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Learn to make overnight oats using my tried-and-tested recipe and get the creamiest, sweetest oats. They’re easy to meal-prep and customize!
Love overnight oatmeal? Try my tiramisu overnight oats, Snickers overnight oats, or protein overnight oats next.
I’ve eaten more breakfasts in my car than I care to admit, and a majority of said breakfasts have been overnight oatmeal.
That’s because it’s SO convenient, yet unlike most grab-and-go breakfast options, it’s full of healthy ingredients, and it keeps me full for hours (so I don’t have to have lunch in my car, too!).
What is overnight oatmeal?
Instead of cooking oats with liquid on a stovetop or a microwave, oats are soaked in milk for a few hours. They absorb the liquid, become soft, and can be enjoyed uncooked.
Table of Contents
Why I love this recipe
- Healthy and filling. Oats are full of fiber and whole grains, and when you add protein from the yogurt, it’s even more filling.
- The easiest make-ahead breakfast. Every Sunday, I like to spend 5 minutes making a week’s worth of oats (in different flavors, of course). That way, I can grab one on my way out the door.
- Endless ways to customize. I’m giving you the base recipe plus dozens of ways to customize your oats so you never get breakfast fatigue again.
- The perfect texture. Unlike cooked oats, overnight oatmeal has a chewy texture while remaining creamy.
- They can be ready in a couple of hours. ‘Overnight’ may be in the name, but you can in fact get a similar texture in as little as 3-4 hours.
★★★★★ REVIEW
“I make these every night for morning. These overnight oats are the best” – Suzanne
Ingredients needed
- Oats. I tested all different kinds of oats, and I strongly recommend using rolled oats, AKA old-fashioned oats, for this recipe. Quick oats are too mushy, and steel cut oats need a different preparation method (so try my overnight steel cut oats).
- Chia seeds. They add extra fiber, texture, and protein.
- Salt. To balance the sweet flavors.
- Yogurt. Adds a creamy element and also helps to soften the oats. I used unsweetened Greek yogurt.
- Milk. Softens the oats. You could also use water, but I find milk adds more creaminess. I used unsweetened almond milk, but oat milk, coconut milk, and soy milk are great.
- Sweetener. On its own, overnight oatmeal can be a little bland, so I like to drizzle on some honey or maple syrup. You can use granulated sugar, but it takes more to sweeten.
How to make overnight oats
I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 1- Combine ingredients. In a cereal bowl or mason jar, combine the oats, chia seeds, and a pinch of salt. Mix in the yogurt and milk, then add the honey.
Step 2- Chill. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.
Step 3- Serve. Remove the bowl from the fridge and give everything a good mix. Add any toppings and enjoy.
Arman’s recipe tips
- Follow my ratio. Depending on how much oats you want, I suggest following the ratio of 1 part oats to 1 part milk. That way, you can make as much or as little as you want.
- Adjust the consistency. Oats will soak up a lot of liquid, so if your oats are too thick, add a splash of milk and give it a stir.
- Vegan. Use dairy-free milk and plant-based yogurt (I love coconut yogurt!).
- Gluten-free. Use certified gluten-free oats.
Variations
- Chocolate-covered banana. Stir melted chocolate chips into the oat mixture and top with fresh bananas and chopped walnuts.
- PB&J. Stir in strawberry jam and top with a drizzle of creamy peanut butter and fresh strawberries.
- Fall spices. Stir 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice (or a mix of cinnamon and nutmeg) into the oat mixture along with 1 tablespoon of almond butter and top with candied pecans.
- Vanilla berry. Add ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract to the oat mixture and stir in fresh blueberries and raspberries.
Storage instructions
To store: Store leftover oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
To freeze: I rarely freeze my oats. But you can do so by distributing them in single-serve portions and freezing them for up to two months.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can! See my method on hot ‘overnight’ oats.
Yes, if you’d rather not use yogurt, substitute it with an equal quantity of milk to maintain the oats-to-liquid ratios.
It’s important to follow the right ratio so you end up with creamy oats. I find a 1:1 ratio of oats to water is best and prevents the oats from being too liquidy or not getting soft enough.
More healthy breakfasts to try
- Blueberry breakfast cake
- Protein banana bread
- Coconut milk chia pudding
- Oatmeal brownies
- Or any of these breakfast recipes
Easy Overnight Oats
Video
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- In a cereal bowl or mason jar, combine the oats, chia seeds, and salt and mix well. Add the yogurt and milk and mix everything together. Add the honey.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight.
- Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and give everything a good mix. Add any toppings and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
Originally published 2020, updated and republished September 2024
Oats are my favourite carb source in any period of day. I will follow this recipe.
I really like doing overnight oats especially with a little peanut butter, chia seeds and dates bits, also some mashed banana. It just all soaks up into the oats overnight and when I take it out of the fridge it’s all ready to be eaten. It is so cool how all the date bits break down and naturally sweeten the oats. I really enjoy the flavors and often add in a touch of cinnamon and vanilla extract.
I make these every night for morning. The only thing I do different is skip the yougert and do 1/2 cup of oat milk. I also add about a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter along with some 4 fruit preserves, about 1/2 TBS. With this combo I only add about 1 teaspoon of maple syrup. I could do without the syrup but I really like it sweet! It reminds me of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich but without the bread and much more yummy!
Tasted the banana flavour of these overnight oats for breakfast today and loved it so much that I can’t wait to try all the rest of the flavours😍
My personal favourite is making the oats with unsweetened soya milk and vanilla Skyr yoghurt (more protein, less fat and sugar than other yogs) then adding in a diced apple (personally I prefer a sweet variety like Gala apples) and adding ground sweet cinnamon and artificial sweetener to taste. It’s honestly like apple pie oatmeal! Delicious! Plus it’s one of your 5 a day!
That sounds fabulous 🙂
Sieht sehr (dekadent), reichhaltig aber auch lecker aus, für sind das alles Dessert.
Wolltest du deine Rezepte nicht auch in Gramm einstellen, bitte bitte, es wäre so toll von dir?!
Viele Grüße,
Jesse-Gabriel