Easy Overnight Oats Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

This is our favorite overnight oats recipe, made with just 4 ingredients and a touch of vanilla. This easy overnight oatmeal is a healthy breakfast that you can make ahead for busy mornings.

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (1)

Overnight oats are a staple in our house, and while I love trying out different flavor variations, this recipe is our go-to favorite. Because it is THE BEST and THE EASIEST. And when it’s 10pm and we’re exhausted from the day, we need easy, right?

If you know me well, then you know that oatmeal is one of my favorite breakfasts. At least once a week you’ll find me making a batch of Instant Pot steel cut oats for us to eat throughout the week. And this strawberry banana baked oatmeal is a kid-friendly breakfast that’s perfect for fresh berry season.

If make-ahead grab and go breakfasts are your thing, then you have to try this basic overnight oats recipe. I’ve only made this recipe about one hundred times. Really!

It is so delicious and, like this Chia Seed Pudding, takes less than five minutes of prep time.

I usually don’t even measure when I make these overnight oats. You can just pour everything into a mason jar (these are my favorite jars, along with these lids), shake, and refrigerate until morning.

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2)

What are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are made by combining old fashioned rolled oats and milk and then letting the mixture sit overnight in your refrigerator. The oats soak up some of the milk and soften a bit, yet also retain some of their chewy texture.

Do you cook overnight oats?

Overnight oatmeal is not cooked. The oats are soaked in your milk of choice in the refrigerator. It’s not necessary to cook old fashioned oats before eating them.

Do you eat overnight oats cold or warm them up?

It’s up to you! Cold oatmeal might sound strange if you’ve never tried it, but trust me, cold overnight oats are delicious! I especially like to make this overnight oats recipe in the summer when it’s already warm out at breakfast time. In the winter, I’ll sometimes warm this overnight oatmeal in the microwave, but most often I enjoy it cold.

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (3)

How to Make Overnight Oats

Making this quick breakfast is as simple as combining four ingredients in a jar or bowl and letting the mixture sit overnight in your fridge. Here’s a quick rundown of the ingredients you’ll need:

Oats: Traditionally, overnight oats are made with old-fashioned (rolled) oats. Do not substitute quick oats or instant oats, as the texture would be less than pleasant. You may use steel cut oats in this recipe. With steel cut oats you can expect a much chewier texture. I recommend soaking your steel cut overnight oats for at least 24 hours.

Milk: Use your milk of choice in this recipe. Dairy, almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, pea milk, cashew milk… they will all work well! I don’t recommend using water because you need the milk for flavor and creaminess.

Sweetener: I use pure maple syrup to sweeten my overnight oats. You can also use honey, brown sugar or coconut sugar. Adjust the amount of sweetener to your tastes, or leave it out for a sugar-free breakfast.

Vanilla Extract: This is my secret ingredient, and I urge you not to skip it! Adding just a tiny splash of vanilla extract to your overnight oats before soaking them overnight makes a huge difference in the flavor. The vanilla adds a subtle sweetness and a hint of… vanilla!

Optional Add-Ins: You can stop at just the four ingredients above, or add other mix-ins to your jar of oats. Try stirring in some high protein Greek yogurt to make overnight oats with yogurt. Almond butter or peanut butter are other great ways to add protein. Stir in chia seeds, flax seeds or hemp seeds for a nutritional boost. Add some cinnamon for flavor. Turn it into a cool afternoon treat with some cocoa powder or chocolate chips and banana. See my list of more overnight oats recipes below for my favorite flavor combinations.

Toppings: In the morning, add your favorite toppings and enjoy! Try fresh berries, sliced banana or peaches. Nuts and seeds such as almonds, pecans, walnuts, pepitas, chia seeds or sunflower seeds add a delicious crunch. Toasted coconut is one of my favorite toppings.

Tips for the Best Overnight Oatmeal

  • Refrigerate overnight and wait and add your toppings, such as nuts, berries or other fresh fruit, right before serving. If you are using frozen berries such as blueberries or raspberries, you can add those on top of the oats the night before and they will defrost overnight.
  • Overnight oats will last for 4 days in the refrigerator, so they are a great option for make ahead meal prep breakfasts. You can make individual portions of oats in individual serving containers (such as mason jars). The oats in a jar are perfect for grab and go breakfasts to take to work or school.
  • If you’re making a big batch of oats to eat at home, you can mix the ingredients in a large bowl or container to serve from throughout the week.

More Overnight Oats Recipes:

  • Strawberry Chia Overnight Oats
  • Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
  • Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
  • Nectarines and Cream Overnight Oats
  • Chia Almond Butter Overnight Oats

Why we love this basic overnight oats recipe:

  • It doesn’t get much easier than 4 ingredients and 5 minutes (or less) prep time!
  • Oats are whole grains.
  • These oats are the perfect make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings!
  • You can make it gluten-free by using certified gluten-free oats.
  • You can make this recipe dairy-free with almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or other nondairy milk.
  • On a cold morning, warm your overnight oats up in the microwave.
  • Customize your overnight oats with any combination of toppings like peanut butter, blueberries, dried fruit, banana, nuts, cinnamon, apples, protein powder, cocoa powder etc.

