Overnight Oats

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overnight oats recipes

One of my New Year’s resolutions is to find healthier breakfast solutions that I can make ahead, are semi-portable, and reheating optional. The biggest hurdle: I quickly grow tired of eating the same thing for breakfast every day of the week, so variety is necessary too. After doing some research, I came across overnight oats – a simple and filling breakfast that can be customized to my morning mood.

In one quick shopping trip, you can pick up everything you need for overnight oats. Some recipes call for milk, but I used almond milk as a healthier alternative. You can mix and match your own toppings. Overnight oats can actually be made up to a week in advance, but for the freshest results, pop everything into a jar the night before. I’m one of those weirdos who enjoys oats like, really soggy, so I thought mine were best after a day or two or three!

To start, presoak the oats in your milk of choice and add a tiny teaspoon of vanilla. A little bit of vanilla goes a long way. If you are planning on making a bunch of oats to eat throughout the week, order the ingredients in the jars as follows:

  • Oats and milk
  • Fruits
  • Peanut butter or nut butters
  • Jams or jellies

If you are making a single jar of overnight oats, you can order the ingredients in any way you like! Just keep in mind if you are using fruits like banana in your overnight oats, be sure to put those first, so they don’t get brown. I thought the best overnight oats were the ones with peanut butter, because they were good warmed up or straight out of the fridge.

Strawberry Banana Overnight Oats

Strawberries add a much needed sweetness to oats, without the extra sugar. I recommend eating this one chilled or room temperature for best flavor.

Cinnamon S’more Overnight Oats

An optional ingredient to this jar is a spoonful of marshmallow fluff, if you are trying to really replicate the flavors, and smash your diet at the same time. I used some cinnamon graham crackers to add a touch of texture and a burst of flavor. These oats were best eaten warm!

Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats

These oats were by far my favorite – and one that I could probably eat every day of the week. Whether you use grape, strawberry or raspberry jelly, you can eat these oats at room temperature, chilled, or warmed in the microwave for about a minute.

Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

Another winner in my book! The best of bananas and peanut butter – for added texture, use a chunky peanut butter. I recommend eating these oats room temp or warm.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Overnight Oats

Alright, you do have to treat yo’ self at least once a week for an effective diet (according to a fact I totally just made up). These oats were amazing chilled and warm. I’d basically eat Nutella any way though.

Snack Size!

I packed jars with larger portions for breakfast, and smaller portions for an easy and healthy afternoon snack.

Strawberry Banana Walnut Overnight Oats

You can use fresh strawberries in this one, but if you aren’t going to eat right away, strawberry jam will do the trick!

Maple Apple Walnut Overnight Oats

This one was another goodie! The apples held up surprisingly well after even a few days in the fridge. I’ve been craving maple lately too, so this jar satisfied many needs. This one can be eaten chilled or warm.

overnight oatmeal ingredients

Overnight Oats

The Starving Chef
You can mix and match your own overnight oat toppings! For the freshest results, pop everything into a jar the night before.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Overnight Chill 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Course Breakfast
Cuisine Healthy
Servings 8

Ingredients
  

FOR BASE OATS:

  • 3 cups oats
  • 4 cups almond milk
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

FOR STRAWBERRY BANANA:

  • 3 strawberries sliced
  • ½ banana sliced
  • ¾ cup base oats

FOR CINNAMON S'MORE:

  • ½ banana sliced
  • 2 graham crackers crushed
  • 2 teaspoons mini chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup base oats

FOR PB&J:

  • 2 tablespoons peanut butter
  • 2 tablespoons grape jelly
  • 1 cup base oats

FOR PEANUT BUTTER BANANA:

FOR CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY:

  • 2 tablespoons Nutella
  • 3 strawberries sliced
  • ¾ cup base oats

FOR MAPLE APPLE:

FOR STRAWBERRY BANANA WALNUT:

  • 3 strawberries sliced
  • ½ banana sliced
  • 2 tablespoons walnuts
  • ¾ cup base oats

Instructions
 

  • Place the oats and almond milk in a large bowl. Soak the oats for at least ten minutes.
  • Spoon the soaked oats into individual mason jars or equivalent container. Soak overnight then add toppings as desired. Shake well.
  • All jars can be eaten chilled or at room temperature. Some jars are really good warmed in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. Just remove the lid, heat as desired, and stir well before eating. Enjoy!
Keyword breakfast, oats
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