Introduction

Overnight oats are a simple, nutritious, and delicious way to start your day with minimal effort. This recipe combines creamy oats with flavorful toppings for a satisfying breakfast you can prepare the night before.

Four jars of creamy overnight oats sit on a white marbled surface, each filled with a speckled, pale beige oat mixture with visible chia seeds. The first jar on the left is topped with sliced yellow bananas, dark chocolate chips, and a drizzle of light brown peanut butter. Behind it, another jar is garnished with red raspberries, dark blueberries, and a swirl of peanut butter. The third jar in front holds smooth granola, deep blue blueberries, and halved red strawberries with green tops. The last jar on the right shows a mix of granola, blueberries, and a thick drizzle of peanut butter along the inside of the glass. Scattered around the jars are several whole and halved strawberries, loose blueberries, and small pieces of granola. The bright, natural lighting and white marbled background add a fresh, clean feel. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
½ cup milk (I like unsweetened almond milk)
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (or ¼ cup more milk)
1-2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (or your preferred sweetener)
1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Pinch of sea salt
Toppings of choice: fruit, nut butter, nuts, seeds, etc.
2 tablespoons chocolate chips
1 tablespoon peanut butter
¼ cup fresh berries (sliced strawberries and blueberries recommended)

Instructions

Step 1: In a jar or bowl, combine the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup or honey, chia seeds (if using), vanilla extract (if using), and a pinch of sea salt. Stir well to mix all ingredients evenly.
Step 2: Cover and refrigerate the mixture overnight or for at least 4 hours to allow the oats to soak and soften.
Step 3: In the morning, stir the oats and add the peanut butter, chocolate chips, and fresh berries on top along with any other toppings you like.
Step 4: Serve immediately or keep refrigerated until ready to eat.

Tips & Variations

Use dairy or plant-based milk according to your preference for creaminess and flavor.
Swap Greek yogurt for coconut or soy yogurt for a dairy-free option.
Add a spoonful of nut butter for extra protein and richness.
Mix in different fruits or nuts each day to keep breakfast exciting.
Chia seeds add thickness and omega-3s but can be omitted if unavailable.

Storage

Store overnight oats in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir before eating and add fresh toppings each time. You can enjoy them cold or warm them briefly in the microwave.

How to Serve

Four clear glass jars filled with creamy overnight oats mixed with chia seeds are placed on a white marbled surface. Each jar has two visible layers: a pale beige oatmeal base with tiny black chia seeds throughout, topped with different fruit and nut toppings. The closest jar on the left has banana slices, chocolate chips, and a drizzle of light brown peanut butter. The front right jar is garnished with fresh blueberries, granola flakes, and two halved bright red strawberries. The back left jar features mixed berries including raspberries, blueberries, and a drizzle of peanut butter, while the back right jar has blueberries, chopped nuts, and a swirl of peanut butter running inside the oats. Fresh strawberry halves and scattered blueberries along with small granola pieces surround the jars. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant oats instead of rolled oats?

Instant oats tend to become mushy when soaked overnight, so rolled oats are better for a pleasing texture and consistency.

Is it necessary to add sweetener like maple syrup or honey?

No, sweetener is optional. You can adjust sweetness to your taste or rely on naturally sweet toppings like fruit to add flavor.

The Best Overnight Oats Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 132 reviews

A delicious and nutritious recipe for the best overnight oats that are easy to prepare, customizable with your favorite toppings, and perfect for a quick and healthy breakfast.

Author: Tara
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 6-8 hours (including refrigeration time)
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
½ cup milk (unsweetened almond milk recommended)
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (or an additional ¼ cup milk)
1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (or your preferred sweetener)
1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional)
½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
Pinch of sea salt

Toppings

2 Tablespoons chocolate chips
1 Tablespoon peanut butter
¼ cup fresh berries (sliced strawberries and blueberries recommended)
Additional toppings of choice: fruit, nut butter, nuts, seeds, etc.

Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a jar or bowl, mix the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, sweetener (maple syrup or honey), chia seeds (if using), vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt until well combined.
Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the mixture and place it in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 4 hours) to allow the oats and chia seeds to soak up the liquid and soften.
Add Toppings: In the morning, stir the soaked oats to combine, then add your desired toppings such as chocolate chips, peanut butter, fresh berries, and any other preferred nuts or seeds.
Serve: Enjoy your ready-to-eat, creamy, and flavorful overnight oats cold straight from the fridge or warmed up slightly if preferred.

Notes

You can substitute milk with any dairy or plant-based milk of your choice.
Greek yogurt can be replaced by more milk if you want a dairy-free version.
Chia seeds add extra fiber and help thicken the oats but are optional.
Adjust sweetener quantity to suit your taste preferences.
Overnight oats can last up to 3 days refrigerated, but best eaten fresh within 24 hours for optimal texture.
Feel free to experiment with toppings to keep your breakfast exciting.

Keywords: overnight oats, healthy breakfast, easy breakfast, make ahead oats, quick breakfast, rolled oats, almond milk, Greek yogurt