Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (2024)

Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (1)

Jamielyn Nye
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It’s easy to make overnight oats for a quick make ahead, grab and go breakfast or snack. Customize with add-ins and toppings to find your favorite delicious combination.

Other healthier breakfast recipes we love include baked oatmeal, this green smoothie recipe and no-bake breakfast cookies!

Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (2)

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Table of Contents

  • Easy Overnight Oats
  • Ingredients
  • How to Make Overnight Oats
  • Favorite Toppings
  • Below are 6 Overnight Oats Combinations that I Love:
  • How Long Do Overnight Oats Keep?
  • More Healthy Breakfast Ideas
  • Overnight Oats Recipe Printable Recipe

Easy Overnight Oats

To stay organized and on track throughout the week, I love to meal prep. Overnight oats are one of my favorite breakfasts to meal prep, as well as my mini egg frittatasand my homemade granola bar recipe.

This easy overnight oat recipe is one of my favorite healthy breakfasts to make for the week ahead! It’s perfect to grab and go and can be customized with fresh fruit, nut butters, honey, chocolate chips, coconut and homemade granola. The options are endless!

Ingredients

Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (3)
  • Oats: I love to use old fashioned oats, however quick oats work too. Use uncooked for this recipe.
  • Milk: I love to use almond milk, but you can use any type of nut of cows milk).
  • Greek yogurt: I love to add this to help thicken the oats.
  • Vanilla + cinnamon: This adds great flavor. Feel free to add brown sugar to sweeten as well.

How to Make Overnight Oats

Start by making the base for the overnight oats, then let it chill in the fridge overnight. The next day, add all your favorite toppings and dig in!

  1. MIX. In a medium bowl, combine oats, milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. If desired, add in protein powder, chia seeds or a Tablespoon of nut butter, brown sugar, honey or fruit.
  2. POUR. Pour oat mixture into 4 jars and cover with a lid.
  3. CHILL. Place in fridge overnight.

Favorite Toppings

Once the base has set in the fridge overnight, you can then add your favorite toppings. I sometimes even add a little more almond milk, depending on how much the oats have thickened up.

Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (4)

Below are 6 Overnight Oats Combinations that I Love:

  • Peanut butter, banana and chocolate chips
  • Greek yogurt, blueberries, sliced almonds, cinnamon and honey
  • Fresh berries and yogurt with granola
  • Apples, cinnamon, sugar and honey
  • Brown sugar, cinnamon, pecans and maple syrup
  • Mango, mandarin oranges and coconut
Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (5)

How Long Do Overnight Oats Keep?

These easy overnight oats will stay fresh in your fridge for up to 1 week. For storing, I used these Pyrex containers in the photos, however mason jars work great too. As long as the oats are stored in an airtight container with a lid, they will be fine!

When storing, I typically only store the base mixture. Then right before eating, I’ll add in my toppings of choice. This helps the toppings to remain fresh and not get soggy.

Feel free to mix in some extras to your base mixture though, like protein powder, chia seeds, nut butter, brown sugar, honey or fruit. These will hold up just fine when mixed in with the oats and stored in the fridge. If the mixture has thickened up too much in the fridge, add in a little milk to thin it back out.

Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (6)

More Healthy Breakfast Ideas

  • Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
  • Egg White Muffins
  • Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
  • How To Make Avocado Toast

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Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (11)

Overnight Oats Recipe

5 from 11 votes

↑ Click stars to rate now!

It's easy to make overnight oats for a quick make ahead, grab and go breakfast or snack. Customize with add-ins and toppings to find your favorite delicious combination.

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

Refrigerate: 5 hours hrs 55 minutes mins

Total Time: 6 hours hrs

Servings: 4

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Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
  • 2 cups almond milk (sub: cows, cashew or coconut milk)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup Greek yogurt
  • Pinch salt and cinnamon
  • Optional: Add 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder and 2 teaspoons chia seeds, if desired

Optional mix in or toppings: Greek yogurt, brown sugar, fresh berries, bananas, peanut butter or almond butter, nuts, honey, chocolate chips, granola, coconut

    Instructions

    • Mix together the oats, milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a bowl. Add protein powder and/or chia seeds if desired. You can also mix in a Tablespoon of nut butter, brown sugar, honey and fruit here as well.

    • Pour into 4 jars and cover with a lid.Place in the fridge overnight.

    • The next morning, stir in more almond milk if desired. You can also warm in the microwave if you prefer. Sweeten to taste (I always add a teaspoon of honey). Then top with your favorite toppings. My favorites are greek yogurt, almond butter, fresh berries and sliced almonds. Then I like to drizzle honey across the top.

    Notes

    Note: You can divide this recipe into 2 jars for a larger serving, or 4 smaller jars.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 148kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 173mg | Potassium: 145mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 1.3mg

    Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.

    Course: Breakfast

    Cuisine: American

    Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!

    Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (12)

    Categorized as: American, Breakfast, Make Ahead, Meal Prep, Snacks, Sweet Breakfast, Vegetarian

    Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (13)

    Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is also the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook. Here you will find easy family-friendly recipes for every occasion.

    More about Jamielyn Nye

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    Add a comment

    16 comments

      • Laurie

      Can these be warmed in the microwave before eating?

      • Reply
        • I Heart Naptime Community

        Hi Laurie! I haven’t ever heated them up, overnight oats are typically served cold right out of the fridge. Hope this helps :)

        • Reply
      • L

      Almond doesn’t agree with my stomach. Can I substitute with whole or 2 percent milk?

      • Reply
        • Jamielyn Nye

        Yes of course, you can substitute cows milk, cashew or coconut milk!