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (4)

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (5)

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe

Servings: 1 serving

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

This is our favorite overnight oats recipe, made with just 4 ingredients and a touch of vanilla. This simple overnight oatmeal is a delicious breakfast that you can make ahead for busy mornings.

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Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats*
  • 1/2 cup milk, whichever type you prefer
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • For serving, optional: fresh fruit, sliced or slivered almonds, other nuts or nut butters, etc.

Instructions

  • Combine oats, milk, maple syrup and vanilla in a mason jar or bowl. Seal with a lid and shake to mix, or stir if using a bowl. (If making a larger batch, you can stir the ingredients together in a bowl.)

  • Refrigerate overnight or at least 6 hours and up to 4 days. Stir and add toppings right before serving.

  • Before serving stir and add any preferred toppings such as peanut butter, chia seeds, blueberries, yogurt, dried fruit, honey, almonds, banana, nuts, etc.

Notes

  • Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if necessary for dietary needs.
  • Nutrition information calculated for recipe made with 2% dairy milk and does not include toppings.

Serving: 1recipe, Calories: 226kcal, Carbohydrates: 36g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 10mg, Sodium: 60mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 9g

Nutrition information is an estimate.

Cuisine: American

Course: Breakfast

Tried this recipe?Mention @kristines_kitchen on Instagram or tag #kristineskitchenblog.

This site contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Kristine's Kitchen!

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen (2024)

FAQs

Easy Overnight Oats Recipe - Kristine's Kitchen? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Is it okay to eat overnight oats every day? ›

Overnight oats are perfectly safe to be eaten every day. You may even eat them every morning if you like. However, some say that they feel oats give them digestive issues; overnight oats are not unsafe for those without medical conditions that affect digestion.

What kind of milk is best for overnight oats? ›

Dairy milk and oat milk both work well. Coconut milk adds rich flavor and yields an especially creamy texture. Maple syrup – For sweetness. Honey works too.

Why did my overnight oats not work? ›

If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

What are the disadvantages of overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats usually contain more calories than traditional oats, which is not ideal for individuals following a low-calorie diet or looking to cut back on calorie-rich foods. Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Do you stir overnight oats before putting in the fridge? ›

Stir equal parts old-fashioned rolled oats and a liquid such as milk in a jar or container with a lid. If you're adding any sweeteners or fruit like berries, stir those in now as well. Step two: Cover and chill. Cover the container or seal the jar's lid and store in the refrigerator overnight.

Do overnight oats spike blood sugar? ›

Oats have a low glycemic index, meaning they cause a slower and more gradual rise in blood sugar levels compared to refined carbohydrates. This slow release of glucose into the bloodstream helps prevent spikes in blood sugar, promoting stable glycemic control.

What is a substitute for chia seeds in overnight oats? ›

Here are some alternatives. Flaxseed: If you don't like flaxseeds or chia seeds, you can replace them with nut butter, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, or mashed fruit. Maple Syrup: Agave syrup or brown sugar is an excellent replacement for maple syrup.

What liquid to use for overnight oats? ›

The only ratio you need to remember when making overnight oats is 1:1. You'll soak one part rolled oats with one part liquid overnight. Use less liquid if you want thicker oatmeal, more if you like it runny. You can use water or any type of milk (like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.)

What is the best oats for overnight oats? ›

The Best Oats for Overnight Oats: Old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, become tender and creamy when soaked. Quick-cooking oats, which are smaller, can end up pasty and steel-cut oats, which are sturdier, stay quite firm even after soaking.

Why put chia seeds in overnight oats? ›

Why Do You Put Chia Seeds in Overnight Oats? Chia seeds up the nutrition content in overnight oats. They're loaded with good-for-your-gut fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which help calm inflammation in your body and may protect you from chronic disease. They also add a nice protein boost to this recipe.

Are overnight oats good for your gut? ›

Oats improve gut health

The resistant starches found in oats also provide a rich food source for the friendly bacteria that live in your gut, which helps keep your microbiome in good balance. Interestingly, these friendly bacteria are hard at work when they are well-fed.

Why are my overnight oats bitter? ›

Prior research with oats has shown that bitterness and associated off-flavours are linked to the accumulation of free fatty acids, their volatile oxidation products, and possibly amino acids and certain phenols.

What makes overnight oats better? ›

When soaked overnight, the starch in the oats is naturally broken down, allowing more nutrients to be absorbed by the oats. This causes the oatmeal to swell up and absorb the liquid through every pore, making it a healthy and filling breakfast meal on its own.

How do you increase the texture of overnight oats? ›

Greek yogurt: Not only does Greek yogurt make overnight oats more filling, but it also gives the oats a super-creamy texture. To make the oats vegan, swap in an equal amount of your favorite dairy-free yogurt. Chia seeds: While chia seeds are an optional ingredient, they add a boost of fiber, protein, and omega-3's.

Is it better to use water or milk for overnight oats? ›

The addition of milk to overnight oats creates a creamy texture whereas water won't add any creaminess but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We can compensate for the lack of creaminess and flavor with other nutritious ingredients like mashed banana, plant-based yogurt, or nut butter.

What is best to soak oats in overnight? ›

The night before serving, stir the cinnamon and 100ml water (or milk) into your oats with a pinch of salt. The next day, loosen with a little more water (or milk) if needed. Top with the yogurt, berries, a drizzle of honey and the nut butter.

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