Overnight Oats: Easy Base Recipe + 6 Flavors

Overnight oats are rolled oats soaked in milk in the fridge until they turn soft and creamy, no stove needed. Five minutes in the evening gives you a filling breakfast that is waiting for you in the morning.

Learn the base once and you can change the flavor every day. Below are six of our favorites.

Why you will love this overnight oats

• No cooking: stir, close the jar, sleep.
• Meal prep friendly: make 4 jars on Sunday.
• Filling: about 18 g protein and 8 g fiber in the base recipe.
• Endlessly flexible: any milk, any fruit.

Ingredients and swaps

• Rolled oats: also called old-fashioned oats. Quick oats get mushy; steel-cut oats stay too firm.
• Milk: dairy, oat, almond or soy all work.
• Greek yogurt: adds creaminess and protein. Skip it and add 2 tbsp more milk if you prefer.
• Chia seeds: optional, but they thicken the oats and add fiber.
• Sweetener: maple syrup, honey or mashed banana.

How to make overnight oats

Add the oats, milk, yogurt, chia, sweetener, vanilla and a pinch of salt to a jar. Stir well, making sure no dry oats hide at the bottom.

Close the jar and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. The oats soak up the liquid and soften.

In the morning, stir, loosen with a splash of milk if you like, and add your toppings. Eat cold, or warm it in the microwave for 1 minute.

Tips for the best result

• Add crunchy toppings like nuts and granola just before eating.
• A pinch of salt makes the oats taste sweeter.
• Use a 350 to 500 ml (12 to 16 oz) jar so there is room for toppings.
• Too thick? Stir in milk. Too thin? Add 1 tsp chia and wait 10 minutes.

Easy variations

• Peanut butter banana: 1 tbsp peanut butter and half a mashed banana.
• Apple pie: grated apple, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg.
• Berry: a handful of fresh or frozen berries (frozen thaw overnight).
• Chocolate: 1 tbsp cocoa powder and an extra teaspoon of maple syrup.
• Carrot cake: 2 tbsp grated carrot, cinnamon, raisins and walnuts.
• Mango coconut: coconut milk, diced mango, toasted coconut.

What to serve with it

Perfect on its own. Add a boiled egg or a few nuts on the side for an even bigger breakfast.

Storage and reheating

Overnight oats keep in closed jars in the fridge for up to 4 days. Add fresh fruit and crunchy toppings on the day you eat them.

recipe card

Overnight Oats: Easy Base Recipe + 6 Flavors

Creamy no-cook oats soaked overnight with milk, yogurt and chia.

Tried & tested

Prep5 min

Total5 min

Makes1 jar

CuisineAmerican

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Ingredients −

1

+ servings

• 1/2 cup (45 g) rolled oats
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) milk of choice
• 1/4 cup (60 g) plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 to 2 tsp maple syrup or honey
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt
• Toppings: fruit, nuts, nut butter

Steps

1. Add the oats, milk, yogurt, chia, maple syrup, vanilla and salt to a jar.
2. Stir well until no dry oats remain.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. Stir, add a splash of milk if needed, and top with fruit or nuts.

Calories360

Protein18 g

Carbs50 g

Fat9 g

Fiber8 g

Sugar12 g

Sodium170 mg

Nutrition per serving, estimated from standard ingredient data. It varies with brands and portions.

Cook's notes

• Needs at least 4 hours in the fridge before eating.
• Keeps up to 4 days, so make several jars at once.