        • Reply
      • Paige
      • Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (18)

      First off, these are absolutely BEAUTIFUL. I love the way they look and the flavor combos you have going. And they look easy to make too…I’ve never done so, and you have inspired me to try.

      • Reply
      • katerina @ diethood.com
      • Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (19)

      I want all of these! They are all faaantastic!! YUM!

      • Reply
      • Keri

      Have you ever tried to make it without yogurt? I have a dairy and egg allergy and didn’t know how they would set up!

      • Reply
        • Jamielyn

        Hi Keri! It should work with dairy free yogurt! I recommend Silk soy milk yogurt. :)

        • Reply
      • Mariya

      I love it

      • Reply
      • Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert
      • Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (20)

      These would disappear in our house!

      • Reply
      • Melanie Bauer
      • Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (21)

      So simple yet incredibly delicious! What a perfect way to start our day, need to make this!

      • Reply
      • Abeer
      • Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (22)

      It sounds not only healthy, but very very delicious! Now I know what I will make for breakfast this week!

      • Reply
      • Catalina

      I have to put these on my menu. I love to start the day in a healthy way!

      • Reply
      • Chrissie Baker
      • Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (23)

      This is such a genius idea and I really need to start implementing it to make my mornings go smoother!

      • Reply
      • Allyson Zea

      I love these for healthy breakfast planning!

      • Reply
      • Sabrina
      • Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (24)

      Thank you for all of the options! This will help keep me out of my normal breakfast rut!

      • Reply
    Easy Overnight Oats (6 ways!) - I Heart Naptime (2024)

    FAQs

    What not to add in overnight oats? ›

    As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

    What is the trick to overnight oats? ›

    Tips & Tricks For Making Delicious Overnight Oats
    1. Start with the Oats. Stick with old-fashioned rolled oats. ...
    2. Add Seeds, Nuts or Fruit. ...
    3. Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats. ...
    4. Stir In Spice & Sweetener. ...
    5. Refrigerate Overnight.

    Is it okay to eat overnight oats every morning? ›

    Overnight oats are perfectly safe to be eaten every day. You may even eat them every morning if you like. However, some say that they feel oats give them digestive issues; overnight oats are not unsafe for those without medical conditions that affect digestion.

    Is overnight oats healthy for weight loss? ›

    For those looking for a fiber-rich, protein-filled breakfast that requires little to no effort at all to help with their weight loss goals, overnight oats are the ideal solution. Unlike regular oatmeal, which is cooked in boiling water on the stove or zapped in the microwave, overnight oats are not cooked at all.

    What makes overnight oats unhealthy? ›

    Overnight oats can be a healthy option if made with nutritious ingredients. They are a good source of fiber and protein, and can be made with a variety of healthy ingredients such as fruits, nuts, and seeds. However, if they are made with added sugars or unhealthy ingredients, they can be unhealthy.

    Why shouldn't you put overnight oats in the fridge? ›

    If you soak your oats overnight at room temperature (do not put them in the fridge!) between 7-15hrs it allows the natural enzymes and other helpful organisms to begin fermenting the grain and this will neutralise a large portion of the phytic acid.

    What is the best liquid for overnight oats? ›

    Dairy milk and oat milk both work well. Coconut milk adds rich flavor and yields an especially creamy texture. Maple syrup – For sweetness. Honey works too.

    Why add yogurt to overnight oats? ›

    Yogurt: Greek yogurt lends richness, flavor, and lots of protein to help you take on the day.

    What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

    Whatever you do, steer clear of the worst offenders: dried fruit with added sugars, like Craisins or dried pineapple. "These are almost always made with added sugar, if not also an artificial sweetener, says Pennsylvania-based RD Gina Consalvo. "Always choose a fresh fruit instead." Need hard proof?

    Why 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.

    Is overnight oats better with milk or yogurt? ›

    Milk: You can make overnight oats with any kind of milk — dairy or non-dairy. If using non-dairy milk, it's best to stick with unsweetened. Greek yogurt: Not only does Greek yogurt make overnight oats more filling, but it also gives the oats a super-creamy texture.

    Do overnight oats spike blood sugar? ›

    Oats have a low glycemic index, meaning they cause a slower and more gradual rise in blood sugar levels compared to refined carbohydrates. This slow release of glucose into the bloodstream helps prevent spikes in blood sugar, promoting stable glycemic control.

    Is overnight oats good for belly fat? ›

    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. Over time, this can help you lose weight and maintain a healthy body mass.

    Do I have to use a Mason jar for overnight oats? ›

    Mason jars are one of the most popular containers for overnight oats, but they're certainly not the only option. Many people like these jars because they're inexpensive, but there are plenty of other containers that work just as well, including all of the products I've recommended above.

    How to use oats to lose belly fat? ›

    If you want to lose weight, you can include oats water in your diet as it helps in reducing belly fat rapidly. Oats water is rich in fibre, which keeps the stomach full for a long time. Consuming oats water on an empty stomach in the morning controls appetite, which helps in weight loss in longer run.

    What not to mix with oats? ›

    Some unhealthy toppings for oatmeal include:
    • Sugary syrups like maple syrup or honey.
    • Candied or dried fruit with added sugar.
    • Chocolate chips or other candy.
    • Sweetened whipped cream or heavy cream.
    • Granola or other high-sugar cereals.
    • Sweetened coconut flakes.
    • Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
    Feb 13, 2023

    How do you remove lectins from oats? ›

    Cooking, especially with wet high-heat methods like boiling or stewing, or soaking in water for several hours, can inactivate most lectins. [6] Lectins are water-soluble and typically found on the outer surface of a food, so exposure to water removes them.

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