Never skip breakfast again with these simple make-ahead 6 Overnight Oats recipes. Enjoy a healthy and yummy breakfast on the go plus learn how to make overnight oats!
If you asked me to describe the ideal start of the day, it would definitely start with a big, hearty, delicious breakfast. There’s nothing better than breakfast food. The way I start off my morning sets the pace for the rest of the day, so I always try to take at least a little bit of time to myself.
Key word: try.
And what better way to do it than while munching on something delicious?
Unfortunately, with our busy schedules, we don’t have time to make our breakfast from scratch every day. It can be tempting to skip it all together some days when in a rush. When I skip breakfast, I get sleepy and hangry, and all I want to do is eat food that is bad for me. No good.
So, a while back, I figured out a way to always have breakfast, even on the busiest of mornings. Making it until lunch without food was never an option for me, as I’m anything but productive (or pleasant, honestly) when hungry, so I would always end up grabbing whatever food was available.
I also REALLY don’t like waking up early to make breakfast. Luckily, I found a way that you can actually sleep in and still enjoy a healthy breakfast when you finally decide to leave the warm comfort of your bed. And, when it comes to hassle-free, healthy, quick, and delicious breakfasts, it’s hard to beat overnight oats.
Oatmeal is, from a nutritional point of view, one of the best breakfast options. Oats by themselves are full of fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Overnight oats are a protein-packed breakfast that will make sure you make it to lunch without your stomach growling. Not only are they good for you, overnight oats recipes are so versatile as well.
Add a spoonful of your favorite nut butter, some pure maple syrup, fresh or frozen fruits… the possibilities are endless. Although I prefer my oats on the sweet side, feel free to play around adding your favorite ingredients to create savory oat-based breakfasts, too.
HOW TO COOK OVERNIGHT OATS
Overnight oats may quite possibly be the easiest thing you’ll ever make for breakfast. Honestly. Start off by preparing all your ingredients: oats, your milk of choice (dairy, coconut, almond…), and greek yogurt. You’ll also need a sweetener of choice (my faves are pure maple syrup or raw honey), and some spices (like cinnamon or nutmeg). If you like, add some fruit or nuts right away or if you prefer them a bit fresher, just add them in the morning.
Now, you will need an air-tight container to prepare your overnight oats. I like to make mine in individual portions using mason jars – I find these 16 oz mason jars to be the best size for this.
Just grab a mason jar or meal prep container, fill the jar with oats and then pour in the milk so the oats are well covered. Add in the rest of the ingredients and that’s it. Make sure you close the container or your jar properly and your overnight oats are ready to spend the night in the fridge.
When you wake up in the morning, just grab your breakfast from the fridge, top off with some fruit if you’d like and you’re ready to dig in. So. Easy.
6 Best Overnight Oats Recipes – Easy Make-Ahead Recipes
HOW LONG CAN YOU KEEP OVERNIGHT OATS IN THE FRIDGE?
The best part about overnight oats is that you don’t have to cook anything – just combine all the ingredients into the container, close the lid, and refrigerate for at least 4-6 hours, overnight if possible. As the mixture sits in the fridge, the oats absorb the liquid and flavors, leaving you a delicious oat breakfast in the morning.
You know how much I love breakfast meal prep. It just saves so much time! I used to always meal prep lunch and dinner, but rarely did breakfast meal prep recipes. Another great thing about overnight oats is they’re the ideal breakfast to meal prep. Not only can you make them ahead and just grab and go in the morning, but when stored in an air-tight container overnight oats can last up to 5 days in the fridge. FIVE days, my friends! There’re officially no more excuses for skipping breakfast!
WHAT’S THE BEST TYPE OF OATS TO USE FOR OVERNIGHT OATS?
There’s really a big difference among your choice of oats for making overnight oats. I like using good old fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats. They soak up the liquid and give your overnight oats that creamy, silky texture. These oats are just slightly more processed than steel cut oats and are a great source of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Avoid quick cooking oats, since those are highly processed and won’t hold up in these recipes.
DO YOU EAT OVERNIGHT OATS HOT OR COLD?
Overnight oats are definitely one of my go-to breakfast options. I usually just take them out of the fridge and eat them right then and there. Yes, sometimes even right in front of the fridge (and I’m not ashamed to say it!). There are however cold, gloomy mornings when I just want something warm and soothing. So, I just grab my overnight oats and heat them up for 1-2 minutes in the microwave. Either way, it works!
