have as much flavor. But this is a preference and totally up to you.
You can enjoy overnight oats cold straight from the refrigerator. Or warm in the microwave at 30 second intervals.
Yes! Overnight oats are healthy and nutritious. They're packed with fiber to keep you feeling full all morning long. The soaked oats are also loaded with nutrients including iron and magnesium. Watch when adding in toppings and make sure not to add too much sweeteners or or ultra-processed foods. Stick to fruits, nuts, chia seeds, hemp seeds and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
More Make Ahead Breakfast Recipes
- Pumpkin Quinoa Bowls - a fall favorite!
- Quinoa and Sausage Breakfast Bowl ~ a personal chef favorite!
- Freezer Smoothies - just whip up in the blender
- Scrambled Eggs in Muffin Pan - heat and eat for breakfast or lunch
- Ham Egg Cups - only 3 ingredients!
One more thing
Did you try this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a comment and a star rating below. Share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook.
Thanks ~ Amy
Recipe
How to Make Overnight Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
Base recipe
- 2 cups rolled oats divided
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon divided
- 2 cups milk divided (cow, soy, or almond)
Protein Packed
- 1 ⅓ cups yogurt or cottage cheese divided (use plain or flavored)
Tropical
- 1 ⅓ cups diced mangoes and pineapple divided
- 4 tablespoons shredded coconut divided
- 4 tablespoons chopped macadamia nuts divided
Berry
- 1 ⅓ cups blueberries or diced strawberries divided
- 4 tablespoons toasted walnuts divided
Figgy Apple
- 1 ⅓ cups chopped apple and figs divided
- 4 tablespoons chopped pecans divided
Ruby Red
- 1 ⅓ cups dried cranberries or pomegranate arils divided
- 4 tablespoons toasted pine nuts divided
PB Banana
- 1 ⅓ cups mashed banana divided
- 4 tablespoons peanut butter divided
- 4 tablespoons chopped peanuts divided
Pumpkin Pie
- 8 tablespoons pumpkin puree divided
- 4 tablespoons maple syrup divided
Date Nut
- 1 ⅓ cups chopped dates divided
- 4 tablespoons chopped pecans divided
Almond Joy
- 8 tablespoons chopped almonds divided
- 8 tablespoons shredded coconut divided
- 4 tablespoons mini semi sweet chocolate chips divided
Peanut Butter Cup
- 8 tablespoons peanut butter divided
- 4 tablespoons milk chocolate chips divided
Instructions
- Assemble 4 (2 cup) containers. To each dish, add ½ cup rolled oats, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, and ½ cup your milk of choice. Stir to combine the ingredients.2 cups rolled oats, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 2 cups milk
- Cover with lids. Store in the refrigerator overnight.
- In the morning, serve the oats straight from the refrigerator or choose one of the flavor variations and stir in the ingredients.
Notes
- 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 the 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 is good.
Farrukh Aziz says
These are so easy to make yet so delicious! Definitely my favorite oats!
Amy Casey says
Mine too! So yummy!
LaKita says
Overnight oats are my favorite weekday breakfast to have and this recipe and options certainly did not disappoint!
Amy Casey says
I love them too LaKita!
Enriqueta E Lemoine says
I love oatmeal in every shape and color. This overnight oatmeal recipe turned to be as good as it gets! Thanks for sharing!
Amy Casey says
You are welcome Enriqueta 🙂
Marisa Franca says
This recipe is just what I needed! Sometimes the mornings get away from me and before you know it I have other things to do and I just grab something for breakfast. Not always anything healthy. I tried out this recipe yesterday morning and it tasted fantastic. Plus I didn't have to worry about measuring and putting things together. Thank you.
Amy Casey says
Same for me! I never seem to leave enough time for breakfast.
Linda says
I love an easy, healthy, and yet filling breakfast to start my day; and this overnight oat can't be any better
Amy Casey says
Me too! This is one of my favorites.
veenaazmanov says
A colorful Bowl of goodness and health for the start of an amazing day is the best one could get. Delicious and inviting.
Amy Casey says
Thank you!
Susan Pridmore says
What a great way to start the day. I'm always on the run too - and I love that it can be put together ahead, slid into the refrigerator, and all set to go in the morning. And I always have fresh fruit on hand!
Amy Casey says
Thanks Susan!
Marie says
Overnight oats are one of my favorite breakfasts! It's so nutritious and easy to pull together. Taking a few seconds to garnish a bowl with fresh fruits on a weekday morning feels luxurious! Loving the flavor combination and substitution ideas in your recipes. It makes this breakfast classic even more versatile!
Amy Casey says
Thanks Marie! The flavor combinations are endless.