Learn the secret to making easy and delicious overnight oats for a healthy meal prepped breakfast! Plus, browse through 10 of our most popular overnight oats recipes.
Maybe you've seen them online or maybe you've heard about your friends making them. But, what are overnight oats? Keep reading and discover everything you ever wanted to know about this healthy and easy breakfast or snack.
Eat them anytime you want. They are packed with fiber and, depending on the ingredients you use- super good for you too!
Overnight Oats: What Are They?
Overnight oats are a different "cooking" method for preparing oatmeal without actually having to cook or bake them. Most people just put all the ingredients for the overnight oats in a glass mason jar and let them soak overnight in the refrigerator. As they sit, the oats naturally soak up the wet ingredients, making them taste as if you had cooked them.
Overnight oats are usually eaten cold just like you would a smoothie bowl. They are a great option for anyone that is busy and needs something they can grab and take with them.
Are Overnight Oats Considered To Be Healthy?
Yes, overnight oats are usually pretty healthy for you. Of course, to determine how healthy they really are just depends on the ingredients you use in your recipe.
If you use a lot of sugar and processed ingredients, then they won't be as good for you as if you used whole fruits and no added sugar.
When you make overnight oats, I recommend using oats that are minimally processed. That means steel-cut oats or rolled oats. So, try to avoid instant oats because they will have less fiber.
How long does it take for overnight oats to become edible?
Lots of people prefer to let the oats soak overnight because it's just easier that way. You don't need a timer and you know they will be ready when you need them.
Most forms of overnight oats will be ready to eat after soaking for about 4 hours. If you are going soak them for 4 hours, you might as well just leave them overnight.
How Long Do Overnight Oats Last?
You can keep overnight oats in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They might not look or smell bad on day 6, but it's best to throw them out on day 6 or 7. This is the time when bacteria starts to grow on the food.
Benefits To Eating Overnight Oats For Breakfast
Now let's look at the biggest benefits of overnight oats - they are more than just good for you! Which of these is the reason you enjoy eating them?
Healthy Breakfast
When you use whole fruits and fortify your oats with chia or flax seeds, you are preparing a nutrient-dense meal or snack. Oatmeal is an excellent source of fiber, which helps you digest your food better and increases your metabolism. Eating high-fiber meals also helps you stay full longer.
If health is your top priority, use natural ingredients, and avoid processed ones that are high in sugars.
Great For Weight Loss
Overnight oats are also excellent for weight loss too! Studies show that when you eat foods that are high in fiber and protein, you will increase how much fat you burn. This is a healthy way to give yourself energy after a workout and it will help you feel full in between meals.
Saves Time
Making overnight oats also saves you time the next day.
Instead of trying to figure out how to cook breakfast, you can just grab a jar of your overnight oats! This is as easy as grabbing a carton of yogurt - and so much healthier for you too.
Customizable
There are literally hundreds of ways you can change overnight oats and make them different. You can change the berries, the protein, and even the syrups are all ways that you can change them up.
I'll share some of my favorite customizable oat recipes at the bottom of this post.
How To Make Overnight Oats
Before I share all of my top 10 recipes, I want to share with you the basic steps to making a batch of overnight oats.
Honestly, making overnight oats is a pretty simple process. All of the recipes I will be sharing with you use the same basic prep steps:
- Pick out your ingredients - Decide which kind of fruit and milk you want to use.
- Layer the ingredients - Mix them up so that the oats can soak up the wet ingredients.
- Seal them tightly - Store them in an airtight container.
- Refrigerate them - Keep your overnight oats in the refrigerator overnight and up to 5 days.
Meal Prep Plain Oats
Another way to speed up breakfast is to make a few jars of plain overnight oats and store them in the refrigerator. Then, you can grab a jar, add your favorite fruit and toppings, and you are ready for breakfast.
Liquid To Oats Ratio
When you make your own overnight oats, remember to use a 2:1 ratio of liquid to oats. That means if you use 1 cup of oats, add 2 cups of some kind of milk. This will help the oatmeal have enough liquid to soften correctly. It will also give your overnight oats a porridge-like consistency!
10 Amazing Overnight Oats Recipes You Must Try!
The easiest way to learn how to make overnight oats is to follow a recipe. The good thing about these recipes is that they are all so different that you will enjoy eating them all week long.
Check them out and try adding all 10 of these into your meal prep rotation!
1. PB&J Overnight Oats
This PB&J oats recipe tastes just like the sandwich. The best thing about it is that when you use nut butter, you are adding a ton of easy-to-digest protein, which is a fantastic way to recover after a hard workout.
2. Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats
Chocolate-lovers, this peanut butter cup recipe is for you! It's made with rolled oats, peanut butter, and cocoa. You can change things up by using a different nut-butter too.
3. Peanut Butter and Honey Chia Oats
This peanut butter overnight oats recipe might be a bit higher in calories than others on the list, but it is worth it. If you want to keep the calories lower, I suggest using PB2 powder instead of peanut butter.
4. Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal
<>This is a classic recipe that tastes like oatmeal cookies. This apple cinnamon oatmeal recipe uses chunks of real apples, applesauce, nutmeg, and chia seeds. You don't even need any added sugar, it tastes sweet enough on its own.
5. Zucchini Bread Overnight Oatmeal
This zucchini bread overnight oatmeal recipe is the only one on the list that actually has vegetables in it. Not only does it have the fiber and vitamins from the zucchini, but it's made with bananas and almond butter too. It's filled with protein and vitamins from all the fresh fruits and vegetables.
And yes, it really does taste like zucchini bread.
6. Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oatmeal
Enjoy your favorite pumpkin spice flavors all year long! This pumpkin spice oatmeal recipe is really made with pumpkin puree. Add in some chia seeds for more fiber and nutrients and a little bit of a banana for the texture and you have a dreamy breakfast that you'll never forget!
7. Overnight Raspberry Oatmeal
Raspberries are the perfect size to use in overnight oats. This overnight raspberry oatmeal recipe is so scrumptious that you will place it on your "must-eat" list.
I used maple syrup in it, but if you want to avoid using sugar you can swap that for your favorite brown sugar substitute. I also used Greek yogurt for a boost of protein and added creaminess.
8. Overnight Oats With Apples And Chia Seeds
If you enjoy the combination of sweet and tart, then you will enjoy this apple and chia recipe. Use green apples for a delightful bite that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of maple syrup and cinnamon.
This recipe tastes just like apple pie!
9. Cashew Milk Overnight Oats
This nutritious recipe includes chia, yogurt, and fresh berries. If you are new to making overnight oats, this recipe is an excellent place to start. It's a fantastic base recipe that you can use to create all sorts of combinations.
10. Blueberry Chia Overnight Oats
Blueberries are an excellent source of antioxidants. This blueberry overnight oats recipe is so versatile - you can use any of your favorite fruit in it! Plus, chia seeds are really high in fiber, too.
How To Create Your Own Overnight Oats Recipe
Overnight oats are such a fun way to start your day or enjoy a snack break! If you want to make your own, I suggest following a few recipes first to become familiar with how it should turn out. Then, start swapping out ingredients for others.
Eventually, you'll become a pro at creating your own overnight oats recipes!
Overnight Oats: Final Thoughts
If you want to start eating healthier, overnight oats are the best place to start. They are effortless - you just mix everything together and let it sit!
In fact, once you learn how to make a few different kinds of overnight oats, you'll feel like a pro and start making up your own varieties. Follow the recipes here and then start branching out and making your own! It's so much fun to make your own edible creations.