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This Overnight Oatmeal recipe is an easy, healthy, and simple breakfast that you can make ahead for busy mornings and customize with your favorite toppings! So filling, nutritious, and the perfect way to jumpstart your day.

top view oatmeal bowl with fruit toppings

This easy Oatmeal breakfast recipe can be prepped ahead of time the night before and then whipped up in the morning with your toppings. It’s the simplest most satisfying breakfast out there! Healthy and delicious oatmeal bowls, topped with your favorite fruit and adds ins – yes, please!

You can never go wrong with a nutritious bowl of oatmeal in the morning, loaded with fiber, protein, healthy fats, and vitamins. Oatmeal is so versatile and can be prepared in many different ways. All you need is oatmeal and a few basic ingredients that are pantry staples.

If you’re after other tasty breakfast recipes, why not also try my Pineapple Kale Smoothie or my Chocolate Chia Protein Pudding!

why you’ll love this overnight oatmeal recipe

  • Easy overnight oats. Six ingredients, mainly pantry staples, are combined in a few mins – done!
  • Make-ahead or have them ready in 30 mins. They’re called overnight oats and do develop in flavor overnight but you can totally have them in half an hour too.
  • A customizable breakfast. This overnight oatmeal recipe plays well with all your favorite toppings and mix-ins. Top with fruit, mix in some preserve, top with chocolate chips – whatever takes your fancy!
  • Healthy oatmeal. Protein-packed and topped with fresh fruit this is hearty and healthy and so filling.

close up view of oatmeal bowl

ingredients you’ll need

  • Greek Yogurt – this adds thickness to oatmeal and gives a nice protein boost for a complete nutritious breakfast
  • Chia Seeds – loaded with omega-3, a great source of antioxidants, fiber, iron, and calcium.
  • Milk – Adds more flavor and nutrition to your breakfast oatmeal recipe. Not to mention some added Vitamin D.
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Maple Syrup – adds some natural sweetness to your oatmeal. This is optional and other sweeteners can also be used in place of maple syrup.
  • Old Fashioned Oats – Oats are incredibly nutritious and are among one of the healthiest grains on earth! Here is a great article on oatmeal you can check out that talks about the different types of oats and their health benefits.
  • Toppings: Add your favorite fruit or other toppings. Get creative. You can even swap the fruits for some nuts and nut butter.

ingredients for Overnight Oats

how to make this overnight breakfast oatmeal

  • Combine your ingredients. First, whisk yogurt and chia seeds together, then add the rest of the ingredients – except the oats and mix. Finally, add in the oats and stir well.
  • Rest. Cover with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight.
  • Garnish. When you’re ready to serve, add a drizzle of maple syrup and top with your favorite
    fruits.

soaking oats in a bowl with chia seeds, yogurt, and milk

spoon in overnight oatmeal in brown wooden bowl

recipe notes and tips

  • You can prep these 30 mins in advance or overnight.
  • Adding almond butter or peanut butter makes these oats even creamier and gives a nutty/savory twist to the flavor.
  • We prefer you to not use quick oats as they will get too soggy when soaked with milk. Also, do not use steel-cut oats because they won’t soften enough to eat with milk. Stick with plain old fashioned oats for the best results. But if you don’t have rolled oats, you can go ahead and use quick oats.
  • If you prefer a looser consistency to your overnight oatmeal recipe, add a little more milk.
  • Add your toppings just before serving. Toppings can not only prevent the soaking process from happening but throw off the liquid to oat ratio, leaving you with soggy oats!
  • To make gluten-free use gluten-free oats.
  • To make dairy-free use a dairy-free milk option, almond milk works great.

top view of two oatmeal bowl with spoon on the side

faq’s

what is overnight oatmeal?

Overnight oatmeal, or overnight oats, is a no-cook method of making oatmeal. Instead of cooking oatmeal on the stovetop or in the microwave, you soak the raw oats with milk. This soaking process allows the oats to absorb the liquid and soften them enough to eat uncooked. You only need to let the oats soak and rest in the fridge for 30 mins but, it’s ideal if you soak it overnight, voila….overnight oats!

The next morning you will have a scrumptious and creamy bowl of “oatmeal.”!

do you eat overnight oatmeal cold?

You can have these overnight oats warm. Although overnight oatmeal is usually served cold, you can certainly eat them warm. Just put them in the microwave for one minute in a microwave-safe bowl/jar. Great for the winter months, when you may something warm and hearty to kick off the day.

what are the best toppings for overnight oatmeal?

This is where you can really let loose! Top with dried fruit, fresh fruit, nut butter, nuts, seeds, and spices (like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom). Or you can top with chocolate chips for an extra special treat. There are so many topping ideas and combinations, have fun!

oatmeal in a bowl with garnishes

other delicious breakfast recipes

oatmeal with fruit garnishes in bowl

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5 from 3 votes

Overnight Oatmeal Recipe

By: Rena
Servings: 4 - 6 servings
Prep: 5 minutes
Chill: 8 hours
Total: 5 minutes
oatmeal in a bowl with garnishes
This Overnight Oatmeal recipe is an easy, healthy, and simple breakfast that you can make ahead for busy mornings and customize with your favorite toppings!

Ingredients

  • 2 cup greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup chia seeds
  • 2 cup milk of choice
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup maple syrup
  • 2 cup old fashioned oats

Toppings:

  • fresh fruits of choice

Instructions

  • In a mixing bowl, whisk yogurt and chia seeds together. Adding chia seeds to the yogurt will make the texture more pudding-like.
  • Pour in milk, vanilla extract, maple syrup, and whisk until well combined. Now add in the oats and give it a good stir.
  • Cover with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for 30 minutes to overnight.
  • When you’re ready to serve, add a drizzle of maple syrup and top with your favorite fruits.
  • Stir well, and enjoy.

Video

Notes

  • You can prep these 30 mins in advance or overnight.
  • Adding almond butter or peanut butter makes these oats even creamier and gives a nutty/savory twist to the flavor.
  • Do not use quick oats as they will get too soggy when soaked with milk. Also, do not use steel-cut oats because they won’t soften enough to eat with milk. Stick with plain old fashioned oats for the best results.
  • If you prefer a looser consistency to your overnight oatmeal recipe, add a little more milk.
  • Add your toppings just before serving. Toppings can not only prevent the soaking process from happening but throw off the liquid to oat ratio, leaving you with soggy oats!
  • To make gluten-free use gluten-free oats.
  • To make dairy-free use a dairy-free milk option, almond milk works great.

Nutrition

Calories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 21gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 11mgSodium: 95mgPotassium: 564mgFiber: 8gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 267IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 368mgIron: 3mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @healthyfitnessmeals or tag #healthyfitnessmeals!

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