6 Best Overnight Oats Recipes
With these 6 different overnight oats recipes, you can eat the rainbow, change up your morning breakfast routine, and make it that much easier to stay on your healthy routine. Plan a healthy breakfast ahead of time and you’ll find it much easier to have energy throughout the day and avoid unhealthy choices as well!
Strawberry Overnight Oats
Who could say no to ripe and juicy strawberries for breakfast? Make these Strawberry Overnight Oats the night before and have a healthy breakfast waiting for you in the morning!
- 1/2 cup strawberries, chopped
- 1/3 cup raspberries
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
Add all the ingredients except for the oats to a kitchen blender.
Blend until smooth.
Add the rolled oats and stir to combine. Do not blend (You could also do this in a separate bowl, but this makes less dirty dishes.
- Pour the mixture into the mason jar, close, and then place into the fridge overnight or for at least 4-6 hours.
Top with raspberries and strawberries.
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Start your day with a healthier version of your favorite dessert by having Carrot Cake Overnight Oats for breakfast!
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1/3 cup golden raisins
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- Add all the ingredients except for the oats to a kitchen blender.
- Blend until smooth.
Add the rolled oats and stir to combine. Do not blend, (You could also do this in a separate bowl, but this makes less dirty dishes.)
- Pour the mixture into the mason jar, close, and then place into the fridge overnight or for at least 4-6 hours.
Top with shredded carrots and golden raisins.
Mango Overnight Oats
Make-ahead Mango Overnight Oats are the ideal healthy fuss-free breakfast with a tropical punch.
- 3/4 cup mango, diced
- 1/4 banana
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
Add all the ingredients except for the oats to a kitchen blender.
- Blend until smooth.
Add the rolled oats and stir to combine. Do not blend. (You could also do this in a separate bowl, but this makes less dirty dishes.)
- Pour the mixture into the mason jar, close, and then place into the fridge overnight or for at least 4-6 hours.
Top with diced mango.
Kiwi Overnight Oats
It takes less than 5 minutes to prep these Kiwi Overnight Oats. Simple, easy, delicious and so good for you!
- 3/4 cup kiwi, peeled and diced
- 1/2 banana
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- Add all the ingredients except for the oats to a kitchen blender.
- Blend until smooth.
Add the rolled oats and stir to combine. Do not blend. (You could also do this in a separate bowl, but this makes less dirty dishes.)
- Pour the mixture into the mason jar, close, and then place into the fridge overnight or for at least 4-6 hours.
Top with fresh kiwi.
Blueberry Overnight Oats
Skip blueberry muffins and dig into my Blueberry Overnight Oats that you can easily make the night before and just grab and go in the morning!
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/4 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- Add all the ingredients except for the oats to a kitchen blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add the rolled oats and stir to combine. Do not blend. (You could also do this in a separate bowl, but this makes less dirty dishes.)
- Pour the mixture into the mason jar, close, and then place into the fridge overnight or for at least 4-6 hours.
Top with blueberries.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Turn your favorite flavor combo into a healthy breakfast with my Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats recipe!
- 1/2 banana
- 1 tbsp dark cocoa powder
- 1 1/2 tbsp natural peanut butter
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 1/2 cup plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- optional dark chocolate chunks, for garnish
Add all the ingredients except for the oats to a kitchen blender.
- Blend until smooth.
- Add the rolled oats and stir to combine. Do not blend. (You could also do this in a separate bowl, but this makes less dirty dishes.)
- Pour the mixture into the mason jar, close, and then place into the fridge overnight or for at least 4-6 hours.
Top with dark chocolate chunks.
Want Even More Overnight Oats Recipes?
Looking for more overnight oats recipes? Check out these other great overnight oats recipes from the blog.
- Blackberry Cobbler Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oats
- Fresh Peach Cobbler Overnight Oats
- Banana Nut Overnight Oats
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All of these overight oats look soo good. Can’t wait to try them.
Can we leave out the Greek yogurt if we are dairy free? Would it effect the outcome at all?
Love all of your recipes!! Thank you for some more great ones!! 🙂
What can I use as a substitute for greek yogurt? I can’t stand the taste of it, neither cottage cheese. Is there anything I could use that would give me some proteins too? Thanks!